Hello people!
Sorry if Chapter 5 took longer to produce I got the biggest cold ever, it kept me in bed for a while but I'm better now!
But I'm back now, and to begin with, I'd want to thank everyone for all the kind reviews you have no idea how it feels to know your work is appreciated by people.
But enough about me let's get back to it, shall we?
Chapter 5- Trouble Brewing, Revelation, and New Face
In a cave system somewhere on Saunus
A man was pacing said cave angrily, they'd been sent here for a week now and they'd only been able to pillage one small village.
Said man was wearing red leather armor with skulls dangling from his belts, his skin was tan as if the sun scorched it, he was a mountain of muscles and scars who seems pissed if his twitching fingers around his dual axes were anything to go by.
He had not killed anything in four days now, those black daemons were not as satisfying to kill but they did help keep him in check but barely he needed actual blood or he would truly go mad.
With a roar of rage, the man shamed the head of a cultist who tried to hurriedly sneak past him, his blood and brain matter covered his axe making him smile.
A tsked sound was heard behind him. "Do try to keep yourself in check brute, we do not have an unlimited amount of bodies."
The voice owner was adorned in a heavy blue silky robe, the eye of Tzeench was adorning said cloth, his face was covered with a golden mask shaped like a bird.
An annoyed growl escaped the mouth of the brute. "Shut up coward! I haven't killed in days! I need blood! Skulls! .Kill"
With a heavy roll of his eyes, the robe-clad man approached without fear. "Calm down Torgar you'll get your blood alright but if we rush without a plan you risk disrupting our operation, beside there's been a...complication."
This seems to get the attention of Torgar who looked at the Tzeenchian cultist. "What is it, Milos? Something I can kill?"
Milos seems to think for a moment before taking a scroll out of his robe. "Perhaps, I got this little thing from one of our last initiates, and look at that."
He fiddled with the scroll a bit to the great irritation of the Khornate whose eye started to twitch, he was about to lash out at him until he turned the scroll in his direction.
On the scroll, he could see a video showing a giant clad in green armor walking the street of Vale with a kid on his shoulder, the title of the video read 'Atlas new knight model?!'.
Torgar stared at the video and stayed silent, knowing his kind of worried Milos who slowly backed off. "It seems we are not alone here a Salamander has also been sent here."
It was then that the Khornate champion blinked before a grimace of hate appeared on his face, his body was trembling in anger and Milos had to quickly dodge the axe swing coming his way.
His cry of rage could be heard through the entire cave system, cultists were cowering in fear hoping that the berserker would not take his anger on them, even from this distance they could hear his voice. "A SALAMANDER?! HERE?! GHRAAAAAAA! ONE OF THOSE SON OF BITCHES IS HERE?!"
The sound of breaking and crashing was shaking the cave, a blood-curdling scream would be heard before having it ended with a wet sound of tearing.
Back with the Khornate now turned berserk Milos was doing his best to not die while Torgar was demolishing every electronic and crate he could find, some unfortunate sod got killed in the crossfire but he couldn't care less.
"Torgar! Calm down! I know you do not like Space Marine we'll get him like the rest so stop destroying our base!" His only answer was a roar of rage and an axe flying in his direction, an axe that he dodged by crouching down.
With a growl of irritation, a staff appeared in Milos's hands, it was a golden staff adorned with intricate design with a blue moving demonic eye at the top of it, with a twirl of the staff and an incantation in a language so foul it could turn any sane man mad he cast a spell at Torgar.
The spell hit him like a truck and with one last stumble and a groan he fell crashing on a console unconscious and covered in burnt scars from an unseen fire.
With a sigh of annoyance at the brute outburst, Milos was about to do more research on the Salamander when heavy footsteps started resonating through the cave in his direction.
His eyes widen bellow the mask fused to his face and he quickly dropped to his knee when a massive figure walked into the room.
The figure was ten feet tall clad in a bulky terminator armor painted red with spikes coming out of it his left arm was replaced by a power claw, his other hand had a storm bolter mounted on it, he was also holding a thick book-covered in heretical symbol.
Milos still looking down was trembling slightly when the terminator stood over him before talking in a shaky voice. "M-My Lord, w-what can this humble servant do for y-you?"
The World Bearers stayed silent for a while observing the destruction and the mangled corpses of the two unlucky cultists who got in the way of the Khornate berserker before staring at him.
"Tell me, Milos, did I not order you to rule in my pet? Because of your incompetence, our operation on this unlightened planet has been set back even more, but even worse..."
Milos was trembling in fear when the Terminator slowly lowered himself to loom even more over him his shadow masking him. "You hurt my pet..."
In panic, Milos tried to defend himself. "Lord Ballroch! I-I had to do it! A-A thousand excuses he-he ARGHHHH!" His plea for mercy where cut short when the power claw of his lord burst into lightning before touching him causing his body to convulse in pain.
"Shush sorcerer...you know I do not tolerate such incompetence but..." He slowly removed the power claw finger from his shoulder, the man immediately fell on the ground into shock his body convulsing in pain, his staff still present seemed to glare at the charred man mockingly.
"You are still useful to me...for now so try not to fail me again." His voice was sickenly sweet even through the vox grill of his snarling helmeted face.
While he was being punished the opened scroll in his hand fell to the ground playing in a loop the video of Ardal walking through the city of Vale, seeing it Ballroch slowly picked up the scroll and stared at it.
Bellow his helmet a sadistic grin was slowly appearing. "Interesting...it seems that one of my misguided brothers found his way here."
With his power claw, the terminator removed his helmet showing a crazed smile on a pitch-black face with blazing red eyes, the eight-pointed star carved into the left side of his face. "I shall personally enlighten him of the wonder of chaos then."
On Patch far away from Chaos
Another week passed at the new Xiao-Rose household, and everyone seemed to have found their mark in the oversized house same as their routine, the new 'unofficial' family member Vo'Shan Ardal had quickly found his rhythm in this peaceful house.
Said Marine was currently out of his armor wearing a white shirt and jeans custom made for him, paid by Taiyang as a thanks for saving their life.
Our Astartes had woken up early and was currently in the kitchen humming a song his mother used to sing to him a few hundred years ago while reading a recipe for cookies.
The little Saint seems completely crazy about them so he made it his mission to learn how to make them, thankfully Space Marines were being of many talents, and mixing chocolate chips and cookie batter was easier than trying to reattach a leg in the middle of a gunfight.
Said little girl, Ruby had been praying with him for the past week every morning after breakfast and every night before bed, she had asked him questions about the Imperium and their society, questions he told her would be answered once she got older which annoyed her quite a bit, but he still answered some of the most innocent one who would not traumatize her.
Something he found strange is that after their first prayer, Ruby had never been glowing silver again nor as she been able to hear the voice of their Lord only the warmth she seemed to emanate from praying stayed, thankfully it did not deter her faith in Him.
However, she seemed to have kept the ability to sense Grimm and their weak point a fact he remorsefully learned after having her pestering him to bring her on Grimm clearing duty with him while her dad was teaching at Signal.
On a side note, he was a bit disappointed when Yang never showed up to perform a prayer with them even though he made her an Imperial cross the day after their talk, but he would not hold a grudge over her, after all, accepting the Light of the Emperor is a big step forward.
He was so lost in his mind while waiting for the cookies to bake that he did not hear footsteps coming behind him. "I hope you're not trying to replace me as the dad of the house Ardal?" The teasing voice behind him broke him of his thought, turning around he saw Tai with his arms crossed with a smile on his face staring at him.
"My apology Taiyang I was lost in my mind, thus I did not hear you, and do not worry I would not dare take the father title away from you after all I have you know that I am their 'grandfather'." Both men chuckle at that, Tai slowly approaches the counter and watches the cookies beak with him.
Said man had a small smile on his face before speaking in a soft voice. "You know, the day you saved us I was doing the same thing with Ruby. Baking I mean."
Ardal gave a small comforting smile and nod to the man next to him but remained silent leaving them in a comfortable silence that was broken by Tai. "How is it?" He looked at Ardal who had an eyebrow raised. "Life on Nocturne you're 'home world'."
It took him a bit of time to think of an answer before nodding his head satisfied with his answer. "I was born in Themis 'The City of Warrior Kings', it is renowned for their exceptional warrior and hunter, in terms of strength and size, I am taller than most Astartes in the other Chapters due to this fact."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "The city itself is beautiful, buildings crafted by the finest of artisans, and gargantuan forges being operated by the most skilled of smiths littered the city it is truly a sight for sore eyes my friend."
Tai was smiling trying to imagine such a city. "But life on Nocturne is not easy, quite the opposite, the city was protected by an energy shield at all times to stop debris and lava flow from destroying Themis."
At that, Tai raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nocturne is known in the Imperium as a 'death world' the planet's atmosphere is constantly filled with burning ashes from all the volcanic activity on the planet, apart from a few cities, my people live nomadic life to avoid dying from the ground opening below their feet." His description made Tai wince but he kept going.
"And this is without even talking about the beast roaming it, in my childhood, I had to take rites of passage to earn my standing in the city, my final one was to defeat a Salamander in battle, they are giant fire-breathing reptile living in volcano, this is also how I earn the right to become a Neophyte in the Salamander Chapter to being the man I am now."
It took a bit of time for Tai to digest the information before shuddering. "Well, I'll take Grimm over constant lava every day thank you."
Ardal was about to respond when a yelp of distress came from behind them, both men turned around seeing Ruby on top of Yang lying on the ground, with groans of pain both sisters slowly stood up to look at the two unamused adults looking at them.
With a sheepish smile, Yang waved at them. "H-Hey Dad, h-hey Gramps hum, good day today he?"
Tai was about to berate his daughters when Ruby rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Ardal's leg. "I'm so sorry Grampa! I should not have eardrops! I-I failed to listen to what you said about 'Ignorance is bliss' but I was just so curious and-and!"
Ardal stopped her babbling by praying her off his leg with an amused smile on his face. "You did nothing wrong young one, just don't take my teachings too literally. It's important to understand common knowledge, but I was actually referring to the darker issues in the universe."
Yang and Tai observed the unfolding scene before them. On one hand, they were pleased for Ruby as she had found a role model. However, they were also concerned about her involvement in this "religion."
Ruby nodded slowly before smelling the cookies being prepared. Her eyes widened and a big smile appeared on her face. "You're making cookies?! Yay!"
Despite their worries, their sister/daughter's enthusiasm quickly dispelled their concerns. 'I should try to join them today to see what's going on with Gramps and Ruby.' Yang thought, smiling at her sister who was joyfully jumping on the table.
The rest of the hour went by normally with Tai berating them about eavesdropping, once the cookies were done everyone ate happily the first batch of many made by Ardal, once everyone was done Taiyang left for Signal kissing both his daughters on the forehead.
"So, you listen to Ardal OK girls?" Ruby responded with an energetic smile and nod, while Yang rolled her eyes and gave a small smirk. "Okay, love you, girls. I'll see you tonight!"
Both girls said their goodbye, once done Ruby ran towards Ardal's room where said Marine was waiting for her.
Yang didn't have much to do. She would start Pre-Combat school in a few months. Her days were spent watching TV, practicing her combat stance, or tinkering with motorbike parts - a hobby of hers.
So with a groan, Yang went to her room to grab the pendant Ardal made her at the beginning of last week before knocking on his door, she waited a minute before said door opened revealing Ruby who looked at her curiously. "Yang? Can we help you?"
Biting her lower lips lightly Yang showed her the pendant in her hand, a big and bright smile appeared instantly on her sister's face. "Praise The Emperor! You're joining us, Yang?! Yay! Come in! Come in!"
Ruby opened the door completely letting her enter the room, inside she could see they were in the middle of preparing candles, and the incense she smelled the first time she entered the room last week.
Ardal, back in his armor sans his helmet now completely repaired, thankfully Qrow's weapon had only cut some wires that were easily replaced.
Ardal having heard the conversation turned his head toward her and smiled. "Ha Yang, it is good to see you joining us at last, Ruby was quite sad when you never showed up for our prayers."
Said girl was nodding her head rapidly up and down. "Yeah! But now you're gonna be able to see the beauty of the Emperor! You'll see it's awesome!"
Yang gave her a nervous chuckle before rubbing her neck hearing her sister speaking like that at only five was making her a bit uncomfortable. "S-Sure Ruby so hum what do we do?"
Completely oblivious to her sister's uneasiness Ruby dragged her towards the altar. "Well, we were about to finish setting up everything! But you could start lighting the candles for Grampa while we finish preparing the incense."
With a nod of her head, Yang did what was asked of her while giving a sideway glance at her hyper-active sister who now was already kneeling calmly in front of the altar head low and pendant held tightly in her hands.
Ardal seeing Yang's gaze fill with worry on his charge approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Would you want to talk in private once we finished our prayer young Dragon?"
At hearing the little name Ardal started using for her Yang gave him a small smile and a negative nod of her head, she then approached her sister before trying to take the same position as her.
Ruby feeling someone next to her opened her eyes, once she saw who it was a joyful smile appeared on her face. "Need help, Yang? Don't worry it's easy once you get used to it."
Her answer was a roll of the eye and a smirk from her sister. "Psssh how hard can it be to pray."
At seeing her sister widen her eyes in horror Yang knew she messed up before receiving the cutest angry pout she had ever seen from her sister. "Yang! It's not funny look I'll show you."
In the background, Ardal was smiling at the sister's banter before joining them in the crouch position which in turn made them both stop talking.
When he looked back at them he saw both of them in the correct position to give proper respect to the Emperor, and with a small nod of appreciation he looked at Yang. "Tell me Yang what do you expect from this session?"
The question made both sisters perk up, Ruby because she was curious about the answer, and Yang because she was not expecting such a question.
It took her a few minutes to think of her answer before shrugging her shoulder. "Well I want to see what the deal is with all of that, Rubes seems pretty into it and I want to know why. And hey maybe I'll get convinced."
The answer seemed to satisfy Ardal but Ruby gave a cute pout to her sister's answer before muttering something, the only thing Yang managed to catch was 'didn't see him...' .
A small chuckle from Ardal took their focus back on him. "Well, children like every morning we are going to recite the 'Prayer of Adulation to the Emperor' Ruby is already familiar with it after all this is the prayer every good Imperial citizen must do every morning."
A smile and nod were the only confirmation he got from Ruby while Yang gave him a curious look. "Well, how do we do it?"
"First you need to empty your mind and repeat after me." Yang could see both Ardal and Ruby bowing their head in sync eyes closed, it was kind of weird to see but not wanting to be left out she assumed the same position as them.
They stayed like this for a good five minutes, to 'empty their mind' she guessed, so she tried the calming scent of the burning incense surprisingly helping her.
It was then that Ardal started speaking. "O Immortal Emperor: have mercy on us, miserable unworthies that we are. O Master of the Galaxy: Protect your flock from the Alien. O Keeper of Light: Guide our Darkened Path with your Radiance"
His voice startled Yang a bit but she quickly regained her concentration and to her surprise started reciting the prayer perfectly in sync with Ruby. "O Immortal Emperor: have mercy on us, miserable unworthies that we are. O Master of the Galaxy: Protect your flock from the Alien. O Keeper of Light: Guide our Darkened Path with your Radiance"
Yang could feel herself getting...warmer? While repeating the prayer like a warm blanket was put on her shoulder before she could think about it Ardal kept going. "We are your Warriors and we are servants of Thee, We stand free from Blindness of heart, Free from Hypocrisy, Vainglory and deceits, But captive to hatred, Malice and Anger, To the filth, the alien, the heretic."
Again both sisters spoke in perfect synchronisation. "We are your Warriors and we are servants of Thee, We stand free from Blindness of heart, Free from Hypocrisy, Vainglory and deceits, But captive to hatred, Malice and Anger, To the filth, the alien, the heretic."
Again the feeling came back but stronger, she felt like she was still in her bed rolled up in her blanket, what she did not know was that this sensation was coming from her sister whose words had somehow an effect on them, this seemed to affect all three of them.
She was about to ask what the sensation was when Ardal finished the prayer. "By Thy Agony and Bloody sweat; by thy Golden Throne and Thy Death, By thy Destruction and re-emergence as the God of Men, Keep and Strengthen us, We who fight for Thee."
And again both spoke at the same time, their tone of voice a bit higher than usual. "By Thy Agony and Bloody sweat; by thy Golden Throne and Thy Death, By thy Destruction and re-emergence as the God of Men, Keep and Strengthen us, We who fight for Thee."
They stood in this position for a few minutes, Yang and Ruby basking in the feeling that reminded them of the hug their late mother used to give them.
Once the sensation subsided Ruby and Yang opened their eyes both looking at one another and smiling. "W-Whoa Ruby. I-I didn't know it felt like that to pray."
Ruby spoke in a soft voice not moving from her kneeling position. "I know Yang, I feel like that every morning when I pray, after all the Emperor works in mysterious ways."
Ardal was looking at the two sisters with a big proud smile on his face. "Indeed young Saint, and to be frank to both of you I had never felt such warmth course through me during my prayers, those feelings started once me and young Ruby here started praying."
Yang looked at him curiously, Ruby already knew his view on it but she still listened to his words. "I do believe young Dragon that your sister is a chosen of the Emperor, she carries His Will, like many others the closest example I got would be Saint Celestine."
Both nodded their head but Yang was still curious. "Who's this 'Saint Celestine' Gramps? You talk about her like she's important."
Ardal took a moment to think before nodding, he picked up his helmet and fiddled with it under the curious look of the two little girls who sat in front of him.
After a while the lens of the helmet flashed to life and a hologram appeared in front of them.
The hologram was showing the scene of a battle, they could see a sea of humans all wearing green armor while holding bizarre weapons some bulkier than others, behind the men and women they could see the biggest tank they had ever seen, even the last Atlas one looked ridicule in front of even the smallest of them.
But what got their attention was the floating woman above the charging army.
She was gliding through the sky with two gigantic wings of pure white, she was also wearing a golden armor that seemed to reflect the golden light coming from a halo on her back tenfold.
She held a massive sword that blazed with fire, pointing it toward a horde of green beasts on the right side of the picture.
However, what really drew their attention was her striking resemblance to their mother. Although she did have Summer's black hair she was missing the crimson point of it, but she had the same hairstyle and facial features. What surprised them the most were her blazing silver eyes.
Ardal gave them some extra time to examine the picture before taking it away, causing the girls to lose their focus and blink for the first time in minutes.
They both looked up at him as he explained, "This picture was taken by a servo skull during one of the battles that Saint Celestine participated in. The Guardsmen you saw in the picture were from the planet Cadia, and they were fighting against the Orcs or Greenskins, an alien race that enjoys war and considers it a game."
The girls were silent for a moment processing what they had just witnessed, the first one to break the silence was Ruby who spoke in a little voice. "W-Why did she look like Mommy...?"
This surprised Ardal who looked at them curiously, but at the view of Ruby's distress, he took her in a gentle hug that she reciprocated quickly. "Really now? Do you perhaps possess a picture of her? If it is not too much to ask." His question was directed at Yang who nodded her head.
"Yeah Uncle Qrow gave us some copies of his pictures since ours...burnt down with the house..." Both girls shivered and looked down in sadness one hugging her arms and the other holding a chestplate harder.
Without letting him utter a single word Yang stood up and left the room to look for a picture of their mother/stepmother.
The two stayed in silence for a good five minutes before Yang came back with the album in her hand. "Here you go first page, first picture."
Ardal slowly raised a hand towards her and with a bit of hesitation she placed it in his hand, she then watched him bring the book back towards him before opening it with great care.
With his free hand, he placed his helmet back on his head to be able to compare the two pictures, one showed a battle where an untold billion had died, and the other one showed a younger Taiyang with an arm around a woman in her mid twenty holding a Ruby toddler and a two years old Yang, three of them were smiling brightly at the camera while Ruby toddler was sleeping peacefully.
While comparing the two women he could see the similarities, the first one being their silver eyes, the hair looked pretty similar Celestine just did not have the crimson tip of Ruby's mother, they had the same facial traits, and even if he is quite ashamed to have noticed it their bust size seemed the same.
He took a few more glances at the two pictures before gently closing the album and making the picture disappear, he gave the book back to Yang who hugged it against her before leaving without a word.
Ardal saw Ruby silently crying, likely triggered by the picture of her late mother.
With great care he raised her until her arms latched around his neck where he let her cry, Yang did not come back.
The rest of the day was spent in silence, Yang had barricaded herself in the garage and only came out to take some cookies to eat, Ardal had stayed in the living room in case one of the girls needed him while doing maintenance on his gun with the tools he crafted with the help of Winston, Ruby for her part had locked herself in her room were she was praying to her own makeshift altar.
The silence in the house was only broken for dinner and even then not much had been said, it was easy to understand that Summer Rose's death was a very sore and sensitive subject for the sisters.
Finally, the night rolled back and Taiyang the patriarch of the household with pizza boxes in his hands opened the door. "Hey, girls! Dad's back!"
For once he was only answered by silence, waiting in the dining room was Ardal in his full armor looking at him his hands crossed in front of his vox grill, his distorted voice once he talked sounded serious. "We need to talk."
Tai gulped nervously before quickly placing the pizzas in the kitchen and joining him, something must have happened, normally Ruby was glued to him and she was nowhere to be seen.
Ardal followed him until he was sitting in front of him, he could feel how the serious atmosphere was. "Alright, what do you want to talk about?"
The Astartes in front of me stayed silent for a full minute before finally speaking. "Tell me about Summer Rose."
Tai's eyes opened wide, his throat tightened and his gaze looked at his hands, like his daughters he was not completely over the death of his second wife.
With a shaky breath he slowly looks back at the lifeless lens of the helmet in front of him, his voice now serious but still shaky. "What do you want to know?"
Ardal held his gaze before uttering a single word. "Everything."
With a slow nod, Tai started. "Well, it all began...I'd say sixteen years ago." He nodded to himself happy that he remembered. "At seventeen I got accepted into Beacon where I met Summer and the rest of my team, Team STRQ, she was team leader you know? We were the best team on campus at that time."
Tai gave a dry chuckle. "That's also where I met my first love...her name was Raven Brawen, twin sister to Qrow Brawen both members of Team STRQ. Raven had always been broody with a mentality of 'the strong live the weak die.'.
Ardal stayed silent his gaze fixed on the man in front of him. "I knew Summer had a crush on me even though I and Raven officially became a couple during our third year, but I was so into Raven I never noticed...after Beacon me and Raven got married and at the age of 26 we got Yang...that's maybe the best thing that ever happened during my marriage, one day Raven was here holding a two days old Yang, and the next she was gone..."
Tai looked down, it was hard for him to talk about the past even if he omitted a lot of it. "I was devastated, I looked everywhere... and one-day Qrow came to me and told me he found his sister...I was so happy I thought she got kidnapped!"
For the first time since he knew the man Ardal saw rage on Taiyang's face, the man punched the table. "She did not get kidnapped...she left! She just ran away and you know why?! Because apparently me and Yang were too weak for her! Her one-month-old daughter was too weak! Of course, she was she was a baby! So she just went back to her tribe of bandits where now she's their leader..."
Some tears fell down his cheeks but he quickly wiped them. "After that, I kind of shut down...you know the house here was Summer's house? One day I just left Vale to Patch with Yang in my arms...I didn't have a job or liens Raven had taken everything...and you know what she said to me...?"
A small smile appeared on his face. "She said 'Took you long enough.' with the smile that finally made me understand who I loved, we got married the same year."
The giant in front of him never moved, he just listened. "At twenty-eight we got Ruby... she was our little cookie monster, Summer loved baking them for her you know? I'm fairly sure Ruby eats so many of them because it reminds her of her mom... Summer had never left being a Huntress, while I was teaching at Signal she would go kill Grimm and save people, she was kind of Super Mom for the girls..."
This time tears started to roll down his cheeks and he did not stop them. "And-and one day she got a mission from Ozpin...she didn't tell me what it was...she-she made one last batch of cookies for Ruby, kissed me and the girls goodbye and left like she always did...but-but she never came back...it's been two years now..."
Ardal this time moved, slowly the Astartes stood up and joined the man and placed an oversized comforting hand on his shoulder, it took some time for Tai to get his emotions back in control.
"It-It took me a month to have an answer from Ozpin...apparently Summer died during that mission...they never found her corpse...so now at our favorite place to watch the sunset there's a tomb without a body in it..."
The man looked up at Ardal. "I'm scared Ardal...both Yang and Ruby want to become Huntresses...I'm scared that one-day Ozpin will just show up at my door to tell me one of my little gems died...I-I don't know what I would do if it happened...I know it's dumb...but with what happened two weeks ago I nearly lost one of my precious baby girls..."
Taiyang fell silent, the only sound in the kitchen was the small sob that he tried to repress, after what felt like hours Ardal slowly kneeled in front of him lowering his helmet to be at eye level with him. "Taiyang Xiao-Long."
At hearing his name he slowly looked at the man in front of him, seeing him so close surprised him a little but he was too lost in his emotions to react.
Once Ardal was sure he had the attention of the house patriarch he slowly removed his chainsword from his hip and presented it to the man. "Where I come from every Astartes, vow a sacred oath to the God Emperor that they will guard His galaxy in His name."
Taiyang looked at the weapon held in front of him puzzled before slowly grabbing the hilt of it, the weapon's weight surprised him a little but he stayed strong. "Today Taiyang Xiao-Long, I shall take such an oath in front of you. We may not be in one of the holy cathedrals of the Ecclesiarchy but no matter, the Emperor sent me to this world to protect your daughter Ruby Rose, a task I accept with my whole being."
This seemed to surprise Tai a little but before he could voice it Ardal continued. "Today, I Vo'shan Ardal will extend this oath of protection to your entire family, as long as I draw breath nothing will ever happen to your daughters or you, I shall be their shield against the darkness of this world, and their sword that will vanquish it."
Ardal stood up and placed an armored fist on his chest plate where his heart should be. "Mark my words Taiyang Xiao-Long, I will never leave your daughter's side, rest easy at night great warrior, for now and forever an Astartes, an Angel of Death of the Emperor of Mankind watches over them."
Taiyang at to look up at him, even in the dim light of the kitchen a halo of light seemed to englobe his head when he talked, the shake in his hands slowly stopped and a warmth filled his heart with hope for the future.
Taiyang stood up and approached him, his tears at stopped and a smile was on his face, slowly he held Ardal's chainsword in his direction before speaking in a voice still shaky but filled with hope and trust. "Ardal...you have no idea how happy I am to hear that, this oath seems important for you so...I accept...please keep my family safe."
With a nod of his head, Ardal took the weapon for his hand and placed it back on his hip, a hand found its place on his shoulder. "The trust you place in me honor me Taiyang, tonight I shall pray to the Emperor to hold a seat for you at His side, you deserved it."
Both men stayed silent for a while after that until something caught Ardal attention.
Walking to the door of the kitchen he opened it revealing the sisters, holding onto one another for dear life, while sobbing against one another shoulders, understanding what happened Ardal placed a hand on his head and sighed. "Throne..."
Approaching them he gently picked them up and brought them into the room with their father, at the view of his daughters in Ardal's arms a horrified look appeared on his face while coming to the same conclusion as the Astartes.
"Ho, my babies..." Tai approached them and took them with no resistance from Ardal's grip, both of them held their dad tightly, the first to talk was Yang her voice had hiccups in it. "D-Dad...we love you so-so-so much..."
Ruby weakly nodded her head. "Y-Yhea...we will never leave you...p-promise! We-We are gonna become the best H-Huntress in the world"
"Yeah! We-We're gonna kick the butt of every Grimm and bad guy so other Dad and Mom can stay together forever...!" Yang smiled at him even if weakly. "And we won't be alone after all..."
Three pairs of eyes turned towards the armored man, who nodded silently. "I did vow to protect both of you forever." His arms were crossed in an amused fashion, but his voice was full of kindness.
At his words the three of them smiled at him, the girl's worry evaporating as fast as it had started.
Tai seated his daughter and went to grab the pizza while Ardal quickly left to remove his armor to eat with the family a smile on his face, he knew he had made the right choice, for it was the Emperor's Will he was following.
Two month later
Not much had happened during this period, a comfortable routine started, Yang had started elementary school in September to prepare for Signal, Ardal had found a job at Winston's smithy where he usually takes Ruby with him.
Today was a Monday in October, the giant had become a normal sight in Vale even though people kept staring at him in awe sometimes, he even got to meet people coming from other kingdoms just to be able to see him.
Ardal had finished his work early today, thanks to his expertise at the forge Winston had become even better at his craft so to thank him he gave him his afternoon, he was now walking in Vale's street with a happy Ruby on his shoulder, her Imperial necklace dangling proudly around her neck.
"Soooooo, what are we gonna do Grampa? Can we go eat ice cream?! Please! " Ardal chuckled he could not see it but Ruby was giving him puppy dog eyes.
"Let's do it even better Ruby, why don't we go and surprise Yang at school? Then the three of us can go eat in town." Said little girl jumped excitedly on his shoulders a big smile on her face.
"Yeah! Thanks, Ardy you're the best!" With a chuckle, the duo did just that and went to Yang's elementary school.
They did not have long to wait thankfully, Ardal received a lot of attention from the children who were jumping in delight around him with parents apologizing profusely while trying to grab them.
Yang finally came out and looked at them in surprise, Ruby was waving her hands enthusiastically at her. "Yaaaaaang! Over here!"
Quickly coming out of her surprised state she quickly rushed them and climbed Ardal to hug her sister under the jealous and surprised look of her classmates. "Rubes! What are you doing here?! Aren't you and Gramps at Winston's place?"
With a big smile, Ruby gave the hug back to her sister. "Yeah! But mister Winston let us go earlier today so we were like 'Hey why don't we go grab Yang to eat?! So now we're here and we can go!"
Ardal could not remove the smile on his face, children were so precious he would have to pray to the Emperor to thank the world for such gifts.
A small tap on his helmet took him out of his reverie and the voice of an energetic Ruby reached his ears. "Onward Grampa! For the Emperor!"
And so he went, he treated the girls to food he knew they would like (burger and fries), and now they were on their way to look for an ice cream shop for dessert, a shop they found rather quickly.
At the stand Ardal was watching with a smile on his face behind his helmet the sisters talking excitedly about their day, Yang was jealous that Ruby was done with her 'work' while Ruby was excited to start school in a few years.
While observing them Ardal spotted something in the corner of his eye, turning his head to the left he saw a little girl in a dirty alleyway, she was maybe a year older than Ruby, she was dressed in torn dull cloth with dirt all over her body, but her most surprising features where her chromatic eyes and hair, one side was pink and the other was chocolate brown even though it was hard to tell with how dirty and entangled they were.
Said girl was holding a piece of cardboard saying 'I'm hungry lien please', in front of her a small bowl for lien was empty, passerby not even glancing in her direction.
Ardal turned his gaze back towards his charges, seeing them still arguing in the rather long queue.
He got their attention and crouched at their level. "Ruby, Yang, I have something to do alright? Do not cause a scene I will not be far, do not follow strangers, and stay in this queue." At his authoritarian voice, both of them nodded their head.
Ruby smiled at him. "Of course, Grampa after all the Emperor's teaching tells us to be wary of the unknown!"
Yang rolled her eyes and placed an arm around her younger sister's neck. "I keep her safe Gramps don't worry."
Happy with their answer Ardal stood up and started walking towards the small begar, civilan let him cross mostly to avoid being crushed by his armored frame, some were still in awe at the view of him.
The little girl saw him approaching if the terror in her wide eyes was anything to go by, now that he was closer to her he could see how thin she was, he could easily tell she was not eating correctly.
Ardal stopped in front of the girl who was shaking like a leaf her neck straining to look at him in the eyes, he could see tears in them.
Slowly he crouched in front of her ignoring the whisper around him before talking in a kind voice. "Hello young one, I am sorry for bothering you but I could not help but notice a little girl sitting in such a place alone."
The girl did not dare to move, the giant she heard so much about from passersby was talking to her! A street rat! She simply gave him a fearful look.
Undeterred by her gaze Ardal slowly removed some liens from one of his many armor compartements and placed them in front of her, her gaze followed his movement like a hawk but she did not dare pick up the money.
"This is not much little one I am much aware of that." Her gaze did not dare leave the liens in case they disappeared. "But I could not live in good conscience if I was not offering you something to eat, I am currently with my two charges at the ice cream vendor on the other side of the street, would you want to accompany us?"
Even if she did not look like it she was listening to his every word and at the mention of food she stared at him with wide surprised eyes, Ardal could see hope in them even if the girl had not uttered a single word or sound since they met.
Slowly she grabbed the liens and hugged them against her chest before slowly nodding her head, even if the man in front of her wanted to hurt her she did not care, afterall who would miss the street rat that she is?
And so she slowly stood up on shaky legs, Ardal doing the same. "Come child, let us fill your belly even with such a measly treat."
And so the beggar and the Astartes went back to the shop under the gaze of many, the child shrunk on herself intimidated by so many people suddenly interested in her.
The walk was not long but with her barefooted feet it felt like hours, the pavement was cold with winter approaching after all.
Inside the shop Ardal quickly spotted the sisters, they were still waiting but noticeably closer to being served, with a smile he approached them. "Here I am girls I hope I did not make you wait too long?"
Both smiled at him not noticing the girl huddled behind his leg. "Grampa! No don't worry we were deciding what we wanted. So where did you go?"
They were looking at him expectantly making him chuckle. "Well, I saw a lost soul and I could not help but be touched by such a sight." At their confused look, he moved his leg revealing the little girl who was looking at them with wide eyes filled with fear like a deer caught in a headlight.
Yand and Ruby gasped and her view and in a flurry of petals Ruby was in her face. "By the Throne are you alright? Ho Emperor this is bad!"
Ardal quickly grabbed Ruby seeing the begar on the ground trembling in fear. "Calm Ruby, we do not wish to scare the poor thing alright?"
This seemed to calm her down, Yang approached them. "Gramps, where did you find her?"
Ardal now hands free helped the girl to stand up. "In an alleyway on the other side of the street, excuse my charge please she is easily excitable."
Ruby pouted at him from her sister's arms their spot in the queue forgotten. "Now that we are in a more friendly environment what is your name, young lady?"
Her mouth opened but no sound came from it making her blush and look down in embarrassment, Yang thinking she was being difficult frowned. "Hey, Gramps asked you a question and he brought you here you could answer no?"
This seemed to hurt the girl more than it should and a tear rolled down her cheek, seeing that Yang winced and looked down in shame. "Yang, let the little one go at her rhythm, we do not want to scare her."
While everything was happening Ardal Aphotycary's programming in his helmet where scanning the girl, revealing severe malnutrition and poor hygiene if all the infected cuts hidden below her rags were anything to go by, but the most alarming thing was the complete lack of vocal cords in the girl.
With a pity-filled look unknown to everyone Ardal started making hand gestures. 'Do you understand me little one?'
If the wide eyes of surprise of the girl were not enough her next action was enough to make him smile. 'You know sign language mister?'
A nod and more signs were exchanged. 'Of course, after all, I am some sort of doctor, I am relieved that the signs I learned worked here, now tell me what is your name little one?'
'My name is Trivia Vanille, sir, you're Ardal, right? Everyone talks about you.' She seemed way more confident now that she could talk to someone, something that overjoyed Ardal.
'It is a pleasure to meet you Trivia, behind me are my 'grand-daughters' Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao-Long' said girls were looking at them strangely in silence.
Noticing them Trivia blushed and waved shyly at them, a gesture that both girls gave back with a mixture of skepticism for Yang and energic joy from Ruby.
"Girls, I would like you to meet Trivia Vanille, she is mute so please be kind to her." At hearing that Trivia blushed in shame and looked down, Yang gave her a pitying look but Ruby left the security of her sister's arm and slowly approached her.
Both girls looked at one another, one ready to run and the other with a smile. "Hi, I'm Ruby Rose it's nice to meet you Trivia." She gently grabbed one of her dirty hands not caring for it.
"Do you want to have ice cream with us?"
Ardal watched Trivia give a small shy nod to the younger girl, he felt pride in seeing Ruby accepting someone like her so quickly.
Looking up Ardal could see that the queue was over and with a smile he stood up. "Why don't we go ask the nice shopwoman what you would want to eat girls?"
Yang and Ruby smile before running toward the display cabinet filled with different ice cream flavors, Trivia being unfortunately dragged like a ragdoll by Ruby.
With a smile Ardal followed them, Ruby took a three-flavor ice cream (all cookie flavors of course.).
Yang also took a three-flavor ice cream but for her, it was lemon, vanilla, and chocolate.
Ardal gaze stopped on the late addition to their group who was looking at the flavors with a lost gaze, grabbing her attention he signed. 'Is there a problem little one?'
'Yes, there are too many choices I don't know what to choose. And-And I don't deserve your kindness.' Trivia looked at the ground in shame.
With a sigh, Ardal continued. 'Your past does not matter, you are here now you may have stolen before but it does not matter to me so please choose Trivia I insist.'
Surprised that the man so easily deduced her crime Trivia turned back to the display and shyly asked for a vanilla-strawberry one a choice Ardal translated for her, she was surprised again when he paid for all of them not taking anything for him.
Vanille glanced at the other girls who were happily eating their ice cream, she however was hesitant but her growling stomach quickly evaporated her doubt, and ho so slowly she gave a small lap at the ice cream.
Ardal who had been watching her all along saw her eyes sparkle, he only had time to blink once before Trivia's ice cream was completely gone leaving behind a girl with a broad smile of pure happiness.
A smile that quickly disappeared when she saw the rest of her group staring at her with surprise on their face, Yang was the first to break the silence. "Throne you ate that fast!"
Realizing what she said she looked at her sister who was giving her a smug smile of victory.
"Ha! I knew one day you'd join me and Ardy at using the Imperium terms it's only a matter of time Yang after all we already all speak low Gothic!"
Yang rolled her eyes before going back to eating her ice cream. "Yeah, Yeah laugh it up, Rubes."
Trivia on her part was completely lost not understanding half the words used by the red-capped girl, Ardal on his part smiled.
"Why don't you both eat your ice cream while we walk Yang back to school? After all, class starts in twenty minutes." Yang's shoulder sagged at that.
"Sure Gramps..." Both girls found their place on his shoulder and the trio left the shop, Trivia not knowing what to do slowly returned to her alley but a voice stopped her.
"Why don't you come with us Trivia? Your old home is not a place for one at such a young age." It was the voice of the giant who was giving her a glance over his shoulder.
She hesitated a bit before joining them with a small smile of hope etched on her face.
After dropping Yang at school Ardal, Ruby, and Trivia were walking in Vale's street, their strange trio was drawing a lot of stares to the discomfort of the rag-wearing girl.
Seeing that Ardal got her attention. 'Why don't we do something for your appearance Trivia? I feel bad for letting a young lady such as you in this kind of cloth.'
Trivia shook her head negatively energetically. 'No, no, no I don't deserve better clothes I'm gonna go back to the alley tonight and other people like me are gonna steal them from me, I'll feel bad if that happens.'
A chuckle escaped the giant mouth. 'Who said you were going back? I told you young one I cannot allow such a young girl to leave on the street, if it is alright with you I would like for you to come to leave with me, the girls, and their dad.'
This made the girl stop moving in her tracks not believing what she saw and with slow movements she responded. 'You-You want to adopt me? But-But we've known each other for like two hours!'
Again a chuckle escaped his mouth. 'Indeed, but I like to think of myself as a good judge of character and I know you are not a bad person Trivia, simply misguided by other beggars and unfortunate enough to be in this situation.'
'But I've stolen people! Poor! Rich! I didn't care! My Semblance helped me with it, I did all of that by choice!' She was getting angry it was easy to tell by how much her hands were trembling.
'Perhaps, but if you are so talented why not use such skill to do good? There is a place for all of us in the Emperor's plan and I believe you have your place in it young Trivia, you may not trust me but would you rather live on the street than under a roof?' His harsh but fair signs made the girl wince and look down in shame.
'But I'm not worth such pity, I'm just a girl abandoned by her parents because they didn't like my look...' She was surprised when a hand was gently placed on her shoulder, she looked up to see the Astartes crouched in front of her.
'It is not pity young girl it is kindness, something I am sure you possess.' Indeed she could remember all the food she gave to the other kids living in the streets, being one of the rare with an unlocked aura and semblance, and even more with her skill in bulgary, it was easy for her to feed others.
Realizing again that the man in front of her was right again she let out a silent sigh. 'Okay, I'll follow you.'
An unseen smile was splattered on Ardal's face. 'Splendid, come child let us go the the bath-house you do need one after all.'
With a reluctant nod, Trivia followed the duo, Ruby had stayed silent during their exchange for she was having fun reading one of her weapons magazines that she had brought with them.
It took some convincing on Ardal's part to be allowed by Trivia to join her in her bathing with the excuse that he needed to check her for injury but in the end, she agreed with a blush on her face.
Ruby had happily joined them not nervous about Ardal seeing her naked since he had already seen everything after helping her bathe multiple times at the house.
While Trivia was cleaning herself up with Ruby's help Ardal was observing her body for any trace of injuries and what he saw made his blood boil.
With all the cuts and bruises all over her body, she had long scar marks all over her back likely applied by a belt or whip at a very young age, he could also see her ribs with how thin she was confirming his claim of malnutrition it was a miracle that she had not already collapsed.
But what really made him mad were the chain scars she had around her ankles, wrists, and neck. 'This child has been tortured...it's a miracle that she even trusts me...'
After the bath, a pristine-looking Trivia sans new clothes came out of the bathhouse.
The rest of the afternoon was spent looking for clothes.
At the end of the day, Trivia had decided on an outfit that matched her hair and eyes' chromatic appearance.
She was now wearing a white jack/sweater, the jack part of the outfit stopped below her bust while showing her neck where the sweater covered her midriff, the sleeve stopped at her hands before being turned to show a pink interior the same color as the one at her collar and her hair.
For pants, she was wearing fairly simple black pants that were hidden halfway by long white boots.
She had the help of Ruby for her outfit, and even though at first she was not happy with such 'flashy' clothes she quickly relented to Ruby's energy and insistence.
And for his part, Ardal being unable to enter most stores and his non-existent skill in fashion had simply given them the liens they needed to pay for it.
Now a teary eyes Trivia was looking at herself, it was the first time she saw herself in such nice clothing. She knew she was too trusting of this man, she knew he could hurt her like her parents but she could not feel any malice coming from him when they talked in signs or when he addressed her verbally.
Ardal smiled at them. "Why don't we catch the next bullhead for Patch now young ones?"
Trivia was taken out of her mind at his voice before nodding, Ruby had already climbed on his shoulder, and after that, the trio made their way to the Bullhead to Patch.
During the flight, Trivia looked out from one of the windows with wide eyes a quick sign discussion taught him that it was her first time flying.
Her surprise only kept growing when she saw the gigantic house she was going to live in from now on.
Ruby had taken it upon herself to show Trivia around the house leaving a smiling Ardal behind, said man sent a message to Tai saying that he had brought a little girl to live with them, there was no point lying after all Ardal despised liars.
It was only two hours later that the door opened letting Yang and Tai enter the house, currently, the trio inside the house was watching television, Ardal was out of his armor, his skin and eye color nearly made Trivia flee but after a quick explanation from the two, she calmed down slightly allowing her to relax in a sofa for the first time in her life.
"Ardal! Mind telling me what you meant by, 'I brought a young girl to live with us.' !?" Before he could answer Tai burst into the living room looking everywhere, once his eyes stopped on Trivia's terrified one he took in her appearance.
It only took him to blink once for his anger to leave him and simply say. "Ho."
Ardal took the opportunity to explain everything to Tai, and after an hour of discussion Trivia was allowed to stay but only if she helped around the house like everyone else a condition she quickly accepted still not believing that she now had an actual place to call home.
Ruby was happy to have a new friend living at her home, said joy spread to her sister Yang who welcomed Trivia happily in their house.
Ardal smiled at himself happy that he was able to save one more soul on this planet and watched the three girls 'discuss' with Trivia writing her answer on Ardal's scroll he knew he made the right choice.
He knew the Emperor was favorable to his decision for when he had brought the girl at home a warmth he only felt when Ruby was praying with him the morning flooded his body.
'I wonder what plan He had for you little one...'
Boom! Neo join the fray! I hope you like my take on RWBY's best girl. :)
I know it's not her true lore but I like this version more, again thanks to everyone for their words of support and sorry again for the late post being sick sucks hard.
Speaking of late posts I never told you my schedule plan, well it's pretty easy I want to try to post a chapter every Sunday if possible, I have the imagination and drive to write for now so hey maybe I keep going like that after all looking for a job help with free time. :p
If I ever find a job I'd warn you guys which means the schedule will have to change but we're not here yet so keep your eyes peeled every Sunday!
Ho and before I forget announcement! I really like this story, writing it is a blast but I fear that I might be short-sighted for some stuff so I'm looking for a beta reader! If anyone is interested or has experience with it I'll be more than happy to hear you out in DM and discuss what's in it for you, it being my first fanfic I'm still unsure about how the writer/beta reader relationship works ^^'.
Well, I don't have much more to say so to the comments!
-Is Ardal going to get reinforcements or is he going to go solo? Oh and great job I love the story. I confirmed last chapter that in the far future of this fic a Custodes was gonna join the battle, you just have to wait and see. ;) And thank you for your kind words glad you like my jumble of words!
-Wooo, Saint Rose! I also wonder how Ardy will view the Faunus because I know in some fics that the Imperium views the Faunus as a type of abhuman. Can't wait to see, and also how being raised with Ardy and the Imperial faith will change Ruby. I already mentioned that he sees them as abhuman he is mostly indifferent but still a bit wary of them even after Ruby explained them to him. And don't worry you'll like what I have in store for teenage Ruby and Yang at Beacon. :)
-Good! You really can see how much you improved since the first chapters! Keep going, this story is awesome! Thank you! I'm also very pleased with the last two chapters I think they turned out great! But having others' confirmation makes me even more hyped to continue.
-Dawwww this is so cuteeeeeee smol rube and Ardy are adorable interacting with each other. Protect the smol child Ardy! So Ruby is deemed special by the emperor for whatever reason it seems probably the whole silver eye thing but surely it's more than just RWBY canon silver eyes. Do not worry fair citizen! The smoll one shall be protected! And you are right there's more than canon normal silver eyes but we have to wait and see for that! :)
-Oh ruby is very very very special. I don't think normal people get to personally meet with the god-emperor dude lmao. I'm assuming team RWBY will still form and they'll have Ardy with them to fight in the form of a terrifying chaperone lmao. Small ruby and yang are adorable I wish more fics had them. "Gramps" im dyingggg lmao. Wonder how Ruby will learn how to use her powers or if god emperor dude is gonna help via the prayers and shit. Ho yes VERY special, I have big plans you see! But later for that. I really like Young Ruby too it gives more perspective to her character than just dropping a Space Marine from nowhere and turning her Imperial haha. I had a lot of fun adding humor to it (hope it's good haha). For the rest, we will have to see. ;)
-I understand that he is a Salamander and therefore is more permissive with humans but I see his reactions as very good for a marine, he really should not tell so easily about the heresy and worse tell directly about the Chaotic 4 since the knowledge of only they can create cults. Completely agree with you that's why he never talked about them to anyone except Ozpin. I have plans for the next chapter for that you'll see it's gonna be good.
-Amazing chapters! Can't wait for more! Thank you! :) I try to keep them coming like the last few I am sure now that I will rewrite at least Chapter 1 and tweak Chapter 2. :)
And that's all for me guys! Hope you like it if you have more questions don't hesitate to DM me!
Krieg out.