Hello again!
First, I'd like to thank the people who pointed out all the typos and errors in the last chapter, I found something to help avoid doing the obvious one so the 'quality' should go up (I hope).
I don't have much to say this time so enjoy!
Chapter 3-Sightseeing and Questions.
The bullhead flight was spent in silence with most of its inhabitants sitting in silence, Yang was giving some sideway glance in the direction of the Salamander who was standing in the middle of the craft, her little sister Ruby cradled against in chest, his other hand gently brushing her hair.
Her father and uncle were in a corner talking to each other in hush whispers looking between the sleeping form of Ruby with worry on their fast, but they did not take into consideration that the one holding their daughter and niece respectively could hear everything they were saying.
Tai looked at Qrow with his brow furrowed, his best friend was being paranoid again."Qrow look I know you don't trust him but he did save us, if he was with her why did he do it ?"
Said man gave him an unimpressed look. "You did not see what I saw Tai, he's a monster! He punched through their auras like they weren't even there and he didn't even know what aura is! And I don't want to sound racist you know how I feel about the faunus but have you seen his eyes and skin? This ain't normal..."
Ardal could only shake his head slowly at hearing their arguments, there were merits in their worries he could not deny it was judging him for having performed the Emperor's will and his appearance? Unthinkable.
On the other side of the craft feeling left out, Yang jumped out of her seat and approached the giant cautiously, his helmeted head turned instantly toward her, the red lens of his helmet piercing through her making her involuntary shiver.
Ardal watched young Yang shiver in front of him and adverting her gaze from him, he did not wanted to make it more awkward and after securing his charge in his arm he crouched down in front of her.
"How can I be of assistance young one ?" His voice made her jump in surprise, she did not hear him crouch in front of her.
"Hey hum, Ardal right? Hum I-I just wanted to thank you for saving my family there... they're all I have..." The Space Marine could see the tears threatening to escape the young girl's eyes now that everything had caught up with her she realized how close she was to losing them.
"You are most welcome little one, but I would not have been able to save them if the Emperor did not send me there, I am but a servant of His will." His voice sounded kind and with his free hand, he took her in a gentle hug.
Yang stiffened in his grip not expecting the hug but his armor was hot if a little hard, she sank into his embrace shaking lightly tears silently rolling down her cheeks.
Ardal smiled behind his helmet and with great care like he did with Ruby he picked her up holding both sisters against him, their small frame looked comically small in his massive arms but the giant was holding them as if they were made of porcelaine.
The argument between Tai and Qrow stopped but he did not pay it any mind, but men were staring at the scene in front of them one with a smug look on his face and the other with surprise and still some distrust.
"Still think he is so bad Qrow? I don't think I've ever managed to make Yang go to sleep so easily." Qrow simply gave him a slight growl of annoyance because indeed Yang had fallen asleep in his arms, Ardal had moved them so both sisters could sleep against one another Ruby being the small spoon of the two.
The rest of the trip was spent in silence, it only took them ten minutes to reach the airport, when the door opened Tai stood up and gave a friendly smile to Ardal, while Qrow just had his hands in his pockets, the latter looked at him.
"Follow us Tin Can, I'll take you to my house but I don't think you gonna fit inside." Said man simply nodded his head and followed the two men, his footsteps were making a low mechanical noise that sounded way louder in the silence of the night.
The few pedestrians on the streets and partygoers who crossed paths with them stopped to look at them with wide eyes even more inebriated, some even took the time to take photos and film him discreetly.
The groups paid them no mind and twenty minutes later they arrived at a small home near the wall of the city. It was a two-story tall house, the group stopped in front of it and Qrow unlocked the door before shooting a glance in his direction, Ardal noted that the door was way too small for him to enter the house.
"Sorry big guy but we can't take you with us inside you're way too big to get in so just give us the girls we'll tuck them in." He got a nod for an answer and each man received one of the girls with great care, Qrow Yang and Tai Ruby said little girl hugged her dad tightly making the giant smile.
"It is fine I shall guard the house this night no more harm will happen to your family, rest easy tonight for an Angel of Death watch over you." Both men looked at him before shrugging and entering the house, Ardal on his part took his bolter out and stood in front of the door making his best impression of a statue his senses ready for a fight.
Thankfully nothing happened to happen apart from some civilians giving him weird stares, even if he knew that nothing was gonna happen being alert in an unknown environment was key so the Astartes waited, and waited…
The next morning
Ruby awoke with a cute yawn before removing the sleep from her eyes, she did not want to wake up the bed was comfy.
But then it hit her...a bed? 'Dad? The house...Ardy? It was a dream ?' It took her a bit of time to realize something pretty important. It was not her room, in fact, it looked a lot like the room her Uncle Qrow would let him burrow when she was having a sleepover at his house.
So without thinking longer, Ruby jumped from the bed, she tripped on the blanket, and hit the ground with a yelp face first, tears were starting to form in her eyes, her nose was hurting bad but then something she was surprised by something she was not expecting to see.
She started faintly glowing red, she smiled at the pain forgotten due to her aura having healed her minor injury, and she ran out of the room screaming in joy completely forgetting that it was early in the morning.
"Daddy! Uncle Qrow! Yaaaang! IhaveanauraIhaveanauraIhaveanaura !" She was speaking so fast that when her sister opened the door groggily she got body slammed by her hyperactive sister who was practically vibrating on top of her.
Thankfully she got saved by her dad who grabbed her from behind. "Calm down Ruby it's awesome but don't go screaming it out of every roof it's like seven in the morning." It was at this moment that she finally calmed down that she realized the tired face of her family and she blushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry...w-wait if it wasn't a dream were's Ardy ?! Did you quicked him out Uncle Qrow ?!" She sent him an accusatory glare from her dad's arms who reduced it to a cute glare, the man backed off anyway.
"Nha don't worry Rubes your friend is outside he just couldn't get in, said something about 'guarding the house'." Ruby wiggled in her dad's grasp who did not let go of her, she really wanted to go see him but then something happened again.
For a second Taiyang Xiao Long was holding her youngest daughter and when he blinked there was in her place a small vortex of rose petals that stood still for a moment before darting everywhere excitedly faster than the eye could see, the small tornado then went barreling down the stairs leaving already disintegrating rose petals everywhere.
"Did-did she also unlock her Semblance yesterday...?" Tai did not know what to say, he was proud and happy for her but he was also horrified. You can only unlock your Semblance either through training or during a moment of hardship, a near-death situation was also a guarantee to unlock someone's Semblance.
Qrow gave him an unimpressed look and a yawn before turning around. "I'm going back to sleep...wake me up at like ten it's too early for this shi- for that." He gave a quick glance at Yang who seemed to be thinking the same thing as her dad.
Both father and daughter looked at one another before chasing Ruby, downstair the red-caped girl burst through the door of the house where a shadow was cast over the entrance door, said shadow seemed to be owned by a giant clad in dark green armor was surrounded by curious peoples, photos were being taken, videos were being taken and Ruby froze on the spot.
Ardal heard the sound of the door and after not having moved from his position at all finally turned around startling the people who had taken him for a very well-made decoration.
An unseen smile crossed Ardal facial expression and he placed his bolter away before crouching down in front of Ruby. "Why good morning to you young Rose, have you slept well ?"
Upon hearing his voice Ruby came out of her trance and gave him a bright sunny smile while jumping in his arms with the use of her Semblance. "Ardy! You didn't leave! I was soooo worried when I couldn't find you in the house! I thought Uncle Qrow kicked you out cause sometimes he's a meanie! And-and- !"
The giant simply chuckled and hugged the little girl before placing a finger on her mouth, said finger nearly covered her head but it was enough to make her quiet.
"Calm yourself young Rose I will not leave your side, although I had to keep a watchful eye for them." He gave her a small chuckle before looking behind him and staring at some of the Faunus in the crowd with distrust, said Faunus looked away uncomfortably.
Ruby looked at him confusedly with a small tilt of her head. "Mutant? Do you mean the Faunus? But they're friendly! And super cute with their ears and tails !" Her comments made some of the Faunus in the crowd smile and others blush slightly it is not every day that someone compliments their animal characteristic.
Ardal stood up the little girl was sitting on his shoulder smiling. "I...see it will take me some time to get used to seeing so many abhuman and to trust them completely my people have a really bad history with other races."
It was then that Tai and his daughter Yang decided to burst out of the door to look for their escapee, Yang collided with his leg not expecting him to be this close, Tai managed to stop just in time before seeing the crowd.
"Alright people! Our friend is super interesting but I'm sure you got a better thing to do! So keep moving for now !" There was some grumbling in the crowd but everyone finally relented and left leaving the group alone.
"Daddy! Up here! I can climb on Ardy with my Semblance hihi !" Ruby was shaking her hand excitedly on top of the giant with a big smile on her face, Tai could only look up and sigh the headaches caused by this new Semblance were already starting.
Yang stood up after her dizziness rubbing her head left her and she looked up like her dad. "Rubes come down we need to eat breakfast I'm straviiiiing"
Her whining made Ardal chuckle and he plucked Ruby from her shoulder and placed her next to her sister. "Go little one I will not go anywhere."
Ruby looked at him with a pout on her face before nodding. "Don't move Ardy I'll be back! I need to show you around Vale! It's super awesome you'll see!"
He simply nodded his head with a chuckle before gently pushing the two kids through the doors leaving him and Tai alone, said the man looked up at him with a smile.
"You're pretty good with kids Ardal, ho Qrow wanted me to tell you that Headmaster Ozpin of Beacon Academy wanted to meet you today, I think he'll be here in an hour or two to bring you to Beacon." Ardal looked at him curiously before crossing his arms.
"Why does this 'Headmaster' want to see me? I have already agreed to Ruby's idea to visit this city." His answer only made Tai rub his temples before looking at him.
"Look he just wants to see if you're not a threat if we believe Ruby you appeared from a portal when she was gonna die it's kind of suspicious and Ruby can show you around this afternoon we'll keep her occupied this morning." The Space Marine simply scrutinized him making the man sweat a little before hearing him sigh in acceptance.
"Very well I shall talk with him, spend time with your family I will wait for him here." Tai gave him one last look before nodding and going back inside, Ardal waited a minute before taking back his place in front of the door.
2 hours later
Ardal was waiting for the man he was supposed to meet the clock on his HUD told him that he should be here soon, Tai had respected his part of the bargain and no red-caped young girl burst out of the door to speak with him, thinking about young Ruby made him smile a little her innocence was refreshing.
"Well, I was not expecting you to be so big." A calm and controlled voice rang on his left side making him spin around bolter and point at the voice. 'How did he sneak up on me ?' The man in front of him was wearing a dark green vest with an emerald scarf, he was holding a smoldering cup of what looked like recaf, a popular drink of the guardsmen.
Seeing no hostility in this man he slowly lowered his bolter and stared at the man. "Are you Ozpin ?" He received a small smirk and a nod of his head. "Very well Taiyang told me you had questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability but we need to be back this afternoon I made a promise to young Rose."
"This seems reasonable, would you care to walk with me ?" Ozpin took a sip of his beverage while staring at him. Even if the man's head in front of him only reached the middle of his armor he could tell that this man was powerful so he simply nodded and walked next to him, his footstep lightly shaking the ground.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before they reached a bullhead making Ardal stop. "Why bring me here Headmaster? Do you wish to take me away from my charge?" Even if he had placed his bolter back on his hip during their walk his hand immediately went for it again.
Ozpin gave him a knowing smirk and a tilt of the head toward the bullhead. "We are going to Beacon to discuss more privately, we would not want our conversation to be heard by the wrong ears yes ?"
Ardal looked at him for a minute trying to find deceit in his words but finding none he simply walked into the bullhead Ozpin following him close by, the door closed and as fast as they had arrived they were gone.
The ride was silent, Ardal was watching Ozpin typing what seemed to be messages or notes on a piece of technology that every tech priest would have killed to study, the ride itself took twenty minutes.
When the door opened he was greeted by what would have been the view of a breathtaking building, Ozpin walked next to him and sipped from his cup. "Impressive isn't it ?"
Ardal took his time before nodding. "Perhaps, but I have seen better, lead the way, Headmaster." He received a side-way glance for his comment and a small smile before starting the walk to what seemed to be the biggest tower of the academy, many students stopped what they were doing to start at the giant walking next to Ozpin some were whispering between themselves, Ardal paid them no mind.
Their walk lasted five minutes in silence before arriving at their destination, surprisingly the elevator was big enough to hold his weight, even with his helmet on Ozpin could see the perplexed look on the Astartes. "Gravity Dust is a pretty handy substance for heavy weight, ho my young assistant Glynda is waiting for us upstairs I have total trust in her so speak freely Mister Vo'Shan."
Ardal gave him a small nod and an amused chuckle escaped his mouth. "I have never been called 'Mister Vo'Shan' Headmaster if you must address me address as me Ardal."
"Of course but only if you call me Ozpin yourself Ardal." He received a nod again and the doors of the elevator opened, the first thing he saw was the gigantic cogwheels on the roof moving in perfect harmony, and the second was the young blond woman wearing a white blouse and a long black skirt that was hugging her form tightly, a detail that was completely lost on him.
Said woman looked at them. "Welcome back Headmaster I suppose your trip went well even if I could have done it for you." She crossed her arms over her chest before giving him an inquisitive glare. "I suppose this is the 'man' Qrow told us about ?"
Ozpin chuckles at her antic before walking forward and sitting behind his desk. "Yes Glynda, come Ardal I believe we both have questions for one another." The Astartes looked at one then the other before stopping in front of the desk his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"I believe we do Ozpin, let's make this fair for the both of us, you ask a question I ask one." Looking at the man he could see that he trying to hide his smile behind his cup which was impossible with the height difference, Glynda on the other hand was glaring at him.
"How dare you do demand to-!" She was cut by Ozpin raising a hand to stop her.
"Thank you my dear but it is only fair, if Ardal here is really from another world answering his questions could be beneficial for all." His assistant looked at him for a moment before huffing and staring at him with a glare that could kill a Hive-Tyrant.
Ardal focused his gaze on Ozpin before making a wave with his hand to tell him to start, with a nod he smirked at him. "Well, we can begin from the start. It was quite fortunate that you appeared the same day that a group of bandits attacked young Ruby's house, and on top of that you stopped her from getting kidnapped by a very dangerous criminal, tell me how did you get here ?"
Ardal thought about his answer for a few seconds before nodding his head. "I was...in the middle of a fight against Xenos, Eldar to be more accurate, wretched creature unfit to be in the light of the Emperor."
Both were looking at him and before any questions could be asked he continued. "We were sent to reinforce the squad of Sergent Varresh, we killed many Xenos on our way there but it was not enough.
My entire squad died the same as the remnants of Varresh's squad, I was about to die when the Seer made the foolish mistake of coming too close to me, I pierced her with my Narticium in her last moment to escape me she used her psychic power sending us both through a portal, I do not know how long I have been in the warp but my resolve was tested until I was saved by who I think was my Lord the Emperor. He gave me a mission, save young Ruby for she is the key to save you and us and...kill a certain Salem."
At the mention of the name he could see the both of them tensing, Glynda put a hand on her riding crop and Ozpin seemed to be ready to jump at any moment. "Salem you said? What do you know about that ?"
If the hard glare Ozpin was sending his way was anything to go by his answer this conversation could turn into a fight quite quickly. "I...do not know anything apart from this name, The Emperor's way is shrouded with hardship but a command directly from Him is a great honor for a simple servant such as I, Headmaster I vowed to kill this Salem for my Lord as spoken and His will shall be done."
Glynda and Ozpin shared a glance between one another, Ozpin gave her a small nod and Glynda let go of her ridding crop but she kept looking at him suspiciously. "This is a lot to take in Ardal. Your 'Emperor' gave you a mission? And you just appeared in the forest it is still hard to believe who is this man you speak so highly about ?"
His description of the Emperor seems to have offended him if his clenched fist were anything to go by. "This 'man' the Emperor of Mankind, Father of Humanity, is our Shepard in this Grimm dark universe, he is the light that every Imperial citizen follows, it is thanks to our fate, courage, and steel that we have been able to push back the darkness of this universe trying to wipe us out.
Diabolical Xenos who raid or enslave us, others just kill us because they 'enjoy' fighting, and some just want to conquer the galaxy by killing us all.
Xenos are to be exterminated and purged but the worst enemy mankind has to fight is itself, heretic and traitor who turn their back to the Emperor for thirsting gods who promised them dark powers, I shall utter their name once and never again so listen well.
First comes Khorne the Blood God. All this heathen want is to see blood flow and to see as much butchery as possible his follower are nothing more than savage beasts driven by bloodlust.
Then come Nurgle, the Plague Lord. I have a deep hatred for him even more so than the others, he unleashed terrible plagues on Imperial worlds reducing what would have been once a beautiful agri-world into a pestilence and plague-ridden world its inhabitants forever lost to the plague that inflicted them their bodies bloated with worms and others horrors.
Tzeench, the Architect of Change, he relies on deception and trickery almost all his followers are adepts psyker what you would call 'magic' here but it is ho so much worse, his followers are twisted ever-changing forms of what they once were.
And finally Slaneesh, the Prince of Pleasure, I have little experience fighting but for his followers, all that matters to them is the pleasure of the senses in any way possible, I once saw a cultist flay his skin in front of my very eyes while screaming at me to strike directly at his exposed muscles, this beast thought that it would bring him new sensations."
Ardal sounded disgusted at the last part and if the disturbed look he was getting and the green face Glynda had was anything to go by his little history lesson was affecting them quite a bit. "But all is not dark for the Emperor of Mankind with his ever guiding light guide protect us all even from atop the Golden Throne on Holy Terra, he is the Carrion Lord, our Savior but most importantly the Father of All."
Once both realized he finished talking Ozpin blinked and looked at him. "The...Emperor, you called him at the end the 'Carrion Lord' why ?"
His question seemed to bring great sadness to the giant in front of him. "It is a sad tale, a tale of betrayal on a galactic proportion you will not comprehend Ozpin but I shall tell you for it is the greatest tale of the Imperium even if it is also the most tragic."
And so he told them, how the Emperor created the Primarch and how the Gods of Chaos stole them from him and his quest to find them all, the Horus Heresy, the betrayal of the Legion, how Horus the Warmaster himself the favored son of the Emperor sieged Holy Terra and the battle that ensured brother against brother, father against son, the death of Sanguinius for whom every man, woman, and child in the Imperium cried for the Angel died at the end of Horus.
"The Emperor teleported aboard the Warmaster ship to take him down but sadly Horus had expected his father venue and with the help of his patron Gods and his psychic might he dispersed the Emperor's cohort aboard his ship to fight their way through to reach him, the battle inside is told to have been legendary.
Sanguinius was the first to reach the bridge and their fight is said to have been able to reach the ears of every mortal on Terra, but alas the Angel fell the beloved son of Baal lay at the feet of Horus his body broken by the great mace of his brother, it is said that the Emperor reached the bridge the moment Sanginius gave his last breath.
In a feat of sorrow and not rage for the Emperor his son fought him. Their fight would shake the sky both warriors at the end were heavily wounded and the Emperor was victorious but he still loved his son and he hesitated for but a second, it was enough for Horus to deliver a might strike to his father to mortally wound him.
This part of the story is a bit hazy but it is said that a member of the Adeptus Custodes a member of the Emperor's personal guard reached the bridge first, other say that a member of the Imperial Guard was first a simple mortal like you reached Him first but in either version, it is said that after seeing his lord on the ground bleeding heavily he charged Horus in a blind rage, Horus did not even look at the brave man charging him and with a flicker of his hand eradicated the man with the use of his power, it is at this moment that the Emperor realizes from his position on the ground that the son he loved dearly was gone leaving behind a monster, and with a heavy heart and the last of his strength the God Emperor released his full power on Horus, the Warmaster in a horrified scream died, his soul utterly destroyed.
Rogal Dorn another son of the Emperor reached the bridge with his sons The Imperial Fist was next on the bridge, here the Emperor with his few remaining strengths gave instructions to his son to build him a Throne where he had been seated now for ten thousand years neither alive nor dead but his power is so immense that even in his state and on the throne of Terra his light guide our ship through the Warp, our fate for him kept us alive for ten thousand years against the horror of the galaxy, Humanity while not fall! As long as He is guarding us we will stand !"
The end of his story was screamed, they could hear the sorrow and grief in his voice but they could also hear his conviction and strength. "So when my Emperor sends me to your world Headmaster with a clear goal I will do His will or die trying, no not try I will do it for it has been said and it will be done."
The room was silent for a good five minutes, only the heavy breathing of Ardal could be heard, both Remanantians were stunned, Ozpin even had forgotten to breathe when the story began and with a slow inhale of air, he looked at him. "This...is quite the tale Ardal, I-I think it would be best to postpone our questions for another time this-this is a lot to take in..."
With a small nod of his head, Ardal turned around and walked into the elevator. "Call a craft for me Headmaster I made a promise to young Rose and I do not want to be late, farewell for now."
It was with those last words that the elevator doors closed taking the giant with it.
Glynda looked at her superior with worry in her eyes. "Ozpin...was-was he lying? This is the talk of a madman it has to be! Gods? Humans in space? Dust don't work in space !"
Ozpin was deep in thought his coffee forgotten. "I do not know Glynda...everything sounded very real and he seemed to believe every word he said." With a few taps on the scroll integrated into his desk, Ozpin opened the cameras to see Ardal walking towards the helipad, he then opened another tap this one was a picture.
On it was a town in flame, it was not the state of the town that was worrying him it was the flayed corpses of its inhabitants who hung on the walls in acts of butchery and sadism that could even make Grimm sick, the worst of them was the corpse of a little girl maybe as young as Ruby who's entrail had been using to hung her from what looks like a women torso, on her forehead there was a symbol resembling an eight-pointed star that hurt his eyes just to look at it. "I sincerely hope this is not what I think this is Ardal..."
Back at Qrow's house
Ruby was getting annoyed she wanted to show Vale to Ardy! But her dad kept her from going by promising her cookies, she can't say no to her dad's cookies.
Her Uncle Qrow was on the phone with his girlfriend back in Atlas they seemed to be in a big argument and her Uncle is scared when he is mad so she let him be.
Yang was watching cartoons on the TV so while the cookies were baking she decided to join, she let herself drop on the couch next to her sister with a groan but complained to her with a whiny voice. "It's not faiiiir !"
"It's fine Rubes you can show him later, hey I think it's time for your favorite show." She smiled at her seeing her little sister perk up, she switched channels and sighed it was a documentary about Huntsmen weapons, the effect was instant and a big smile appeared on Ruby's face.
"Yay! Thanks, Yang !" She took her sister in a bear hug, her strength augmented by her aura without her knowing, she tried to remove her sister but she was glued to her a big smile on her face.
"R-Rubes...can't...breath...!" Her face was turning red and her sister's eyes widened before realizing her, Yang took big gulps of air the color coming back on her face.
"Ho my gosh, I'm so sorry! I-I'm still not used to my aura..." Ruby looked down in shame before receiving a hug from her sister.
"It's fine Rubes hey you could show your strength to Ardy later hum ?" She looked at her to see a smug smile on her sister's face.
"Ha! I knew it! You like Ardy! You called him Ardy !" With the use of her Semblance, she escaped her sister's grasp before reforming in front of the TV and doing a silly dance of victory that made Yang laugh.
"Yeah, yeah he is cool Rubes but don't tell it to Dad and Qrow k?" She received an eager nod from Ruby before giving her a smirk. "Besides Ardy is a bit too hot for me so staying cool is a must."
Ruby stopped dancing before giving her a death glare, sadly for her Tai had entered the room the moment she made her joke before staring at him with his arms crossed. "Young lady, who told you this kind of stuff?" His voice showed he was not amused.
Yang started to sweat while looking at her dad. "Hu-Hum Uncle Qrow? I-I heard him say those things when he was talking to W-Winter on the phone..." Tai inhaled sharply before running out of the room screaming for Qrow, both sisters looked at one another before a knock on the door made them jump.
"I got it !" Before Yang could blink Ruby was gone with a trail of rose petals behind her. 'She 's way too good with that Semblance of her, it took me weeks to learn mine !'
On the other side of the house at the door, Ruby opened it to be face to face with Ardal, with a shriek of fear and delight she bolted in the air before warping her arms around his neck. "Ardy! You're back!" said Astartes chuckling before standing up to the little girl dangling from his neck.
"Of course Ruby after you did promise me a tour of the city did you not ?" Ruby moved from her position on his neck to sitting around it her arms hugging his helmet.
"Yeah! You'll see Ardy the town is super cool! I can show you the Dust shop, the weapons shops mostly the weapons, and hum the docks too!" He could hear her excitement about such a mundane thing as a city tour.
"Onward then young one point me where to go you shall be my guide on this day." With a giggle of pure joy, Ruby pointed him in a direction and he complied.
The walk was pleasant he and Ruby made small talk, mostly Ruby trying to learn more about his armor and weapon Ardal answered her with vague answers that seemed to please her anyway, during the walk he kept staring at the Faunus still not sure what to think about them but Ruby assured him that they were friendly so he made no comments.
During the day the streets were filled with people but most of the activity stopped when the giant marched among them, his path opened like the sea from people not wanting to be in his way but what was even more surreal was the little girl laughing on his shoulder like everything was normal in the world.
More videos were taken and posted on the CCTS, and it did not take long for them to become viral and interest some powerful people, but our duo was oblivious to it since they had arrived at their first stop a forge near the dock, the forge area was big enough for Ardal to step in and he took Ruby from his shoulder before putting her down and 'holding' her hand.
"Am' coming! Hold on a second !" The gruff voice of a man called to them from the inside of the shop. Five minutes later a man in his late thirties came out of the door before freezing at the view of Ardal, the man was wearing, a thick leather apron and gloves, and a pair of protective glasses was sitting on his greying hair.
"Wha'-Wha' the hell are you? N'other of Atlas bet project !?" The surprise the man felt was gone and was replaced by anger if his frowned brow were anything to go by.
Next to him, Ruby was pouting at the man. "Hey! Ardy is not from Atlas! He is from space! And he is super cool too! I took him here to show him the town so don't be a meanie mister!" Both men were taken aback by Ruby's shouting but both for different reasons, the smith because he did not see the kid next to the giant mech and Ardal because he was not expecting Ruby to be so protective of him.
The man recovered quickly before laughing. "Space he? Well, ain't that nice. Scu'se me lil' miss I was not expecting that big fella and I got carried away, ain't got the best experience with Atlas, name Wilson, best weapon and armor smith of Vale !"
Ardal did a small bow in respect. "Greeting forge master, my name is Vo'shan Ardal, like young Ruby said she is currently giving me a tour of this city, I am myself a master of the forge I have crafted my entire equipment as well as my weapons."
Both looked at him with wide eyes, one with a critical look not believing his claim and the other with literal stars in her eyes and a massive smile on her face, literally vibrating from excitement. "HomygoshyoumadeallofthisthatsamazingyouhavetoteachmyArdy-!" She was stopped by a big finger covering her mouth.
"Calm young Ruby, all in due time you are still too young to work the forge." She gave him a pout when he removed his finger, the stars in her eyes were still present before he turned towards Winston. "If it is not too much to ask forge master could I possibly use your forge sometime in the future? My power pack has been damaged recently and I need it fixed to help me power this armor precision tools would also be a great boon to my endeavor."
The smith thought about it before nodding his head. "If you're really that good I don't see why not of c'ourse you'll have to pay to use everything but a big fella like ya won't have trouble with that now don't ya ?"
To his surprise, Ardal shook his head negatively. "Sadly I do not possess the currency of this planet, however, what I can offer you is my knowledge of the forge I possess a century of experience crafting and forging masterpieces of war, my bolter being one of the many I crafted."
At the mention of his weapon, he slowly removed it from his hip before showing it to the both of them. Their eyes were filled with admiration at the craftsmanship, the golden text surrounding the barrel in a language none of them could read seemed to have been graved on it by hand same thing as the two skulls on each side of the guard of it all in all it was a beautifull weapon even if a bit bulky in design.
"That's a 'bolter'? Where are the 'bolts'? Ain't look like a crossbow to me." Even with the helmet on Winston could feel the unimpressed look Ardal was giving him.
It's at this moment that Ruby has an epiphany. "Ardy! The bullet you gave me yesterday was a 'bolt' right? It was HUUUGE!"
Ardal smiled and ruffled her hair making her squirm under his touch, he chuckled and stopped receiving a glare and a pout from Ruby before taking a bolter round from one of his spare magazines and showing it to them. "This is a bolter round it is a rocket-propelled .75 caliber round, and the tip of it is made with a material called diamantine making it quite capable of piercing most armor, it will also explode on contact with its target."
Winston had a look of disbelief while looking at the bolt, he will not admit but such a thing scared him the damage it could do to anyone even an aura user would be terrible, Ruby on her part was quite literally vibrating from excitement while drolling at the round. "Ho gosh, it's so awesome! I want my Huntress weapon to have that! It sounds so cool ! Please Ardy you have to teach me how to make them!"
Ardal placed the round back to its original place and looked at her. "You have time young one but if the path of the hunt is your choice I will oblige." Ruby squeaked in victory before hugging his leg. 'I will need to train her in many things to allow her to perform the Emperor's will perfectly.'
He then turned his attention to the smith. "I will be honored to teach you how to acquire diamantine forge master or at least a close replica if you would have me in your forge." He gave him a respectful nod he truly believed that this man knew what he was doing if the glimpse he got of the shop interior was anything to go by.
Wilson was still in shock lost in his mind about what kind of damage his weapon could do. "Uh? Ho hum, sure thing big guy but you ain't gonna fit in my workshop you're a tad too big for it."
Ardal picked up Ruby gently before nodding his head. "Fear not forge master I might be 'bigger' than this place but if you will be so kind as to move some of your equipment outside so we can both share knowledge, I will be most thankful for it."
Ruby had climbed back on his shoulder, Wilson gave them a chuckle before 'pushing' them outside. "I'll see what a can do big guy but ya need to warn me before comin' here ya hear? I'll give you my scroll number kay?"
I...do not possess a scroll my friend but I will come to see you a day before our meeting if this is agreeable for you ?"
He received a nod from the man. "Yeah yeah go have fun with the lass."
Ruby smiled at him before pointing forward* "Goodbye mister! Let's go Ardy I still have so much to show you!"
And this is how their afternoon went, Ruby and Ardal explored Vale, mostly the weapon shops since they were Ruby's favorite, but he also got to see the docks and the helipad he was already aware of but he wasn't gonna tell that to Ruby.
All in all, it had been a pretty pleasant day with a lot of civilians giving them curious and fearful looks, but the view of a child on the giant shoulders was helping immensely some people even dared ask him some questions but Ruby answered most of them excitedly say of 'cool' he was.
Ardal let her have her moments with a smile hidden behind his helmet It was when he saw the sun setting that he started to make his way back to the house with Ruby complaining all the way that there were still things to see.
"We will have other time for it Ruby but we need to get you back home we would not like to anger your dad now, do we?" Ruby agreed with a pout and went silent, it only took them five minutes to get back, Tai was waiting for them at the entrance his arms folded, and he had a worried expression but when he saw them it quickly changed into a relieved smile.
"There you are, we were starting to get worried with all the rumors and videos of a giant robot walking through town with a little girl on his back." Ardal took Ruby down in front of her dad who took her in his arms.
"Do not worry Taiyang their gaze does not affect me after all where I am from my brothers and I are revered as demigods by some Imperial citizens."
Tai listened to him with a roll of his eyes before smiling. "Sure they do your Holiness but I need to bring this little cookie monster home for dinner, ho do you need anything? I don't think I've seen you eat or drink since yesterday ?"
It was true, that Ardal had not eaten or drunk anything since his arrival but there was some more important thing to take care of and Ozpin's meeting kept him from 'eating' with Ruby's family since no one knew at what time Ozpin would arrive.
"If it is no trouble for you I shall wait until your house has been rebuilt to remove my helmet." He looked at the man in front of him with an amused tone in his voice. "If your reaction of seeing it is anything to go by revealing myself in the middle of town would just cause a panic to would attract those Grimm creatures."
He only received a nod before Tai started walking back to his house Ruby waving at him with a smile. "Sure Ardal, ho Ozpin called earlier construction of our house starts tomorrow me, and Qrow are going if you want to join us." He only received a nod from him, and with a smile, Tai entered to house leaving him alone again.
Thus ended the first official day in Remnants of Ardal, said man took position again in front of the door ever silent and watchful and he thought about his meeting with the man Ozpin.
He knew the Headmaster was hiding secrets, during his recital of the Horus Heresy he could see in his eyes how the man seemed to be familiar with some of those concepts, of course, he did not tell him everything but he remembered the fleeting look of worry the man gave him when he talked about Chaos, he knew this look too well and his fists clenched in controlled anger.
'This man, and most likely his assistant know about Chaos...'
This but the end of this chapter guys!
Again thank you for reading it, it keeps me motivated to write Ardal's tale.
Not much to say today but I saw some comments of people being annoyed that Ardal's shot did not kill Tayran well I can't spoil why but I can tell you it was intended I have already planned a lot of this story :).
I also saw a complaint about the rating being M, well first I'm sorry if it deceived some of you, the gore and grimdark will come later promised! Right now we are in Volume 0 if you like the tone of that.
I don't have much to say except that I see you later and that all criticisms and comments are appreciated!
Krieg out.