Ruby trailed along the corridor towards her dorm. Her face was blank but her eyes, her eyes displayed confusion, doubt... fear. All the while her mind moved at a thousand miles a minute, memories of the last few hours repeated over and over again in her head. Ruby came to a halt clenching her eyes shut while shaking her head in an attempt to banish the memories of that hell from her mind.

She hoped, pleaded to anyone who would listen that this was all just some bad dream, that any minute now she would wake up in her dorm alongside her sister and friends and forget about this nightmare she was forced to live through. But, she wanted answers like anyone in her situation would, it wasn't every night you were kidnapped by a tentacle monster.

Ok, that sounded really bad when she put it like that.

Ruby shook her head trying to focus, even now her mind was still a blur, all because of that book. She could still hear them in the back of her mind, the whispers. The whispers that tempted her that clouded her mind with promises of power and knowledge about herself, "her true self" or whatever that was supposed to mean.

Thinking back to that moment she was just grateful the professor had intervened when he did, she didn't want to know what might have happened if he wasn't there in time.

Ruby continued down the corridor her path illuminated by the light of the fractured moon outside. What was she meant to tell her team? How was she supposed to tell them? And after all was said and done would they even believe her? She doubted it. And even if they did what would happen then? Would they blame the professor for what happened, he seemed to have known that thing rather well.

Rounding the corner Ruby stopped, peeking out from under the entrance to her dorm were a few rays of light, accompanied by the muffled voices of her team and from what she could tell JNPR as well. "Yang calm down, Ruby may have just gone to the combat arena for some late night practi-" Pyrrha was cut off by yang.

"At three in the morning!" even with her voice muffled by the wooden door, Ruby recognized Yang's big sister voice all too well, she could practically feel the anger and worry radiating from inside the dorm. As she got closer to the door she could hear her sister more clearly. "Ruby's never just up and left in the middle of the night, especially without telling us or at the least leaving a note about where she's going."

"Yang's right, Ruby doesn't strike me as one to just sneak off." Her partner added.

Ruby came to a halt outside her dorm reaching for the handle as Nora spoke up "Come on, it's not like she snuck out to be with a boy or something."

"What!?" Yang cried out.

'What!?' Ruby inwardly screamed her hand pausing a mere few centimetres from the door handle. No, no, no this could not be happening right now, out of everything she could have said it was that. Oh god, Yang was definitely going to kill her now, she had to put an end to this before it got worse.

"Nor-" Ren tried to say before the door room burst open

"Stop, stop! "Ruby cried out bursting into the room, waving her arms frantically trying to shift the point of the conversation to something else.

"Ruby!" Yang called out in relief

"Yang I'm- Gah!" Ruby cried out as her body was crushed by her sister's grip "Why~"

Yangs relief was quickly replaced by anger. "Ruby where have you been?" She demanded giving her younger sister a look reserved for the times when she really messed up. Her glare softened as her eyes scanned over her little sisters form only now did she notice the abrupt change in her sisters attire, Ruby's clothes were torn and stained with a foul-smelling liquid alongside the occasional scuffs and small bruises her aura had yet to heal, her eyes stopped on the strange dagger sheathed on Ruby's hip.

The others soon followed the blond the expressions of her teammates and friends shifting from relief back to concern.

"Ruby, what happened to you?" Jaune asked

"Yang" She hesitated at first peering up into those lilac eyes causing Yang's own to widen gone was that happy youthful shine she'd seen in her little sister's eyes merely a few hours ago, they seemed to hold a depth and seriousness the blond had never seen from her sister. "It's... It's a long story. " Ruby said sitting down on Weiss bed.

Ruby sat there attempting to bring the others up to speed as best she could. Tough the young leader did not talk about the events with her usual enthusiasm, her voice was more subdued, uncertain of what she was saying even after witnessing it with her own eyes. The others sat around her occupying the various beds and chairs in the room listening intently to her tale.

"...Then he told me to head back to my room and get my team. He said we needed to be made aware of whatever going on." Ruby explained looking up at the others she saw multiple reactions: Doubt, Fear, Confusion, Intrigue... Anger and Betrayal.

The final two radiated from a certain Blond brawler, Yang's eyes remained fixed on the carpeted floor of their dorm, her hands were tightened into a fist her usual vibrant violet eyes having shifted into a solid red a trait she had received from her mother, and only showed itself when she was angry.

And she was angry, not at the professor nor this Mora, but at herself. She'd promised to be there for her sister after what had happened to summer, she'd promised her dad that she'd keep an eye on her, that she'd keep her safe while they both attended Beacon. And now she'd let this happen right under her nose, she owed the professor thanks as much as he owed them all an explanation for what had happened to Ruby.

"Ruby." Weiss began being the first to speak out of the group "How do you expect us to believe any of this, it's...it's-"

"Insane." Ruby finished looking up at her partner receiving a nod in response from the heiress in return. "I know. I don't even believe half of it myself but it's the truth." despite how ludicrous it sounded none of them could ignore the genuine look of fear and confusion in her eyes.

Blake who sat near the back of the group seemed rather eager to understand, eager to understand the mystery that had been presented to her. This could finally shed some light on the mysterious professor and answer a few questions she had herself. Idly Blakes gaze shifted back over to the bookcase next to her bed where she'd hidden the books the night prior. "Then what now?" She asked

"The professor wanted to talk to us, so we go and hear what he has to say." Yang said standing up from her position on the bed, turning to face the members of JNPR. "I guess that means you guys are coming to."

"If Professor Salmon can shed some light on all this then yes." Pyrrha said

"Can I get changed and take a shower first?" Ruby asked the others turned to look at her torn and stained sleepwear, Blake wretched slightly having caught a whiff of the disgusting slime that stained her clothing.

"Yeah, good idea siss" Yang replied.

"Thanks." Ruby replied quickly grabbing a towel and rushing into the bathroom the sound of running water soon followed. The remaining members of RWBY and JNPR looked to one another, Yang let out a long sigh laying back on Blakes bed staring up at the bunk above. Groaning Yang ran a hand through her hair, this had been a lot to take in.

True the professor, no, Mikael had always had this air of mystery to him but none of them could have expected this. Over their time at Beacon they'd each gotten to know the man beneath the hood better, maybe it had something to do with him being only a few years older than them, making it easy to talk to him.

And because of this, they'd come to trust him and treat him more as a friend despite his position as a teacher, especially after what he'd done for Blake at the docks with the extent of the property damage and her past involvement with the White fang if Mikael hadn't stepped in things could have gone very differently for the secret Faunus.

But, if what Ruby said was true then he somehow knew that monster beforehand, the very idea of such a thing shook the foundations of any trust they had for him. Once again she sighed, If Ruby still trusted him enough to go along with his request then she would hear the man out, they owed him that much at the least. But she was going to have a word with him after everything was over and done with.

"Yang"

"Huh?" Yang turned her head towards the White-haired girl, who stood a few feet away, her hands resting on her hips staring at the blond with an annoyed look on her face. Ruby stood a few feet away securing her cape to her combat outfit while Blake sat on the heiresses bed buttoning up her vest, the members of JNPR were also absent. How long had she zoned out for?

"Hurry up and get dressed, the others are meeting us at the professor's classroom. " Weiss said

"Right" Yang responded getting up from the bed and making her way over to the dresser.

/

Mikael sighed leaning forward and resting his head against his knuckles, staring out at the room before him Amber stood beside him sitting back against the desk. He knew this was coming he just wished it had been under better circumstances, and that he'd had more time to prepare. Maybe it was better this way, he could address the issue more directly no doubt there would be some questions about his affiliation with Mora, and he doubted they would like the answer he gave them.

"Are you sure about this" Amber asked.

"Do you think she'd just forget what happened, no, this needs to be done" Mikael replied glancing down at the small dark red leather bound book sitting on his desk, one of the seekers he'd encountered upon his arrival to Apocrypha had been carrying it the content was interesting, to say the least, it certainly shed some light on why Mora had been pursuing Ruby, and furthered more study.

"Ruby needs to know of this for her own sake, and I have no doubt that her team will have questions of their own." Granted Amber had been more willing to believe him most likely because of her own standing as the Fall maiden, but he doubted the students had any knowledge concerning such things at their disposal besides fairytales. The following conversation would be complicated, to say the least.

"I know that" Amber replied placing her hand on his own before she went on to say. "I just don't like the idea of you having to revile yourself like this."

Mikael sighed rising to his feet his fingers closing around her own before giving her hand a slight squeeze. "I know." He replied "But it needs to be done, and I could use your help" he said.

"Of course. If you think this is the best course of action, then I'm with you." Amber hummed while leaning her head against his chest, Mikael wrapped his arm around her waist bringing her close.

"Thank you." he replied. The two broke away from one another as a number of footsteps got closer to the classroom, certainly more than he expected. His suspicions were proven right when the door opened reviling team RWBY accompanied by team JNPR.

'Of course,' Mikael sighed turning his gaze towards Ruby who immediately glanced off to the side with a nervous chuckle. The others each stared at him questioningly with unmasked confusion, hoping he could be the one to answer their questions.

Now then, how to go about this. There had been so many times in the past a job could have gone so much quicker if people had stopped being so cryptic with him and gotten to the point. He would not be that man, not now especially at such a crucial juncture.

"I'm sure you all have many questions." Mikael began

"That's quite an understatement." Surprisingly it was the usually stoic member of team JNPR who spoke first.

Mikael hummed in response "You don't know the half of it. "Mikael said his tone growing serious turning his attention back towards Ruby "I'm sure Miss Rose has already informed you of what transpired earlier tonight?" Mikael received a number of nods from the students although he noted some appeared more than sceptical, a certain white-haired girl in particular.

"Yes." Pyrrha responded although her voice betrayed her, showing her somewhat scepticism." She told us what happened... and with all due respect, what she told us sounds insane " Pyrrha said.

"And in all honestly I don't blame you." Mikael responded, receiving a number of confused looks from the others.

"w-What?" Pyrrha asked in confusion.

"No doubt what miss Rose told you sounds like an impossibility or perhaps even lunacy to some. But I assure you all, it is the truth, every word of it." Mikael's tone was low and his words straight to the point, there was no point in beating around the bush, not after tonight. " Now, would you all mind taking a seat? And we can get started on an explanation."

Both teams looked at one another for a moment before complying retiring to the front two rows of the classroom. Once everyone was settled Mikael leaned back in his chair. "Now then, what are your favourite fairytale's."

"I'm sorry what?" Weiss asked in clear confusion. The others briefly glanced to one another, none of them seemed too sure of what to make of the question. Despite their confusion, Mikael continued

"Fairy tales, stories from your childhood. I'm sure you all must know some of them." Mikael said from behind the desk.

"What do fairy tales have to do with anything?" Jaune asked.

"Everything. Now if you would, please answer the question." Mikael replied. A few blinked in confusion looking to their teammates or partner in the event they may have the Answer to the Professor's strange request.

"Well... there's the Shallow Sea." Weiss said still rather unsure where the man was going with all this.

"The Girl in The Tower." Ren added offhandedly

"The one about The Two Brothers" Blake continued.

"And the Story of The Seasons. "Pyrrha said recalling the story her mother would read to her when she was younger. "My mother and I are rather fond of that one. She would read it to me a lot when I was younger." Pyrrha smiled due to the fond memory, while Mikael turned his head to Amber with a smirk who in turn blushed slightly.

"Professor, I'm sorry but, what do fairytales have to do with anything?" Blake asked with some annoyance in her tone.

"Everything Miss Belladonna."Mikael rose from his seat as he went on to say "Every story ever told really happened, stories are just where memories go when they've been forgotten over time. A certain few in particular" Mikael said turning his attention to Ruby who had been quiet through most of the conversation, he then asked. "Silver eyes, quite the rare trait wouldn't you agree?"

"I... I guess" Ruby said in some confusion, this being the second time someone had made a note about her eyes. Was it just normal to walk up to someone to walk up to you and talk about your eye colour when they meet you, at least she didn't think they did? Although there was that one guy who'd walked up to her sister and commented on her... Ahem assets, safe to say it had not ended well for him.

Ruby shook her head ridding her mind of those thoughts, she was getting off topic. " What does this have to do with my eyes?... Is, is that why that thing was after me?" Ruby asked

"Yes" Mikael replied

"But why!?"Ruby cried out "Whats so important about my eyes, they're my eyes I think I deserve to know?"

Mikael let out a sigh leaning back against his desk "That you do" Mikael paused for a moment before continuing "I do not know much on the subject, but I'll tell you what I do know."

Ruby leaned forward "Please anything?" she said, she needed answers, something she now knew Miakel could provide her with, even if such thing would only lead to more questions.

"As I've said, there are fairy tales from across the globe, some that date back far before there were Huntsmen, and long before the four kingdoms had even risen. Stories depicting some of the greatest warriors this world has known, so skilled and revered were they that even the creatures of Grimm feared them. It was said that with a single glance they could cut down the mightiest of Grimm." Mikael paused noting the silence present in the room each student hung on the Nightingales words, turning to face the young Rose he continued "These warriors each shared one defining feature among them silver eyes. Anyone who possessed this trait was said to possess ability's that could go beyond the boundaries of Aura, and that were destined to lead the life of a warrior and a powerful one at that."

"Is this why that thing was after me?" Ruby asked while rubbing her forearm.

"I believe so, Mora actions alone prove he wanted something from you, and I believe we've just found what that something is." Miakel said

"Herma?" Yang asked in confusion turning towards Ruby for confirmation "You mean that old guy who helped Ruby?" Yang asked

"Helped" Mikael scoffed with a roll of his eyes, although his comment seemed to have gone unnoticed.

"What does he have to do with any of this?" Ruby asked tilting her head to the side in confusion.

"He has many names and many forms, the man you encountered in Apocrypha was one of them." Mikael went on as he paced around the room. "Old Herma-Mora, also known as Hoermius, Hormaius, Hermorah, the Demon of knowledge and the Woodland Man. But he is most commonly referred to as Hermaeus Mora Daedric Prince of knowledge and Fate. He is the reason you found yourself in Apocrypha, it is his realm."

'No, no he couldn't be' She shook her head in denial. He had been kind to her and throughout their journey, he'd never once given her a reason to doubt or fear him, he'd been the one to lead her to the exit... where she found that book, where she saw that creature only now did she recognize the similarities in their voices. A look of betrayal and horror stretched across Ruby's face alongside a look of realisation " He was the monster that attacked us." She asked receiving a nod from the Nightingale.

"Mora values beings of power, like the rest of his kind. The Daedra have preyed on man and Mer since the dawn of the world. They would make offerings to entice men and women who they would deem worthy. Be it weapons, abilities beyond what any normal person is capable of or perhaps the simplest being the offer of knowledge. But unlike the other Mora prefers a more... Direct approach." Mikael said his tone laced with venom.

"What do you mean by 'direct' "Pyrrha asked tentatively fearing the answer

Mikael's tone turned to one of disgust " Like his brethren Mora draws in those he deems worthy at first with the offer of knowledge, but it is that knowledge that destroys them. Mora twists them, corrupting their minds and destroying their sense of self until they are a mere shadow of who they once were." He didn't want to scare them, her in particular but they needed to understand for their own sake and Ruby's. "Something he tried to do to you Ruby"

The young leader sat there in silence a look of horror plastered across her face, Weiss grasped one of her hands offering Ruby what little strength she could while yang pulled her sister into her chest. "Professor" Blake hesitated for a moment "How do you know so much about this?"

"Because I have lived through such events myself, it is the reason I know of Mora and others like him." Mikael said his voice grew softer and more apologetic, a contrast to his usually stoic and at times intimidating tone." I have seen firsthand of what Mora is capable of and what he has done." The nightingale bowed his head in shame "And I am sorry I allowed it to come to this even after learning of Mora's intentions I thought I could divert his attention elsewhere, I now see I failed. I ask...no, I beg for your forgiveness after allowing this to happen."

Silence soon filled the room as the denizens of Remnant processed what the Nightingale had said. Some were even shocked at the level of emotion the man was showing in his words, the silence was broken when Ruby stood up from her seat making her way towards the nightingale.

Mikael let out a startled breath as a pair of arms firmly locked around his waist while Ruby nestled her head into his chest. "Don't." Ruby Began "You don't have to apologise, after all, you were just trying to protect us." Ruby said tightening her grip on the man, after a few moments she pulled away from the stunned Nightingale "Professor?" Ruby asked, "who are you...really?"

Miakel let out a long sigh looking off to the side in hesitance. Taking a calming breath he turned his attention back towards the student, he had come this far but would they be as excepting as Amber had been of him. "Well." He began pushing those doubts aside "Who's up for another story?"

And so, he told them.

He told them of Nirn, his life growing up in the capital of the empire Cyrodiil, the son of a scholar who spent his youth studying the arcane arts, a boy who in time sought out a life of adventure beyond that of the stories head read as a child. He spoke of his journey to Skyrim his mother's homeland one of the few things he actually knew of her, followed by his capture at the hands of the legion he and the other prisoners bound for Helgen and the executioner's axe.

He did not miss the looks of horror nor the cries of outrage from those present, after giving them a moment to calm down he continued his tale, his encounter with Alduin the world eater, the return of the dragon and the prophecy that is so-called destiny as the last Dragonborn required him to fulfil. And in doing so ushered him into a life of adventure and danger all the events that moulded him into the man he was today.

Mikael Salmon, The last Dragonborn, Hero of Tamriel.

After he had finished his tale silence followed, the students taking a moment to process everything they had just hear.

Amber glanced at Mikael, the Nightingale stood there in silence waiting for their response. Her trepidation about this meeting was slowly beginning to return, granted Miakel had held some information back her identity as the Fall Maiden and The Nightingales just a few examples.

"Why didn't you tell us about this sooner?" Blake asked bringing an end to the uneasy silence" We could have done something, we could have helped."

"I know." Mikael replied "But that would have been what killed you. I'm not questioning your abilities as hunters, but Mora... He is beyond anything any of you have encountered before. I won't have any of you risking your lives becuse of this" Miakel paused for a moment allowing the statement to sink in.

"So what do we do now?" Yang asked the question on everyone's minds. "I mean, what do we do if he does show up again."All eyes turned to Mikael

"Nothing. If Mora does show himself...Do your best to remain calm." he explained "Mora has made no attempt to harm any of you in the past, nor during Ruby's abduction. But do not let your guard down for a second around him, I'd recommend you do what you can to stay together when you head out to Vale." Miakel said to the members of Team RWBY

"As for Mora, should he make himself know I will deal with him." Despite the Nightingales words the students only felt mildly comforted after learning so much about this creature. " If anything should occur do not hesitate to contact myself or Amber." the students nodded in return

"Now then it's already rather late and I'd rather not take up any more of your time, your free to return to your dorms for the evening." Miakel said

The members of RWBY and JNPR rose from their seats bidding the two professors goodnight before making their way to the exit, Ruby paused glancing back at the Nightingale 'Thank you' she mouthed before rushing off after the others

A moment of silence passed before Mikael let out a long breath, taking a seat on the floor slumping back against his desk.

"God's above what a mess" He muttered staring up at the tiled ceiling above.

"I know, what you mean." Amber said coming to sit beside him the Fall maiden rubbed her eyes a pair of dark bags hanging beneath them "Are you sure their's nothing else we can do?" She asked

"No, I doubt we would need to interfere in any case." Miakel said only furthering to confuse the fall Maiden "I am bound to nocturnal, her property per say." Miakel went on to say "Mora's actions tonight would have no doubt drawn her ire, I doubt he will risk angering her further over such a petty thing as this."

Amber let out a sigh of relief resting her head on his shoulder curling her hand around his own, listening to his slow and gentle breathing. Amber drew in a calming breath before asking a question that had been on her mind for a while now "Do you ever regret it?" She asked " Becoming a Nightingale?"

"I cannot say." Miakel replied "Karliah the only surviving Nightingale of the time, risked her own skin to save my life after Mercer betrayed me. At first, it was just about repaying the debt I owed her, but as time went on and I learned of the Nightingales mission to protect man from such powerful artefacts keeping them out of the hands of those who might misuse them, my respect for the dark elf only grew and eventually became admiration."

Amber sat in silence listening intently to Mikael's words. " When the offer was finally made to join their ranks, I will admit I was hesitant at first, the price of becoming one of the Trinity is high as were the benefits and responsibilities that would follow my introduction into our order... But to answer your question, no not really, after seeing what extent Mercer and others like him would do to for such, power I felt it was a place I belonged... and I haven't really been proven wrong yet."

Amber hummed in acknowledgement leaning back against the desk, a moment of silence passed between the two before Miakelslowly rose back to his feet. Glancing outside he stared up at the shattered moon before turning back to Amber he said: "It's probably best we listen to our own advice and turn in for the evening." Mikael offered her a hand, smiling in return Amber accepted the offer rising to her feet.

"Definatly." She said

As they made their way along the corridors to the teacher's dorm Mikael's thoughts drifted back to team RWBY, more importantly, the young leader of the team, no doubt tonight would have been an eye-opening experience for her, Mikael could relate learning of his identity as Dragonborn and his so-called destiny had been difficult in the beginning, the stress and responsibility hurled onto his shoulders was...difficult to say the least.

Ruby was different she was a kind and gentle soul, one who didn't deserve such a fate, he wouldn't allow it...he couldn't.

Finally, Jesus Christ. You would not believe how long it took me to do this chapter, I kept writing then re-writing certain bits, then eventually I just scrapped the original (Which was insanely different to the one you just read) and started from scratch with this one.

Anywho I hope you all enjoyed the latest chapter of Shadows rising I apologise for the wait and hope this chapter makes up for free to follow, favourite and leave a review if you'd like negative comments are welcome and I will see you all in the next one.