Ozpin sat back in his chair setting his coffee mug aside, the headmaster stared down at the terminal in front of him the screen displaying security footage from the academy courtyard taken roughly three days prior, this being the fourth time he'd viewed the footage since it was sent to him by Glynda that morning. Typing a few commands into the terminal he rewound the footage to the pausing it a few seconds before the event took place.
As the footage played Ozpin leaned forward on his desk as the footage displayed Beacons courtyard. The headmaster watched the footage in silence, for a moment it appeared as if nothing were amiss, then it happened. The acidic green void opened, two figures emerged from the apparition their bodies skipped across the stone pathway, the largest of the two figures holding the smaller one to his chest shielding her from the impact against the cobblestone path and soon after the lamppost.
Mikael staggered to his feet gripping his side in obvious pain, Ruby hopping to her feet soon after. The young girl hopped to her feet quickly rushing to the young man's side, they shared a few words though none Ozpin could hear before Mikael began making his way back towards the academy, as he expected miss rose followed stopping in front of the Nightingale.
They seemed to argue for a moment before parting ways Miss Rose making her way back to the student dorms, while Miakel made his way towards the teacher dormitories, Ozpin paused the footage there leaning back into his chair.
It would seem Mikael had been keeping secrets of his own, he had suspected such during their first meeting and accepted it. At the time he had thought nothing on the matter, his secrets were his own and if he chose to share them as he had already done so, that was his choice. But this... this certainly changed things.
Ozpin turned his attention to the blond combat instructor beside him, Glynda was pacing back and forth in front of the large windows looking out over Vale as she did. It was a rare occurrence when Glynda ever appeared so, agitated.
"I will admit Glynda, this footage is rather...disturbing," Ozpin said slowly
"Disturbing... is that all you have to say on the matter." Glynda responded sharply, pausing mid-step to face the headmaster "James may have had a point at the time. As much as I was against the idea even now, we should have at least questioned him or detained him until he was proven to be of no threat, and now... now he's managed to manipulate Amber into helping him keep this quiet!"
"Glynda, you are accusing the two of them of treason!" Ozpin yelled rising from his chair" Now, While I'll admit Amber may hold Mikael in high regards, do you honestly believe she would allow herself to be roped along in such affairs, especially if it would harm any of students."
The blond Combat instructor paused mid-step, Amber was young but she wasn't a fool and despite what feelings she held for the man she would no doubt step in if his actions were less than noble. "So far he has shown no intention of harming the students or Amber, quite frankly if what we have seen so far is anything to go by his intention here." He then gestured to the footage of Mikael shielding Ruby from the impact. "Were focus more on protecting Miss Rose than anything, we cannot be too quick to make our own assumptions or begin to throw around wild accusations, without knowing the reasons behind this"
Glynda sighed heavily her grip on her riding crop tightened slightly, despite her suspicions the headmaster had a sound point she couldn't make any accusations towards Mikael without any evidence back it up or at the very least knowledge of what really transpired that night. "I understand that Ozpin. But, you can't be suggesting we simply stand by and do nothing?"
"I never said that" Ozpin replied sternly this situation overall needed to be handled with some tact. "But, without any real understanding of what transpired that night. Any accusations we make may only break the fragile trust we have worked to build with him over these last few months, and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."
"Then what are you suggesting?" Glynda inquired.
"Nothing for the moment." Ozpin replied looking at her over the top of his glasses, his eyes shifted back down to the console on his desk staring at the footage from the event, the same scene replaying over and over again. "Although it would be for the best if we keep a close eye on the situation. If it becomes apparent our new friend's intentions lean towards something other than noble, only then will we act."
/
Amber leapt back, narrowly avoiding being bisected by the slender black blade. Twirling her staff she knocked aside the two fireballs sent her way. Smirking as the dust crystals on each end glowing vibrantly with each swing of her weapon she sent a gust of wind at her opponent standing at the other end of the combat arena. Mikael dove to the left weaving between her attack quickly closing in on the fall Maidens position. Amber rushed forward meeting him halfway, their weapons clashed against one another the force of the impact pushing them back from one another.
"Wuld!" Within seconds Mikael had covered the distance between them his ebony sword impacting the centre of her staff, pushing her down onto one knee. Amber clenched her teeth as she pushed back against his weapon. Dropping down she attempted to sweep his legs out from under him, Mikael stepped back easily dodging the leg sweep. Rolling backwards Amber retreated into a crouched stance thrusting the end of her staff forwards the red dust crystal on the end unleashing a jet of flames towards the Nightingale.
Mikael thrust his free hand forward, a barrier ward forming in front of him, stopping the jet of flames in its tracks. Using his lack of vision to her advantage she closed in on the nightingale, unaware he could see her every move. Despite most Thu'um's, Aura's whisper was not a mighty shout, but rather a gentle whisper revealing to him any living beings close by.
The pulsing red aura surrounding Amber moved to his left, the Fall maiden no doubt attempting to take full advantage of what she assumed was his lack of vision caused by her attack, or so she believed. Mikael clenched his fist, frost quickly beginning to form over his fingertips spreading down to the palm of his hand congregating in the centre of his palm, the construct already beginning to take shape.
Amber ceased her assault using an aura fueled jump to leap high into the air in an attempt to avoid any counter-attack Mikael had planned, and quite literally get the drop on him. Instead, her attack was cut short when the frozen projectile impacted her chest, knocking the air out of her lungs. The force behind the impact sending her crashing back down to the earth.
"Ow~" Amber groaned rolling onto her back, staring up at the stone ceiling above as Miakel footsteps drew closer, turning her head to the side her eyes landing on Mikael's outstretched hand. "Thank you." Amber said pulling herself to her feet. " You know I think that's the first time I've been on the receiving end of one of those."
"Most likely" Mikael confirmed "I doubt you've faced off against anyone who could match your powers with their own" The Nightingale removed his scroll from one of his pouches quickly checking the time finding it just after noon, their spar had gone on for a little over an hour.
With the first semester coming to a close most of the students had begun departing from the academy most likely to visit friends or family back in their home villages, those who remained were mostly members of the upper years who had remained at Beacon to finish off or catch up on any projects or studies they had yet to finish. Things had been relatively quiet with the lack of classes and students requiring their attention, offering some much-needed rest and relaxation for the two.
Amber took a seat on one of the benches beside the combat area, taking a quick swig from the water bottle before setting it down at her feet, rolling her shoulders she sighed as her aura shimmered around her body quickly doing away with the small bruises and cuts she'd received during the fight. Glancing up at Mikael her eyes widened slightly, he was...well...glowing.
Mikael clenched his hand shut extinguishing the small orb of light present in the palm of his hand, within seconds the glow surrounding his body dissipated.
"Wow~" Mikael turned toward Amber, instantly taking notice of her awed expression. "W-what was that?" She asked
Mikael chuckled slightly due to her reaction in a way one might say it was ironic. The Fall maiden, one of the only four individuals upon this world capable of using magic, was in awe of the use of a simple restoration spell.
"While Nirn may be lacking in terms of technology compared to remnant-" Miakel explained the same orb of light appearing in the palm of his hand "-we make up for it in terms of a rather vast and detailed understanding of the arcane. What you saw was a novice level restoration spell, it's similar to the effects your aura provides you in healing and rejuvenating the body, someone with the aptitude and the proper training could heal even the most grievous of injuries and even reattach severed limbs" Mikael explained
"That's...That's Amazing." Amber said, staring at the small orb of light hovering in the nightingale's palm, he still kept surprising her.
"Not really." Mikael replied the light in his palm fading into nothingness "Such things are a rather common sight upon Nirn, even the lowliest street urchin to the high queen of Skyrim herself is capable of such feats. Which is one of the reasons why it has lost most of its value."
"What do you mean?" Amber asked she couldn't see how such a gift could be considered trivial by so many.
Well." Mikael replied rubbing his chin slightly "The simplest way I could explain it would be...you"
"Me" Amber asked in surprise.
"Yes, you" Mikael explained. "You are the fall Maiden one of the four individuals on Remnant capable of feats many would call the stuff of legends, some would even go as far to say you are Demi-gods."
"I wouldn't go that far" Amber looked off to the side her cheeks darkening slightly from the Nightingales words.
"Maybe." Mikael chuckled slightly in response before continuing. "But think about it, the Maidens are the only beings on Remnant capable of such things but imagine if others, average men women and children were miraculously able to learn how to wield such abilities for themselves. " Amber nodded following along with the Nightingales words
"Suddenly the value the Maidens would hold to the world as well as your attackers would be gone. A similar event transpired on Tamriel back in the second era when a mage Vanus Galerion, founded the mages guild and because of his actions the study of magic was no longer out of the reach of the common man, from there following the construction of the Arcane University in Cyrodiil and the Crystel tower on the Summerset Isle, the study of the arcane became far more popular and open art to my people and as such the value of magic decreased exponentially." Mikael said
"Isn't that dangerous?" Amber asked with some concern. True Mikael had a point on the matter, but the sheer number of individuals possessing abilities similar to her own could be a rather large risk.
"Yes and no." Mikael said looking her in the eye as he took a seat beside her on the bench." Magic is a tool, there can be both beauty and devastation in its use" Mikael explained, his eyes falling slightly "Though regrettably, the latter is often the most common outcome." Mikael said summoning a shard of ice in his left hand while a bright green glow emanated from the other, cubes of green energy hovering around his hands.
The magic of Tamriel differed greatly from what he had seen so far on Remnant. Ambers own abilities in comparison appeared to drift more towards the Destruction and Alteration schools of magic. Both of which he had taken the time to master, and in more ways than one.
Ambers' eyes widened as the shard of ice shattered, the crystal-like shards hovering above the Nightingales open palm before they slowly began fussing back together with one another, taking on a smoother and more refined appearance of a flower's stem. The construct continued to shift and grow as a number of leaves sprouted along the stem accompanied by several curved thorns before finally, a bulb emerged at the very top growing in size until it filled the palm of Mikael's hand.
"Nevertheless, that tool can be used as much to create as it can be used to destroy. I myself, as well as a few others, find more value in the first." He said holding his creation out towards her. Tentatively Amber reached out taking the flower from his hands, holding it with such care fearing it would shatter like cheap glass.
'It's not even cold' She noted her thumb gliding across one of the petals.
"Magicka is the power to manipulate the world around you, remaking it into your own image. The only dangers come from those who lack the knowledge or wisdom to use it wisely." Mikael said, all the while Amber continued to stare down at the rose in undisguised fascination.
After a few minutes passed, she spoke. "This... this is incredible."
Mikael chuckled slightly "You seem to be saying that a lot"
"Well, it is." Amber said staring down at the item in her hands, a stray thought coming to the forefront of her mind. "Have you... heard anything from Ruby and her team"
"No" His smile disappeared being replaced by a look of concern "Can you really blame them, though? I've been lying to them about who I really am, since the day we first met... I still am even now."He said his voice filled with regret " Ruby's life is in danger because I thought I knew better than to tell her the truth the second I found out Mora had taken interest in her."
"Mikael." Amber said setting the rose aside before rising to her feet, the Fall maiden reached out taking his hands into her own. "You can't keep blaming yourself for what happened."
"I'm the only one that can be blamed." Mikael responded followed by a heavy sigh. "I made the deal with Mora that sent me here, and from there not only did I lead him to beacon... but also to you and Ruby as well." Mikael gripped ambers hands tightly in his own. "I'm so sorry"
"Mikael" Amber said reaching out and cupping his cheek staring into those sky blue orbs. "You have done so much good since you arrived here. You saved my life on that roadside, you stopped the White Fang back at the mine and the docks... You protected Ruby from that abomination, you have nothing to answer for."
"I do, Amber... there is so much I have to answer for." Mikael replied his hand coming to rest on her own, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her hand "More than you will ever know."
"I don't care about your past, or who you are back in your homeland." She said leaning in and resting her head against his chest, Mikael's arms curled around her waist holding her in a gentle embrace. The first time it had been slightly awkward having her so close, never having someone so close to him in so long, but now... it had filled him with a calming warmth that only Amber had been able to instil in him recently.
"You are a good man Mikael" Amber said her dark brown eyes staring into his sky blue." You put the lives of so many others above your own and not once did you ask for thanks or any kind of reward. You are a good man, I don't want you to ever forget that."
His grip on her hands tightened slightly. "I won't." He said
"Good" Amber whispered her voice filled with some relief "Ruby and the others will come around in their own time they just need to process what you told them, after all, it was a lot to take in at the time." Mikael nodded in response to Ambers words "Besides you said it yourself Mora won't risk angering nocturnal any further so Ruby's safe. Now can stop worrying so much, can you do that... for me?"
"Of course" Miakel responded with a small smile, although she couldn't see it.
"Good" Amber replied sighing in content, pulling away from Mikael she glanced down at her own scroll an idea coming to mind "You know" She began" I heard a new tea house opened up in Vale recently, I've been meaning to check it out... would you like to come with me?"
"Why not" Mikael replied, his good mood returning if only a little.
As the duo was packing away their things a feeling of unease filled Mikael, the Nightingale glanced up towards the doorway catching a glimpse of a pair of violet eyes staring at him through the crack in the door before they quickly vanished from sight.
/
Yang stepped back out of sight when the Nightingale turned his attention towards her hiding spot, shutting the door as gently as she could without making a sound she backed away before silently making her way back down the corridor.
The whole reason she'd come to the arena that morning to blow off some steam, the stress had been getting to her lately, who knew cracking open the skulls of a few of the training androids could be so therapeutic...But, after noticing the training hall occupied by the very cause of her frustration that idea went straight out the window. She'd meant to leave as soon as she saw them but stopped herself after picking up on the tale end of their conversation.
As yang rounded the corner she let out a slow breath that was quickly followed by a frustrated growl as she slammed her fist into the wall her eyes flashing red for a moment, the blond received a few fearful looks from passing students before they quickly scurried off hoping to avoid the blonds rage. Yang took a few calming breaths forcing herself to calm down, before continuing on her way back towards the cafeteria where her team were waiting.
She wanted to hate him, to despise the man for all he put them through, the lies, deceiving them all after they'd placed their trust in him and finally the most damning of all endangering her baby sister. Any other man would have been left on the ground bleeding or begging for mercy after she was done with them... But, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Despite how every fibre of her being screamed how she should be angry, scratch that furious for what had happened because of him and exact some type of revenge on the man for what he'd done to all of them, and there was no doubt in her mind he would be willing to accept it as well, but what good what that have done?
Beyond making her own sister hate her, of course.
Out of everyone else she'd taken the so-called Dragonborns revelation the best. Anyone else would have been furious they would have cursed the man's name for placing them in such danger... But Ruby, despite her own feelings on the matter, had chosen to forgive him without a second thought. Even when they were growing up Ruby had never been one to hold a grudge no matter the reason why, and it would seem some things truly never changed.
Her little sister had always been the more forgiving of the two of them, she always saw the good in others even if they didn't see it themselves. And it would seem the professor was no exception to that... and for once she could see why her sister had chosen such a path.
She knew why he'd kept it a secret from them all, she knew he was only trying to protect them, to protect Ruby from that monster and spare them all from the turmoil they were now forced to endure... The bastard honest to God cared about them, all of them. Even to the point where he had been willing to give his own life for Ruby's, and for that she was grateful.
Yang chuckled, although there was no humour in what sound passed her lips as she continued down the hallway. She supposed miss Autumn was right, buried somewhere underneath that gruff exterior and those cold, indifferent blue eyes... there was a good person, heh it was like dealing with Weiss all over again.
Deciding to take a page from Ruby's book she made a mental note to have a talk with Blake and Weiss when she got back to the dorm, maybe they could smooth things over with the professor. Throughout her journey back to the others, one thought still lingered in her mind... who the hell was Nocturnal and what did they have to do with the professor?
/
Vacuo, a kingdom located at the very centre of a harsh and unforgiving desert located on the continent of Sanus. Once a thriving oasis where many weary travellers would flock to in hopes of reaching the verdant paradise. Though after years of war and the unchecked progression of mankind, the dazzling oasis faded into a lawless barren wasteland indistinguishable from the desert surrounding it.
Most of what people would call a government and lawfulness was located in their capital city, mostly due to the efforts and threat Shade Academy held against the criminal element. The outside area's of the city was a different story entirely, liars and thieves of all ages dotted the streets, some would claim they were simply doing what they had to in order to survive, others simply took advantage of the lack of law enforcement that was present in the others kingdoms.
What was the one thing that many people here turned to in order to lessen the burden of everyday life? Drink and lots of it at that.
The Vacuan knight a small Tavern and Bar located in a settlement just outside the main city. It was like most Vacuan settlements, desolate, disheveled and with an air of damn near hopelessness. The perfect place for most of the kingdoms scum and degenerates to congregate, most hunters would simply avoid these locations due to the high number of degenerates and the possible bloodshed their very presence could cause if any of the patrons got... Nervous.
So when the cloaked woman accompanied by her well-armoured and hooded friend entered the building, the room fell silent. The two women glanced at one another taking notice of the sudden silence, all eyes falling on them. The cloaked woman nodded to her companion, the armoured woman made her way to a table at the back of the bar, far away from anyone else.
The cloaked woman made her way to the bar taking a seat at one of the stool, sitting in complete silence. Slowly the other patrons began to turn away resuming their conversations, the cloaked woman let out a small sigh.
"Ahem" The woman raised her head violet eyes meeting the bartender's olive green, she was a young woman in her late twenties her hair tied back in a ponytail with a small stud piercing in her nose, she wore a simple black shirt the left sleeve having been torn off at her bicep along with a pair of dark brown jeans and knee-length buckled boots.
"We usually don't get many Huntresses around here, your kind tend to avoid these places like it's a pack of Goliaths." She said attempting some idle conversation while cleaning out one of the glasses she'd collected from the other patrons.
"I can tell." The woman responded.
"So what can I get you and your friend?" She asked
"…Information" The cloaked woman replied.
The bartender paused raising her head to look the woman in the eyes her own narrowed in suspicion "What kind of information?" She asked
"Nothing much just wondering if you might have seen someone passed through here recently. A young man, early twenties, black hair and blue eyes answers to Mikael?" She listed off
"Can't say." It was an honest answer. "A lot of guys like that pass through here all the time and they don't usually use their name, well, their real name at least. You'll have to be a bit more specific." The bartender replied setting the glass aside as she leaned over the counter if they were just here for questions she could answer whatever she could and get them out before anything might happen.
The woman across from her sighed slightly before continuing "There was an emblem on his armour, a small bird its wings stretched towards an orb hovering above it." The bartender's eyes flickered to the side widening slightly in recollection, before narrowing as they turned back towards the woman.
"And If I do know something about this guy?" She pressed" What happens then?" A few seconds later a small silk bag landed on the counter in front of her.
" You will be generously compensated" The cloaked woman replied
Tentatively the bartender reached out to take the bag only for a hand to lash out grabbing her wrist in an iron grip. Wincing slightly, she looked back up at the cloaked woman, those amethyst orbs burrowing into her own.
"Information first...then you get paid." She said dangerously causing a small lump to form in the bartender's throat.
"Ok, ok." She said, though the woman's grip loosened she still kept a tight hold stopping her from going anywhere "Word going around is the White Fang branch out in Vale have put out some sort of bounty on a Huntsmen they're calling "The Nightingale" or whatever. A few of their guys passed through here a few days ago, they didn't do anything, just made sure to spread the word around." She whispered, before glancing down at the hand currently clamped down on her wrist "Can you let go of my arm now?" she asked hesitantly.
"One more question" the woman replied leaning forward slightly " What's the fasted way to reach... Vale?"
"Bullhead" The young woman quickly replied, her eyes dropping down to the woman's waist noticing a rather large number of blades strapped to her body "You should be able to grab one from the village northwest of here."
The woman retracted her hand while rising from her seat, she nodded to her companion who rose from her own heading towards the exit. The woman glanced back to the bartender for a second before pushing the bag towards her." For all the trouble" She said before joining her friend at the exit.
/
Karliah watched in some mirth as the young woman examined the contents of the bag she'd offered to loosen her lips a little, even if in the end she had been forced to resort to intimidation to get what she needed.
This had been the seventh village they'd tried over the last three days, some had been more welcoming than others, the rest... well let's just say they wouldn't be running short on the currency here anytime soon.
The only real problem they faced was the creatures. Nocturnal had been accurate in her description, these beasts radiated darkness similar to her own Daedra, but one that differed from her vastly, it was weaker than that of their mistress but still very much noticeable.
The creatures of Grimm as the locals had referred to them, were a blight on this world that could very well give any threat Nirn had faced in its long history a run for its money.
On their own, they were an easy threat to deal with, but their pack mentality gave them the edge in numbers and combined brute strength. They had encountered a small pack of the werewolf variety upon their arrival… they were dealt with rather quickly but still proved to be quite the annoyance
"Get what you need?" Mjoll asked leaning back against the structure
Karliah nodded in response "Same story as the last two, but she was at least willing to give us a location, Vale."
"I heard the same from one the lads in there… I think he might have been trying to flirt with me" A small laugh slipped from Mjoll's lip "He passed out halfway through trying though" she said walking side by side with her companion, Karliah rolled her eyes in response "Where are we headed then?"
"We're heading north-west" Karliah responded, "There's a village close by with some transport that can get us to Vale."
"Do you think the others made it here as well?" Mjoll asked
"Possibly, although they may be scattered like ourselves" Karliah explained. "I have faith we'll see one another again, for the moment lets focus on reaching our objective, with luck the others will be doing the same."
(To be continued)