The mother of Grimm stood before one of her cathedrals windows staring out over her kingdom, watching as her children were birthed from the pools of eldritch blackness beneath her, though she had little time to admire such a sight her thoughts taking her elsewhere, she had received a report from Cinder a day prior, concerning her progress in Vale. Despite her previous setback, she was able to forge a partnership with young Adam.
The boy was rash and quick to anger but his skills and overall influence within Vales White fang branch would make up for it, it was somewhat pleasing to know things were moving forward as expected, but... he had interfered once again, this Nightingale as both man and Faunus had come to call him... as well as his apparent mistress, Nocturnal.
At first, she had thought little of Cinders failure, attacking a maiden in such an open area held its own dangers and any passing huntsmen would have undoubtedly interfered in their assault, his appearance at the time was little more than coincidence something that could be remedied given time, and as such it was something she had given little though on.
The actions of one man, even dear Ozpin were of little relevance to her or, so she had thought at the time, how wrong she had been. The nevermore she had sent out to track the maiden and her companion had shown her much of this man and his abilities.
He had already demonstrated his power during Beacons initiation calling down the rath of nature itself onto the Hydra, and once again during one of the academies expeditions into Forever fall, he had summoned a creature that had patrolled the surrounding area slaughtering a heard of Boarbatusk that had gotten too close to one of the first-year teams, though that had only been the beginning.
Following the ritual, the nightingale had performed there had been a slow but steady rise in activity within Vale, that had slowly been spreading from within the kingdom's borders and across the globe, the most recent from the lands surrounding Vales neighboring kingdoms Mistral and Vacuo, alone these... disturbances would mean nothing to her. They had lasted for a few scant seconds when she had reached out to pinpoint its source the event ended, leaving no trace behind.
Salem grit her teeth, in such a short time this man had dealt a rather crippling blow to their operations in Vale. Cinders ascension to Maidenhood was a crucial step in obtaining the relic of choice, as well as instigating the fall of Beacon. And in such a short time, this one man had managed to obtain both the lock and key to the relic effectively tipping the balance against her and those under her, a feat even dear Ozpin had yet to accomplish, which frustrated her to no end.
It was too convenient, too coincidental.
His reasons for interfering were slowly becoming clearer as did his advances on the Maiden, advances that the child had strongly returned. Salem's lips twitched up slightly, no doubt having been influenced by Ozpins warnings of her newfound abilities the Maiden had spent her time travelling the continent moving from place to place but never staying for an extended period of time, such actions would have deprived her or made her fearful of socialization and most of all, one of humanity and the Faunus simplest of desires, and one of their biggest weaknesses.
... Love
Saving the girl would have at the very least garnered her trust but seducing her would not only have granted her loyalty but perhaps knowledge on the location of the relic if she were to trust him enough and judging by what she'd seen through the eyes of her nevermore that appeared to be the case. The Maiden trusted this Nightingale, but her loyalty still leaned heavily towards Ozpin and his followers... however, that was slowly beginning to change.
Salem let out a frustrated sigh through her nose. Only now did she begin to see the truth as it was quickly laid bare before her, his intervention had been orchestrated by another player behind the scenes, a being of higher power.
As much as she loathed to admit it the idea was simple and yet ingenious, and she as well as her underlings had unwittingly provided them with the perfect opportunity to enact this plan. She might have been impressed had this been anything other than insulting... nevertheless, credit was given where credit was due.
The large double doors leading into the chamber opened allowing the newcomer entry, he was a tall middle-aged with slightly tanned skin, greying black hair and a moustache with green eyes. He wore a grey overcoat with yellow linings, a yellow dress shirt and a black necktie. His pants are the same color as his overcoat. His yellow-buttoned undercoat and fingerless gloves match his cordovan shoes.
He paused in front of the large the large stone table. "Ahem, apologies for intruding Ma'am" She did not turn towards him but still acknowledged the man behind her.
"Watt's" Salem stated calmly. "How goes your investigation."
The good doctor was silent for a moment choosing his next words carefully, clearing his throat he spoke. " Regrettably, it has been slow going." Salam looked back at one of her lieutenants raising an eyebrow in response to her underling's words.
"Explain." She said giving the man her full attention.
"I had my contacts in Atlas run this emblem through every database they have available, nothing. No family, organization military or otherwise bears this emblem going as far back as recorded history" Watts explained setting a small file down on the table, there was little more than a few photographs he had acquired and a detailed description from the report Cinder had sent them concerning her recent failure.
A small smirk made its way onto his face, as the rather pleasant memory of the girl in such a pitiful state replayed in his mind, perhaps he should make a personal note to thank the man for putting the girl in her place, something he had wished to do himself on more than one occasion but alas, Salem would not allow such...'Malignants' for what reason he did not understand, failure was not something to be tolerated especially involving their operations.
Which is why he did not understand Salem's newfound curiosity in this man. True his skills in combat were not to be taken lightly he had already proved his prowess against Cinder, which Salem had clearly taken note of at the time, but since then he and certainly the others Hazel and Tyrian included had noticed their patrons ever growing interest for him, it was...concerning.
"Arthur" Salem's voice pulled him from his train of thought, the Grimm Witch raised a slender eyebrow at the man, he was not usually one to lose focus so easily "You seem troubled."
The doctor straightened up under her gaze bowing slightly as he spoke. "I assure you, Ma'am, it is nothing that should concern nor distract you" He knew she didn't believe him.
"Watt's, you are not a man who is distracted so easily." She began her burning red eyes meeting the doctors own, Watts held her gaze knowing if he were to look away she would take it as a sign of weakness "So if it is something so noteworthy as to garner your attention then, by all means, speak."
Watts was silent for a moment taking that time to choose his words carefully " Recently, your attention seems to have shifted from our operations within the kingdoms and instead focusing more on this man, this Nightingale as they say. Forgive me for suggesting such but...you seem troubled even concerned with his appearance?"
Salem closed her eyes exhaling in frustration, had it truly been that obvious
"You are correct Arthur; his presence is indeed troubling. "She said, however reluctant she was to admit such a thing " As are the events that have been quick to follow his sudden appearance"
Watts arched an eyebrow in response to the statement, slightly concerned and with good reason. In the years he had served faithfully under her, Salem had shown time and time again to have never been one to feel threatened in the slightest by Huntsmen, Ozpin nor even the ones with Silver Eyes who's gaze alone was capable of wiping out hundreds of her Grimm, surely, she must have been mistaken. "Ma'am" Watts began "We've dealt with others like him before, surely there's no need for such concern towards one of Ozpin-"
"He is not one of Ozpin's agents"
Watts blinked one staring at her in silence, not entirely sure he heard that right "I beg your pardon?" He asked for clarity's sake.
"He is not one of Ozpin's Pawns" She repeated her dark red eyes regarding Watts her ire towards him clear, she was not fond of having to repeat herself. "The Nightingale holds no loyalty towards Ozpin his allegiances lie with another, the one who has been orchestrating his continued intervention in our affairs following his encounter with Cinder as well as his infiltration into Ozpin's ranks." Salem spoke her tone holding some faint curiosity.
"Do you believe they are searching for the relic" Watts asked if that were the case it would mean accelerating their plans within Vale.
"That remains to be seen." Salem replied the man had shown little to no effort in searching for the relic. However, he had shown ample interest in the student body, specifically the first years, he had already made an effort to ensure their survival throughout initiation perhaps there was something else he sought to acquire from Beacon or perhaps...someone. "The Nightingale has shown ample interest in the student body there may be something else he hopes to acquire from Beacon, and It would be best we do not rule out such a possibility."
Watts hummed in response. "I'll handle the matter personally if I find anything of interest I shall report back immediately" Watts answered respectfully "Is there anything else you would you ask of me?"
"Send word to Tyrian and Hazel" Salem ordered, "Ensure that they are made aware of the situation at hand, there has been a change in the order of the world around us and I believe it will only continue, ensure they keep an eye out for any... anomalies."
"It will be done" Arthur replied bowing his head to Salem.
"Do not disappoint me Arthur" Salem replied turning her gaze back towards the dark skies and shattered moon above.
/
Mikael leaned forward in his chair staring down at the item in his possession, it was still rather early in the morning around eight o'clock if memory served with the light from the distant sun, bathing the room in amber light.
His desk was flooded with paperwork a mix of test sheets he had planned for a later lecture in the first week, as well as a number of transcripts both he and most of the Beacon staff had received and were expected to familiarize themselves with a few days prior, the documents themselves relating to the teams selected to participate in the upcoming Vytal tournament including grades from previous exams as well as their lodgings for their time spent at Beacon.
Though for the moment his attention was focused elsewhere.
The Nightingale stared down at the journal he had acquired from the seeker, his eyes moving over the line of text stretching across the pages, the writing was old at least a decade or so but still eligible.
June 14th 66 AVD
It's been a solid six weeks since my last "incident" back at the village, I had to get out of there quick or risk drawing more attention to those people than I already had at the time, but I think I might have finally made a breakthrough on how to gain some segment of control over the power. In the beginning, it seemed to react at random during fights with the Grimm this little itch or pain, at a headache even at first, I thought that being the case that I was subconsciously sensing the grim activating it without my knowing.
Mikael nodded along with the author's words, the previous entries appeared to reference events where the author's abilities had shown themselves they weren't much help in understanding the power beyond its seemingly wild nature, although the next few paragraphs looked promising, so he continued to read on.
During my latest mission, I came across a small caravan there were what? Twelve, fourteen people at most, their home had been wiped out by the Grimm a few days back and the survivors were making their way towards a neighboring village a few miles west for shelter, I decided to stick around and make sure they got there safely the groups guards seemed like capable fighters but they were pretty grateful that a huntress showed up and decided to stick around, heh, they even offered to pay me for the work.
The journey was pretty quiet we ran into the occasional pack of Beowolves, but nothing I couldn't handle. It was late afternoon when things started to go sideways, during one of the attacks an Ursa had damaged the cart hauling the villager's supplies, we were forced to make camp while it was being repaired if we'd gone any further I doubt the cart would have survived the trip which would have opened a whole new can of worms.
Moral was already low at the time and this seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back, these people already lost so much and now they were stranded in Grimm infested territory. There was a sort of gloom in the air and the villagers fighters were already stretched too thin setting up a decent perimeter around the camp, so I decided to scout the surrounding forest, figured if any Grimm were close enough to sense the people I could at least distract, maybe even draw them towards me long enough for the villagers to put some distance between themselves and those bastards.
Although while I was out there wasn't much activity in the surrounding area a few Beowolves at the most it was unusual this far outside the kingdoms, the most trouble I had was a small group of three Ursa, other than that nothing. But throughout the whole thing, I couldn't shake this feeling I was being watched I shrugged it off for the time being and after finishing up with clearing the Grimm from the surrounding forest I started making my way back towards the villagers to settle down for the even.
Right around when they started serving their rations for the trip to everyone is when things started to go to hell, one moment nothing but the chatter of close friends and relatives, then that god-awful roar, next thing I know Beowolves, Ursa, Creeps crawling out of the woodwork from every direction with Nevermore's raining down feathers from the skies, it was like something out of a nightmare something like that shouldn't have been possible. From then on, it's just an adrenaline-fueled blur, consisting of me and the defenders fighting off a group of Beowolves and their alpha.
That's when I heard the scream, I turned and saw this little boy cornered by the Grimm, his mother had already been ripped to shreds by the Grimm and was now turning their attention towards him and for a second I thought I saw my own... it doesn't matter, I don't remember much after that, I remember screaming and then a flash of light brighter than anything I'd seen before and then... nothing.
I woke up in a small tavern from what the owner told me was a week later, which was followed by a splitting headache far worse than any hangover I'd experienced in my life, apparently some of the huntsmen in the village had received reports of a flash of light in the distance, at first they thought a bullhead had gone down into the forest and were heading out to check for survivors when they found me and what was left of those people, not a single Grimm in sight.
I managed to talk to some of the survivors soon after, they said that my semblance saved them, (well those that were left at least) that I practically wiped out the Grimm. They said when I screamed Silver light seemed to just burst from my body and the Grimm were just... vaporized. All of them. There must have been dozens of Grimm off all kinds surrounding us and... they were just turned to ash.
Mikael hummed in satisfaction, he was beginning to see why Mora had taken such an interest in Miss Rose and why he had attempted to possess her for his own means, her abilities may yet extend beyond affecting the Grimm making her both an asset and a target to many who might wish to use her gifts...or see them snuffed out.
All the more reason she learns how to harness them sooner, that she learns all she could about her abilities, so that they may not be used against her by others, as his own had been long ago. Mikael sighed his thoughts drifting back towards the blades, he often wondered what might have been if Delphine and Esbern had learned to let go of the past, to let go of their hatred, surely, they could have seen the advantage of having a dragon as an ally, rather than one's enemy.
Mikael sighed turning his attention back towards the pages of the journal, he was getting off track.
When I think back on the moment it happened I couldn't see anything at the time that could have warranted such a violent reaction, the magnitude of Grimm could have been the cause, but if that were the case then I should have already experienced something similar in the past, the occasional itch or burning sensation when I was fighting them, yes, that wasn't anything new, but never anything like what the villagers described to me.
I left the village the following morning around dawn. The memories of what happened were still fresh in my mind, I was angry and needed to blow off some steam. That's when the itching came back, but something was... different about it.
The pain started a little after that, the closest thing I could describe it as was like staring at a lit blowtorch, annoying, but not agonizing. Every time I thought back to that moment, every time I saw the look of terror on that boys face... what I 'Felt' in that split-second moment.
Whenever I think back on the moment it all happened, the moment I screamed, the pain would always come back and a few days later I started noticing them glow, I was surprised... well if you call screaming the house down in the middle of the night surprised that is, which at the time seemed to only make them glow brighter.
Which brings me to the point of this entry, and what I believe caused that kind of reaction.
I have a strong feeling that my emotions may tie into the use of my eyes and that the flash of light everyone was talking about was the result of it activating for the first time, like when I discovered my Semblance. It's just a theory at the moment so I'll need time to test it out first before I know if it holds any merit, hopefully.
'Interesting' Mikael hummed as the entry came to a close, now they were starting to get somewhere.
"Find something good?" A familiar voice spoke up from behind him. Mikael glanced up at the Fall Maiden then at the clock above the doorway immediately taking note of the time, seeing two hours had passed. Amber closed the two double doors behind her before coming to stand beside the Nightingale as he continued to flip through a few of the previous pages, his eyes skimming across their contents before moving on to another.
"For the most part." Mikael replied glancing up from the book." The Author recorded most of their discoveries as well as a few of their theories involving the Silver Eyes." He said passing the book to Amber her eyes skimmed over the lines of text.
"Do we know anything about the author did they mention their name or something?" Amber asked flipping through a few of the later entries before stopping on one of the pages "I mean the date for this entry here was ruffle a decade ago, they might still be around?" Mikael glanced down at the journal, there had been no mention of the author's identity within, the book itself was still in relatively good condition despite its cover and leather binding being battered and torn in certain areas an emblem that once adorned the front cover having faded over time until it was unidentifiable.
"It is a possibility, though due to the presence of the book in Apocrypha it is rather unlikely." Mikael stared down at the journal, he doubted Hermanus had acquired the item from the author willingly, seeking them out would most likely be a rather pointless endeavor. "It may not be wise to openly seek them out. If they are still alive it's rather obvious they've put some effort into ensuring their identity, as well as their abilities, has remained a well-guarded secret, or there would have been reports of random flashes of silver light in recent years, and yet Nothing. "Mikael looked up to Amber "What does that tell you?"
"They might not want to be found. " Amber surmised. If the power the silver-eyed warriors wielded was as strong as the author made it out to be in their entries, then it only made sense that they would ensure, their abilities, as well as their own identity, would remain a secret just as Ozpin had tried for them.
"Either that or there may not be anyone out there to find, Ruby may very well be the last of her kind." Mikael said. The last of their kind, now that was a feeling he knew all too well. "In any case, it isn't our decision whether or not we should pursue this any further, the choice falls to Miss Rose and only if she wishes to learn more of her abilities." Mikael said.
Amber nibbled on her thumbnail as she leaned back against the edge of the front row pages "Ozpin was so sure the Maidens were safe from harm. We'd all taken just about every precaution we could to ensure our identities... our very existence remains a secret to the world around us, but it still wasn't enough." Amber turned her gaze to Mikael. "You're the reason I'm still here. If you hadn't shown up when you did... I don't want to think of what might have happened. I just feel like we could be doing more for her."
"So, do I." Mikael said placing a reassuring hand on Ambers' shoulder. " But Ruby is still young, she has a normal life and a promising career as a huntress ahead of her, she doesn't need a burden such as this forced upon her. The most important thing we can do for her now is ensuring that she get that choice and be there to guide her along the correct path should she choose otherwise." Mikael said, earning a nod in response from Amber.
Mikael's scroll began to buzz a few moments later drawing the attention of both the rooms occupants. Retrieving the scroll from one of his pouches he opened it revealing a message notification from Glynda, the Nightingale hummed in slight curiosity before opening up the message.
'There appears to have been an incident inside the cafeteria, from what I have been told Several first to third-year teams, are involved. Ozpin and I are already on our way to the scene I would appreciate your aid in the matter as well as dealing with the students, once things have settled.' He read, rolling his eyes in response to the message's contents, the new semester hadn't even begun, and students had already earned Glynda's ire, one had to admire their courage...or pity such foolishness.
"What was that about?" Amber asked as Mikael shook his head in mirth.
"It would seem there's been an incident involving the students." Mikael said glancing up at Amber as he sent off his reply to Glynda. "Glynda wanted to know if I could offer my aid in dealing with them as well as holding detentions after."
"It seems a little weird Glynda would ask for help she usually has things like this covered. " Amber noted following the Nightingale out into the corridor, the two walked side by side as they talked. "I mean how much trouble could they have caused."
"Glynda is a capable Huntress and educator, if she is asking for aid then it will be warranted. " Mikael explained. While some of the students were more mature than others Miss Schnee and one Lie Ren instantly coming to mind, they were still teenagers at the end of the day, still children.
As such they tended to get carried away at times, factoring in the increased strength and agility their aura granted them along with their huntsmen training the outcome of such an event could be rather...destructive, any brawls or incidents outside of combat orientated class were often dealt with severely, they couldn't risk such an event reoccurring outside the academy, especially among the public. "In any case, we're about to find out."
/
Rounding the corner Mikael pushed open the large double doors leading out into the academies western courtyard, the cafeteria sitting on the opposite side along with a large crowd of students, the varying uniforms among them or lack of which identifying some of them as students that had arrived early for the upcoming tournament, though he hardly paid them any mind.
His gaze shifted past the wall of teenagers towards the structure itself, its windows were smeared with the remnants of the student's meals blocking their view inside, the sounds of conflict and some rather familiar maniacal laughter echoed from inside the dining hall followed by a large crash as the ceiling exploded outwards raining debris down on the courtyard below.
"Whoa!" One of the female students yelled as they all stumbled back from the falling concrete. Mikael thrust his hand out an orange light shining from within his palm, a similar dark orange aura formed around the falling debris slowing them to a halt above the crowd below. The nightingale motion to the side the rubble following the movement of his arm hovered away from the students, settling at the base of one of the archways surrounding the cafeteria.
All eyes turned towards the approaching Nightingale and Fall Maiden. "Don't you all have somewhere better to be? Or would you rather risk the possibility of a concussion any further." Mikael said with a raised eyebrow, gesturing to the pile of rubble laying only a few feet away.
"Quite" The rather irritated voice of Glynda Goodwitch spoke up from the side, the blond combat instructor came to a halt between them, her emerald green eyes turned towards the cafeteria roaming over the structure a low growl slipping from her lips at the sight of its condition before shifting to the crowd below, many of which quickly began heading back in the academy's direction, a small group muttering a few thank you's to the Nightingale as they passed.
Glynda sighed adjusting her glasses before turning to face Mikael grimacing at the sight of Amber standing alongside him. Despite Ozpins decision, she wasn't fond of letting the man have free range of the academy, let alone allowing him to be so close to Amber.
He was dangerous, not only in terms of skill and abilities that much she had already known from Qrow's reports, but the incident involving Miss Rose had revealed something else to them, something darker. Ozpin was willing to give the man the benefit of the doubt and she would respect the headmaster's decision, but that didn't mean she wouldn't keep a close eye on him herself, and if she could, lessen the hold he had over Amber in the process.
Pushing those thoughts aside she addressed the two of them " It would be prudent we intervene before the students damage the structure further."
"What about Professor Ozpin. Wasn't he supposed to meet us here?" Amber asked she and Mikael following close behind Glynda as the trio approached the large double doors, screams of excitement echoing on the other side accompanied by the ever-growing sounds of conflict.
The headmaster had received a message on one of their secure lines that had drawn his attention elsewhere, asking her to deal with the incident inside the cafeteria before departing. He'd appeared tense at the time though there was a look of intrigue in his eyes she had seen only a handful of times in the past.
"Ozpin is indisposed at the moment. Though once his business at the air docks is concluded, I suspect he will be joining us." Glynda replied, glancing back towards Amber before turning her attention back towards the large double doors in front of them. "Now onto more pressing matters." Glynda thrust her crop forward the large oak doors bursting open granting them entry into the battlefield within.
/
Weiss was starting to get annoyed now, all she wanted was to have a normal day before classes resumed on Monday. Instead, her binder had gone missing, Ruby had shown up with said binder in hand proclaiming she wanted to have the " Best Day Ever! " as she called it. And now here she was covered in filth as she shielded herself behind one of the overturned tables from the storm of soda cans that tore through her teammates.
She blamed Yang for this, all of this, her and Nora. She was Weiss Schnee, heir to one, if not, the most prestigious company's on the face of remnant She didn't have time for something as childish, immature or juvenile as a food fight.
Oh, who was she kidding? This was incredible!
The chaos, the excitement, the pounding of her heart in her chest and the rush of adrenaline that followed beating her opponent into submission using a swordfish as an improvised fencing sword. This kind of excitement was new to her, something she would have never experienced back in Atlas, and she liked it. It was also a perfect opportunity to get some petty revenge on a certain blond dunce that wouldn't stop calling her Snow Angel.
She'd already helped Yang deal with Sky when he'd made the mistake of dowsing her, more importantly, her hair in ranch dressing by holding him down while the blond practically drowned him in ketchup and mustard, she wouldn't admit it openly but she found the sight of sky squirming very satisfying, that is until Nora had rushed them while their backs were turned, she'd noticed the red-haired bomber at the last second and dove out of the path of Nora's hammer narrowly escaping being launched through the ceiling alongside her teammate.
Weiss's peeked over the edge of the table, spotting her target and the meathead Cardin, her eyes narrowed as a vicious smirk spread across her features. Vaulting over the table Weiss scooped up a chocolate trifle from one of the tables as she passed, moving from one spot to another ducking behind anything that might obscure her from their view as she closed in on her target. The blond dunce was too busy fending off the ham Cardin was using as an improvised mace to notice the heiress closing in behind him, it was going to be perfect.
Jaune brought up the folding-chair he'd been using as a shield to block the ham, thrusting his beget forward he struck his former bully in the chest, following up with an upward slash catching him in the chin. Jaune retreated back into a defensive stance watching the larger boy from behind the safety of his "shield", Cardin clenched his jaw raising the ham as he prepared to charge back in, only to pause before a large smirk appeared on his face.
Alarm bell began ringing in the back of Jaune's head, following his former bullies gaze he turned to his left facing the new threat just in time to see the trifle leave Weiss' hands flying straight towards him, luckily the blond knight was able to duck under the projectile before raising his weapon against this new threat, Weiss face twisted into a snarl as she reached for the swordfish at her side.
Her hand froze, a gasp slipping from her lips fear plastered across her face as she took a tentative step back." I...I.." she stammered the color draining from her face as a terror-filled chill crept up her spine. Jaune rose an eyebrow in response to Weiss's reaction, only then did he realize her fear wasn't directed at him but something behind him, Jaune glanced around noticing a few of the others close by had stopped and cowered at whatever was behind him.
In fact, the entire cafeteria had gone silent, Jaune slowly turned around and gasped in horror. Glynda Goodwitch stood before the open cafeteria doors alongside Mikael and Amber, her crop extended forward the bowl that once held the bowl floating a few feet in front of the group, the bowl that is.
Mikael's head tilted down examining the mess of whipped cream and chocolate sauce currently dripping down the front of his armor before raising his head back up his eyes narrowing as a low growl slipped past his lips, he did not look happy.
Oh dear, welp Beacon students it was nice knowing you.
Yes, I am not dead... well not yet at least. After my last chapter I took a bit of a break over the summer holidays and just got back into writing at the start of September, for those of you who haven't been with me since the beginning it's kind of the norm for me, I'll drop off the grid at the end of July and then pop back up around mid to late September or early October.
Anywho, like it, hate it, see something that could be improved, feel free to leave a review below all criticism is welcome, and I will see you all in the next one, have a good day.