It had been nearly a week since his fight with Jacen, and Rowan was still fuming over what had occurred.
Jacen's words still burned, "Meanwhile, you disgrace the Cú Warriors even further."
No matter how much he hated it, Rowan knew Jacen was right.
He undoubtedly put disgrace upon them when he engaged in petty actions.
Reflexively, Rowan's hand went to his throat, but there was nothing there.
Jacen had practically been on the verge of killing him with that throat-grabbing power, and though it was brief, he could swear he saw Jacen's eyes go from blue-gray to yellow when he had his lightsaber at Rowan's throat.
Apparently, Jacen could become a monster just as dangerous, perhaps even more so than whenever Rowan used his semblance at over 50 percent.
His eyes went to the photo of himself and Rowena, which made him grimace.
Despite the Cú Warriors not looking for help from those outside their ranks, it was dishonorable to insult another warrior from a different group, especially when that warrior had earned their respect.
His eyes went back to Jacen's side of the room.
He knew he'd crossed a line when he insulted Jacen's clan.
How hypocritical he'd just been in that moment.
However, Rowan was too proud to go to Jacen and apologize.
No matter how much it annoyed him, Rowan would be in Jacen's debt for how he'd saved his life during the fight in the Emerald Forest.
"Guess it's been a long time since I've seen her," Rowan whispered, perhaps speaking to the photo.
He could still hear Rowena's accented voice instructing him in the way of the Cú Warriors or often scolding him whenever he got out of line.
He took a deep breath and reached out into his closet, but not for the typical clothing he wore.
It was a dark green closer to black in color, with a uniform top affixed with golden weaving around the cuffs, and gold buttons with the miniature symbol of the Cú Warriors, which adopted the twin axe sigil of Vale used by the Royal Family modified with a clover in the center.
It was even complete with a kilt that matched the color of the Emerald Sash he wore.
After a moment, he got himself ready and quietly left.
Jacen had seen this event coming, but even so, he wasn't prepared to witness it with his own eyes.
Ruby and Weiss had entered the dueling arena during their combat training class.
While Ruby tried to put forth more effort, Weiss wasn't giving her any respite.
Weiss summoned glyphs from all over to catch Ruby off balance, followed by quick thrusts and strikes from her rapier weapon.
In time, Weiss claimed victory, much to the dismay of Ruby herself.
"I knew they made a mistake in choosing you as the leader," Weiss said indignantly.
"A real leader wouldn't break as easily under pressure," she added.
"That's enough, ice queen," Yang said, getting between her and Ruby.
"What kind of leader berates one of their teammates like you've been doing to Ruby?"
"When that leader lacks experience," Weiss answered.
She turned her eyes to Jacen, "Don't even think of using that invisible hand-choking trick on me," she said in warning.
Jacen narrowed his eyes, Weiss was becoming just as disrespectful of Ruby as Rowan had been, and now she was practically rubbing Ruby's face.
As it was, he waited till she began walking toward the steps, then used the Force to subtly move Weiss's leg, causing her to unbalance and fall to the floor.
"Maybe you shouldn't act like a schutta," he said, not even caring that he just swore in front of Ruby.
Weiss picked herself up and glared at him, "What did you just call me?!" She asked angrily.
"Schutta," he said with exaggeration.
"Why, you little," she stopped when Glynda moved her weapon between her and Jacen.
"We're not having any of that in my classroom," her voice firm as her eyes darted from Jacen to Weiss.
"Is that clear?"
Weiss reluctantly sat down while Jacen helped Ruby onto her feet.
Before Jacen got down, Glynda whispered to him, "Professor Ozpin would like to see you after class," she said.
"Bring Miss Rose as well," she added.
Jacen hadn't seen Ozpin since the ceremony for the teams, indeed he had to be aware of what was occurring within team RWBY and team JGRR.
Jacen had tried his best to keep Ruby's spirits up, but mediation wasn't exactly his strong suit, and he couldn't fix Ruby's problems without trying to get everyone else on the team in sync.
He also still had his problem with Rowan to solve.
He'd said he'd give Rowan time to cool down, but he didn't expect Rowan to suddenly not show up for classes this morning.
He made a note of solving that problem, too, after talking with Ozpin.
Now, he really wished that Daro hadn't been killed during Order 66.
Daro was much better at mediation, not to mention he was more well-versed in politics, not unlike how Dooku had been.
Daro's typical mannerisms could easily make one forget that Daro himself was also from Serenno, and whenever Daro had to employ a diplomatic angle, he spoke very much as he might have if he'd become a count of whatever house Daro had been part of.
As soon as class ended, Jacen caught up with Ruby, "You okay, Ruby?" He asked.
A look of sadness was all over Ruby's face.
"I just don't think I was ready," she said reluctantly.
"I didn't want to stand out, but at the same time, I want to succeed," Ruby was wiping a tear from her eye.
"But I keep messing up."
Jacen felt his heart sinking, Ruby's confidence about how she wanted to become a huntress to help people and be like her mother seemed to have diminished to non-existence.
Come hell or high water, Jacen was determined not to let Ruby sink into a deep depression as he nearly did toward the war's end.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ruby," he said in much the same way as if he actually was her brother.
"You've done things most people your age can only dream of."
Ruby still had a look of uncertainty when she spoke, "Maybe it was a mistake for Professor Ozpin to choose me as the leader," she admitted.
"I suppose we can find out when we go see him," Jacen said.
Ruby finally seemed curious, "What?"
"Professor Goodwitch mentioned that Professor Ozpin wanted to see both of us after class," Jacen answered.
Yang looked from Ruby to Jacen, "Ruby's not in trouble, is she?" She asked.
Jacen shook his head, "I suspect he knows the situation and simply wants to find a solution," he answered.
He might have added more if he didn't sense a cold rage from behind.
He had just enough time to move his head out of the path of a hand that would have struck him across the face.
"You barbaric thug," Weiss's voice was dripping with anger, which seemed increased after Jacen narrowly avoided her incoming slap.
"People like you should be locked up," she said, only for Yang to jab a finger at Weiss.
"People like you need to stop being so inhuman," Yang said, not hiding her anger.
"It's not enough that dog boy was giving Ruby trouble, but you have to go and make it worse."
Weiss seemed taken aback, "I say what's true, so when I say that child should never have even been here, let alone become a leader, that's simply the truth," she said, though she immediately regretted it when Yang grabbed her and held her up with her feet barely touching the ground.
"Why don't you quit whining about how you didn't get chosen as the leader," Yang barked.
"Ruby was the one who came up with the idea that made us finally defeat that Nevermore, while all you've done since was complain or try to upstage Ruby."
Yang angrily let Weiss go, and for a moment, the air was thick with tension.
Even if Jacen hadn't been strong with the Force, he would undoubtedly see the air practically burning.
"A Schnee is supposed to set an example," Weiss said, only for Jacen to chime in.
"Maybe you should stop thinking about yourself and think about others," Jacen said in a controlled, but still angry tone.
"You're not the only person here trying to prove something," he pointed a thumb toward Ruby.
"Ruby's goal is equally important, if not more so as yours."
Weiss shot Jacen another glare, then stormed off without another word.
Jacen noticed that Yang still had her fists clenched, and he reached through the Force to give her calmness.
"Deep breaths, Yang," he said calmly.
It took a moment, but eventually, Yang closed her eyes and exhaled forcefully.
Even Jacen let out a breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding.
"School shouldn't have to be this confrontational," Jacen said with some melancholy.
After the tension passed, he and Ruby followed Glynda to the elevator toward Ozpin's office.
As it closed, he had the vague impression that someone was eyeing him with curiosity.
Blake was deep in thought when Jacen and Ruby went up the elevator.
She'd been curious about what exactly Jacen's semblance was.
One moment, it seemed like a form of telekinesis, then it seemed like he had a mind control semblance, as she saw him getting Weiss to stop yelling at him and get ready for the initiation.
She was snapped out of her thinking when Jacen's little robot bumped into her leg.
"Excuse you," she said, turning to regard the robot.
It seemed to back up slightly and adopt a sullen appearance, complete with a series of tones she didn't understand.
"You've got to be the most peculiar robot I've ever seen," she said, getting another series of tones.
Come to think of it, Blake never even saw the type of robot that this, Skipper, as Jacen called him, before.
It seemed familiar with being in a combat situation, yet it also seemed to act more like a living creature with a concept of loyalty.
Even when she was still with the White Fang, the robots Atlas used were every bit as cold and terrifying as they appeared.
She remembered, with bitterness, the last mission she performed with the White Fang.
The train owned by the Schnee Dust Company was one of many targets for the Fang, but this mission was sure to end in more bloodshed as so many others had inevitably been.
She'd been working then with Adam Taurus, whom she once had such respect for, due to his devotion to the cause as well as his incredible strength, but over the years, she noticed he was more willing actually to take more lives than the mission called for.
Lately, it seemed the entire White Fang had been more willing to shed blood, even involving non-combatant humans.
It was even worse when it involved humans who didn't subject the Faunus to ridicule or persecution.
Her blood ran cold when she remembered the Red Dusk Massacre; under orders by the zealous Kin Onyurio, a squadron under Dusky Jones, had carried out a hit on a family linked to the Dust Company as a subsidiary, this particular hit ended up seeing the entire family, plus about five of the children mercilessly butchered.
Dusky had vanished soon after that debacle.
Blake hated how differently the White Fang had operated after her father stepped down.
It was turning those she'd considered friends into twisted versions of themselves.
As for Adam, he had become so consumed that he was willing to blow up an entire train full of passengers.
That had been the day she broke away from the White Fang, then made her way toward Vale to become a huntress with the help of a little black bow to hide her ears.
Though despite her efforts, there was always new talk about the White Fang only bringing more shame to the Faunus rather than improving their image.
That was when she'd unofficially encountered Jacen on the airship to Beacon.
She admitted hadn't thought much about him at first, but she got the feeling he wasn't as biased as most humans were.
He seemed to be intent on the news report about a White Fang rally that turned deadly, and, unless Blake was mistaken, it seemed like he found the news as discomforting as she did.
She noticed, too, that he didn't seem to hold Faunus in any contempt, or even place every Faunus under the same blanket as any other human typically would in comparing all Faunus to those in the White Fang.
Though she didn't exactly want to talk to the overly energetic Yang Xiao Long, she couldn't ignore it when she was referring to Jacen as something called a Jedi.
Yang had talked at length about how Jacen had fought an Ursa while she and Ruby were practicing unarmed hand-to-hand combat.
Skipper was whistling at her, and she looked annoyed, "I can't understand you," she said, planting her hands on her hips.
"I don't suppose you have a better way to communicate," she added.
Skipper seemed to let loose a sulky tone.
"I guess that's a no," Blake sighed.
She supposed she could take a fraction of comfort that Skipper occasionally did obvious things.
She looked back at the elevator and then at Skipper.
"I suppose I should thank you for your assistance," she said.
Skipper's series of tones had an unmistakable flavor of "You're welcome."
Yet, even after seeing what Jacen was capable, she swore she saw a look in Jacen's face that she'd typically seen in Adam's face.
She wondered if Jacen would actually have killed Rowan.
That more than anything concerned her greatly. Had she encountered someone who was tipping into the same violent tendencies as Adam?
If so, it was probably best that she not get involved with him, if only to avoid a repeat of everything she'd been trying to escape from.
Ruby was tugging at her skirt as she sat in the chair before Professor Ozpin's desk.
She was still nervous about having to be up here.
Though Jacen being there at least gave her a bit of courage.
"You seem troubled, Miss Rose," Ozpin's voice cut into her thoughts.
Reluctantly, she raised her head to meet Ozpin's gaze, "It's just, I can't help but wonder if you made a mistake in naming me as the leader," she finally said.
Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "Miss Rose, I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, or child has ever made," he said.
"However, I don't believe naming you as the leader is among any of those, do you?"
Ruby replied, "It's just, what have I done even to be considered a leader?" She asked.
"Many people who are put in those positions often ask the same question, Miss Rose," Ozpin answered.
"Though being a leader comes with great responsibility," he said, gazing toward Jacen.
"I presume you can agree with that, Mr Horne?" He asked.
Jacen's attention went from Ruby to Ozpin, "It's true," Jacen said.
"Being a leader can be burdening, especially when you realize that it's not just yourself you have to look after yourself, but also the people under your command," he added.
Ruby looked at him, confused, "But you didn't look concerned during our fight in the Emerald Forest," she said.
"Leaders are also built through experience," Jacen explained.
"My experience wasn't easy to learn from, and it was painful," Ruby noticed Jacen's tone had gone sullen.
Ruby was about to speak when Jacen looked into her eyes, "Every leader goes through fire, and it will push you, but if you're serious about your goal, that's how you achieve it."
Ruby sank back in her chair a bit, "I can't do this on my own," she said as she covered her face with her hands.
She looked up when she felt Jacen placing his hand on her shoulder.
"No one said a leader had to go through this alone," Jacen said.
"You've got support, there's Yang, and there's me," he continued with conviction.
Ruby suddenly felt a bit better, but there was still the issue with Weiss.
"What about Weiss?" She asked.
Jacen sighed, "That's going to take a while," he said.
"Right now, Weiss has a massive chip on her shoulder, and she needs to be able to overcome her shortcomings," he added.
"That's something only she can determine, though."
Ruby seemed to be more confident, though she still had a few reservations.
"What if she keeps being so confrontational?" She asked.
"You just need to show her that you were meant to be here," Jacen said.
"I believe the Force has dictated that this is where your path begins."
Ruby gave him a questioning look, "I thought the Force was more like your semblance," she said.
Jacen gave a short laugh, "There's more to the Force than just being able to lift objects, recall objects to one's hand, or predict things before they happen," he explained.
"Some have even said that the Force actually has a will of its own and that it dictates one's destiny."
While Ruby found it interesting that Jacen was sharing a philosophical belief held by his clan, she couldn't exactly comprehend its full meaning.
"You really think I'll be able to do this?" Ruby asked.
Jacen shrugged, "Even Jedi can't always see what happens, but I know you were meant to be here," he answered.
She noticed that Ozpin had primarily been quiet as though seeing where the conversation would lead.
"I have something in mind that will at least help you build a foundation, Miss Rose," Ozpin said as he adjusted his glasses.
"You're free to return to your teammates; Mr. Horne and I have something to discuss."
She nodded her head, but before she left, she hugged Jacen.
"I'll do my best," she said, then approached the elevator.
Jacen kept his eyes on Ruby until the door shut, and he turned to regard Ozpin.
"I presume you have something only I needed to be part of?" Jacen inquired.
"Quite the display you presented to Miss Xiao Long," Ozpin answered.
"I've seen many wonders before I became headmaster of Beacon, but I've never seen such a phenomenon as this Eye of Aldhani."
Jacen probably shouldn't be surprised that Ozpin knew about that; the man seemed to be filled with many secrets and surprises.
"I have to ask Professor," Jacen said.
"You're not a Jedi, but lately, I've sensed that you're using something comparable to the Force," he continued.
"It definitely goes beyond what I've learned regarding semblances."
Ozpin nodded, "One secret I shall share with you is one which Remnant only knows through old stories or mythology," he explained.
"Would you believe me if I told you that magic is real?"
Jacen couldn't hold back a laugh, "Most cultures around the galaxy believe the Force is some kind of magic in one form or another," he said.
"Why?"
Ozpin seemed to adopt a curious look, "I presume while you were going over the material I supplied, you became acquainted with some old fairy tales?" He asked.
Jacen thought about it for a moment as he remembered obtaining a few books that Tukson had insisted he read, "The Girl in the Tower, A Love not Meant to Be," Jacen said, listing off the various stories he read.
Though one story in particular had captured his attention, "The Tale of the Maidens," he said.
Ozpin nodded, "What do you remember from that story?"
"There were four maidens that visited the house of a lonely old man," Jacen answered.
"Each of them helped him slowly break out from his isolation, and in gratitude, he bestowed upon them each a great power corresponding to one of the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall."
As Jacen explained the story, Ozpin nodded in approval, though Jacen sensed there was a lesson somewhere in this.
"What if I told you that story was true?" Ozpin's voice was serious when he asked.
Jacen raised an eyebrow, "That was never in the curriculum you gave me," Jacen's voice held noticeable suspicion.
The sound of footsteps behind him made him turn, and he saw the form of Glynda coming beside him.
Jacen looked from her to Ozpin, "Is there something you're not telling me?" He asked.
"Rest assured, Mr Horne," Glynda said from beside him.
"We're still the same teachers that make it our job to train young aspiring huntsmen and huntresses."
"Rather than explaining it up here, perhaps I'll show you," Ozpin said as he approached the elevator.
"This way, please," Ozpin beckoned.
Jacen sensed that something important was about to be revealed if Ozpin's words regarding the Maidens were something to go by.
When Jacen entered the elevator, Glynda pressed a button, and the elevator went down toward a very low level.
As it descended, Jacen sensed the strange power he'd felt when he first set foot on Beacon.
It was getting even stronger as the elevator finally came to rest at its destination.
When the door opened, Jacen stared into a vast hallway of massive pillars and stanchions with torches flickering green flames.
Jacen also felt a chill go down his back as he stepped into the chamber.
Somehow, the Dark Side was strong in this place, and he hoped he hadn't stumbled upon an old forgotten remnant of the Sith.
However, it didn't resonate with the same sinister tone, such as hatred or anger, but there was an undercurrent of pain.
"You know the public story about myself and Professor Goodwitch as teachers at Beacon, but now we'll let you in on the actual story," Ozpin explained as they made their way through the hallway.
"I formed a group to keep the presence of the maidens hidden from anyone who would abuse their power," he continued.
"You mean people kidnapping them and forcing them to use it against others?" Jacen asked.
"Professor Ozpin means that they'd literally try to claim that power for themselves," Glynda explained.
Jacen looked from Glynda to Ozpin in confusion.
"I'm sure you know, not every spring, summer, fall, or winter is the same," Ozpin said.
"That's especially true in the case of the Maidens."
"You mean, people can actually take their power to use it?" Jacen asked.
"The power resides inside the current maiden until that maiden's death," Ozpin explained.
"Depending on the circumstances, whether they die from sickness or old age, the power disperses to find a new maiden," he said.
"Typically, the power passes into whoever is the last person in their thoughts when they die," Ozpin added.
Jacen noted Ozpin's tone, "So, if a maiden is killed, that power will pass to whoever their killer was," he said.
"It's a bit more, intimate than that," Glynda said with emphasis on the word intimate.
"What do you mean?" Jacen asked.
"The term is maiden; therefore, only another female can possess the power," Ozpin answered.
"However, if the killer or last person in the maidens' thoughts is a male, the power will randomly choose a new one."
Jacen considered that, only females can possess this power.
It moved or transferred into a new host to become the new maiden.
That meant any female in Remnant could potentially obtain the power either through accident or inadvertently.
While he didn't have any personal experience regarding the exact strength of the Maidens' power, and from the fact, that Ozpin's group opted to keep them hidden, Jacen assumed the Maidens must have strength that entered the category of demigods.
During the war, Jacen had familiarity with hidden powers that the Separatists and, by extension, Dooku would have used to turn the tide of the war, the Dark Ravager being an ancient Sith weapon that could lay waste to entire worlds.
Part of Maru's job as a Jedi Shadow was to ensure powerful dark-side artifacts didn't fall into the wrong hands or end up in Dooku's possession.
As they came to the end of the hallway, Jacen saw something that seemed more like vats or, given the presentation, a pair of coffins connected by tubes linked to a machine.
One of the coffins was empty, while the other clearly housed a girl with a nasty scar across her face, and brown hair that came to the middle of her neck.
From where he stood, he sensed that the girl was somewhere in a comatose state, but she seemed barely alive.
Moreover, that strange power he'd felt practically radiated from her body.
"Allow me to introduce Amber," Ozpin said.
"The Fall Maiden."
Jacen looked from the chamber to Ozpin with a feeling of apprehension and suspicion.
"What happened to her?" Jacen asked.
"We're still trying to find out," Ozpin answered.
"Despite our efforts to ensure the maidens are kept the stuff of myth or legend, someone learned of the existence of the Maidens."
Jacen raised an eyebrow, this was undoubtedly when he'd finally received an answer to a question that had been burning in the back of his head for a while.
"You mean, Salem?" Jacen asked pointedly.
He saw Ozpin's face darken as he nodded, "She knows the existence of the maidens, and will stop at nothing to obtain their power," he explained.
"Who or what is she?" Jacen asked.
Ozpin shrugged, "No one truly knows, some believe she's a highly evolved Grimm, while others believe she's a goddess," he answered.
"To you, as a Jedi, she'd probably fit in with your definition of a Sith."
Jacen whirled on Ozpin, "Are you telling me there's possibly a hidden Sith on this world?!" His voice carried shock and anger.
The whole time he'd been concerned about the empire finding him, he hadn't considered the possibility of a hidden Sith dwelling here.
The Sith's Rule of Two stated that there could only ever be two at any time, though Jacen knew that wasn't always how the Sith operated.
During the days of the Old Republic, the ancient Sith were numbered in the hundreds of thousands within the Sith Empire.
Was this Salem possibility a remnant from that age in galactic history?
If so, Jacen knew Palpatine, whom he suspected was, in fact, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, would never allow another Sith to stand as a competitor.
If Palpatine didn't set his sights on Remnant due to Jacen's presence, he'd definitely come to ensure that he had no rival in his way, and that would see all of Remnant burn.
"Keep in mind there isn't any proof to back that up," Ozpin said.
Shaking his head out of his concerns, Jacen took note of the machine Amber was in.
"What exactly is this?" Jacen asked.
Ozpin seemed almost reluctant to mention, "It's known as an Aura Transfer machine," Ozpin said.
"Through the Kingdom of Atlas's research into aura, they developed technology to capture and transfer aura into something or someone."
Jacen seemed to be possessed by a sickening feeling as he regarded the machine.
"I trust you're capable of keeping this a secret, given your service in the Clone Wars, I imagine you've handled sensitive or classified information," Ozpin said.
Jacen got closer till his face reflected in the glasses of Amber's chamber, "Why exactly is she in something like this?" He asked.
As he got closer, he could suddenly feel the power imitating from Amber's body.
It felt very powerful, but even so, Jacen felt that it wasn't whole, like half of it was missing somehow.
His eyes widened as he concluded, "Someone attacked her and took half of the power within her," he said aloud.
"As you can imagine, we can't run the risk of whoever her attacker was to obtain the full power," Ozpin said.
"Though it's never happened before, we hope to find someone who we can transfer what's left into them."
Jacen's head shot up, and he glared at Ozpin, "Don't you dare try making Ruby or Yang get in that thing," he warned.
Ozpin held up his hands, "We haven't chosen anyone yet, and rest assured that neither Ruby or Yang are ones we've been considering," he said.
Jacen looked from Ozpin to Glynda, "Why are you bringing me into your fold?" Jacen asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You're the first Jedi that has ever come to Remnant, and we need every advantage we can find," Ozpin answered.
"Plus, a recent event has come up which we could use your expertise on."
Jacen watched as Glynda opened her scroll to show the area where a force field was being generated by a row of towers linked to generators.
"As Professor Ozpin said before the initiation, we have Grimm defenses in place, yet a number of Grimm were able to penetrate the field and breach the perimeter," she said as she zoomed in on what might at one point have been a field generating tower, but looked more like a mangled structure that had been twisted then crushed.
Jacen took a closer look as he noticed the position of the towers, "These were inside the field," Jacen paused as he suddenly understood what Ozpin was reaching for.
"You think, something or someone did this?" Jacen asked.
"From your abilities during the initiation, I noticed you used the Force to lift objects, recall weapons to your hand or even freeze someone in place," Ozpin answered.
"Would it be possible for you to crush an object of that size with the Force?"
"I'd need to have a feel for whatever I'm trying to crush, and generally the bigger an object the more I'd need to focus, though if I tapped into it by feeding on any emotions, anger or frustration, I could crush something even bigger than the generator tower as if it were an aluminum can," Jacen said.
A sudden realization struck him, "You think a rogue Jedi or something may be now working with Salem?" He asked.
"I know you said that you might be the last of your kind after you survived the purge which claimed your master's life," Ozpin said.
"However, I'm willing to bet that there may be one that fell to her influence."
Jacen was about to interject that no Jedi would ever join something like Salem, but given how the purge nearly drove him mad, other Jedi probably didn't have the same mental fortitude and probably became twisted versions of themselves.
If one such rogue did indeed fall to whatever allure Salem held.
On the other hand, if it turned out this rogue was actually a dark-side adept, that could be even worse.
Little was known about the Unknown Regions or Wild Space, but Jacen recalled old stories about hidden dark side cults.
If this was a member from such a sect and had joined Salem, Remnant was going to be in a lot of trouble.
"If this is either a rogue Jedi or a dark side adept, I'm willing to assist in this secret war, if only so there isn't the possibility that a dark sider or something else doesn't get the means to tear Remnant apart," Jacen said with utter commitment.
"Anything you can do will prove helpful in our goal, Mr. Horne," Ozpin said.
A question entered Jacen's mind, and he cupped his chin in his hand, "So, how many others know about this?" He asked.
"Apart from Professor Goodwitch, there's General James Ironwood of Atlas, Professor Leonardo Lionheart, who's currently the headmaster of Haven Academy in Mistral," Ozpin paused to regard Jacen.
"Then, of course, there's a particular dusty old crow," he said, causing Jacen's eyes to widen.
"Qrow Branwen, Ruby and Yang's uncle," Jacen mainly said to himself.
He still had yet to meet the so-called, dusty old crow, but given how highly Ruby spoke about him, he was a very skilled huntsman.
Jacen suspected it was only a matter of time before they actually met.
"I take it you want me to keep this hidden?" Jacen asked.
"That would be preferred, Mr Horne," Ozpin answered.
It was true that Jacen had to handle a lot of classified information during the Clone Wars, but this particular secret would prove difficult given the stakes.
Amber was practically on the brink of death, and she was inside a machine that would, in theory, enable them to transfer her aura and the power of the Fall Maiden into a new host.
He also wasn't comfortable with the idea of Ozpin choosing someone to act as the host for the rest of the Maiden power.
As he looked at the empty chamber, he caught a brief echo of something that either had yet to happen or might happen.
Desperation mixed with overwhelming doubt followed by pain made Jacen's blood run cold.
First, the sensation he felt in Tukson's bookshop, now he felt another premonition here.
Jacen undoubtedly knew that something was about to happen, and he was right in the middle of this secret war.
However he felt about this, as a Jedi, he was going to do whatever he could to find out who was behind the attack on Amber.
As Jacen gazed at the scars on Amber's face, his eyes narrowed as he caught a brief glimpse of the silhouette of a woman with eyes that reminded him of Palpatine's own Sith eyes with a molten gold color to them.
Ozpin cleared his throat after a long moment had passed, "Speaking of team drama, I believe you and Rowan Conall have your own ordeal to pass through," he said.
Jacen berated himself slightly, in all turmoil with Ruby and the groundbreaking reveal, he'd forgotten he still had to patch things up with Rowan.
"He hasn't been in class all day, Professor," Jacen said.
"I didn't even see him in our dorm room this morning."
"I have a feeling you'll find him," Ozpin said, leading him toward the elevator.
If nothing else, Jacen better understood what exactly Ozpin was up to regarding what he had been doing to prevent Salem from obtaining the Maidens's powers.
Jacen still felt Ozpin was hiding something more profound, but whatever power Ozpin used was strong enough to protect his subconscious from intrusion.
Without another word, Jacen entered the elevator as he contemplated everything he'd been told, though he immediately pushed it aside as he knew he needed to patch things up with Rowan, wherever he was.
END