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As Jaune fought Dew they attacked each other with as much brutality as possible. Every opportunity each other had to inflict true damage on the other they took the chance. Dew cracking Jaune across his face with the hilt of her trident. Then Jaune kicked her in between the legs making her shout out in shock and pain.

Sun cringing in pain as his hand instinctively went to his privates while May, Nebula and Octavia sat motionless in their seats.

They continued to fight, an explosive exchange of attacks with sparks everywhere to distract everyone. Having a snipers eye allowed May to see through all of that. Jaune was completely controlling the fight. Whittling Dew's Aura down steadily without much trouble as she was barely able to do much to him. She got a good hit in every now and again but his dense Aura absorbed everything she could throw at him.

Then she overextended with a thrust from her trident and Jaune slid under the thrust. Grabbing her outstretched hand, he yanked her to him before headbutting her. Dazed from the attack he pulled her outstretched arm over his should and pulled down. Snapping the bone in a clean break.

Even if the attack was a clean break, it still caused Dew to scream out in pain. Something that wasn't that uncommon in Shade or the Prep Academy as they were taught to fight beyond their Aura breaking. Dew's was at 2% at the time of the attack and her arm snapped as a result. She would be fine in a couple days from Aura treatments but the break would still hurt. At least the break was clean.

The moment Dew collapsed in pain over her arm paramedics rushed to her and escorted her to the infirmary. She would be fine in a day or so but the pain would be there for her and no one wanted to hear her screams in the midst of everything.

Understandably Octavia was infuriated because Dew was her best friend but Nebula held her back. Sun jumping over the railing of the ring and charging Jaune. Who simply stood there and accepted the challenge that Sun threw out.

Every strike between the other was like a clash between a titan and a man of death. Sun rained down hell upon Jaune striking him in every which way from his ankles to his head but never let go. Taking each hit from the faunus like he was playing a game. Gradually guiding him towards a conclusion he wanted. Then he acted.

Instead of acting fully on defense he shifted to offense. Deflecting every incoming strike from Sun and getting inside the faunus' guard. Delivering devastating blows to his chest that had Sun wheezing and coughing. Each time though Jaune did nothing and just watched as he recovered.

At first May thought that it was an overconfidence issue. That Jaune was so assured of his win that he didn't care what happened but then her snipers eye delved deeper. He didn't want this fight to end. He wanted to analyze every single thing about Sun because he was faster than Jaune. He took hits he didn't have to all in the sake of learning.

All of which Sun paid for in the end when Jaune decided to turn up his attack. Spinning out of Sun's attack before elbowing him in the head, making him stumble backwards. That's all he needed to press the attack on Sun. The Faunus never having a chance to do much as he was under the utter onslaught of Jaune's knife and ax. Finishing the fight as Jaune hooked Sun's nunchucks with the hook of his ax and kicking out his overexposed leg.

A moment later Sun fell onto the ground with his weapon held by Jaune. Sun was covered in sweat and breathing heavy but Jaune wasn't. The man was sweating just the same as Sun but he wasn't breathing as hard as him. Having fought everyone else already being covered in sweat made sense. Not breathing hard as well was just impressive stamina on his end.

Tossing Sun's weapon back to him Jaune walked away from the faunus. He didn't get three steps before Nebula and Octavia both jumped down from the stand and sprinted towards him. Silent as they ran and with his back turned to them they didn't realize the door in front of Jaune allowed him to see them in the reflection. Still, he was barely able to react.

This was how we trained in Vacuo after all. There is no trick to dirty and nothing off limits. Even Dew getting her arm broken earlier wasn't that uncommon. We are trained to fight until our aura breaks and even after as well.

Spinning on his toes he met Octavia's attack with her knife with his ax stumbling back from the weight behind the attack. Leaning to the left to avoid Nebula's follow up attack and diving that was as well. Rolling to his feet and spinning to face them Jaune caught Octavia's knife with the hook of the ax. Yanking her knife downwards leaving her completely vulnerable to everything else and wasted no time in capitalizing. Slashing across the chest before kicking her away he jumped back just in the nick of time as Nebula's sword slashed right where he had been.

Octavia got up and stood next to the waiting Nebula and starred daggers at Jaune not saying a word. Jaune simply stood there with his ax and knife at his side. Calculating eyes roaming the two girls standing a few feet away. Both of their eyes inspecting Jaune as well. Trying to find any discernable weaknesses.

Then Octavia and Nebula moved as they stormed Jaune. A flurry of blows raining down against him but not a single one penetrating his defense. With their pure offensive speed and a couple years of teamwork along with Sun joining them Jaune wasn't able to get any type of attack going. They were going to overwhelm him.

Deciding to get in on the fun May brought out her weapon and began linning up a shot on Jaune. The moment the shot was lined up with Nebula and Sun pushing Jaune back he disengaged and switched his knife into the pistol and fired at her. None of the shots impacted her Aura but with a snap she saw that her scope was broken. A bullet lodged halway through the scope.

Scowling at that she wouldn't be able to mechashift her weapon anymore because of the bullet either. Instead of staying out of the fight she still lined up shots but instead of lining up for a perfect shot she decided to suppress Jaune. Firing indiscriminately at him whenever the opportunity presented itself. Forcing away Jaune's attention from the others and they capitalized brutally.

Putting in the hurt whenever they could on him. Until his Aura snapped when Sun's nunchucks slammed across his face and forced him to a knee. Everyone stopping the fight, breathing hard and sweating profusely. Sun reached out a hand to Jaune which he gracefully took and hoisted Jaune upwards.

"Hell of a fight man. That was awesome," Sun exclaimed with a bright smile as his tail swished tiredly behind him. Mirroring everyone's mood.

"Thanks," Jaune answered with a nod. "You guys have any water?"

"In my bag, yeah," Nebula answered before beginning to walk away. The group following Nebula to her bag as May was already there. Nebula giving a little extra sway in her hips as she walked in front of Jaune. Though his small conversation with Sun behind her distracted him from really paying attention. Octavia wasn't happy as she stared daggers at Jaune from behind.

The anger coming from Jaune breaking Dew's arm earlier as she was Octavia's best friend. She was subsequently ignored by everyone. Dew's injury wouldn't be the last one they would ever suffer in training and wouldn't hold that against anyone. No matter who they were.

When they reached Nebula's bag she bent over at the waist and reached into the bag. Making a show of spending time rummaging through the bag for far longer than believable. Jaune caught on rather early to what was going on but did take time to appreciate the view before looking away. Sun, on the other hand, had no manners and stared to his hearts content.

"She always this flirty?" Jaune whispered as he looked over a May who laughed at the question.

"She's been flirting since yesterday," May smiled as Jaune sighed and huffed. Not that the flirting bothered him but they barely knew one another and having friends his own age would be nice. Having ones trying to get into his pants wasn't ideal. Though if she was just a flirt that wouldn't be too bad.

"Is she a flirt?" Jaune asked rewarding his question.

"Don't know her that well to say. We hang out from time to time but she's more Sun's friend than anything," she answered with a shrug of her shoulders. Nodding he leaned away from May and over to Sun. Giving the faunus a small little shove breaking the faunus' trance.

"Yeah man?" he asked trying to keep his voice low as Nebula continued to rummage in her bag. Taking an impressively long time 'looking' for the water she had.

"Is Nebula a flirt?" he asked with a whisper.

"Oh… yeah she is. Haven't seen her be this flirty in a while though," Sun said in a quiet voice. "I'm not gonna let this opportunity slip by though."

Sun turned his eyes back to Nebula's rear before holding out a fist to Jaune. Who looked at the offered fist before grabbing it with his hand and shaking. Sun's head slowly turning back to Jaune and then down to his fist. A raised eyebrow as this happened and then remembered how Jaune had shook Nebula's offered hand the day before. Rationalizing the guy must not know certain things socially. Being on the road in grimm territory not being the best place to learn social things.

"Jaune, buddy, you're supposed to bump it," Jaune just looked confused.

"Bump it?" at the question Sun looked scandalized.

"Just how long have you been travelling man?" he whisper/yelled earning the attention of everyone. Octavia and May sighing in relief of their parched throats as Nebula finally stood up with a jug of water before handing said jug to Jaune. Nebula held a curious look as she had definitely heard Sun's words.

"Don't know," Jaune answered with a shrug as he took a drink of the water before passing it off to May. "Village got destroyed and I survived. Been wandering since."

Looking around at them he understood their shock on a somewhat basic level but not beyond that. Orphans wandering the frontier weren't that uncommon thought would admit surviving as long as he did was a rarity.

Octavia looked on with pity and a bit of shame at judging him so harshly during the spar and with Dew. May looked shocked at the words. Sun was dumbstruck at the admission but resolved to make sure Jaune learned at least some social things. Nebula almost couldn't comprehend the words. She'd grown with a loving family her entire life. Both parents had long careers as hunters before settling down together. Sun having a similar family life.

"Do… do you uh… remember anything about your family at least? A Picture, anything?" Sun asked. The sympathy evident

"No," the tone of voice he took told everyone he wouldn't be discussing his past anytime soon with them. "Thanks for the spar guys but I'm gonna head for the bathhouse."

They watched him go without a word. Letting Jaune cool down seemed like the best idea at the time even if they didn't want him alone. Realizing that they had opened an old wound. Nebula turning towards May as Jaune left their the sparring rings.

"That would've been nice to know May," she said accusatorially towards May. The girl in question narrowing her eyes at Nebula.

"I didn't know either. He saved me from slavers and we spent a single day and night together. Not like there was a lot of time for discussing our pasts Nebula," she shot back to the woman. Nebula opened her mouth to say something back but decided against doing so.

"You're right. Just… I can't imagine that," Octavia and Sun nodding in agreement to her words.

"Don't think any of us can," Octavia stated, speaking for the first time since before the spars began. "Feel like a bitch for judging him as I did."

"Shit happens Oct. Don't worry about it and just be better next time," Nebula addressed her friend.

"We'll make it up to him," Sun voiced confidently. "I bet he could use some friends."

With that the four friends nodded together agreeing with the plan to be Jaune's friends before leaving together. Jaune on the other hand was on his way out of Shade Academy only a block or so away from the entrance. Silent as the grave as he tried to remember his family. At this point though all there was were blurry images of them.

Being so young when the attack happened there was so little that could be remembered. No faces, no voices, nothing about the family he should've grown up with. Just blurry images and small recollections of what they liked. His mother's Sunday pancakes, Saphron hurrying to school, Lily doing her homework, dad practicing with his sword when he had nothing to do at the house. That was all there was though.

He knew he had two younger sisters and five older ones but he could only remember Lily and Saphron's names. Couldn't even remember his father or mother's names anymore let alone anything else. There was just a blank space in his mind which was the most infuriating part of everything.

The promise he had made to himself when he was younger. To find the people who had perpetrated the death of his family. The ones who controlled the grimm and kill them. A child's promise in anger to carve his family's names into their chest. He knew that to be a near impossible task now but that didn't mean giving up on the promise. Just, how was that suppose to happen now with little to no memory of their names.

Sighing and pushing those depressing thoughts from his mind Jaune headed to the bathhouse near the inn he was staying at. Taking a quick soak and washing himself clean before dropping his weapons and armor at the inn. Heading to the library after getting directions from the receptionist.

The walk to the library was far longer than the one to the bathhouse. Being on the far side of the town the walk took over an hour to get there. Even with walking straight there and not people watching or enjoying the scenery of the city. Arriving there he was disappointed in the library as the expectations had been that the building was at least big if not huge. The library was neither, barely being the size of the inn but was better than nothing for now.

"Hello," he stated politely to the elderly faunus woman sitting behind the main counter who was reading an old book. Her extra set of cat ears making her faunus status obvious. The color of her eyes matching the greying of her black hair.

"Why hello. How can I help you?" she asked closing the book as she looked up at him.

"I was wondering if you had any books on family or clan symbols. Doing a project at school and doing one on the history of those families and symbols was the subject given to me," Jaune lied easily to the woman. Knowing that pushing school forward might have her help him just a little bit more than usual.

"Hmm, there should be some books on those in the back. No one asks about them anymore with official clans and families thrown to the wayside after the Great War… Give me a couple minutes and I'll have something for you," she gave Jaune a kind smile before standing up and heading to the back of the library.

While she did that Jaune spent the time walking around the library looking at the books. All were in good condition and were well cared for. There were a few outliers to that statement but those were books that were clearly extremely old. Gently grabbing one of those books from the shelf he opened the book and leafed through the first few pages. No information was on those pages but he did find how old the book was. A little over three centuries old.

Jaune didn't know how long books could realistically last but three centuries was a long time. To survive that long the book must've been well taken care of. Something the librarian must've taken pride in because if he was her he would've made the library the most immaculate place in the entire world. That was the assumption at least.

"Ah, one of my favorites," the voice of the old woman spoke behind him. Jaune jumped and spun reflexively with his pistol halfway out from his waistband only to have a knife at his throat. A smile on the woman's face. "None of that now young man. My apologies for startling you."

"Apology accepted. My apologies for reacting as I did," she smiled and shook her head.

"No need for. It's obvious you rarely come to civilized parts," her smile was so serene and caring that he was a bit unnerved to finally take a look into her eyes. They reminded him of Theodore's, Aedon's, Lizzie's and some of the older hunters he had seen around town.

"That obvious huh," as much as she was unnerving this was a chance. She had snuck up on him in a silent library and finding the book's date had been nowhere near interesting enough to distract him that much.

"Yes dearie… Now I wasn't able to find any actual books on families or clans but this journal will do well enough. Written 150 years before the Great War so I hope you enjoy," watching her go Jaune just knew that level of skill wasn't something natural, that had been honed and trained. Then she stopped in her tracks before looking back at him.

"Be careful young man. There is a lot you don't know. Who knows what you might find," she spoke keeping her cheshire like grin on him as she walked away.

Looking away from the interesting librarian he looked down at the journal. In better condition than the book he had previously held but not by much. Being only 100 years younger. Like the rest of the books, was well maintained but had more of a ramshackle design. Like someone had made copious notes within. Not unlikely being a journal of old clans and families.

Finding a table a few feet away he opened the book and read the first page. Slow going for him especially with his lower-class reading level and the older type of writing. When the first page was done, he began to leaf through the book as the first page had said that the clans weren't in any particular order. That the clans were listed in the way that the author, a one A.C. Doyle, had come across them in his quest to write them down in history.

From there he tried to find the symbol that was on the center of his shield but like any curious person. He got distracted by anything that got his attention.

Winchester. The first family crest that caught his eye. A soaring gold eagle as their crest. They were known as mostly as cutthroat politicians but also warriors from time and again. Effective in their business strategies and their few warriors were known for both their bravery and insanity. Often times throwing caution to the wind in a fight which resulted in plenty of frivolous last stands and heroic accomplishments. There was no in-between with them.

Were also known as a family that kept faunus slaves like many of their time. What was surprising there was that they were known as one of the few that paid their slaves and allowed them to pay themselves out of slavery. The Winchesters were also known as a family that always treated their slaves with care and one of their line even married one. Buying her out of slavery.

Meeting one today if they still existed would be interesting. Maybe they still adhered to their old ways but that was just speculation without meeting one. There was obviously nothing about them during the Faunus Rights Revolution so what side they fought on was unknown. Instead of further speculation Jaune moved along.

Belladonna. The next family to catch Jaune's attention. If for the only reason that their symbol was the exact same as the White Fangs. A wolfish creature with three slashes over the image. Not much was known about their family overall as they were a nomadic family of Faunus. Working more as a mercenary group than anything. One that specialized in gathering information and assassination.

As per said in their passage they were also known to be rather ruthless to anyone they came across who held faunus slaves. Along with any employer who decided to either try and betray or shortchange them.

Surprisingly to that they had also had some members of their direct line marry into several other prominent families. The Arc's, Somme's, Nikos', and Riley's. All apparently very prominent and old families. The journal even had the dates for their marriages as the Belladonna's took meticulous notes of family members who had married into other families. The dates going back almost 600 years with the Arcs being the oldest entry. The Somme's quickly followed them as there was a 300 year gap before they married into the Nikos' and then the Riley's just a few decades before the journal was published.

Those were the only four that ever went out of their family as everyone else married into the family. Being Faunus and belonging to the Belladonna's apparently meant something. That said the journal didn't specify why they kept those notes on their family members but if their reputation for information gathering and assassination was anything to go by. They kept those notes in case their family members were mistreated.

Meeting them if they were still around would be fun. Maybe they could teach him something.

Goodwitch. Their symbol was a swirling purple ball. They were known as being some of the best military commanders in Vale's history. Along with being consistently very powerful and precise with Aura. Known also for their cold and no-nonsense attitudes, brutality and extreme dedication to both honor and family.

Showing when one of their own was executed by an enemy during a short war between Vale and Shireen 200 years before the journal was written. Shireen was a smaller country that, by the journal's map, was located near the border of what is now Vale and Mistral. Either way their family member was executed but not before being gang raped. Then their body, head and entrails were mounted on Shireen's walls.

The Goodwitch family along with the Winchester, Somme, and Arc families razed Shireen to the ground within two months afterwards. All the nobles of Shireen were executed with the citizens made to bend the knee or die themselves. The war lasted a total of four months and is regarded by Doyle as the brutalist slaughter of a nation to ever occur.

They were the first family Jaune truly wanted to meet if they survived to modern day. Precise, powerful, brutal and historically excellent commanders along with having dedication to both family and honor. There was no doubt they would be someone good to learn from if only briefly.

Rose. Their symbol being an unimaginative rose. They were one of the oldest families in existence according to the journal. One of only two to be over 1200 years old, the other being the Arcs. Their apparent speed was legendary and were renowned as messengers during war never once failing to deliver a message. Going through both warzones and heavy grimm territory. Which was impressive and important all things considered.

They were also known for being innovative weaponsmiths. Being credited with creating Crocea Mors, the ancestral blade of the Arcs over 1000 years ago. The first mechashift weapon ever and a practice of weapon-smithing that would never be replicated again, according to the journal. That was obviously false as today they were commonplace but to do so over 1000 years ago was impressive.

As a final note for their entry the journal stated that Rose's were easily identifiable. Their thin stature with dark hair and natural red highlights were a staple of the family. Even of the few times they married Faunus their traits always persisted. An extremely strong line only rivaled by the Arcs.

Arc…

Jaune froze at seeing the twin yellow crescents on the page. Shakily running his hands over the symbol and letting out a shaky breath. A smile creeping out as he looked at the symbol. Finally, answers.

The Arcs were the oldest family known, dating a century older than the Rose family. They got their start in the far north of what was now Atlas and Mantle according to the map. Known, in their beginning, as the toughest, meanest, and brutalist raiders to have ever terrorized the north. Eventually forcing a coalition of over a 1000 soldiers to attack and eliminate the Arcs.

They were partially successful as though they did not eradicate the Arcs they forced them out of that part of the world. Over the next 80 years they made across the world working as mercenaries and becoming known as formidable warriors across the world. They eventually settled down in Vale permanently when the then King offered them lordship over some land. The King was at first mocked and almost killed over this decision for giving lordship to the Arcs, a then only mercenary family known for once being raiders.

There was an outright coup against the same king two years later a few months after he commissioned the Rose family to make the Arcs a weapon. One that would not have a budget for anything they could create. The Rose family completed and delivered the blade, Crocea Mors, mere days before the coup.

When the coup happened the Arcs were attacked by the usurpers. All of which were exterminated in a defense and counter-attack led by the then patriarch Callum Arc. Upon realizing what was happening Callum mustered the family and rode to help the king. Arriving in time to save both the King's life along with the patriarch, matriarch and heir of the Rose family.

From there this kind of event seemed to repeat itself throughout history with the Arc family. They were heroes always there to do what needed to be done and save who needed to be saved. From valiant charged into certain death and coming out alive to facing hordes of grimm alone to save a village and dying in the process. The Arcs went from savage raiders to being the most respected and feared family of knights to exist. To be recognized by an Arc was a high honor and besting one in combat a nigh impossibility without overwhelming numbers.

Their legacy of commanders exemplified under a single quote.

'Men love serving under Arcs because they will never hesitate to jump into the fray but were always cautious with the lives of their men. Soldier's adore such a leader.' A quote from the journal attributed to Gerald Rose. A cousin of the main branch of the Rose family who served under Franklin Arc during the Shireen War. That single quote seemed to encompass all that the Arcs were.

Jaune smiled at all that was there about his family. There was no true confirmation they were his family but everything that was in the journal felt right. Like the words were calling out to him. Telling that they were one in the same. An apt description of the family describing what they usually looked like. Tall, built like a mountain, blond hair and blue eyes. Well, he had the hair and eyes and was tall. Only a half inch from 6ft now and slated to keep growing but not built like a mountain yet, more like a tree for now.

Yet two things stuck out the most. The first being that Crocea Mors was both a sword and shield. He only had the shield so the question is where's the sword portion? The second was that they were old and powerful. No way they didn't make enemies along the way and if there an enemy that held a grudge that long, there was only one type that came to mind. Grimm.

He had long thought that the Grimm had a leader since his earliest days surviving his family's massacre. Seeing other villages go through the same fate reinforced that. Then he saw the man giving them orders when he was still under 10 years old. He knew they were controlled in some way. There was no way his family, a family over 1200 years old, didn't have a grudge against them.

With technology being so vast as it is today, they must have eyes and ears everywhere. No wonder Theodore hadn't wanted him to show anyone his expanded shield. The man must know something. Closing the journal, he walked back to the reception desk and handed the journal back to the librarian.

"Thank you, ma'am. This was really helpful," she gave Jaune a smile as she took the journal.

"No problem young man. Good luck on your project," she gave a wave as Jaune stepped out of the library and made started to head to Shade before remembering school wasn't in session today and there's no way Theodore would be there. Sighing and instead heading back to the inn. Tommorow would be for a quick job day job from the guild and maybe hanging out with May and her friends if the mission doesn't last all day. Next day, find Theodore and what he knows. How, that remains to be seen.

"I'm sorry, but what did you just say?" Ozpin asked through the call. Slowly lowering his coffee mug to his desk as he digested Qrow's words. Looking at the disheveled and certainly tipsy, at minimum, Qrow.

"Ya heard me Oz. Glynda's back with Aedon and apparently told her everything. Every dirty lil secret you three have made over the years," the three in question being obvious to himself, Salem and Aedon. That could be a problem if she decided to leave their group. Ozpin's had deserters hunted down before on the pretense that allowing anyone with certain information to roam free could be catastrophic.

"When?"

"Don't know. I'd guess sometime during the semester break so almost half a year now," Qrow answered with a shrug of his shoulders. "He actually cares for her though Oz. Said leaving her the first time was a mistake."

"Are you sure Aedon told her everything?" Ozpin asked rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Oh yeah Oz. Had the same look in his eyes Raven had whenever she got serious," Qrow nodded along to his own words taking a sip of the flask after finishing.

"Thank you Qrow," the man waving off the thanks. "Continue your search for Amber in the meantime. She should be somewhere around Mistral now if I'm not mistaken."

"Gotcha Oz. See ya," Qrow gave a two fingered salute before ending the call.

With the call ended, Ozpin swiveled his chair to look out the window of the headmaster office. Looking over the city of Vale he rubbed his face eliciting a deep sigh. Never in wildest dreams did he think Glynda would willingly get back with Aedon. Believing that scaring the man off her had been successful. She was too powerful of an asset to let him have his hands on her.

He should've just tried for someone else. Or gotten her a new lover… He knew Aedon did nothing by half measure and the only reason he backed off originally was because Ozpin was sinking his claws into her. Now, with everything known to her he doesn't have to worry about that. There were no more secrets.

Tapping could only be heard throughout his office. Ozpin's finger tapping across his desk as he leaned back on. Trying to calm himself with the rhythmic tapping of his fingers until everything was too much.

He picked up his desk took steps towards his glass window before stopping. Taking deep breathes to center himself and not create an incident he slowly lowered the desk. Cursing the advent of technology and the spreading of information. Salem had taken that advantage far more than he had ever thought.

Throughout every thought of his was the last time Aedon had been involved with the Goodwitch line the Shireen Massacre happened. Such a terrible silvery lining all things considered but he had worked with less.

So many powerful Noble lines snuffed out in a few short months. Assets he would have used to put the world in a better place than it was now.

Only silver lining being that since Glynda hadn't outright attacked him yet for everything he has done in the past meant. That meant she understood. Her family always understood pragmatism to make the world a better place. That or she was funneling information to Aedon and working as his spy. A thought that made an abundance of sense.

The Goodwitch's understood pragmatism but would abhor a lot of what he'd done for the benefit of Remnant. Which would mean that Aedon was starting to get ready for a play. Just like Salem had been over the last couple years. The massacre of the Arc family along with the splitting of Crocea Mors was the first sign. Summer's death and the 'deaths' of Arthur Watts and Tyrion Callows being the next events. Finding no bodies with the likes of the latter two always meant she was involved.

That's not even touching the fact that Nicholas was in Aedon's pocket. Confirmed reports of the once SSS ranked huntsman wandering the wilderness of Vale and then Mistral over the last few months evident enough of that. The man may not have been what he once was but wielded the sword portion of Crocea Mors. Getting back into shape during his travels would make the whole situation worse. His semblance, even at the age of 50, would make him an incredibly hard opponent to face.

Turning away from the windows and cogs in front of 0him he grabbed his cane. Touching the cane in a rhythmic and soothing tone he centered himself to think. Forgoing his delighted coffee as it would, at times, make him think to much and this would be one of those times.

Still, as he thought the only word that would come to him was 'why'. Why would Glynda go back to him? Why would she go back to the man who killed innocents. Delighted in the pain in misery he brought to people for thousands of years. Why forgive that… then seeing them as the monster who had killed none who deserved it… Then when you finally think they turn a corner they break your heart… why turn back to that. Why?

He didn't want to answer his own question… because he knew if even for a second he truly believed Salem had turned over a new leaf he would leap at the chance. Make her better than everything she once was. Maybe that was what Glynda was doing; fighting a losing battle with no hope to win.

There was something there though that told, whispered, to him. That this would not be the case. That, this time, Aedon, would rise. Truly rise on the side he needed to be on. Not as a marauder, killer or soldier but as a hero… there was something else though… that in his heart of hearts he wasn't seeing the whole picture.

There was something or someone else playing the eternal game with them.

With everything going on and pieces moving on the board Ozpin could ill afford to alienate Glynda. However, that seemed more closely to be his only option involving her. Glynda's only saving grace here would be if she knew Aedon's semblance but doubted Aedon told her. Ozpin had gotten a hold of one of Aedon's wives in the past and she too knew every dirty secret between him, Salem and Aedon but not that. Then again, no one knew what his semblance was; not even Jinn.

The Relic of Knowledge saying she didn't know what Aedon's semblance is still one of the most shocking moments of Ozpin's long life. Only saying that when activated his semblance opens a wound on the world. Not much to go on there.

Another headache announcing themselves to Ozpin in the form of remembering James. If the man found out Glynda knew everything, Mettle would take over and demand they bring her into custody for interrogation. An event that would not end well for anyone as Aedon would stop being subtle. Which would allow Salem to capitalize on the chaos he would cause in retaliation.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Ozpin knew this feeling well and hated every time this type of situation happened. Not a single option left to him was a good one in any way that he could think.

"Damn You…. You fucking Gods."

Hope y'all enjoyed this weeks chapter.