It had been a few days since his fight with Jacen, and Rowan was still shaken over what had occurred.
Jacen's words still burned, "Meanwhile, you disgrace the Hounds of Cú even further."
No matter how much he hated it, Rowan knew Jacen was right.
Undoubtedly, he brought shame upon them, especially when he uttered a line that was equally or more offensive than Jacen's words.
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.
Although the Hounds of Cu were known for not forgiving inexperience in battle, it was considered dishonorable to insult a warrior from a different group, particularly if that warrior had earned their respect.
He looked back at Jacen's side of the room, realizing he had crossed a line by insulting Jacen's clan.
How hypocritical he'd just been in that moment.
He knew what he had to do now to atone for having brought shame to the Hounds of Cu.
Rowan knew that he was 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.
Rowena's accented voice instructed him in the way of the Emerald Hounds and scolded him often when he got out of line.
He took a deep breath and reached out into his closet, but not for the typical clothing he wore.
The garment in question had a somber hue of dark green, almost bordering on black, that lent it an air of mystery and intrigue. Its top was adorned with intricate golden weaving around the cuffs, adding a touch of regal elegance to the otherwise understated design. The buttons were made of polished gold and featured a tiny emblem of the Emerald Hounds, a legendary order of brave knights known for their unwavering loyalty and valor. The emblem, a twin axe sigil of Vale, was modified with a clover in the center, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. All in all, it was a truly magnificent piece of clothing that exuded an aura of power and prestige.
He was wearing a kilt that perfectly matched the color of his Emerald Sash.
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 disrespecting Ruby, and now she was practically flaunting it in front of her.
He waited until she began to walk towards the stairs, then used the Force to subtly move Weiss's leg, causing her to lose balance 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 reflect, 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 more skilled in mediation and politics, similar to Dooku.
Daro's mannerisms were so distinct that people often forgot he was also from Serenno. When he needed to use diplomacy, he spoke like a count from his own house.
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 simultaneously, I want to succeed," Ruby was wiping a tear from her eye.
"But I keep messing up."
When Jacen heard Ruby's voice, he could tell something was off. As she spoke about her dream of becoming a huntress, Jacen noticed a hint of uncertainty in her tone. With each passing word, her confidence seemed to fade away, leaving behind a sense of doubt and hesitation. By the time she finished speaking, Jacen could feel his heart sinking, as if a part of him was crumbling along with Ruby's shattered aspirations.
Come what may, Jacen was determined not to let Ruby fall into despair as he did at the end of the war.
"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 could have added more, but he sensed a cold rage from behind and just had enough time to avoid a blow to his face.
"You barbaric thug," Weiss's voice was dripping with anger, which seemed to increase 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 appeared surprised and taken aback, "I speak the truth, and the truth is that the child should have never been here, let alone become a leader," she said. However, she immediately regretted her words 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 finally helped us defeat the Nevermore, while all you've done is 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, so he reached out to her through the Force to help her calm down.
"Take deep breaths, Yang," he said calmly.
After a while, Yang closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then 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.
At first, it seemed like he was using telekinesis, but then it appeared like he had a semblance to control minds. She witnessed him calming Weiss down and preparing her 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 appeared to move backward and adopt a sulky expression, accompanied by a set of sounds she didn't comprehend.
"You must be the most unusual robot I have ever encountered," she remarked, eliciting another set of beeps.
Come to think of it, Blake had never seen the type of robot that Jacen called Skipper 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.
Back when she was still part of the White Fang, the machines that Atlas employed were just as chilling and ominous as their appearance suggested. Their cold and calculating demeanor only added to the already tense and unnerving atmosphere.
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 would end in more bloodshed as so many others had inevitably been.
While working with Adam Taurus, whom she had once admired for his dedication to the cause and his immense strength, she began to notice over time that he was willing to take more lives than what was necessary for the mission. This was a stark contrast to her initial respect for him.
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 when she broke away from the White Fang and 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 appeared focused on a news report about a White Fang rally that had turned deadly, and unless Blake was wrong, it seemed like he found the news as distressing 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.
Although she didn't want to talk to Yang Xiao Long, she couldn't ignore her when she referred to Jacen as 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 whistled at her; she looked annoyed and said, "I can't understand you," while 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 of, she swore she saw a look in Jacen's face that she'd typically seen in Adam's face. Especially after she witnessed what Jacen did during his fight with Rowan.
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 burdensome, especially when you realize that it's not just yourself you have to look after, 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.
"At present, Weiss harbours a large grudge and must confront her weaknesses," he said.
"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 chuckled, "The Force encompasses more than just telekinesis, clairvoyance, and precognition," 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 took a moment to think about it as he recalled obtaining some books that Tukson had recommended him to read. "I read a few stories like 'The Girl in the Tower' and 'A Love not Meant to Be'," Jacen listed off.
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.
"After years of being isolated, he found solace in the company of four individuals who helped him break out of his shell. As a token of appreciation for their kindness, he granted each of them a unique and powerful gift, symbolizing the four distinct 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 would 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.
Jacen stepped into the elevator and pressed the button to descend. As the elevator began to move downwards, he felt a strange sensation coursing through his veins - a power that he had sensed ever since he arrived at Beacon. He felt an increasing power that made him more and more scared as time passed. After a seemingly never-ending time, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened to reveal their 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.
He hoped he hadn't stumbled upon a forgotten remnant of the Sith, as the Dark Side was strong in this place.
However, there was an undercurrent of pain, though it did not carry the same sinister tone of hatred or anger.
"We'll share the real story about me and Professor Goodwitch as teachers at Beacon," Ozpin revealed as they walked down the hallway.
"I formed a group to conceal the presence of the maidens from those who might exploit their power," he explained.
"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 noticed the tone in Ozpin's voice. "So if someone kills a Maiden, they inherit their power?" Jacen inquired.
"It's more intimate than that," Glynda emphasized.
"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 could 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.
Jacen didn't have any personal experience of the exact strength of the Maidens' power. However, the fact that Ozpin's group opted to keep them hidden led him to assume that the Maidens must possess a level of strength that could be classified as that of a demigod.
Jacen had knowledge of certain hidden powers during the war that the Separatists, and therefore Dooku, could have used to gain the upper hand. One such power was the Dark Ravager, an ancient Sith weapon capable of destroying entire planets.
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 Jacen and his companions reached the conclusion of the dimly lit hallway, his eyes were drawn to a peculiar sight. In front of them were two large containers that appeared to be made of metal and resembled coffins. The containers were connected to each other via a complex network of tubes and wires. A machine of some sort was attached to the tubes, and it emitted a faint humming noise. The entire set-up seemed out of place in the otherwise abandoned and eerie corridor, leaving Jacen with a sense of unease.
One of the coffins was empty. The other contained a girl with a scar on her face and brown hair that reached her neck.
From where he stood, he sensed that the girl was somewhere in a comatose state, but she seemed barely alive.
As he observed her, he couldn't help but notice an unusual energy that seemed to be emanating from her physique. It was hard to pinpoint exactly what it was, but the energy was strong and distinct. It seemed to pulse and vibrate, almost like a living thing. He wondered what it could mean and how it might be affecting her. This was what it felt like to feel the presence of a Maiden.
"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 that the Maidens remained the stuff of myth or legend, someone discovered their existence."
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 replied, "No one knows for sure; some say she's an advanced Grimm, while others believe she's a deity."
"She would likely be considered a Sith by your Jedi standards."
Jacen turned suddenly to face Ozpin, "Are you telling me that there might be a hidden Sith on this planet?" His voice was filled with shock and anger.
The entire time he had been concerned about the empire locating him, he had not considered the possibility of a concealed Sith presence here.
The Sith's Rule of Two stated that there could only ever be two Sith at any time, although Jacen knew that this was not always the way the Sith functioned.
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 Jacen knew Palpatine was the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, he knew he would never allow another Sith to stand as a competitor.
If Palpatine hadn't targeted Remnant because of Jacen, he would destroy it to eliminate any competition.
"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 appeared hesitant to bring up the topic, "It's known as an Aura Transfer machine," Ozpin said.
"After researching aura, the Kingdom of Atlas developed technology to capture and transfer it to 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 Jacen drew near, he was suddenly struck by an intense sensation emanating from Amber's body. It was a palpable, almost tangible energy that seemed to pulse and glow with an otherworldly power. Yet, even as he marveled at its strength, Jacen couldn't help but sense that there was something incomplete about it. It was as if he were standing before a magnificent work of art, but one that was missing a crucial brushstroke or patch of color, leaving it somehow unfinished and unresolved.
He widened his eyes as he came to a conclusion, "Someone attacked her and took half of the power that was within her," he spoke out loud.
"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 nor 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 several 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 three field generating towers, but looked more like a mangled structure that had been surgically cut apart.
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.
"Though these don't bear the signs of that level of destruction, it looks more like whatever was responsible knew exactly where to make these cuts to sabotage these field generators."
Ozpin's implication that there might be a rogue Jedi or something ancient with a strong connection to the Force, who potentially had access to a sabotage droid, wasn't a welcome thought.
Jacen was about to say that no Jedi would ever join something like Salem, but given how the purge nearly drove him mad, he realized that other Jedi probably didn't have the same mental fortitude and may have become 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 would be in a lot of trouble.
Jacen stated with complete conviction, "If this is either a rogue Jedi or a dark side adept, I am prepared to offer my assistance in this covert conflict. I cannot bear the thought of the dark side or any other malevolent force gaining the power to destroy Remnant."
"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 be the host for the rest of the Maiden power.
Looking 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 would 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 the 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 now better understood Ozpin's efforts to prevent Salem from obtaining the Maiden'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.
Jacen entered the elevator without saying a word. He mulled over everything he had been told, but pushed it aside. He knew he had to find Rowan and make things right.
END