Jacen was still wrestling with what he had been shown.
The knowledge that a half-dead legend lurked beneath the school was unsettling. Salem's determination to obtain the Maidens made his blood run cold.
He truly hoped that Ozpin's comment about Salem meeting the same criteria as a Sith was just an example based on Jacen's experience.
He hadn't survived an entire war engineered by one Sith Lord, only to encounter another this far from the Core.
Legend has it that deep within the vast and uncharted territories of the Unknown Regions lies a mysterious planet called Exegol, which is believed to be the sole remaining vestige of the powerful Sith Empire long after their supposed demise. This ancient world is shrouded in secrecy and is said to hold many long-forgotten secrets and untold power, beckoning to those who dare to seek it out.
Many believed that Exegol was only a scary bedtime story that Jedi masters told younglings who misbehaved.
However, Jacen recalled throughout his training under Daro that every myth began with some form of truth that became distorted or misconstrued throughout the ages.
Worse yet, if that dark woman with the burning golden eyes he'd seen in that vision he had was the one who took half of the Fall Maiden's power, Amber's half-dead state also constituted a kind of doomsday clock if she died.
Ozpin seemed to be holding more secrets that he had yet to reveal.
For instance, it wasn't just the Maiden's power that he sensed down there.
Jacen couldn't shake the feeling that Ozpin, the leader of the group that protects the world from Salem, was hiding something. He suspected that there was something very powerful and dangerous lurking beneath the school. Although Ozpin had brought Jacen into his group and kept the existence of the Maidens a secret, Jacen couldn't help but wonder what else Ozpin was keeping from him.
Though he was grateful to Ozpin for giving him a new purpose after he'd lost everything during the war, Jacen felt that he wasn't fully prepared to trust Ozpin.
Still, if there was a possibility that he could help in keeping the peace in Remnant alongside Ozpin's group, he wasn't about to pass it up.
This could be the chance to truly do a Jedi's work, protecting the innocent, dismantling criminal elements, and bringing down whoever Salem was.
Still, he had more immediate concerns on his mind.
For example, he'd thought that Rowan might have returned later in the afternoon, but he hadn't.
Actually, when Jacen inquired about Rowan's whereabouts, nobody he asked had seen Rowan today.
He wasn't necessarily worried about Rowan being hurt, considering he could handle himself in a fight.
However, the fact Rowan hadn't come back troubled him. Jacen was also feeling guilty that it had been his words, which were insults to Rowan's clan, which made it inevitable that Rowan would respond in kind.
Where could he have gone? Jacen asked himself.
Looking around the room, Jacen reached through the Force to see if he could detect anything that would explain Rowan's whereabouts.
He cleared his mind of what he'd been shown and gave himself to the Force for guidance.
He had the vague impression of being drawn toward something on Rowan's side of the bedroom.
It resonated with a strong emotional current.
Closing his eyes, Jacen held out his hand as his mind grasped the size and feel of whatever was drawing him.
The object in question was surprisingly small, almost the size of a coin. It was incredibly smooth to the touch, as though it were crafted from some kind of polished marble. Upon closer inspection, one could see intricate symbols intricately carved onto both its front and back surfaces, adding an air of mystery to the object.
He then called upon the Force to bring the object into his hand.
When Jacen opened his eyes, he saw that he had discovered some kind of tribal rune stone.
A ring encircled the same twin axe sigil that he had seen on Ozpin's mug, but there was also a clover symbol in the center.
The carved markings within the ring were written in a language he didn't recognize or understand.
However, from how it pulsated with memory, it was something important for Rowan.
Sabacc, Jacen thought to himself.
Now, he had a way to find out where Rowan had gone.
As he grasped the rune stone, the room's sounds became muted as he drew upon his usage of psychometry.
He couldn't always see a clear image, but he saw enough to get a basic location layout.
As he reached out through the Force to perceive the images contained within the runestone, he found himself looking at a silent cemetery. In the midst of the gravestones and tombstones, he observed an unusual section that was cordoned off from the rest. What drew his attention was the unmistakable axe symbol that was engraved on the fence, which matched the very same symbol that was carved on the ancient runestone he had seen earlier.
Jacen's mind was momentarily transported into Rowan's consciousness, and he found himself seeing through Rowan's eyes. At that moment, he felt a deep connection with Rowan's emotions, sensing his profound respect and sorrow as the young huntsman affectionately caressed the rune stone lying in front of him.
Jacen's attention was drawn to a tall and imposing obelisk, which stood out amidst the surrounding scenery. The structure was flanked by a pair of identical warriors, both dressed in elaborate armor and holding spears with the poise of sentries on duty. Their stoic expressions and unwavering postures gave the impression that they were guarding the obelisk with utmost diligence. Jacen couldn't help but marvel at the intricate details etched into the warriors' armor, which seemed to glint in the sunlight with an almost ethereal glow. It was definitely a memorial for the Hounds of Cú.
Jacen saw Rowan get closer to the obelisk, where he could make out a list of names for the fallen warriors.
Before Jacen could discern any other names, the vision faded.
Jacen gave a slight grunt of frustration; whenever he used psychometry, it was always difficult to keep what he saw in focus.
While it was more practical to learn a new skill or even track someone, whenever he used it for longer durations, it often caused discomfort.
Quinlan Vos had an innate talent for psychometry, and he never showed any discomfort unless it involved touching a weapon or some other object saturated by the Dark Side.
Jacen had to put more focus into the effort to see certain things.
Now he had something of an idea, except he didn't know exactly what cemetery the Hounds of Cú's memorial was.
However, he knew who he could ask.
Gray stared in awe at the object Jacen showed him.
"An actual Cú Honor Rune," he said with excitement.
"What exactly is it?" Jacen asked.
"Well, per their tradition, a member of the Hounds of Cú carried these as a kind of good luck charm," Gray explained.
"It's also used during funerary processions," he added.
Jacen appeared to ponder on the topic. After Gray added some new information to his entry about Jedi that Jacen had politely shared, Gray assumed that Jacen must have used some sort of Force ability to describe what he saw.
"I saw an old cemetery with an obelisk surrounded by four statues standing in silent guard around it," Jacen explained.
Gray looked from the rune stone to Jacen with interest, "What else did you see?" He asked.
"Is this ability shared by other Jedi of your order?"
Jacen thought about it momentarily, "Psychometry is a rare ability, even among the Jedi," he answered.
"Aside from myself, there's the Kiffar Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, and then," Jacen's voice seemed to drop to a somber tone.
"Maru Thorne also had that gift."
Gray felt a sting of guilt; he recalled from Jacen's story of the Fall of Taris, during which a horrific Jedi killing cyborg known as General Grievous, leader of the Separatist's droid army, led a brutal assault upon the world, which resulted in the death of the Echani Master Kaiya Fenni and, Maru was said to have been killed alongside his master.
"You mean you can see things whenever you touch certain objects?" Gray asked.
Jacen nodded, "See things, and places, and occasionally sense the emotions of someone that's held the object," he answered.
"For instance, when I touched the stone, I could sense Rowan's feeling of reverence and even a deep sorrow."
Gray nodded in understanding. "Rowan is now the last of that legacy," he said solemnly.
He saw a look on Jacen's face, which seemed to add more to his expression of guilt, which he wore now.
The mention of the rune stone used for funerary rites made Gray gasp, "Um, Rowan's going to be livid at finding this missing," he said with concern.
Jacen stared at him in bewilderment, "Why's that?" He asked.
"According to their ancient traditions, members of the Emerald Hounds needed a rune stone to speak to the spirits of fallen warriors during funerary rites," Gray explained.
He saw Jacen place a hand over his mouth, "I don't suppose you know where the memorial site is?" He asked, his voice muffled underneath his hand.
Gray obliged Jacen by pulling out his scroll and going through his extensive lists till he found the right article.
"The Hounds of Cú Memorial is located in the heart of the Vale cemetery, in the same section as the Royal Crypt where the royal family of Vale was laid to rest." Gray explained.
Jacen composed himself and rushed out the door after grabbing the rune stone.
No sooner did he leave than Gray looked into a mirror, his face noticeably cold.
Although the transformation was not readily noticeable to others, Gray was a keen observer and often witnessed the subtle shift in the reflection, as it slowly but surely morphed into Hyde's sinister figure.
"This complicates things," Gray said to the reflection.
Hyde's reflection asked, "If that Jedi touched our weapons, what would he see?"
"I think you should have allowed him to die during the battle at the Emerald Forest."
"Hyde, you're too impulsive and brutish," Gray admonished with a slight scoff.
"We were lucky not to be seen by the cameras scattered around the forest when I let you play with the Ursa and King Taijitu," he added.
"However, it wouldn't have been brilliant to transform just to kill one person in front of a group of other people."
Hyde growled, "You've had plenty of chances," he said.
"Have you forgotten why we're here because of this Jedi?"
Gray's eyes narrowed, "This changes nothing," he said coldly.
"The plan will continue; however, we'll need to move cautiously from now on," he added.
Still, while Gray had carried out his tasks without regret or hesitation, he just couldn't bring himself to add Jacen to the list.
Jacen was unlike anything Gray had ever discovered or even read about.
He was noble and potentially powerful, and he had a genuine sense of duty when protecting others.
The biggest question that was swimming in Gray's head regarding Jacen was, "What was going to happen when She found out about the young Jedi?"
Alone in the dead of night, Rowan genuflected in front of the memorial dedicated to the fallen Emerald Hound Warriors that had passed on throughout the ages.
The ones in green-gold lettering marked those who died in service to the last King of Vale during the Great War.
Dressed in the more formal uniform of the Hounds of Cú, he raised his head to gaze at the obelisk.
Rowan wore the traditional uniform of the Hounds of Cú to honor their fallen brethren. It consisted of a deep green coat, a black vest with a white undershirt, and a black tie.
Though it was rare, Rowan also wore the cap that completed the uniform. Whenever Rowan visited the final resting places of his fellow Hounds of Cú, he never failed to wear a special garment as a sign of respect. This sacred ritual was a way for him to honor the memory of the legends who had gone before him. As he stood among the graves of these great warriors, Rowan felt a sense of purpose stirring within him. He knew that he, too, would someday join their ranks, having done his part to restore the honor of his beloved order.
Rowan had a thought that someday his name would appear on the memorial stone.
His eyes fell upon the most recent addition to their numbers, Rowena.
Jabbing the Gae Bulg into the ground with the spearhead pointing skyward, he assumed a posture of prayer, an unusual practice in modern society.
He chanted a small invocation in the language the Hounds of Cú were versed in, and then he called upon their names.
When he announced Rowena's name, he began to reach into his pocket, then froze.
"Cú's Fangs. Where the hell is it?!" he shouted.
The rune stone was missing. He had come here seeking atonement, but the act of coming without it would only add to his growing list of things to atone for.
The sound of creaking metal made him turn.
Someone had the nerve to step upon the sacred grounds of the memorial.
He grew angry, but calmed down upon smelling a familiar scent.
He already knew who it was.
"How did you even find this place?" Rowan asked though he suspected Gray must have helped him.
"I thought you might want this back," Jacen said, tossing something which Rowan caught.
Rowan's eyes widened as he realized it was the honor rune. Jacen had come to return it to him.
"Surely you didn't just come to return this," Rowan inquired.
Jacen lowered his head in a gesture of respect, "I apologize for insulting your clan," he said.
"You're correct that I might be the last Jedi since our soldiers turned on us."
Rowan lifted an eyebrow with that comment, "What do you mean your soldiers turned on you?"
Jacen shrugged, "Remnant had the Great War in which the Four kingdoms were embroiled; Vale had the Hounds of Cú to defend the King of Vale and its people," he said.
"The Jedi were involved in a war known as the Clone Wars."
Rowan became confused and curious by Jacen's words; the Clone Wars?
Rowan definitely never heard of such an event, he'd also never even heard the term clone.
During his training with Rowena, he learned about several dangerous and unconventional strategies utilized in the Great War. One of the most insane was planting Grimm into enemy areas.
A sudden realization came into his mind, "The Jedi aren't from Remnant, are they?" He asked.
Jacen looked from side to side, perhaps seeing that there wasn't anyone else nearby.
Eventually, Jacen looked at Rowan and shook his head, "We're not," he said.
Rowan, in turn, looked from Jacen to the memorial obelisk and back.
Still, Jacen's words regarding the Clone Wars and these troopers the Jedi commanded betraying them warranted his attention.
Easing his stance, he motioned toward Jacen, "One who has earned the respect of a member of the Hounds of Cú is welcomed upon these sacred grounds," he replied.
He watched as Jacen gave a slight bow before he walked with a motion of reverence, not unlike how Rowan himself often did whenever he came here.
When Jacen stood before him, Rowan crossed his arms across his chest, "You were mentioning this, Clone War you and your fellow Jedi were involved with," he said.
Jacen took a moment before answering, "The Jedi were supposed to be guardians of peace and justice, backed by wisdom from the Force," he explained.
The power Jacen used, was it called The Force? Legends spoke of magic in ages past.
Was this Force power such an example?
"To most, the Clone Wars was a massive struggle between the Republic, which the Jedi swore to serve, and the Separatists, which opposed us," Jacen explained.
"Even the Jedi thought we were doing the right thing during the war."
One thing that stood out to Rowan was that Jacen had actually fought in a war, which explained his experience at such a young age, regardless of whether the conflict was foreign or not.
Rowan cupped his chin with his hand, "That explains your experience with strategy and why you didn't shrink during a battle," he said.
"You've been forged by such experience, so why become a huntsman?"
As Rowan looked up at Jacen, their eyes met, and he couldn't help but notice that there was a hint of despair in his gaze. It was almost as if he was silently pleading for help or searching for some kind of comfort. The intensity of his expression gave Rowan the sense that something was deeply troubling Jacen, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it might be. Nevertheless, Rowan felt a sense of empathy towards him and wanted to do whatever he could to support him in his time of need.
Rowan was acutely aware of the atrocities that had taken place during the Great War. He knew that the memories of those gruesome events would haunt even the bravest of soldiers for a lifetime. It was quite possible that Jacen had also encountered similar horrors during his own experiences in the Clone Wars.
What could have caused Jacen's own troops to turn on him and the Jedi?
It was true that not every soldier who fought had a sense of honor or loyalty, and there were always those who would stab their superiors in the back if things went to hell.
"Don't get the wrong impression," Jacen said.
"The clones we fought beside were loyal beyond measure, and in a fight, you couldn't ask for better soldiers."
"Then, what made them turn on you?" Rowan asked.
"Where there's light, there is shadow, and for the Jedi, no shadow was as deep or dark as the Sith who orchestrated the entire war," Jacen answered.
An orchestrated war against the Jedi? How could one engineer and maintain such a conflict?
It was clear that the Sith followed their own interpretation of the Force, according to Jacen's description, but there was more to it.
"I already explained this to Yang, though both Gray and Rouge happened to listen in," Jacen added.
"Our ancient enemies organized the biggest trap, using our own soldiers as ultimate tools in our destruction."
The Sith had turned the Jedi's entire army against them, "What about this Republic or the Separatists?" Rowan asked.
"The Separatist leadership has been eradicated," Jacen answered.
"As for the Republic, it became an Empire which marked all Jedi like me for death guilty of treason."
Rowan looked at Jacen when the word treason left his lips, "Treason?" He asked.
"The official story was that the Jedi Order was plotting to overthrow Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, and attempted an assassination," Jacen answered.
"However, the Jedi played into the hands of the Sith; now, in addition to the attempted assassination, there's even a story saying that the Jedi were the ones that organized the war to seize control."
As Jacen uttered his words, Rowan's eyes fixated on him. He noticed that Jacen's hands began to shake and tremble uncontrollably as if he was scared or nervous. Suddenly, Rowan heard a loud noise, and the metal fence beside him started shaking violently as if a powerful gust of wind had hit it. However, Rowan quickly realized that there was no breeze at all tonight. As he looked around, he saw that the obelisk in the distance was also trembling and vibrating as if an earthquake were taking place. The ground beneath his feet began to shift and sway, and Rowan couldn't help but wonder what was happening around him.
Suddenly, Rowan looked at Jacen with a hint of concern. Whatever the Force Jacen drew upon seemed to make Jacen into something of a force of nature.
"With one order, the Clone troopers under master Daro Kilaeon and myself turned their weapons on us," Jacen's voice had gone shaky as though an unbearable sadness had gripped him.
"My master sacrificed himself to save my life."
Now Rowan truly felt remorse for what he'd said about Jacen being unable to save his fellow Jedi.
"He must have been like a father to you," Rowan said.
Jacen seemed to calm down a bit as he replied, "He was, though the Jedi often preached that we shouldn't form attachments or even act on our emotions," he said with what might have been slight bitterness.
"You mean they told you to cut yourself off from friends or family?" Rowan asked with a hint of surprise.
"My master argued that it wasn't a bad thing to form bonds with people, but the danger lies in holding on to something long after its time has passed," Jacen answered.
"Eventually, all life ends, no matter how much we may desire it to be otherwise, but we should always cherish those moments we have with those we've formed bonds with."
Rowan actually found himself placing a hand on his shoulder, and he couldn't believe what he was about to say.
"As you've offered your apology, allow me to offer mine," Rowan said without shame.
"You were right that I was disgracing the Hounds of Cú through my petty acts," he added just as reluctantly.
"It's part of why I came here to seek atonement."
Jacen seemed to adopt a curious expression, "I feel that there's someone specific you seek atonement from," he said.
Rowan felt a sense of discomfort within; it appeared that Jacen had the ability to sense the thoughts and emotions of others using the Force.
Rowan brought Jacen closer and pointed with Gae Bulg at Rowena's name, then pointed toward her last name.
"Rowena Conall?" Jacen's voice sounded almost shocked.
"Rowena was my mother," Rowan stated.
Rowan's mother?
Jacen didn't know how to respond at first.
Jacen's view of Daro being like his father was more of a symbolic relationship.
In Rowan's case, Jacen felt it was a relationship by blood.
"I guess we have more in common than I'd initially thought," Jacen finally said.
He noticed that Rowan was looking at him with a new respect.
"The warriors who joined the Hounds of Cú after the war ended became disillusioned and brought disrepute to the once respected and honorable group," Rowan eventually explained.
"When I become a huntsman myself, I want to be able to restore the honor they once had," he added.
Jacen raised an eyebrow, "What about your fight with Pyrrha Nikkos?" He asked.
Rowan chuckled a bit, "She's been an unbeatable champion from her first year in the competitive tournament circle," Rowan said.
"I always look for new challenges to make people remember why the Emerald Hounds were once respected as warriors."
Jacen turned toward the obelisk, marveling at its impressive stature.
As he looked at Rowena's name, he lowered his head in a traditional Jedi bow as a sign of respect.
"There is no death; there is the Force," he began in a kind of prayer.
Afterward, he raised his head and turned to face Rowan, extending his hand.
"I don't want our past mistakes to keep us from reaching our goals," Jacen said.
"Perhaps now we could start being friends," he added.
He noticed a grin forming on Rowan's face as he grasped Jacen's hand firmly, "Aye, I'm willlin' to have ya as my friend," he said.
Jacen noticed Rowan's tail was moving in a way Jacen associated with being in a good mood.
"If nothing else, I don't want to be compared to that Schnee brat."
Jacen involuntarily winced, Weiss had an inflated ego the size of Jabba the Hutt, and she'd never be as willing to admit her own faults as she was now.
"I'm actually surprised you could resist shattering her like a porcelain doll for calling you a flea-bitten mutt," Jacen said.
"I'm not about to drag the Hounds of Cú even further into disgrace by acting like the sycophantic holier-than-thou members of the White Fang," Rowan replied, not even hiding his contempt.
The White Fang, every act of violence only darkened humanity's views on the Faunus while others were doubtless terrified.
"I know they weren't always like that," Jacen said.
For a split second, the image of Tukson and Dusky sprang to mind, followed by the image of Blake.
He paused, "Blake…Belladonna," he said as though struck with insight.
His mind reflected on the bow she always wore and how it seemed to twitch even when there wasn't any wind.
Jacen already had his suspicions that she was a faunus from how she reacted to the news report on the White Fang, but his fear was confirmed when he noticed the bow twitching.
Jacen was suddenly reminded of the brief stare-down between Blake and Rowan. It seemed that the old saying that cats and dogs don't get along was just as applicable to faunus, and it was clear that Blake was exhibiting more of her feline traits, even with her ears covered. She loved tuna quite a bit too.
Furthermore, there was another reason that Blake's last name was familiar, "Ghira Belladonna, he was the leader of the White Fang before this Kin Onyurio took his place, which means," he heard Rowan make a noise expressing confirmation.
"Blake's a legacy from when the Fang wasn't the crazed holier-than-thou group it's become since Onyurio took charge," Rowan said.
His mind reflected on how Tuskon had set up a network to help those wishing to leave the White Fang in secrecy due to how its ideology had changed.
He reflected with a sense of irony how many others shared a similar circumstance to himself.
He felt foolish in thinking that the Jedi were the only ones who became something they weren't supposed to be.
Jacen was uncertain about Blake's past, and he didn't want to force her to remember things she wished to forget. However, he was optimistic that they could establish a cordial relationship with her based on mutual respect and perhaps foster a friendship.
Rowan was once part of a noble warrior group, but they fell into disgrace. Blake was searching for a new path after her previous one turned dark.
He ultimately decided to respect her desire to be hidden, confident that she'd reveal that when she wanted to.
"I suppose you'd like to continue your atonement?" Jacen asked.
Rowan seemed to come to a decision, "We can do it together," he proposed.
Rowan immediately resumed his genuflecting posture, and Jacen came beside him, mirroring the gesture.
In a way, Rowan almost reminded him of Maru, who was also a fearless warrior following his own code of honor.
It still filled him with grief, could there have been more he and Daro had done to break Grievous's blockade over Taris?
Daro's death weighed heavily on his heart, but Maru's loss was the first significant blow to his spirit.
As he followed Rowan's example, he prayed to the Force that Daro, Maru, Kaiya, and everyone else he'd lost found peace within the Force.
END