Grand Tour of Fonsa Myma
Once the clock struck 8:00 am of Alrest time, the gang had breakfast at the inn before moving out to raise money.
Of course, they didn't all have to go hunting minerals for Dragunov. Only Yang, Mòrag and Zeke moved out along with their Blades. Brighid and Agate would search for the minerals while Yang, Zeke, Dragunov and Pandoria acted as a back up for them in case they ran into trouble.
As for the others, Agate wasn't alone in Fonsa Myma, she was here with a group of Garfront mercenaries on a job. The merceneries in question knew Rex and they were happy to have their leader back. Something that surprised the Remnantians. Qrow and Ozpin most of all. As much as Rex wanted to visit Garfront, he wasn't sure if he could make it there and back before tomorrow. So instead the salvager sent Roc to inform Yew and Zuo that he was alive and well. As someone who can fly, Roc would make the trip there and back fairly easily. And even if the avian Blade was late, he could just fly to Indol by himself. Of course it would take him longer than a ship.
As for everyone else... they were allowed to roam around the city itself. Especially when some of them heard about the various shops that were here.
Which leads us to Ruby looking at the display cases of a weapon shop. There were several kinds of weapons for normal people to buy. Of course, none of them were mechashift weapons but they still looked cool. THen there was a display case for Core Chips for Drivers. But, sadly since she didn't have any Alrestian currency, she was unable to purchase any.
"Are you okay, Ruby," Penny asked in conern for her friend's depressed look.
"I'm fine Penny," Ruby said, sounding anything but fine.
"She's depressed because she can't buy anything here," Roze sold his Driver out.
"Roze!" Ruby whined before sighing in defeat, "Okay, you're right. I just... it's not fair that we don't have any money here." The red caped girl complained at the fact that Alrest shops probably won't accept lien, which was why they needed the money in the first place.
"The probability of Alrest and Remnant using the same currency would be astronomical," Kos-Mos explained, "Nothing can be done about it."
"The fact that our language is the same is also a miracle," Penny added in.
"Excuse me miss," the shopkeep called out to Ruby, "Is there something wrong with the wares?"
"...Only that I can't afford them," Ruby quickly said.
"Tight budget, huh?" The shopkeep said jokingly.
"Very," Roze added in.
"Well, that's too bad. Because I think your Blade would benefit from those Core Chips," the shopkeep said in a friendly tone, "Core Chips increase a Blade weapon's offensive, defensive and sometimes grant all new abilities."
"Really?" Ruby asked with stars in her eyes before turning her gaze to Roze.
"Ruby... what are you picturing," Roze asked nervously.
"Oh the things I could have you make when I pump you full of these Core Chips," Ruby said with a dreamy look and a small trail of drool.
The shopkeep chuckled a little at the girl's antics, "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that." Those words earned Ruby's now baffled expression. "When using a new Core Chip, the previous one's effects are erased," the man said with a pitying look as he expected the eager Driver to be deflated.
Which Ruby did. And which also prompted Roze to pat Ruby's head in a consoling manner.
"I take it you guys only recently became Drivers," the shopkeep then said.
"Yes, very recently," Penny said before hiccuping. This made the artificial Driver to cover her mouth on instinct.
Th shopkeep luckily seemed to shrug it off before continuing, "It's alright. Having a Blade has it's own problems. Sure you get a powerful weapon, but there's a social aspect to unlocking their full power. Some Drivers neglect this and through that become unable to grow stronger."
"That's stupid," Ruby then said, "Aren't Blades alive too?"
The shopkeep smiled at Ruby's response, "They are, but some people... disagree with that." Then the shopkeep chuckled, "But those people are few and far between, thankfully."
Ruby also smiled at hearing that, "Thank you sir. I think I'll come back here when I get some money."
"Oh? Planning to slay some monsters," the shopkeep asked out of curiosity.
"Huh?" Came out of both Ruby and Penny.
"Oh, it's just... Drivers mostly take on monster hunting jobs that normal people can't handle," the shopkeep said in slight surprise.
"Oh? Where can we get those kinds of jobs," Ruby asked eagerly.
"Ruby I don't think this is a good idea," Roze said, not wanting Ruby to put herself in danger while Yang and the others were already solving their money problems.
"Come on, Roze. Don't you want to see what kinds of monsters are here?" Ruby asked almost accusingly.
"What if we run into something like Gogols," Roze shot back, "Or better yet something as strong as Sauros?"
Ruby pouted, but saw her Blade's point. Which reminded her, "What about Yang and the others?"
"I'm sure Mòrag and Zeke know what they're doing," Roze said reassuringly.
"Or at least Mòrag," Penny piped up, earning some chuckles out of that.
Speaking of the "money hunters".
"This looks like a good spot," Agate said as she pointed to particular rocky spot before taking out her Greataxe. The blades on it being made of the same pink gemstones that were around Agate's outfit. Except these looked like mineral deposits. Then Agate struck at the spot, taking out chunks of rock.
After that, she and Brighid checked the chipped rocks to find several with mineral pockets in them. "I'd say we have... three chunks of Tricolor Rock and four chunks of Soap Coral," Agate said as they moved to Dragunov who already had a large sack, that they had purchased for this operation, open.
Yang still chuckled at a mineral being called "Soap Coral". But she already knew why it was called that. First, it smelled nice and second, it was used in a few cosmetics as a cleaning agent. Something that surprised her.
"I still need more," Dragunov said with a small frown at the contents of the sack. The thing was already half full, but the draconic Blade didn't seem happy about it.
"Is something wrong with the minerals," Pandoria asked Dragunov who had a permanent scowl since they started collecting minerals.
"Not really," Dragunov muttered with a frown, "Or rather, I don't feel very inspired by these rocks. And I'm still not happy about being used as a cash cow."
"Drag, why is it so bad for you," Yang asked, sounding mildly annoyed, "You keep talking about your ability to make money like it's a bad thing. Why?"
"...Because I want to be known for my strength, not my Gemcrafting," Dragunov said with a small glare, "It's similar to how you don't like anyone calling you a dumb blonde."
"Really?" Yang asked, resisting a glare from that comment. "How so?"
"You're blonde you're hot and that's something idiots think is all you are," Dragunov said in annoyance, "I don't want anyone to only think me for my ability to make gems."
"Are people really that stupid," Yang had to ask, "And I'm talking about you." That part had to be added because Dragunov actually witnessed a few incidents at Beacon and on the streets where some idiots tried to hit on Yang. The especially stupid ones claimed how they could "rock her world".
"Some can be," Brighid said earning everyone's attention, "According to my diary, Thauron became very popular with women when Dragunov's Gemcraft became public knowledge."
"Let me guess," Zeke butted in, "They wanted to get a share of the riches he had access to."
"Correct in one," Brighid said, before turning to her fellow fire Blade, "Incidentally, they seemed to think that you made gems at the drop of a hat."
Dragunov only had a scowl, but his cracks were glowing red, showing his hidden anger.
"So I believe your paranoia has some merit," Brighid said before turning to Agate, "Any idea where to gain more... valuable minerals." That question came from the fact that Soap Corals and Tricolor Rocks were pretty common. Sure they might make good gems when crystalized, but a more... high quality mineral might allow Dragunov to make something more valuable.
"The old mine might have some," Agate explained, "But that place has been infested by monsters."
"Then, we'll just have to bust our way in," Zeke said like it was obvious.
"Now you're talking," Yang said as she bumped her fists together.
"If that's the most likely place we'll find good minerals in, then we should go," Mòrag agreed with her second Blade.
"Well then let's get cracking," Dragunov said as he hoisted the mineral sack over his shoulder.
On their way, the group faced some opposition to the mine. An Igna scouting party. Lizardmen that carried weapons and primitive armor. Something that surprised Yang.
"What the hell is this thing," Yang complained as she kept hitting an Igna that was barely blocking her attacks with its shield. But what Yang was referring to was that the thing wouldn't budge. "Grr!" Yang growled as she took a break in her assault to allow the Igna to slash at her, which allowed Yang to dodge and give it a good uppercut in the jaw. Knocking the bipedal lizard down.
"Yang, don't underestimate them," Mòrag shouted out as she was practically dancing around the armed lizards. Taking them down left and right with the Ignas unable to even graze her.
"Dynamic Spark SWORD!" Zeke bellowed as he hit another Igna carrying a shield head on. Except unlike with Yang, the Tantalese prince struck through the shield. Electrocuting the the poor lizardman in the process.
"Raargh!" Dragunov bellowed as he threw a large fireball at an Igna archer. Yang hadn't equipped his talons for this fight.
Of course, Agate and Aegaeon had no greater problems taking these things out too.
Only Yang struggled a little. "And I thought bunnits were weird," Yang muttered out, remembering the bunnies with what looked like hands for tails. According to Zeke those tails pack a punch for being attached to such little fuzzy things.
"I would suggest you to equip your Blade's weapons," Aegaeon suggested once the last of the Ignas ran away.
"...Drag," Yang sounded out with a defeated look.
"Say no more," Dragunov said as he handed over his talons.
"Speaking of which," Mòrag said as she approached Yang, "I should have given you two these before." Then Mòrag proceeded to give Yang a Core Chip, before moving to Dragunov and giving him an Aux Core. "These should help you two." Mòrag explained.
"How do I put this on," Dragunov asked as he eyed an uneven hexagon chip with glowing blue circuitry inside.
"Just press it against your Core Crystal," Brighid said simply, before turning to Yang, "As for you, press the Core Chip against the crystal on one of the Dragunov's weapons.
"Which one," Yang asked as she eyed the hexagonal crystals at the back of the talons where the claws come out of.
"Doesn't matter," Pandoria answered instead, "Both will be affected."
"Okay," Yang said before pressing the glowing blue chip against the crystal on Dragunov's weapon. Sure enough it sank in before the crystal glowed brighter for a moment. "...I don't feel different," Yang said with a confused look.
"You aren't supposed to," Mòrag said with an amused look, before looking to Dragunov who had pressed the Aux Core against his forehead.
The draconic Blade felt the accessory sinking inside. "...I feel different, but I can't explain how," Dragunov said with a confused look.
"The Aux Core in question heals whenever a Driver Art is used," Mòrag began explaining, "To my understanding, one of Yang's Driver Arts heals herself and her allies when it connects," The Special Inquisitor continued, "I believe through this, Yang should be able to recover more, while the Core Chip allows you to deal more damage."
"Sounds cool," Yang said as she gave a few test punches, before facing her Blade with a glint in her lilac eyes, "Wanna see what these babies can do now, Drag?"
"As you like to say, let's get this done with a Yang," Dragunov punned, earning a chuckle from his Driver.
"Let's go!" Yang then said eagerly.
"...What have I done," Mòrag lamented as she moved to follow Yang towards the entrance to the mine.
"Sounds like you created a monster," Zeke said with an insufferable grin, earning a scowl from Brighid.
"Prince, that's not a good thing," Pandoria said. With that, the gang moved in before Yang and Dragunov did something stupid.
Inside the mine, they ran into a few problems. "Those two are clearly made for each other," Brighid said as she looked at Yang beating down on a Strom Gyanna. A monster with a turquoise colored carapace, four legs and thick tail with what looked like a large yellow bulb at the tip.
Yang then prepared to use Heatblast when the Gyanna suddenly turned around and slammed its tail on the blonde Driver, knocking her down. "Ow!" Yang complained as she got up just in time to see that the force of the hit had also launched her opponent some ways away. Then it turned to face her again. Then it proceeded to fire electric shots from the tip of the bulb.
Yang responded by rolling out of the way. "Okay, you're asking for it," Yang shouted out before dashing at the monster, ready to give it another dose of Dragunov's upgraded talons.
As for Mòrag and Zeke.
"EEEEK! BUGS!" Agate screamed as she hid behind Brighid in terror. The prospector Blade also had an iron grip on Brighid's shoulders, fully intent on using the Blade of azure flames as a meatshield.
They were facing a swarm of Illumi Skeeters. Large flying bugs, as the now terrified Agate said.
"Overload Thunderbeam!" Zeke unleashed the electric beam on a large concentration of the flying menaces.
All the while Mòrag was forced to use Aegaeon since Brighid was a bit occupied at the moment. Not that she had a problem with it. The Special Inquisitor destroyed the hive that spawned those bugs using the Chroma Katana as well as the bladed sheath in almost perfect conjunction.
Soon enough, the hive was destroyed, which meant that all they really had to do now was to destroy the rest of the swarm.
"Aegaeon, do it!" Mòrag commanded as she threw the weapon to the water Blade.
"As you wish lady Mòrag," Aegaeon said as he drew in Ether into the sheathed Chroma Katana. "Water Moon!" And then he drew the Blade in a wide horizontal arc, unleashing a wave of water ether. This caused the skeeters to fall from the sky, thoroughly damaged and soaked.
"Finish them off, Zeke," Mòrag then said.
"On it, ULFS MAX!" And then Zeke unleashed his greatest Art right in the middle of the downed skeeters. Effectively finishing the insects off.
With Yang, she figured that this thing wasn't like most of the common Grimm. Mindless monsters that are relatively easy to kill for experienced huntsmen. Or even talented students. Which meant that she had to be a little smarter about this. Once the Gyanna dashed at her with it's head with a blunt bone protrusion. Yang moved to the side before unloading a Heatblast into its side. Which she followed up with a Fever Rush.
The Gyanna roared before firing several shots from the bulb. Except the shots were taken by Damage Armor when Dragunov activated it.
"That's not enough to-" "Eclipse Blade!" Yang's taunt was interrupted by Mòrag jumping in and cutting at the Gyanna that cried in pain at the slash. Right before the Special Inquisitor struck the Chroma Katana into the new wound. This caused the Gyanna to thrash for a moment before it died right then and there. With the monster slain, Mòrag twirled the Chroma Katana once before sheathing it.
"...Show off," Yang groaned.
"Pot meet kettle," Dragunov shot back with a grin.
"Who's side are you on?" Yang asked half accusingly, half playfully.
"Agate, the bugs are gone," Brighid said in an exasperated tone.
"Are they?" Agate asked as she peeked out of the blue haired Blade's shoulder. "So they are," the prospector Blade said in relief before stepping out from the cover.
"Never met a Blade who was afraid of bugs," Zeke said with a small smile.
"I was also surprised when we found out," Mòrag added in as she approached her two Blades, "Are you alright now, Agate?"
"Y-yes, I'm fine," Agate stammered in mild embarrassment.
"We should find more minerals now," Dragunov said as he started looking around, "Ladies, you're up."
"On it," Brighid said before turning to Agate, "Let's get this over with."
"Agreed," Agate said still embarrassed of everyone seeing her so scared.
"I got high hopes for this place," Dragunov said as he seemed a little more eager than previously.
Back in Fonsa Myma Blake had searched around shops, as well as people-watching. It seemed like aside from the guards they met earlier, the Urayans were friendly. Just like Nia said, they thought she was a Gormotti, evidenced by one of the Urayan children asking their mother, "Is that pretty lady a Gormotti?"
Blake was flattered, as well as found the whole thing cute. Of course, Nox didn't appreciate the comment for some reason. Fortunately the cat Faunus was more than capable of keeping her mildly overprotective Blade in line.
But now, Blake had found her favorite shop in all of Fonsa Myma, a bookshop. Then her ears drooped at the fact that she had no money to buy any of the books.
"Are you alright young lady," asked the shopkeep, an elderly Urayan lady.
"Uhh... Y-yes, I'm fine," Blake stammered in mild embarrassment. "I just... I just don't have any shopping money right now."
"Oh?" The elderly shopkeep asked, "Interested in my wares are you?"
"Yes, I love books," Blake said happily, before straightening herself, "Sorry."
The elderly shopkeep chuckled, "It's quite alright." Then the Urayan's eyes fell upon Nox as if scrutinizing. "Could you by any chance be Nox," the shopkeep asked, earning surprised looks from the Faunus Driver and her Blade.
"How do you know my name?" Nox asked through his scroll with a cross glare.
The shopkeep merely chuckled at Nox's attempt at intimidation before looking at her wares and picking one book in particular. "Because of this," the shopkeep explained as she showed the book to the two.
Blake looked at the title. "Beauty and the Beast," Blake sounded out questioningly.
"Yes, my favorite story when I was young girl," the shopkeep said with a wistful look, "It's about a beautiful maiden who was unable to trust anyone. One day she awakened a Blade named Nox, a bloodthirsty assassin who's lust for blood was only surpassed by his loyalty to his Driver. The description of him matches your Blade." At the last part, the elderly woman looked to Nox who was now eyeing the book in suspicion.
"But... how could someone have written a story about Nox," Blake couldn't help asking.
"It's rather simple," The elder Urayan said before showing the back of the book.
Blake took a look at the summary before her eyes widened at a particular part. "Based on true events". "This is..." Blake said as she now looked between the book and her Blade who apparently appeared in it.
"My lady, I know it is not my place to ask this, but could you perhaps ask someone to buy this book?" Nox showed on his Scroll with a desperate look.
"I..." Blake sounded out, torn between wanting this piece of Alrestian literature and guilt of wanting to ask someone else to buy it for her.
"Tell you what," the elderly lady said with a small smile, "I will hold this book for you for one day. Should you wish to buy it, it will be for you exclusively, otherwise it will be first come first serve like the rest of my wares."
"That's... very kind of you," Blake said hopefully. Though this still meant that she only had one day to find Nia, Rex, or even Tora before the end of the day. "I'll be right back!" Blake then said before practically dashing out of the shop, with Nox running after his Driver.
The elderly lady chuckled before putting the book under the table shelf which was hidden by a large table cloth, "I hope that girl doesn't do anything too foolish."
At another part of Fonsa Myma, Weiss was looking at various beauty products at a stall that sold them. Weiss wasn't exactly vain, but after years of using some types of beauty products she couldn't help appreciating them. Plus she was tempted to buy some of them the two contenders for her attention were Gorgeous Blusher and Titan-Oil Hand Cream.
One would add a pretty blush on her face, the other would do wonders on her hands. The others felt a little over the top for her. It's not like Weiss actually needs them but... caring for her appearance during mornings was a bit of a ritual for her and it felt odd to break it now. Even though Yang's overly long use of the bathroom back at Beacon kind of forced her to compromise.
Weiss let out a long sigh.
"Do you really want to buy something from here," Dahlia asked with a small smile at her Driver.
"No... not at all," Weiss said, totally unconvincingly.
Something that Dahlia immediately picked up on when she gave her Driver a look.
"Fine, fine. I'm torn between Gorgeous Blusher and Titan-Oil Hand Cream," Weiss admitted with a sigh.
"Good choices," Dahlia said with an approving smile, "I don't think Golden Mascara would suit you with your hair color or complexion. And the lipstick is too bright red for you. It would clash with your current hairstyle and outfit."
"I know, dammit," Weiss complained, "Which was precisely why I didn't want any." Then the white haired Driver had a questioning look, "You sound pretty knowledgeable about beauty products."
"I do appreciate beauty," Dahlia said with a smile, "Especially natural one such as yourself and your friends."
"Thank you Dahlia," Weiss said with a smile, before frowning a little, "Do you think Winter knows about what happened to me yet?"
"If you mean about you running from home then probably," Dahlia replied with a small frown, "But if you mean about us being here, then how could she." Of course Dahlia had to avoid mentioning Remnant because this shop was located on a staircase that was even now very frequently used.
Weiss let out a small sigh, "I hope she's not too worried about me... Or mother."
Dahlia didn't need a clarification for that. "I'm sure your mother knows how strong you have become," the ice bunny said with a warm smile.
"Aizen would disagree," Weiss said with a small chuckle. As much as she realized how much she has to catch up, she developed a positive attitude when Aizen so much as admitted she was improving a few times.
"I would say you shouldn't listen to him, but you do have some room to grow," Dahlia said, although it seemed that agreeing with Aizen disgusts her.
"I know, but as long as I have you, and my team... I feel like I can do it," Weiss said with a smile.
"That's the spirit," Dahlia said before lightly patting her Driver's head. The two didn't notice right now, but many of the men who walked past the pair did turn to look at the busty beauty and refined beauty more than once. Some of them getting smacked by their spouses/girlfriends.
At another part of Fonsa Myma, Pyra was guiding Talos to a theater in upper parts of Fonsa Myma. Talos actually noticed the building that they passed when they moved past it at night.
"So who am I supposed to talk to here," Talos asked while adjusting a tabard that Nia and Mythra bought him together. It covered his bloodstained Core Crystal from the world, while the red lines around his hands most people shrug off.
"Someone who I believe is able to understand you," Pyra said with a sympathetic look, "At least to an extent."
"That's quite a promise," Talos said as he and Pyra entered the building. With Nia staying outside.
The Gormotti Driver looked a little down. "Are you not going to join them, my lady," Dromarch asked his Driver.
"Nah, I think Cole got this," Nia said before deciding to move out. She was wondering where Dagas ended up to.
Inside the theater, Pyra had led Talos to the end of a long hallway where a door was at the end of it. Pyra knocked on the door.
"Excuse me." the red haired Aegis called inside.
Soon, the door opened, revealing an elderly human with a light brown hair and a short beard. He also got a large scar on left side of his face from his hairline to halfway down his cheek. "Oh, Pyra," the elderly man said with a small smile, "What brings you back here?"
"Well... I brought someone who I thought you might be able to help," Pyra said before motioning to Talos, "This is Talos. Talos, this is Cole. The owner of this theater, and also one of the few people you can talk to about you know what."
Cole raised an eyebrow at Pyra's words, "Missy, what are you trying to pull this old man into?"
"This," Talos replied before moving his tabard aside to reveal his Core Crystal.
Cole looked briefly surprised, "Another one huh? Pardon me for asking, but who's flesh did you eat?"
"...My Driver's," Talos admitted.
"I see," the old man said with a sympathetic look, "I can only imagine your pain. Please come inside." Cole then moved aside to let Talos in.
The metallic Blade looked at the old man briefly before walking inside. "Umm... Cole," Pyra then sounded out, earning the man's attention. "...We found Dragunov," Pyra was able to say after a moment of hesitation.
This made the man's eyes widen, "What? So Malos didn't destroy him?"
"No... would you like to see him?" Pyra then asked with a small smile, "For old time's sake?"
Cole chuckled at the offer, "Thank you, but i doubt he would recognize me even if he hadn't lost his memory."
"I guess that's true," Pyra said in slight depression, before brightening up, "Well, I'll leave you to it." With those words, Pyra left. Leaving Cole to close the door before turning to now confused Talos.
"...Did you know Dragunov from his life before Yang," Talos couldn't help asking.
"Yang? Is that Dragunov's current Driver," Cole asked with a curious look before chuckling, "He must be something else to have earned Dragunov's approval."
"She is," Talos said with an amused glint in his eyes.
"What?" If Yang was here now, she would probably take offense at the amount of surprise Cole had at this revelation. "Don't misunderstand me, but trying to picture something like Dragunov with a pretty woman as a Driver is... difficult."
"Yang is quite strong," Talos said before looking down, "But my Driver was stronger."
This made Cole frown a little, "Under what circumstances did you become a Flesh Eater?" Talos looked like he didn't want to talk about it. Cole sighed before opening several buttons on his shirt that was under a heavy looking coat. "I won't judge you," Cole said as he revealed his bloodstained Core Crystal to Talos.
Talos' glowing eyes widened considerably, "You're a Flesh Eater too?"
"A failed experiment," Cole explained as he buttoned his shirt back, "My Driver used me as a guinea pig and this is how I ended."
"Did the process turn you into this?" Talos asked now partly worried about him possibly ending like that... Or maybe a literal rustbucket.
"Oh no," Cole chuckled, "I simply became able to age. Believe me when I say this, I was quite handsome once upon a time."
"I see," Talos commented, "You said you were a failure. How do you differentiate them?"
"Did you gain any new abilities after taking your Driver's Flesh?" Cole asked in return.
Talos looked hesitant before looking around the full room. Then his eyes fell upon a barrel of metal pipes in the middle of who knows how many stacks of books. Talos' eyes' blue glow turned green before a small pipe rose up from the barrel before floating between the two Flesh Eaters. "I wasn't able to do this before becoming a Flesh Eater," Talos replied as the pipe spun in place before flying back into the barrel with enough force to almost knock it over. After which, Talos' eyes returned to blue.
"Interesting," Cole said with an undertone of jealousy, "It sounds to me like you are a radical success."
"That doesn't make me feel better," Talos said with a sigh, "I still lost my Driver."
"You must have been fond of your Driver," Cole said, sympathy replacing jealousy.
"...She and I had our differences, but... just when we reached an understanding... she was wounded mortally," Talos explained, clenching his fists.
"Do you blame yourself for it," Cole asked with slight worry.
"Myself, and the man who tried manipulating her," Talos said in slight anger.
"This man, what did he want of your Driver," Cole asked with a frown.
"...She wanted an easy to control weapon to defeat a powerful enemy, he failed," Talos said in anger, "Then... when Pyrrha, I, Ruby and Roze defeated this enemy regardless... I had the perfect opportunity to finish her off. But instead I stood there gloating, letting her launch one last attack against my Driver." At the last part, Talos clenched a fist in front of his chest so hard you could hear metal straining.
"It sounds to me like you blame yourself more than the man who tried manipulating your Driver," Cole said, now more curious.
"You are partly correct," Talos said, "While I failed to protect my Driver, it was that man who made her face that monster on her own."
"I take it you took her Flesh on her deathbed then," Cole said, partly fearing what made someone who had so much care for their Driver to do such a thing.
"At her request," Talos said now relaxing, and also surprising the scarred Flesh Eater, "I... we were told about this by a Blade who got her hands on the knowledge to create Flesh Eaters. Pyrrha told me I should be free from the cycle we Blades face. Now... part of me regrets not denying her. As for her closest friends... I'm not sure about two of them, but I know the one she loved hates me... As is his right."
"...Would your Driver want you to wallow in misery," Cole then asked after a moment of thinking.
"What?" Talos was surprised by the question.
"Would your Driver want you to feel like this?" Cole tried again.
The golem Blade let out an audible sigh, "Of course not, but... I'm not sure Jaune would agree with it."
"Jaune? Is that the one your Driver loved," Cole asked, before shaking his head, "No, forget that. Have you tried talking to him about this?"
"What can I say," Talos said with a sigh, "In his mind, I alone am at fault for killing Pyrrha."
"Did he say that, or is that what you assume," Cole asked with a weary sigh.
"What does it matter," Talos asked.
"Because I doubt your Driver would want either of you to be at odds, based on what you say about her," Cole deduced.
"...No, she wouldn't," Talos said, knowing that Pyrrha would be sad if she saw the state the two of them were in, "But I doubt Jaune would want to hear it."
"You will have to address this at some point," Cole then said.
"... Perhaps in time," Talos agreed.
At Olethro Playhouse, Qrow, Oscar and Kasandra were staring at the horizon, where they saw the Urayan titan's tail rising and falling beneath the waves. The World Tree always at the side. Which meant that this thing was circling it.
"I can't believe we got sucked into another world," Qrow said, still wrapping his head around the whole thing.
"I must admit," Ozpin said, being in control right now, "In all the centuries I've existed, I never thought I would experience anything like this."
"...What do you think the Architect is like," Qrow asked as he glanced at the World Tree where the god of Alrest supposedly lives.
"Who knows," Ozpin said, "Judging by his moniker, I would say someone with a grand design for everything. And we just became part of it." The former headmaster chuckled at the last part.
"I don't like that," Qrow said before reaching for his flask after making sure that Kasandra wasn't looking to his direction and took a quick sip. "I wonder what kind of drinks they serve around here." Qrow then wondered idly.
Ozpin chuckled at that, "You really do have a one track mind."
"Hey, I still need at least some level of normalcy," Qrow shot back, "Besides... I think I'm too sober to deal with this."
"But drowning things in alcohol isn't good for you," Kasandra said with a worried look, "Can't you at least... lessen your use?"
"Look, I just don't care about-" "Your family will miss you," Kasandra interrupted with a firm look, "Ruby would cry if you died, so would Yang."
Qrow looked surprised to hear that before sighing, "...I guess you're right." While his semblance has been replaced by what that mask at the back of Kasandra's head does, he still couldn't shake the mentality that he was a walking disaster. Especially since he can't get rid of Kasandra. Although he wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to anymore.
Soon Ozpin frowned a little. "Qrow, Oscar wants to know why you haven't wielded Kasandra's weapon," Ozpin relayed before giving control back to Oscar.
"Look, kid I'm just not interested," Qrow said, knowing that it was Oscar he was talking to now.
"But why not? I mean... Having a Blade looks so... cool," Oscar said the last part in slight embarrassment.
"I don't wanna bother learning a new weapon, when I got the best one right here," Qrow said as he patted Harbinger on his back.
"But what if we face local Drivers or... local monsters," Oscar then asked, remembering Ozpin telling about an incident at Vale with an Alrestian monster called Sauros.
"I'm sure I'm more than capable of taking on anything this world has to offer," Qrow said confidently, "Remember, you're talking to a professional."
During this conversation Kasandra looked a little depressed. She had seen how everyone else fights with their Blades and... she would be lying if she said that she didn't want the same with Qrow. But why was he so against it?
Unlike Qrow, Oscar couldn't help wondering what it would be like to be a Driver. The way Ruby and the others interact with their Blades... It was like they were best friends. Although, Oscar wasn't sure how he would react if the Blade he got was something like Dahlia, or Pyra. The farmboy shook his head vigorously before slapping his flushed cheeks. He was a 14 year old with raging hormones, thoughts like that were almost unavoidable.
"As curious as I am about you being a Driver, I'm not sure that is advisable, given our condition," Ozpin said in Oscar's head with a hint of amusement in his voice. No doubt he heard what the poor boy was thinking.
"Stop checking what I'm thinking!" Oscar shouted out in embarrassment.
"Kid... what did Ozpin say," Qrow asked now a little worried and curious.
"Nothing!" Oscar denied, turning away from the veteran huntsman. All the while hearing Ozpin laugh at the poor boy's expense. What? Small moments of fun like these are well within his rights.
"Hey! Stop pulling me!" Shouted Nia who was being kidnapped. By a desperate looking Blake.
Still the black haired Driver stopped and instead gave a pleading look to the senior Driver. "Okay, please can you lend me some money," Blake asked.
"...What?" Nia asked with a baffled look, "You were kidnapping me for money?!"
Blake blushed in embarrassment at the phrasing, "Look, I'm sorry, but there's this book I must have."
"It must be some book," Dromarch said while looking on in confusion.
"Yes, so please... can you please lend me some money. I swear I will pay it back somehow," Blake all but pleaded with a desperate look and bouncing in place. Earning a few looks from the people that passed by.
"Okay, okay, how much do you need," Nia relented mostly because the longer this played out, the more embarrassed she would get.
Blake opened her mouth to answer before realizing that she never asked for the price. "...I forgot to check the price," the feline faunus admitted in embarrassment.
"You... what?" Nia asked with a blanched look. Then she shook her head, "Nevermind, let's go see that book before I change my mind."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Blake thanked profusely before hugging the shorter girl.
"Hey! Stop it!" Nia complained, which made Blake instantly detach herself with a panicked look.
"I'm sor-" "Shut it! Let's just get this over with before something else happens," Nia said with a glare before stomping towards the bookshop.
Blake followed sheepishly, along with the two's Blades.
"Miss Blake seems to... really want that book," Dromarch commented to Nox off-handedly, "Is there a particular reason?"
"That is our concern." Nox showed on his scroll, not even facing Nia's Blade.
"And while I won't dispute that, I am curious about what kind of book she seems so... eager to purchase." Dromarch resisted saying "desperate", fearing that Nox might take offense to it.
"I cannot answer without my lady's permission." Nox showed on his scroll. "And I would appreciate if you did not ask her." At the latter part, Nox was glaring at the white tiger.
"Very well," Dromarch said, more exasperated than intimidated by the dark Blade. If it was something they didn't want to talk about then fine.
With Ruby and Penny, Rex had joined them. The salvager had checked the docks about the ship to Indol, and as it turned out one indeed leaves 3:30 pm the day after tomorrow.
"Did you guys find something interesting?" Rex asked as he eyed the wares of the shop.
"Yes, but I can't buy any," Ruby said with a pout.
Rex looked thoughtful for a moment,"How about I pay for something?"
"Really?" Ruby asked with stars in her eyes.
"Yeah, but just one thing for you and Penny," Rex clarified, "We're not broke, especially if Dragunov manages to make something valuable." The draconic Blade managed to make a gem worth of 2 million gold in the past, so Rex had faith in this whole thing.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Ruby thanked profusely as she pulled Rex into a hug that rivaled Yang's in strength for an instant.
"Whah!" Rex cried out with a small blush at the over-affectionate reaper nearly crushing his head against her shoulder. Arms flailing for the effect, with Azurda laughing in the boy's helmet.
"Okay, tell me what this is," Ruby then said as she pulled Rex to the Core Chips by his wrist.
"You may regret this, my boy," Azurda whispered to Rex while Penny moved closer to see what they would get Rex to buy.
Part of him now regretted being nice. Which also made him slightly fearful for his wallet.
After a long day, everyone gathered into one of the rooms at the Inn. Where Dragunov started working on making those gems. Though the mighty fire Blade demanded privacy for that. While no one understood why he would need privacy, they decided to make it easy for him. Dragunov also asked for a vat full of ice, which was easily provided by Dahlia.
So now, the gang was waiting for Dragunov to come in with his products.
"How hard is it to make gems anyway," Nora complained, wanting to get rich quickly.
"Crystalization process usually takes centuries," Ren pointed out a little tidbit about gemstones, "Yet Dragunov said he could do that in mere moments, I think we should try a little patience with him."
"Yeah," Yang surprisingly agreed, "Plus we gathered a lot of minerals, so expect a motherload out of him." The blonde brawler had a dreamy look at the thought of the riches that her Blade would make.
"I'm not exactly comfortable of getting easy money," Ruby said with a frown, "It just feels... wrong."
Brighid let out a chuckle, "We had to walk through an entire mine while fighting multiple enemies so I wouldn't call it easy money."
Then Dragunov came in with a small pouch in his hands. But what worried everyone was the scowl on his face.
"How did it go," Yang was the first to ask.
"You tell me," Dragunov muttered as he opened the small pouch and showed different crystals inside.
Agate immediately picked one up and started inspecting it. The crystal in question was smudgey pink with faint veins of green inside of it. "It's pretty, but I'm not sure if this is very pricey," the prospector Blade said with a small frown.
"What about this one," Dragunov asked as he brought out smudgy pale crystal with three colors unevenly mixed inside of it.
"I wouldn't want to wear that in jewelry," Brighid commented on that crystal.
"It definitely wouldn't suit me, either," Weiss added in.
"I thought so," Dragunov said with a defeated look, before pulling out the last one," How about this?" The draconic Blade asked as he pulled out one more crystal, this one looked black at first, but then Agate turned it around against a small lamp in the room and saw that it was actually very dark purple.
"Hmm... I would say this one would fetch the most," Agate said with a critical eye, "But we would have to take this to a jeweler to be certain."
Dragunov let out a sigh, "I was afraid of that. I feel like there's... something missing. Something that would make these little gems perfect."
"So you're saying that you could make them better," Qrow asked as he eyed the little trinkets. Admittedly, he didn't have an eye for jewelry but even he wasn't sure if these things were worth much.
"Is that all you were able to make out of that sack," Dagas asked with a disapproving frown.
This earned an annoyed look from the fire Blade. "As if! I was experimenting with different rocks to see what combination would make most valuable gems. These are the best I got," Dragunov said while wriggling the pouch.
"So there's no way to make them better?" Nora complained with a pout, "You were supposed to make us rich!"
"ONE MORE WORD ABOUT THAT AND I WILL INCINERATE YOU!" Dragunov threatend with large flame in hand.
This surprised everyone, especially when the cracks were glowing orange.
"Guys, please stop talking about Dragunov making us R-I-C-H," Yang said, spelling the word, earning a deadpan look from her Blade.
"Yang... Are you serious." It's not like he can't spell.
"I didn't say the word," Yang said innocently, earning a puff of smoke from Dragunov's nostrils. He was not amused.
"I believe we may have another problem," Otohime spoke up, having been unusually worried looking.
"What are you talking about," Ruby asked, before looking worried, "Did Nora do something?"
"Hey!"
"You are the most likely source of trouble," Weiss said matter of factly.
"Ahhem!" That returned everyone's attention to the partially aquatic Blade, "Now, I believe... Nora is not the source of our problem. For as we explored the city, we were met with... quite a number of curious eyes upon us."
"I thought it was because we... stood out," Ren said in an attempt to sugarcoat Nora practically zipping around at new sights. Not to mention she was drooling a bit when they reached a sweet shop. Which fortunately, or unfortunately, Nora couldn't buy anything from.
"I think not," Otohime said, before looking thoughtful, "Or perhaps, but that would not explain why a citizen talked to a guard while pointing to our direction."
Now that was worrisome. This earned several stares directed at Nora.
"...What?"
"Nora, what did you do," Jaune asked in exasperation.
"We have no time for your non-sense," Joana added in.
"Hey! I didn't do anything!" Nora complained.
"Yeah! We were just curious! Electra joined in.
"Otohime," Rex sounded out in some concern of his own, "Did you see what the guard did."
"He scrambled away in quite a hurry," Otohime revealed.
"I believe they were reacting to Otohime," Aizen piped up, surprising everyone.
"Aizen, do you know something," Weiss asked in suspicion.
"I thought it was a coincidense at first," Aizen began explaining, "But there was a painting for sale on town. A replica of what was known as 'The Imperial Mother'. It was a potrait of Otohime."
"That's not good," Ozpin said in Oscar's mind.
"Why not?" Oscar asked, earning everyone's attention. Then the boy's eyes widened, "Ozpin said that if there's a painting of Otohime then she must be someone famous."
"The question is, what is she famous about," Qrow asked the important question.
"Imperial mother," Mòrag muttered with a thoughtful look, "Where have I heard about that?"
Brighid also looked thoughtful before opening her diary and opening it from a particular page. "Oh no," Brighid said as she had a worried look.
"What is it," Zeke asked, looking serious.
"During a conflict between Uraya and Mor Ardain 279 years ago," Brighid began," I faced Imperial Mother, Uraya's national treasure in battle. The description of her matches you, Otohime." And at that everyone looked worried as the ramifications of this development brought them.
"You mean, Otohime is a Blade from Uraya," Yang asked in disbelief.
"I... did not know," Otohime said looking surprised herself.
"Not just from Uraya," Mòrag said with a worried look as she peeked at Brighid's diary, "But the equivalent of what Brighid is to Mor Ardain. This is bad."
"Why," Nora asked.
"To my understanding," Zeke began, "The last Driver died of old age around 30 years ago, but the Core Crystal of Imperial Mother vanished. Stolen, some say."
And now everyone looked fearful.
"But... does that mean..."
"Ren is the Driver of a stolen Blade," Nia said, before glaring at the boy, "Where did you get her Core Crystal?"
At that moment Ozpin was allowed to take control. "Doctor Oobleck found several Core Crystals scattered into the ruins he was excavating," the former headmaster explained, "Otohime's was among them."
"So a breach took her Core Crystal," Pyra muttered out, before a thought occurred to her, "Wait, how many breaches were there when she was found?"
"Just one, according to the report, why," Ozpin replied.
"But if that's the case, how did Dragunov's Core Crystal also end up there," Roze asked the big question, "Or mine for that matter?" Granted none of them knew where or when in Alrest Roze was taken.
Regardless, now that it was mentioned, Dragunov's Core was lost 500 years ago, while Otohime's was lost 30 years ago. How did two breaches connect two separate times into a single point?
"This supports the theory of breaches opening across time and space," Kos-Mos then piped up, "Still, for multiple breaches across different times having same exit point is puzzling. Further data is required."
That reminded everyone of the multiple other Crystals that were found alongside the eight in the room.
"Guys... I found a book based on a true story where Nox is in," Blake also admitted, "What if all of our Blades are part of this world's history and we have to... give them up." That last part was said with a small hiccup. Just when Blake was beginning to truly connect with her Blade, the threat of losing him comes up.
"Well, Dragunov won't have that problem," Yang said, seeing as Dragunov was a Blade from Torna, and that nation no longer exists.
"And the rest of us," Joana said with fear, "I do not want to be separated from milord!" the light Blade looked to be on the verge of hysterics at the mere thought.
"I think we're all ignoring the most important thing here," Aizen then piped up, earning everyone's attention, "The longer we stay here with Otohime among us, the higher the chances are of us getting in trouble with the government here. If we aren't already."
"But the ship we need won't leave until the day after tomorrow," Dahlia pointed out, "How are we going to hide her until then."
Rex looked worried, until he brightened up, "We could go to Garfront for tomorrow!"
"Garfront?" Came out of most Remnantians.
"Rex are you sure about that," Pyra asked in worry, "Won't they get in trouble for this?"
That worry did cause Rex to look down.
"That could be a problem," Nia said in worry.
"Not to mention someone might twist the tale into Mor Ardain having stolen from them," Dagas also added in, "Unless we can prove that Ren is not from Mor Ardain."
"We can tell that he's from Remnant," Electra suggested.
"And make the tale twisted into an invader from beyond the breaches stealing it instead?" Dagas raised an eyebrow.
"Grrr... I hate it when you make sense," Nia growled. Most of the time, Dagas' Cavalier Attitude is a pain in the ass, but when he does make sense... it's usually when you don't want to hear it.
"Well, at least at Garfront, we will be surrounded by friends," Agate offered.
"Is it far away," Jaune then asked the big question.
"It's a bit of a long treck from here, but if we leave in the morning, we should be there sometime afternoon," Dromarch supplied helpfully.
"First we need to procure enough supplies," Zeke then spoke up, "That and we need to find a temporary disguise for Otohime, just in case."
"We could also find a jeweller that could buy what I have made so far," Dragunov added in, "Then we can use whatever money we get from that to buy those supplies."
"Sounds like a plan," Qrow then said with a small sigh, "If this Garfront is a nice place, then I won't complain." The veteran then gave the Alrestians a questioning look, "It's a nice place right?"
"Yeah," Rex said with a smile.
"Speaking of Garfront," Wulfric piped up, "Where is Roc?"
And now everyone was alerted to the avian Blade not being here.
"Now that you mention it, Roc should be back from Garfront by now," Rex said with a thoughtful look, "Did something happen?"
"Why Roc go to Garfront," Tora asked.
"I felt I should let Yew and Zuo know that we're back," Rex said with a small smile, before frowning, "Still... Roc can fly, he should be able to make the trip in a couple hours."
"Well, if he doesn't show up in the morning, we can still go and hope we run into him," Pyra added in.
"Just out of curiosity," Penny piped up, "If Otohime is an Urayan Blade, how come the guards we met last night didn't recognize her?"
"Maybe they not know about her, "Poppi piped up, "Otohime disappear 30 years ago, which mean that younger generation not know what Otohime look like, therefore only older people recognize her."
"Now that Poppi mentioned it," Otohime said with a thoughtful look, "The people whose eyes I caught did look on elderly side."
"Okay, so old people are more likely to recognize you," Qrow piped up, "Which means we may have to smuggle you out of the city."
"Please do not talk as if I were a contraband," Otohime said with a small frown.
Unfortunately, the water Blade didn't realize that she accidentally made a joke that earned a round of laughters.
"What? What do you all find so amusing?!" Otohime demanded as even Ren was chuckling.
AN: O-ou. Not even 24 hours in Alrest and already the gang has a problem. And now they have to go to Garfront to lay low.
