Of Ups, Downs And Questions
In the headmaster's office of Haven Academy, tea was poured out for a guest. "Why thank you professor," said Watts who took the cup. "Salem did say you were," Watts paused to take a sip, "Quite hospitable."
"So, what does she ask of me now?" asked Leonardo Lionheart, the headmaster of Haven Academy. A middle-aged man with tan complexion. He had a mane of gray hair and beard. He wore a brown great coat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He also wore a white dress shirt under his coat and a necktie. He also wore dark brown slacks and dress shoes.
"Let's start with an update," Watts began as he leaned forward in his seat, "Have there been any recent developments of note within the Council?"
"Not within the Council," Lionheart replied with a sigh, "But there is something that happened not too long ago."
"Oh?" Watts raised an eyebrow with an interested look, "And what would that be?"
"Well…a person from Alrest appeared on the school grounds," Leonardo explained as he looked away from now interested looking Watts.
"Is that so?" Watts asked, "Who are they?"
"She called herself Mòrag Ladair," Lionheart explained, "Special Inquisitor of Mor Ardain. Most likely a kingdom in that world. Its military if her outfit and demeanor are any indication."
"I see," Watts replied with an interested look, "Have you manage to gain any information from her?"
"I have tried to ask things about her government and military, but I believe she has only said things that are common knowledge back there," Lionheart explained, "When I asked if she could go into details she politely declined."
"Sounds like a cautious woman," Watts admitted with a hint of respect, "Is there anything else you can tell me about her?"
"Only that she also has a Blade named Brighid," Lionheart admitted, "A woman wearing a blue dress that uses blue flames."
"Very interesting," Watts said with a grin, "Where are they now?"
"They might be somewhere around Mistral," Lionheart then explained, "Said she was curious about the city."
"Fair enough," Watts shrugged before giving a sterner look, "Do try to get more information out of her. You have until the Spring Maiden is found." Watts says that, because he knows that the Spring Maiden ran away ten years ago. That and he was curious about what this new person from Alrest looked like. At the very least, she must look human enough to be allowed to walk in the city unlike that blue-skinned humanoid that appeared in the Grimmlands. Shame that the Grimm didn't leave much of it behind to study.
Somewhere around Mistral, Mòrag and Brighid walked around the higher levels of the capital not too far away from Haven Academy.
"This place truly is different from anything on Alrest," Mòrag found herself musing with a wistful look as she took in the mountains that the city of Mistral was built upon. The Special Inquisitor was skeptical about being in a different world, but several things struck her as odd. First, was Brighid saying that there was significantly less Ether in the atmosphere than in Alrest. Next, this Lionheart showed her several kinds of Dust. Although Ether in a crystallized form wasn't unheard of, but it was rare and it didn't appear in so many varying elements. Then they saw the headmaster's tail, at first thinking he was just a unique kind of Gormotti. But then…the real shocker hit them at night. The shattered moon, which according to Lionheart had always been like that.
"The closest place I can think of referring this to is probably the Gormott Titan," Brighid added in with a frown at the sights. "…Speaking of which, have you thought of a course of action?" the blue haired Blade then asked, having slight worry at the last part.
Mórag let out a small sigh, "Unfortunately no. I…I never thought I would encounter a situation like this." As helpful as Lionheart has been, some of the questions about her home country were a little too…detailed. This caused her to be suspicious and keep the details of the Ardainian military to herself. "And I don't know if Lionheart can be fully trusted," the military woman then said as she looked towards the lower levels. According to the headmaster, the lower you go in Mistral, the worse the neighborhoods are. This reminded the Ardainian about the slums in Alba Cavanich, though she didn't doubt that every large city has a bad district. How bad these districts were always varied between cities.
"…Are you worried about his majesty?" Brighid suddenly asked.
"What…? No, this was a direct order from him," Mòrag replied, losing her composure for an instant.
"…You can be honest, Lady Mòrag," Brighid said with a small smile, "You and the emperor are practically siblings, and no one who could care about your words is here."
Mòrag pondered the words for a moment, before speaking, "Very well, but this stays between us." As much as she would like to sometimes cut loose, so to speak, she had a certain image to uphold at all times.
"Cross my crystal," Brighid said, drawing a cross across her flame shaped Core Crystal that looked like a brooch.
"When I accepted this order, part of me was worried if…Niall would be alright," Mòrag said, daring to drop the honorifics this one time. Though that didn't stop her from feeling embarrassed about it like a child that said a word they knew they shouldn't, "Or if I'm able to return at all." At the last part the Special Inquisitor grasped the visor of her cap and lowered it ever so slightly to mask her worried look.
"I hope there is some way to get us all back home," Brighid said, before having a thoughtful look. "Although…I noticed something interesting when we left the immediate area of the Academy," Brighid then said, earning her Driver's full attention.
"And what would that be?" Mòrag queried with a raised eyebrow, fixing her cap into its proper position again.
"I noticed that there was a higher concentration of Ether around the Academy, compared to this area," Brighid explained, before crossing her arms, with one hand raised beneath her chin in a thinking pose, "It might be nothing…but it also might be something."
"Any hypothesis on what could be the cause?" Mòrag queried. As Brighid said, this might not be important, but with so little information they have, anything could be important.
"The only viable one would be that there is an Ether source somewhere on the Academy grounds that is possibly spreading Ether around," Brighid responded before having a sour look, "Unfortunately to accurately pinpoint the cause, we would need a Blade more attuned for this than I."
"I see," Mòrag said with hints of disappointment in her tone, "Correct me if I'm mistaken, but did Aegaeon have that kind of talent?"
"No, he doesn't," Brighid said. While the fire Blade was almost always by her Driver's side, there were times she had to take missions with Ardainian troops. The looks of admiration the troops had for her always brought a smile to the Jewel of Mor Ardain. Although the admiration was not because of her looks, though those too were sent her way occasionally, but rather because it was an honor for them to fight alongside the Jewel of Mor Ardain herself. Anyway, one of those missions included finding an Ether Font to study, and Aegaeon was with them as a supervisor alongside an Ardainian Driver that had a Common Blade more attuned for this kind of mission.
"I see," Mòrag said, now remembering the said mission herself while placing a hand absentmindedly over an inner pocket inside her coat. Where she felt the shape of Aegaeon's dormant Crystal. Part of her was disappointed that this Blade had no power that would help them immediately. Another part of her was relieved that she didn't have to awaken the Blade that used to be Niall's. She still had a hard time believing that the emperor survived Bana's assassination attempt despite Aegaeon clearly reverting to a Core right in front of everyone. Perhaps…No, it doesn't matter. Niall is still alive and that's all that matters. But there were other things that made her worried, "Do you think the others made it into this world?"
"Oh?" Brighid sounded out before looking thoughtful. "I can't even begin to guess." The fire Blade admitted, "On one hand I would like to think that the others are out there somewhere, but on the other hand…I can't ignore the possibility that we might be the only ones here."
"…I understand…I too can't help worrying about them." The Special Inquisitor then took one more look at the scenic view, "But, until we have a confirmation of their fate, it would be prudent if we gathered any information we can. Who knows, we might even find a way to return to Alrest." At the last part, Mòrag chuckled lightly.
"Could that boy's optimism be rubbing off on you," Brighid asked almost teasingly. Her Driver was interested in Rex ever since they found out that he was the Driver of the Aegis. And while his skills as a Driver were…less than impressive when they fought back in Torigoth base, the boy proved himself resourceful. The second time they fought in Mor Ardain because of a slight misunderstanding, the boy had clearly grown stronger as a Driver. Not to mention Mòrag got to witness Mythra's power first hand, and was actually glad that out of all the people in Alrest Rex was the Driver of the Aegis…Well, someone like him anyway.
The Special Inquisitor smiled at her Blade, "Perhaps, Brighid. Perhaps."
In a large circular room, a shadowed figure was reviewing data on holographic screens. Ever since these dimensional breaches had begun to open, this figure was curious about the place they led to. But for some reason he was unable to view properly and it felt like something was actively trying to jam his connection to his kidnapped children. Yet whenever another breach opens, his children's experiences spill through. Which allowed him to see glimpses of this new world. And it was fascinating, a new world populated by humans with an ability they believe to stem from their very souls. An interesting concept, but the figure wasn't sure how true it was. The only thing he was certain was that this power caused an interference with the bonding process of the Crystals, though it was easily circumvented by temporary elimination. The people known as faunus, while odd weren't all too interesting considering some of his children. To his disappointment, the figure found out that there is a conflict between these two branches of humanity. The figure sighed at this, "Will humans ever change?" Was the question he found himself asking in a tired voice.
But there was one thing about this world that peaked the curiosity he long thought had died from him. The shadowy monsters they fight, these…Creatures of Grimm. Apparently unable to survive in captivity and have an instinctual hatred for life. "What caused creatures such as these to appear?" The figure wondered aloud as he viewed pictures of these monsters…Well, he says pictures, but they are actually memories of his children. "And why do they seem so…familiar," the figure then questioned in a thoughtful tone. Even their name bothered him. Creatures of Grimm... What was it about this name that felt so familiar? "…Could it be? No, it must be a coincidence." the figure muttered in thought as he glanced at the memory of someone watching that boy called Rex sleeping peacefully. But he also looked at another memory of a girl named Ruby. "Silver eyes…," the figure muttered in thought, "Interesting." Though he was more curious about the child bonded to her. "This process should take centuries or even a millennia," the figure muttered as he looked at a profile of what looked like a male Common Blade with a Megalance. A highly advanced one, if the decorations on its helmet are any indication, but then the form shattered before reconfiguring into the Blade that called himself Roze. Something about this girl pushed this child over the edge of new evolution. Although it was strange that this child took a form similar to the girl who awakened him. "…Should I try and find out?" the figure thought, wondering if he should interfere with either world. That being said he did stop that malicious woman on a strange whim he didn't have in a long time. Was this what they call "parental instinct"? The figure chuckled humorlessly before taking another look at the memories of the people connected to Rex and Ruby. "I suppose I will see in time," the figure spoke, content to just watch like he had for so long.
Inside the city of Mistral itself, a woman was walking to the train station. The woman had short red hair, rectangular glasses over green eyes and a large brown coat over her. She had some business in Mistral, but was now ready to take a train back to her home. As she walked down the street, she passed a large figure clad in a large tattered cloak with a hood. The figure turned around to watch the woman go to the direction of the train station before following.
It didn't take long before the woman felt heavy footsteps behind her. Normally a woman moving alone would be terrified in a situation like this, but she spotted two officers not too far away. Besides, the street was pretty busy right now so there were plenty of witnesses if he tried anything. With that thought the woman resolved herself to turn around.
"Excuse me, ma'am," the figure said before she had even fully turned around. This surprised the woman momentarily before looking at the large man that was practically wearing a large rag. Still, she wouldn't assume anything until hearing him out despite the person being intimidating.
"Yes? Can I help you?" the woman asked politely while ensuring that the officers were still within her field of vision. Hopefully her worries are unfounded, though.
"…Is your name Athena?" the figure asked, ringing alarm bells in her head. Who is this man who knew to look for her by name?
"Who wants to know?" the woman named Athena asked, ready to shout for the officers if need be.
The figure fumbled with something in his cloak before bringing out a large circular object wrapped into a clean looking cloth and offered it to the woman. "I was supposed to bring this to you in Argus," the man said as he brought the item closer, causing the woman to note the cloths wrapped around the man's arm, covering his entire arm down to fingers.
"I'm sorry, but I don't accept gifts from strangers," the woman tried to tell politely. Not to mention that he seemed to know the city she lived in, although it isn't too big of a secret.
"This isn't a gift," the figure said before moving a part of the cloth to reveal partially what was inside, "This is a delivery."
Athena gasped at what was under the cloth, "Where did you get that?" The woman couldn't believe her eyes at the sight of what was in the package.
"From your daughter," the figure replied, "Her final words were to give this to you, along with this letter." The figure then brought an envelope from beneath his cloak with his other hand and offered it to the woman.
Athena instantly took the envelope before opening it to see that the handwriting was indeed her daughter's. The woman read through the letter, tears welling up half-way through the reading. "…Stupid girl, of course we still love you," the woman practically sobbed before accepting the package too. "…Whoever you are…thank you," the woman spoke.
The figure responded with a nod before turning around to take his leave, seeing that his task was done.
"Stop right there!" An officer then shouted causing the figure to turn to the officer that was approaching, "You're the guy who tried to sneak in with a fake ID."
"Of all the times," the figure muttered before running away surprisingly quickly for someone of his size.
The officers took their Scrolls out and informed their colleagues about the location of the suspicious person that forced their entry into the city.
"Ma'am, did that man do anything to you?" the officer quickly asked Athena who now had a dumbfound look on her face.
"N-no, he just…talked to me," the red-haired woman replied, leaving out the part about the package and the letter.
"I see, you be careful. We will catch that creep," the officer said reassuringly before running off after his partner who was barely visible in the distance.
This left the woman wondering what that man could've done to have the Mistral police after him. No, it didn't matter. Athena now had to get home as she took one more look at what peeked out of the partially opened cover of the package. A bronze colored shield that belonged to her late daughter.
"He went this way!" One of the officers shouted as they moved to a walkway that led to the elevator that would lead to one of the upper levels. "We got him!" Another one said as they saw the figure looking at the walkway that was very high up. And the elevators weren't here right now. "Put your hands in the air and get on the ground!" The officers shouted as they pulled their guns on the figure.
The figure crouched down a little with both hands in the air. And then he jumped, all the way up to the walkway, barely grabbing onto the edge.
"What!?" the officers exclaimed in open disbelief at the impossibility they saw.
"That's impossible! No human can jump that high!" Another shouted as the figure pulled himself on the path and kept running to who knows where.
Some time later, after the man had managed to lose the officers, he found himself a deep dark alley to rest at. "…What am I going to do now?" the figure muttered to himself. After delivering the package he hadn't really thought of what he could do. After pondering the question for a moment, he decided that he would just live out his punishment and all that it entailed…Although…he might as well check if anything was going on at Haven Academy. He was still curious about the people that infiltrated Beacon after all.
AN: There we go. Another Chapter another peek into what is going on outside of team JNPRR. Mòrag ended up in Haven Academy. Watts asked about her. We see someone monitoring the events. And finally, someone is skulking in Mistral, avoiding the police in the process.