Chapter 2, The Infiltration of the Royal Vault

It was no secret among students of Lothadare Academy that the Chief disciplinary, Professor Alagar, was harsh in his methods of teachings. Having possessed many years of experience in combat in his service to the Kingdom of Lothadare. Not the mention his ability to intimidate his students into submission with but a stern glance. He was the most suitable choice by the school council in charge of these training sessions. Running his students through grueling training sessions designed to push them to their very limits.

And today was no exception...

Professor Alagar was Standing at the very edge of the Center of the coliseum. Off to each side, stood the two combatants chosen to run the drill. To his right, Pyrrha Nikos with both Milo, currently in it's javelin form and Milo in her other hand. Standing in a defensive pose before a large pillar where a white flag bearing the Academy's symbol stood. Across from her stood Cardin Winchester, holding his Mace over his shoulder. Who also stood before a large pillar which bared a flag of it's own.

Professor Alagar came forward, shifting his glance to the two.

"The Objective of today's Training will be Capture the Flag. You must break through your opponents defense and take their flag while defending your own." Alagar proclaimed to them.

"The first one to capture their opponents flag wins!"

Cardin shifted his glance back to Pyrrha with a sly smirk. Only to be met with her stern gaze as she continued to stand in a defensive stance. He had been meaning to get back at her and her teammates for humiliating him back at the Team Trials. In front of the King, the Royal Guard and the entire kingdom no less. He wasn't about to let her or Auron and the others get away with this.

"Time to settle the score." He said, swinging his large Mace over his shoulder.

Pyrrha only squinted her eyes to Cardin, raising both her shield and Javelin to him.

"Your not going to make me back down, Cardin." Pyrrha said, shaking her head.

From off to the side, Auron, Hanako and Keith watched on from within the small crowd of students. Noticing Cardin had a quite familiar look over his face. Keith leaned in to Auron and Keith.

"Uh oh, he has that look." Keith said, glancing to them.

Auron and Hanako had noticed as well. It was one which they had seen before in the past. Usually whenever someone had gotten on his bad side. Something they had often found themselves in. Being they were the ones brave enough to stand up to him most of the time. Though Cardin had often tried to get back at them for it. Though they were always willing to stand their ground against him.

"I got a bad feeling about this." Keith said.

"Try not to worry, Keith. Pyrrha can handle Cardin." Hanako proclaimed to him.

"She is far more skillful then him."

Auron nodded his head in agreement.

"Hanako's right, Keith. Pyrrha can handle this." He insisted to him.

Professor Alagar took a step back to the edge of the Centre before the other students.

"Begin!"

Upon hearing Professor Alagar give the word, Cardin rushed at Pyrrha with the executioner raised high above his head. Bellowing out a loud cry as he readied to strike her down. Only for Pyrrha to leap into the air at the final moment, causing his mace to crash down over the ground where she stood. Passing over him, she threw her shield at him, which struck him in the back.

Cardin growled, glancing back at her. Pyrrha landed over the ground from behind, drawing back her shield with her semblance. She then lunged toward him. Cardin attempted to swipe his large mace at her. Only for Pyrrha ducked down, holding up her shield as she slid over the ground. The Executioner scrapped against her shield as she passed under it. She then turned back to him, tossing her Javelin which struck him from behind.

Just as he turned back to face her, Pyrrha then lunged into the air and struck him in the face with her knee, sending him tumbling back. The other students erupted in awe, seeing Cardin get kicked. Keith in turned squinted his eyes, grinning in amusement.

"Ohhh, that's gonna leave a mark!" he said.

Pyrrha came at Cardin once more, rushing toward him. Regaining his footing, Cardin turned back toward him, growling in anger.

"THAT'S IT!" he exclaimed.

He then came forward and swung his mace at her. Pyrrha quickly slid to a stop, raising her shield in the nick of time. The impact of his Mace crashing against her shield sent her flying back. Though she was able to remain on her feet as she quickly slid to a stop. She then glanced back up at Cardin, who held up his mace to her, firing several shots. Pyrrha blocked his shot with her shield, which were heavy upon impact. She then quickly charged at Cardin, firing back at Cardin with Milo in it's rifle form. All the while, dodging his blaster fire.

From off to the side, Auron, Keith and Hanako continued to watch on with much anticipation. Having noticed that Cardin appeared enraged at the conflict unfolding. Swinging his Mace in anger, trying to trike Pyrrha who countered his every attack with her sword and shield.

"Looks like Cardin is on the warpath now." Auron insisted to them.

"One blinded by their rage has no hope to win." Hanako said.

Swinging his mace at her, Pyrrha was quick to counter it with Milo. Exchanging several clashes before Pyrrha spun around and slashed her short sword at Cardin, which struck him from his side below. Seeing the small opening, Pyrrha pushed the attack slashing at him which caused him to fall backward toward his own pillar. She then spun around as Milo changed form back into it's Javelin form. She then thrust the point of her javelin at him, which sent him flying back and crash up against the platform.

Cardin came staggering from the wall, all but beaten and wore down from Pyrrha's attacks. Pyrrha glanced up at the flag above, grinning at the opportunity that was now presented to her. She raced forward toward Cardin before jumping up and landing over Cardin's shoulders. She then lunged into the air and came up over the platform above. It was there she grabbed the flag pole and pulled it out, holding it up for the other students to see.

From below, her teammates and the other students all erupted in cry's of cheer. Keith grabbed onto Auron's shoulders, shaking him excitement.

"Booyeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Keith proclaimed.

Auron in turned smiled up at her, gesturing a nod of his head. Pyrrha nodded her head down back down at them. She the leaped down from the platform with the flag still in hand. Professor Alagar walked up to her, clapping his hand in awe of her performance.

"Well done, Miss Nikos." He said.

Pyrrha nodded her head to the professor.

"Thank you, Professor Alagar." Pyrrha said.

From behind, Cardin stood up with the help of his mace. He glanced over at Pyrrha, growling in anger.

"Don't think you can get away with this. You won't be so lucky next time." Cardin proclaimed to her.

Pyrrha turned back to Cardin with an unfazed expression at the threats he uttered.

"Unchecked rage will only get so far in combat, Mr. Winchester. I would suggest you get a handle on it." Professor Alagar insisted to him.

"You might yet learn something from miss Nikos."

Cardin stood up, scoffing at the suggestion.

"Yeah, right. Like have anything to learn from someone who welcomed a White Fang member into our Academy." Cardin proclaimed.

"Yeah, that's right. We all know you guys had a white Fang member on your team. By the way, where is that freak you call a friend?"

Pyrrha's grip suddenly tightened over the handle of her short sword. Hey eyes shut tightly as she gritted her teeth in a fit of anger, hearing what Cardin said about Blake. Trying hard to hold back the anger which was brewing inside her.

"Oh, that's right... Honestly, I'd say the White Fang are doing us a favor by killing their own..."

Pyrrha suddenly snapped. She the turned and lunged at Cardin, bring her sword to his throat. Cardin eyes widened in utter shock, met with Pyrrha's enraged gaze. The other students gasped in awe at Pyrrha's sudden outburst. Auron, Keith ad Hanako quickly rushed into the Colosseum center.

"Pyrrha, stop!" Auron said, coming up behind her.

Pyrrha did not respond to her teammates at first, continuing to press her sword into Cardin's throat, who staring pleadingly to her, shuttering. Slowly, her gaze soften as reality came to set it. Upon realizing what she was doing, she gasped, stepping back from Cardin who gasped in relief. She paused there, staring in utter contempt at what she had just did. Turning back to Auron and the others, who stared back at her in shock and awe.

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes.

"I...I'm sorry." She said, shaking her head.

With that, she then turned and ran toward the entrance of the Colosseum. Auron reached out his hand to her.

"Pyrrha, wait!" Auron called to her.

Though it could not be helped as Pyrrha continued to running. Much to the dismay of her teammates.

The royal vault was as carefully guarded within the palace. Both in terms of magical and technological. Locked by the powerful magic of the Royal wizard herself. Six royal guardsmen stood at attention an opposite sides of the Royal Vault. Very few would ever dare be foolish enough to even attempt to infiltrate it.

Standing guard over the vault, the royal Guardsmen then saw a cloaked figure emerge from the corner of the hallway, appearing to be wielding a familiar cane as they staggered up to them. One of the Guardsman raised their hand to them.

"You there, Halt! Turn back!" The Guard ordered.

Though the figure did not heed to their command. Rather they continued to approach, causing the others to draw their weapons. Seeming to be chanting something in a whispering voice. The Guards in turn prepared to draw their weapons upon the mysterious intruder.

"I said halt!" The Guardsmen exclaimed to them.

It was then the figure came to a stop before the row of Guards. They then raised their cane, as it's very tip glowed yellow with magic. They then twirled their cane like a wand.

"Time be still!" The figure suddenly said, before casting the spell upon them.

The Guardsmen suddenly froze in place as the spell was then cast upon them. The figure then lowered their cane before letting down the hood of their, revealing themselves to be Headmaster Rueben. Upon seeing his spell had been cast with the ult most protection, he gave a satiated grin. It was right at that moment, Leandra appeared from around the corner. Where she found her fellow guards frozen in place.

"What did you do to them?" She asked, curiously.

"Not to worry. It is merely a time freezing spell." He insisted to her.

"By the time it wears off, none of them will remember a thing, Nor shall anything be detected by any of the security cameras. I made sure to handle that as well. It will be as if it never happened."

The headmaster then staggered past the frozen Guardsmen as he came up to the royal Vault.

"But how shall we enter the vault? It can only be opened by the Royal wizard's spell." Leandra insisted to him.

Once more, her concerns were met with the Headmasters sly grin. Having also anticipated the Royal wizard spell that concealed the vault.

"You forget, Leandra. I as well wield the same magic as the royal Wizard." The Headmaster proclaimed to her.

"Thus she and I are the only ones who are able to bypass the spell."

The elderly Headmaster stepped forward to the vault. He then raised his cane as began to recite the spell.

"Spell that bounds, come undone. Release to us all that is concealed inside!" The Headmaster proclaimed before casting his magic upon the vault.

A bright white glow emerged from over the door of the vault before suddenly disbursing the moment that followed. It was then the locks over the vault came undone before slowly coming open. Headmaster stepped back from the opining doorway as what lied behind it came to be revealed to them. Inside, their sights came to look upon a large open room that reached far back. Containing all sorts of untold riches and relics from a bygone age.

Leandra came up behind the Headmaster as she gazed inside the vault. Having seen what lied inside before, it was certainly no surprise for her. However it was still quite the sight to see all the many riches that were inside.

"That never fails to amaze me." She said.

The elderly Headmaster staggered into the vault, making his way down the stairway to the relics that lied below.

"Come. We must be quick to retrieve the lamp." The Headmaster proclaimed to them.

Leandra followed after him as the two made their way through the room of many treasures. It was upon coming to very heart of the room itself, they found the crates containing the relics from the night of the White Fang's attack. Reuban and Leandra came up to the crates.

"How do we know which one has the lamp?" Leandra asked, glancing to the Headmaster.

The Headmaster squinted his eyes as she gazed to the crates for a moments time. He sensed there was a strange yet familiar aura of power emitting from one of the crates. Along with the faint pulsing sound. One that could not be mistaken for anything else then the Lamp of Abaroth. The Headmaster shifted his glanced over to one of the crates.

"We need not look far." He insisted to her.

He came over the the crate, tapping the hood with his cane. His magic unlocking it, causing the crate's top to to come open. Inside they found the lamp, pulsing it's bright blue light. Which could only mean that Akara was attempting to reach out to her prodigy. Leandra came up to the Headmaster, gazing down into the crate at the pulsing Lamp. Having only heard of it through the stories of the knights. But never before seeing it for herself.

She glanced up at the elderly headmaster.

"What does it mean?" She asked, curiously.

Rueban pulled out the relic from the crate. The Headmaster held up the pulsing lamp before answering her.

"It means the Prodigy's journey has now begun."

Qrow entered into the colosseum through the entrance of the locker rooms. It was there he found the students hard at work with some of Professor Alagar's training sessions. At the Centre of the stadium, several students were conducting a simulated battle against some of the holograms programed to level fifty. The same level of an experienced fighter. Some of the students could hardly keep up with the blows the holograms afflicted upon them, knocking them to the ground.

Qrow winced, shaking his head.

"God Damn, Alagar." He said, crossing her arms over his chest.

He couldn't help but feel bad for Alagar's students. Having been familiar with the brutal practices of the Chief Disciplinary of Lothadare Academy over the years. While they proved affective with students in the past, they were Not without years of training. Most of the time the holograms had often come out on top. None of these kids were ready to take on such an advanced level as this. Though that was not say that his methods were not effective. Especially now, with the kingdom under lockdown.

These kids would need all the training they could get by the time they were called into active service. Though he himself had never resorted to these kinds of teaching with his former students. Not even with Pyrrha. Though she would be able to pass through this training session without much trouble.

Though as he continued to observe the ongoing screen, Qrow suddenly noticed that she was no where to be seen. Squinting his eyes, curiously, he cocked his head as he looked out over the crowd of students. But still Pyrrha was no where in sight.

"Red?" he said.

As He looked off to the benches lined up against the wall, where he saw Auron, Hanako and Keith sitting along with some of the other students who had already gone through the training. Many of them appeared exhausted and beaten down from facing off against the holograms. But Pyrrha was not with them.

Qrow walked over to them.

"Auron, where's Pyrrha?" Qrow asked, curiously.

Auron first glanced to Hanako and Keith before turning back to him, shaking their head.

"Uh, we're not sure. She took off during training." Auron said, shrugging.

"Took off? Why?" Qrow asked, curiously.

"She got into a fight with Cardin." Auron insisted to him

"Yeah, he was talking about Blake and she lost it. Had her sword right to his throat!" Keith insisted to him.

Qrow paused in awe and uttered disbelief. Unable to that fathom that Pyrrha would ever do anything like that. Uttering a sigh of contempt, narrowing his head. He could hardly act surprise that she would be so upset about what happened to Blake. Not a day went by that he didn't find her in her room or on the rooftop, morning the loss of her friend.

Hanako stood up from the bench.

"I believe she is still torn about what happened to Blake." She insisted to him.

Qrow nodded his head in agreement.

"Yeah, I think she is as well." Qrow insisted, glancing to the side.

"Think we should go talk to her?" Auron asked, curiously.

Qrow turned back to them, shaking his head.

"Nah, you guys rest up here. I'll go check up on her." Qrow said to them.

"You sure?" Auron asked.

Qrow nodded his head.

"Yeah, I'll deal with this." Qrow insisted.

With that, Qrow turned back and made his way back to the entrance of the locker room.