hey! Back at it again! enjoy the chapter!
Apologies for not updating for the past months, life do be hitting hard and with work piling up it gets hard to do your hobbies.
Not much to stay, but try and spot some of the references to game items, and as you have read from the earlier chapters, there are some characters that are references to movies, and even real life people, also I placed some soundtracks for you to play so you can feel a bit immersed although its still up to you, maybe play a soundtrack that you feel could fit on the scenarios, just wanna help you feel immersed in the story so you do you friend. and if you do this end the song when you see the () to not ruin the vibe of the story.
DISCLAIMER: RWBY and Dr. Strange are owned by Warner and Marvel respectively
Chapter 4: 1st step to the mystic arts
"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A shout of victory is heard as Jaune raises his arms in triumph over his long rival, the cape. After months of practices and spars, the many times he was restrained and wrapped, he has done it. he survived the 1 minute mark without being restrained by the cape in any shape or form. The cape, rose up from the ground and gave jaune what seemed like a gesture of commendation as it lifts the left tip of the cloak, seemingly mimicking a thumbs up. "Well it seems that you have finally succeeded in your 1st test young prince, well done." The sorcerer walks forward holding a small hourglass with all of its sand sitting at the bottom portion of the contraption.
Jaune looks to his mentor, "Thank you sir, it took some time, but I did it!", he had done it! after all the times he was tripped and tied, he finally finished this test... Wait... THIS WAS JUST A TEST?!
Jaune looked towards the doctor bewildered "Wait this was just a test?!" this scream caused the sorcerer to laugh and from a distance somewhere in the sanctum, the distinct cackle of Odin can be heard. The sorcerer beckoned the cape to return as it went to return to its back, clipping itself to his shoulders. "Jaune, the cape here was not just training you in the basics of hand to hand combat, but also testing you on your patience and perseverance. he was testing on whether or not you are capable and worthy of continuing your training with me, and trust me when I say, he is a good judge of character." the sorcerer explains as he pats the sentient cape who was giving jaune another 'thumbs-up'.
the sorcerer continues, "And now that you have passed the test, we can now get into the real part of your training." he then walks forward, entering the labyrinth of bookshelves while being followed by his apprentice. (try listening to 'strange days ahead' while reading to this part.) jaune walks alongside his mentor as they walked a seemingly endless pathway, all of a sudden the bookshelves that tower over them seemingly morph, shrinking and changing into what seems to be various relics and items. one of which looked like a rack of various blades, spears, and other various weapons, as well as different unique pieces of armor, jewelry, robes, and other artifacts. There was what seemed to be a set of 5 silver rings, all of them connected to an individual chain, with all 5 chains connected to a bracelet adorned with different jewels and stones, there was what seemed to be a greenish-tinged blade that seemed ethereal in nature, there was also... A EYE!?, that's right, A singular eye that is placed inside what seemed to be amulet contraption that seemed to freeze over its surroundings.
The sorcerer seemed to see the look of fascination and horror of his young ward, he chuckles and explains "This jaune is the room of relics, where items of great power and influence can be seen." Jaune saw the items with caution, "I... I can feel their power, it feels like a whole castle is under my back just by being here." Steven smiles at his ward "Then that means you are slowly opening your connection towards the mystic arts, you can feel if anything is made of or from magic." Jaune then addresses the obvious, "If you have all of these... things here you could have ruled the whole world! just this one corner of the room and I could feel that its power is enough to bring Arcadia to its knees!" he becomes wary of the doctor. But the doctor merely chuckles at his accusation "I Understand your wariness young prince, however I assure you that I am merely a warden, a Guardian, I have collected these items and preserve them here, so that they stay away from the hands of those who would wield it for evil." he explains, which lessened the jaune's anxiety.
Steven still saw a bit of doubt from jaune's face and further explains, "And to add, if I had all of these powerful and influential items here, shouldn't I have, as you say, 'brought Arcadia to its knees' by now?". Jaune Thought about it for a second before realizing that the sorcerers words held truth. "Then why are we here?" jaune attempts to hold one of the relics; a curved blade with a greenish tinge (think of a light greenish mainz gladius), however as he was about to touch it, a surge of wind came out of nowhere blowing over jaune, surprising him. "Careful young one, as you have said these items are powerful, however some of these items hold a sentience of some sorts, and as you have felt, it seems that the blade of the butterfly here has rejected you."
Jaune thought it was absurd for a inanimate object to have sentience, but then remembers he has been sparring with a literal flying sentient cape for the past few months. "Why would you show me this?" Jaune asks.
the doctor starts explains while searching through the tome section of the room "Because young prince as you are now my apprentice, you will someday take on my mantle, and one of the... no that's not it... what was I saying? oh yes, one of our missions is to protect all of remnant from the more mystic threats, like the hunters and huntresses do against the grimm. And so we safeguard items, information and knowledge that hold arcane properties away from those who wish to use them maliciously, however that is not our only purpose, but we will talk about that for another time...ah here it is." Steven pulls out a large hardcover book, with an intricate design of a circle with different unintelligible characters surrounding the inner and outer area of the circle.
He walks towards jaune and presents the old book to jaune " this is the tome of the mystic arts, and so your first lesson is held in this whole book, I hope you are a bookworm since you will have alot to read." gesturing to the numerous book cases. He was fully expecting the child to feel dejected and annoyed as the children that he has encountered during his profession as a doctor has proven that most of the new generation hate books and simply want everything done through scrolls.
But he was pleasantly surprised that jaune held a huge smile "Really!? I get to read all of these books? they look so old!" This made the doctor laugh at his wonder "Yes Jaune They are really old, most of these tomes and books are centuries old, definitely older than the 4 kingdoms.", He watches in appreciation as the princeling immediately starts opening the book and start reading.
()
Meanwhile in the Round table
"My Liege, as the quadrennial summit nears, we must prepare once again for the visitor's amenities, and with the ever increasing aggressive actions of the white fang since their new leader Sienna Khan's coming to power, I suggest to increase public security as well as keep all border guards on high alert until the event ends" exclaimed A Buff, brown haired elephant faunus wearing a white and gold uniform, joined with a pair of golden Epaulette, with a shield and 2 swords crossing behind it, following with 4 horizontal black lines on both shoulders.
"Has the list of visitors been finalized?" Julius asks while going through said list 'Hmph, looks like the incompetent asses still hold most of the council positions in Atlas and Vale... same old same old... wait' julius thinks to himself, focusing on a name on the list...
Ghira Belladonna, Kali Belladonna
The prince smiles at the names listed 'It seems that the young cub now has his own pride, to think he was once a rebelious, immature brat.' he thinks to himself, silently chuckling. 'If only your father could see you now', with that thought a somber feeling is felt by Julius, remembering an old friend.
"My liege?" said a Tanned Mahogany haired human woman with a Maroon and gold uniform over what seemed to be a physician's coat, with an epaulette that has white cross above 4 horizontal lines.
"Apologies General Arthur, Dr. Clara. And I do agree with your remark general, it is sad to hear that the once righteous group turned this way... targeting innocent humans, looting and pillaging towns, even killing their fellow faunuses just for not agreeing with their group." the old prince sighed tiredly, as one of the many villages that the current white fang has attempted to raid was at Silverpoint, Argentum; a port town where many of those who wish to see the unique flora and fauna of arcadia Arrive via boat or Airship.
The would be insurgents tried to sack the town with naval support from various stolen and captured vessels, but failed immensely as immediately after landing and charging towards the civilians, the automated vanguard protocol was launched; with most of the 'civilians' who are in actuality reserve troops went to their nearest *supply points, and armed themselves against the invaders, in the end, 8 of the 10 white fang vessels were sunk, one of which was an old mantle gunboat. and out of the estimated 500 insurgents, 350 were dead while 50 was captured, with the rest escaping with the last 2 vessels but not without causing an estimated 2 million lien worth of damage. from the reserve troops who defended the town, 10 died from the initial hour of the surprise attack, with 20 injured.
the entire fiasco brought the once positive image of the white fang to a further nosedive as those who were captured were nothing more than mere mouthpieces of a cause that wishes to let humanity 'feel what the faunus has felt under their heel', rather than wish for equality and respect. The principality was at the brink of classifying the white fang as a terrorist organization just like the rest of Remnant, but was later lessened to making anyone and anything related to the white fang Persona non grata, as to not help the extremists 'prove their point that humans are not to be trusted'.
The Prince stamps the list with a seal of approval, then signing the bottom of the paper to certify the list, before passing it to his secretary to be finalized. "Now unto the next topic at hand which is..."
" the mysterious blast of energy that came from the Inner castle last month my liege." interjects a auburn red-headed Female Avian Faunus, with her wings colored cream white in color. she wears a sky blue and gold uniform, with her epaulettes containing an airplane blade along with 4 horizontal lines.
"Indeed, my liege following that wave of energy, it seemed to have miraculously treated all of the principality's medical patients from minor wounds down to the most bleakest of cancer cases, there are even confirmed cases of mentally unstable patients seemingly having their faculties returned to them as if they were never ill in the first place." Dr. Clara follows up.
"It is as if the great mother herself has blessed the land with this miracle." states what seemed to be a twin of Dr. Florencia but wearing a cleric outfit rather than a physician's coat. "My Liege, if I may ask what happened for that surge of energy to appear?" The Cleric asked.
"Well Sister Elizabeth, the Blast that had occurred came from... My Grandson Jaune, when he heard of the great prophecy." Gasps were heard and immediately, speculation had started.
"He is the one, if he is capable of such a miracle who knows what he could do?!" "Jauney boy? no not him, he hasn't even trained in any form of combat." "So? the world does not revolve around combat."
*BAM* The prince slammed his cane to the ground to silence the room.
"I can assure you that it was him as I saw the influx of energy with the advise of the family's right hand, Dr. Strange, when the ancient prophecy was uttered-" At that sentence, further exclamations and discussion resumed.
"REGARDLESS!" the old prince exclaimed, silencing the crowd once again. "...Regardless, we can only assist him, as if he is the one destined to fulfill the prophecy, he will need all the help we can muster."
He continues " And so I call upon a royal decree, that this revelation will not be released and a cover story will be made when it came to the burst of energy, remember that the fate of remnant is on the line." he exclaims as everyone stands from their chairs and kneel on one knee while shouting "This we shall swear!"
A few hours later
As Prince Julius walks back to the his office to read more reports and documents, a circular rift appears next to him, with the doctor walking out of said rift. With him being responsible for jaune's training, the prince requested that his friend would report if anything would happen to his grandson.
"Ah, Doctor, how has jaune adapted since entering under your wing?"
Steven looks towards his friend with a smile as he pulls out his scroll, with videos of jaune's different failures to complete his first test, being wrapped by the cape, and at one point he saw his nephew with his clothes tied like a straight jacket. this made the old man laugh heartily while responding "Well, this is as much as I expect from him having his first taste of actual training." He then sees the final video, where jaune recently finally passed the test. A content smile is seen across the old man's face, seeing that the fire the was once snuffed out of his grandson's soul finally return as he hears jaune's shout of success, "So, is this what you wished to show to me good friend?" returning the scroll.
The Doctor smiled himself remembering the moment while answering "Well my liege, the young prince seems to be very fond of books, I half expected for him to be bored out of his mind, as children his age would be when it comes to books, but he soaks through the library like a sponge to water. And with how he can sense magic around him while he was in the sanctum, I can say that he is adept in the mystic arts."
Julius nods, being part of only a handful of people to know the secret truth of magic and its origins, and with jaune's little show of power when first meeting up with the sorcerer, it was confirmation that he will have a knack in magic and sorcery.
Stephen continues "But that is not the only reason I wanted to talk to you... unfortunately they are on the move once again.", and with that one sentence the once jolly expression of Julius, morphed into a furious expression, one that could instill fear on any grimm.
"It seems that they still haven't learned their damn lessons." Julius grinds his teeth saying that, but his expression lessened as they stop at the door of his office, "but first old friend, it seems a student of yours has returned."
Steven raised an eyebrow at that, but as Julius opens his door, they see a man with dark hair with a tattered red cape chugging an entire bottle of Jean Beam whiskey, with several other empty liquor bottles of Jock Daniels and Santa Miguel.
"HOOOOO, *HIC* It has been a *HIC* damn while since I got some of that good shit... oh hey old man... hey *HIC* Teaaachhhh'
LORE CORNER
Arcadia's Round table
LOADING...
ACCESS LEVEL: BASIC: LEVEL 0
Character Profile
Malcolm "Mac" Douglas
Age: 32 (Alive)
Weapon: The long tusk, a 6ft tall 2 handed Spuntone that could shift into a Mortar cannon
Species- Elephant faunus
- General of the Arcadian Infantry, with the General of the Arcadian Navy and Airforce, they lead the arcadian army
Dr. Clara Daygale
Age: 26 (Alive)
Weapon: N/A
Species- Human
-Head of the Arcadian Medic Unit, she is in charge of anything medical,
Sister Elizabeth Daygale
Age: 26 (Alive)
Weapon: Final Penance: A 2 handed Mahaira
Species- Human
-Head Priestess of the Great Light, an old religion that some would say is far older than the brothers themselves
Apparel
Paladin's Epaulette- A type of shoulder guard that is also used to denote the rank of the wearer, however only ranks above or equal to a specialist are given epaulettes.
Ranks
...[REDACTED]...
HIGHER CLEARANCE REQUIRED
Terminologies
Supply points: Small secure storage areas filled with dust, ammunition, etc. and can only be unlocked via an ID of a reserve or active arcadian soldier.
TERMINATING PROCESS...SHUTTING DOWN
And that is another chapter done! apologies for the really long wait, work is really stacking up and with the holiday season coming up (yes September is the start of the holiday season for us Filipinos), the grind continues. and as you can see, there was a part where there are music that you can play while reading that certain part, helps in the IMMERSION. I hope that I could implement it better in future chapters.
And as you can see with some of these names, they are references. See if you can find them out :)
And oooooooohhhh, it seems an old bird has landed in arcadia. What does this mean for the story?! FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!
once again, thanks for reading
some rando filipino