"The strongest bonds are forged in the strongest flames."
"Really? No windows?" Blake groaned in disbelief as she tried to find a stealthy way out. Experience told her that using bathroom as a way out was a viable strategy, either via window or ventilation shaft, since she was nimble enough to get past even the smallest holes.
This time however, some genius thought that unwelcome guests may try to sneak past Haron through said window to avoid paying for drinks and fun, so they didn't make them. And ventilation shaft…
Blake shook her head. Even she wouldn't be able to do that.
Her bow twitched, her ear picked up a quiet conversation through the cacophony of sounds and music.
"You sure she went there?" First male voice asked.
"100 percent" Second man replied. For few moments there was silence, both men probably stared at the door to the woman bathroom and weighed their options.
"So… now what?"
"I… don't really know"
"Maybe we should call for someone?"
"Yeap"
Blake looked around the bathroom, trying to find another wait out. There were at least ten closed cabins, and a very long mirror, spanning the entire wall and reaching the ceiling. All conventional means of escape are out, which leaves…
She turned her head from the cabin in disgust. Mere thought of it nearly made her puke.
"Oi, so there you! What are ya doing here you twaltzs?" Blake heard the third, feminine voice right outside the bathroom.
"She is there." One of the men replied.
"Who?"
"A girl in black bow. The one Rittermeister ordered to capture."
Rittermeister? Blake thought. She heard that rank before, but where…
"So go there and take her in."
"We… can't" One of the men said awkwardly.
"Why?"
"It's… women's bathroom." Second explained
Short pause gave Blake an idea how to avoid the inevitable. She quickly closed all the cabins and locked herself in the last one.
"Ah you pansies, just wait outside!" Woman kicked the door to the bathroom and walked in, her steps as heavy as Atlesian mech. Blake carefully watched shadow of woman's feet to determine where she was standing.
"Come out, come out wherever you are…" Woman approached the first cabin and knocked the door of its hinges with one go. "Not here I see…"
Three heavy steps, another kick. Eight cabins to go.
"Not here either…"
Three steps, another kick and another door was blown to smithereens.
"You can't hide forever, kitty." This time, woman bypassed fourth and fifth cabin, and went directly for sixth. Powerful kick and cabin was ruined entirely. "Ritter promised large sum for ya head, and I will gladly take it." She knocked out another door. "But honestly? Beating up the animals and getting paid? Heh, it's not a job, it's pure enjoyment."
While the seventh cabin was being destroyed, Blake still had no idea how to get out of this situation. She could fight and probably easily knock out her enemy, but she was more than certain that those two would join the fight, and in confined space like this she had little room to manouver.
Cabin right beside her literally exploded after the blow, shaking the entire room. She focused after hearing first step, her aura emanated a black glow for a moment, and when she heard a third step…
"Aha!" door to the tenth cabin exploded, revealing a tall woman with short black hair, her body built more like a brick, her mouth grinning in triumph, her grin resembling the crack in the wall. She looked inside the cabin and only a not very clean toilet welcomed her.
"What in the bloody hell?" She looked at the fifth and fourth cabin with suspicion, never even thinking about looking up.
Blake held her breath, holding to the ceiling right above the woman, knowing that if timed right, she can incapacitate her without making a noise, however, but those two outside are still…
Just when the woman smashed the fourth cabin's door, Blake realized that those two are not outside anymore.
"Those twatlz are the worst, always doing…" Woman grumbled and turned towards the mirror, just to receive a knee into her nose.
Earlier
Just like Yang thought, these two guys were not only creeps, but the worst kind stalkers – The one who follow you even to the bathroom, and when you leave, they "accidently" bump into you and start cat-calling.
She left a disappointed sigh. They desperately want to pick up a girl?
She made the most innocent and charming smile she could possibly do, fixed her hair and started approached them.
"Bertha seems to have fun." One of them commented, still unaware of approaching Yang.
"Do you think she can handle her?" Other man scoffed.
"She? Of course. But iif not, we should be able to do so easily."
Let's see if they can handle her.
"Heeeyyy there!" Yang took both men under her arms, much to their surprise. "You wait for someone?"
"Yeah…" One tried to interject and push the hand away, but Yang tightened her grip.
"You can wait for her on the dance floor!" Yang pushed them both from the door, giving each a bright smile. "I will even buy you a drink!"
One of them looked at his companion with hope, but he shook his denial.
"We don't have time for this." He tried to shake Yang's hand, but to no avail. "Piss off" And Yang gasped hearing this.
"You say such bad words to the girl?" Yang shook her head in disappointment, and caught the glimpse of Blake leaving the bathroom in a hurry. "It will hurt ya in the head."
With that said, she pulled herself back, and slammed their heads against one another. As they quietly limped to the floor unconscious, Yang cleared her hands with satisfaction.
"That should do it." She said, and turned to Blake. "So, with those…"
But Blake wasn't behind her.
She looked around and caught the sight of the black ribbon moving among the sea of hands. And more guys like those two trying to follow her.
"You found yourself quite a company I see." She stretched her neck and went after her partner.
As the shattered moon rose above Eregion, Annatar turned off all artificial lighting inside his forge, leaving only the flames under the furnaces. In a way, it was calming. – only he, flames, his forge…
"Why do you want work in the dark?" Jaune asked, standing near the only source of light in the room.
…And ignorant human.
"Only when metal is molten its true nature is revealed." Annatar picked up some copper and palladium. "And for that, I don't want broken light of the moon to interfere."
Seeing his startled face, Annatar left a sigh.
"Trinkets can be done during a day, for they don't require that much attention. For true craft on the other hand, you must show it care and make every single detail perfect."
He showed the copper into the furnace.
"One false reflection of light, one missed strike of the hammer and your creation will be maimed, imperfect. If craft is forced into its form, or circumstances are not ideal, result will forever scream in anguish, and creator will forever curse the day he made such atrocity."
He looked at his guest again as the copper melted.
"Do you understand now?" And Jaune shook his head in denial, much to Annatar's frustration.
"I really don't. Maybe Ruby would, but for me, it's just weird."
"Then I shall not waste time." Annatar said, grabbed Jaune's right hand and started to examine it. Before boy could react, Smith took a hold of his finger and squeezed it hard.
"Augh!" Jaune yelped when his finger was crushed by the Smith, noticing how his touch is unnaturally warm.
"I see, I see." Annatar muttered, let go of the finger and turned back to the furnaces.
"What was that for!?" Hunter in training hold his aching finger.
"I needed to measure your fingers in order to make the ring ideal for you." Annatar answered without turning away from the furnaces. "Not only for now, but ever."
His finger is standard size and won't grow anymore, which means the amount of gold, palladium and copper were more than enough. With great care and precision, he picked up the bucket full of molten copper with his pincers and walked towards the anvil. There, he started to make a form. A small ring-like scaffolding made of copper.
Gold alone is too soft, it will quickly wear down, but with copper as a backbone, it will get much needed hardiness.
He looked at palladium, still not melted, but it will just in time. And when he add it into the alloy with gold, it will turn into the famous "White Gold", and the ring will look both majestic and beautiful at the same time.
But both palladium and copper have one significant downside - they can't store the power like gold can. Of all things created by the great song, only gold and gems seemed to be able to hold the Imperishable Flame, aside from flesh of course.
He never knew why exactly, but run a lot of experiments during his service to Melkor, his time with the Elves and during his reign, both on metals and people. Most ended with failure or partial success, but it all were a necessary steps to create the One.
"You said 'Ruby would understand'. He decided to start another conversation. "Tell me, is she a fellow smith?
"I guess so." Jaune answered, thinking about his friend from Beacon "The first time I met her, she showed me her scythe."
"A Scythe?" Annatar started to make a copper construction while Jaune nodded.
"A very big, sharp scythe which puts itself in the box." Jaune thought for a second. "And it is also a gun."
Annatar chuckled with delight. From what he saw in the forest, this weapon is truly work of art.
"And she made such wonder?" He asked with curiosity, while also picking up the hammer.
"From what she told me, everyone at Beacon made their weapons." After saying that, Arc looked sideways to avoid potential eye contact, clearly trying to hide something.
But both Annatar, and his shadow noticed that right away.
"Is something wrong?" Annatar asked and Jaune left a sigh.
"As I said, all of my friends made their own weapons." Jaune explained. "They shot or launch grenades, transform during a fight and make all kinds of crazy stuff!"
"Their weapons sounds... unbalanced."
"Yeah exactly!"
"Too heavy and overcomplicated." Annatar scratched his chin, now deep in his thoughts.
"Ye... Wait what?" Jaune frowned, and gave Annatar a confused look.
"Probably require much counterweight to work properly..."
"I think we misunderstood each other..." Jaune said, and this time, it was Annatar who gave him a confused look.
"Unbalanced means the weight on both ends of the weapon are probably unequal..."
"Yes but it also means that something is too strong or overpowered or..."
Annatar blinked few times, processed the information and finally realized.
"I see, another double-meaning." He said with disdain and returned to the tasks at hand. Copper was more than ready to be put in the form.
"You don't understand double-meanings?"
"I don't understand your double-meanings.*" Annatar replied, rose his hammer, and while the first strike on the anvil echoed around the world, shadow, who knows which strings to pull, now paid more attention to the young human, sensing an opportunity it craved for.
"I will thank her later." Blake thought while traversing through the dancing crowd, knowing that there are at least three more groups now tailing her.
She cursed her ribbon under her nose, knowing that it sticks out like a sore thumb, but removing it would make it even worse.
"And what would Yang think?" A thought suddenly appeared in her mind, but she pushed it away. Why should she care about her anyway? They were just partners for next four or five years, and after graduation, they would go to the opposite ends of the world. And that's it.
And 'getting to know each other?' She opened herself once, and nothing good came from it. Only more pain.
She tried to navigate through the crowd towards the exit, but noticed another pair coming from the front, and she changed the direction before they reached her.
Tight space between people now worked greatly to her advantage, as she was nimble enough to pass through even the densest crowd while her pursuers were struggling to catch up, but more and more pairs appeared seemingly out of nowhere, tightened their net around her, pushing her as far from the exit as possible.
They seemed too organized to just be some random group of people, they acted more like a police or militia.
She recalled the words woman in the bathroom said, yet again mentioning a 'Rittermeister'. She was sure that she heard that before, but where?
"Rittermeister, Rittermeister, where did I…" She thought until she finally remembered
3 Years ago
"Attention new recruits!" Few dozen Faunus stood in few lines as the Elder spoke "Now we will determine which of you will earn the right to fight on the first line, and which will be relegated to maintenance duties."
Blake walked before them wearing White Fang lieutenant attire, analyzing each and every single one. Most of them were teens, eager to fight, but their muscles tensed in stress as she approached, knowing that she will deem their usefulness to the cause.
And Blake hated this task, and would love to send them all to non-combat duties. "They are just teens" she thought "Just like me. They should not fight or die." But Adam insisted for her do this, to teach her a lesson about leadership.
She looked at the faunus with giraffe features, his face was still young and childlike, and his eyes sparked that youthful spark.
"Name?" She asked.
"Tymon! And I am ready to fight against the oppresionists!"
"He probably run from his parents" She thought with small bit of the sour taste.
"Maintenance." She said to him, and his jaw dropped.
"But I want to fight!" He argued.
"After few months you will get your chance, believe me." She answered and walked to another Faunus, and after seeing new recruit, she put one step backwards in horror.
The new recruit was a boar faunus, but her tusks were ripped off, leaving large scars on her once good-looking face. Her skin looked like she was burnt alive, but somehow survived, and her eyes were radiating with cold hatred. On her thick neck she wore a necklace made of human teeth, with a badge, on which was written "SDPS Rittermeister Yunow". On her hands were wrapped a pair of hard, steel chains, which she probably tore out from the wall during the breakout, and repurposed to fight.
"Name?" Blake tried to ask softly, and raspy voice replied:
"Nobody."
After hearing that, Blake blinked the few times, and boar faunus pointed at the badge.
"He and his stormtroopers stole it, along with my family, my face, and my tusks."
"I'm sorry." Blake tried to comfort the recruit, but boar faunus shook her head in denial.
"Don't be." She stepped out of the line and matched Blake's stare. "This swine paid for what he has done. But there are more like him, who enjoy starving us in the mines. And I will slaughter each and every single one of them." She stood right before Taurus's second in command. "And know this - if you relegate me to the kitchen because of my scars, I will just return to the forest and fight the Schnees like I used to. – with my chains" she rose her right hand, and chains clanged against the floor.
After a few moments of silence, Blake nodded in agreement.
"You will join the fight… Sister" she reached with her right hand, and boar faunus shook her hand with wide, malicious grin.
"Thank you, sister".
Present
"SDC" Blake felt the surge of hate coursing through her. "That explains a lot."
Another pair tried to et her from the flank, but she ducked under a dancing guy's arm, and quickly disappeared in the crowd.
"But what SDC attacks dogs are doing here? Vale didn't sign the defense contract."
She nearly stumbled upon one of the SDPS, who cleverly hid himself in the crowd, but Blake was able to avoid him in the last moment.
"I need to talk with Tuk about this, he always knows what is going on in the city."
She jumped out the crowd, looked around and, to her dismay, she left her cover too far from the exit. She wanted to go back, but when she turned away, those following were already too close.
"Like hunting the beast in the woods." She heard, and realized that she fell right into the trap.
She turned to face at least twenty men and women who formed a half circle around her, all looking at her like hunters watch the cornered animal. Behind them, on few available chairs sat even more people with SDC badges.
And in the center stood a ghoulish man from earlier, still wearing his brown uniform, smiling like a thirsty vampire. And this time, Blake was able to read what was on his badge: SDPS Rittermeister Nickolaus Harrigan.
"A famous Black Panther, caught on our first night in Vale." He giggled and looked at his men "We are in the luck, aren't we?" gathered soldiers laughed out loud.
"You mistake me for someone." And when Blake said that, Harrigan rolled his eyes.
"Don't pretend canine, we have your face plastered everywhere in our quarters." Her face didn't even moved a muscle, but Harrigan continued regardless "You think we are stupid or what? That we didn't have black boxes on that train? Cameras?" He gave her a mocking grin. "Ah right, you animals can't comprehend human technology. My bad."
She clenched her fists as Harrigan and his men laughed at her, wanting more than anything punch that guy right in the face, but she kept her instincts in check.
She is outnumbered, her only weapon is her hidden extra ribbon, and she could only hope that security will react sooner or later.
"But because It's a World Animal day, I give you one chance of lowering your time in the mines: Tell me where is your boyfriend."
"I don't know who are you talking about." She replied, and Harrigan growled in anger.
"Last chance to do it pretty: Where is Adam Taurus?"
Blake remained silent, and Nick looked disappointed.
"Very well then." He waved to someone sitting behind him. "Merc, do your job."
Right behind Harrigan sat a large, muscular men with olive-like skin, which hinted his Vacuan heritage. His long black hair looked like a mane of the lion, and his green eyes looked at her with disinterest. He wore a green, sleeveless T-shirt, gladly showing off his muscles on the arms. But instead of caring for his posture Blake looked for scars, and cursed under her nose. – He has many on both arms.
But the thing what caught her attention most were how this scars looked like. They were more like dents or scratches left on the armor, not healed wounds.
"That guy is probably experienced mercenary" She thought.
Not every graduate from the Academies on Remnant end up as Hunters – many drop because they are unfit for study, are kicked out because of bad behavior, or simply left for personal reasons. But thanks to their time as Hunters in training, they have their aura unlocked, and some even discovered their semblance, which makes them not only more dangerous, but also desirable for more… shady people.
While Hunters are trying to remain apolitical, serving first and foremost people of Remnant, mercenaries serve themselves, and sell their services to those who pay the most, usually companies like SDC or Mantle Trading Company, but some were found to work for crime lords, cartels and even bandit gangs.
Mercenary stared Blake down for a moment, then looked up at the ceiling. He then nodded.
"Cartez… Will sit this one out." Mercenary stated and picked up his tequila.
"WHAT!?" Nickolaus yelled.
"Fifty against one girl." Mercenary pointed out. "Cartez doesn't consider it a fair fight."
"That's right, you should call for more!" Both Blake and Nick turned to Yang, who just jumped onto the scene. Blond girl smiled and cracked her knuckles.
"Especially with me involved."
"Yang, I can handle this." Blake stated, wanting to keep her partner away from this, but Yang just giggled.
"And I will leave you all the fun? No way!"
"Who is this girl!?" Nick yelled to his men, they shrugged their arms in response while Yang looked at him, visiblydelighted.
"You guys don't know me? That's even better." She said and after SDPS shook their heads in denial, she started to walk towards Nick. "Do you want short rundown or long story?"
"Neither!"
"Then short one it is." Yang said with sweet, almost naive voice as she got even closer to Nickolaus. None of the soldiers realized the danger they are in yet, because for them, she is just tall, stupid blondie who decided to mess with wrong kind of people, and she is about to pay the price.
Blake however was shocked seeing Yang's performance. Hell, if she wanted to, she would be a very good actress.
"Folks here call me 'the Golden Dragon' because of my fiery temper." She said while winking to one of the soldiers. "I came here today to have fun with my friend, Bella" She pointed at startled Blake. "Because I wanted to make Bella open herself a little, so we can talk about boys, hobbies, badmouth our teachers and all that fun stuff. And instead of having fun, she got harassed by a bunch of weirdos."
They clenched their teeth and fists after that insult, but Cartez chuckled after she said that while Blake looked at her with both surprise and disbelief.
"No way she really wanted only that." She said to herself
"I don't have time for your nonsense!" Harrigan approached her in few steps and pointed his finger at her face. "Better learn to not stick…"
That finger.
That finger was a mistake.
A loud, cracking noise could be heard as Yang grabbed extended hand and proceed to crush it between her fingers.
"You weirdos decided to mess up with my partner, so, by extent, you mess up with me." She leaned to him as Nick desperately tried to release his hand from the steel grip while his soldiers stared at her in shock. "Are you ready to dance?" She asked him with sweet, yet threatening tone.
"DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" He screamed in pain to his shocked men. "GET THEM!"
Before any of them could react, Yang twisted her hips, spinned SDPS leader around and threw him right into one of his soldiers with such strength that both flew few meters after the impact. Troopers yelled in anger and finally decided to charge at the duo
Yang turned to Blake and gave her a wink.
"Let's show them how we deal with creeps!" Yang charged back at them, and Blake smiled a little, raised her fists, and finally decided to let loose on them…
Annatar looked at the cooper construction and deemed it good. He left it on the anvil and reached for his pincers.
"May I ask you something?" Jaune asked while staring at the scaffolding, small drops of sweat falling down his cheeks.
"Only If I could ask you in return"
Jaune nodded to him in agreement, then turned back to the ring.
"These furnaces, this anvil... They are awfully hot." Blond boy said after finally clearing his forehead "But you don't wear any protection or gloves. Aren't you afraid to get burnt?"
Annatar chuckled.
"True, most smiths use gloves and protection during their craft, but I am not like them." Annatar reached with his pincers to the furnace with molten gold. "I have the experience many would wish for, skills I acquired after years of hard work. Now, I am able to recognize the material by simply feeling it's heat, to measure temperature of the flames by simple stare and recognize the quality of the tools by simple touch. Gloves or protection on my face would separate me from the sensation"
"So... You are just sure you won't get burnt because you are confident in yourself?"
"Everyone who practiced craft for this long, are sure of their abilities." Smith pulled out the heated bucket full of molten gold with his pincers.
"Man, I would love to have that kind of confidence" Arc said as Annatar carried it towards the anvil.
'But I have no abilities to put confidence in' stray thought appeared in boy's mind, and he tried to push it away, but Sauron and his shadow noticed that right away.
"You shall soon enough" Annatar announced when he put the bucket beside the copper ring. He turned his gaze to molten palladium. Right on time.
"My question." Smith said while approaching the furnace. "When you spoke about your associates weapons, I heard a quiet note of envy" He reached into the furnace with his pincers. "Which implies that your weapon is in some way worse than theirs." His pincers grabbed the bucket with white liquid. "What weapon do you use?"
"A sword." Jaune answered while Annatar carried the bucket. "Corcea Mors"
"Yellow death?" Annatar put the bucket on the anvil. "A unique name. Is it an old sword?".
"It... belonged to my grandfather" Arc said and left a sigh. "And also to his grandfather."
He was more than ready to take on the mockery. In Beacon, after hearing what weapon he use, other students either mocked him or laughed, his friends tried their best to not embarrass him. And he expected the same reaction from the Smith.
Instead, Annatar smiled joyfully.
"The family heirloom!" He said with admiration. "Do you have it with you by any chance?"
"No, I left it at Beacon." Jaune answered, surprised that someone aside of Ruby showed interest in Corcea. "I could summon it, but unjustified use of the locker would cause me troubles in school. Sorry." He added after seeing Annatar's disappointed face.
"Shame, I would love to see such a fine blade." Annatar started to make a form on which he will pour out gold and palladium.
"But, it's just sword!" Arc persisted. Although he was more than happy that this guy didn't make fun of him, he couldn't believe in such reaction. "You know, just regular sword, with no guns or anything! It's completely normal and all."
"Yet your ancestors used it to write the history itself." Annatar prepared his finest hammer for task. "Only few blades could achieve such honor." He looked at the boy. "While weapons of the other students still need to write their legacy, you already have one in your hands. And that made it worth more than thousand weapons you may encounter in the BEacon Academy."
Jaune looked sideway, not convinced at all. He loved Corcea without the doubt, but when he compered her to Crescent Rose or Magnhild...
'Everyone has better weapon than me' another stray thought appeared, and he quickly pushed it away.
"There is no shame in wielding an old weapon, for it is manifestation of your family's legacy. And in dire need, your ancestors shall aid you through it." Annatr prophesied, then looked at all the components right before him.
"But now, we can start creating your ring" Annatar announced when he picked the large crystal - a lapis lazuli. - And put it on the anvil. "There is, however, one crucial detail."
"Which is?"
"In order to create something truly magnificent, we need to work closely together." Annatar waved for him to come over.
"You... don't expect me to use your hammer, do you?
"No." Annatar said dead serious, and Jaune left the sigh of relief. "Your task is far more delicate." Annatar took his best hammer out of the stove. "For the ring must be filled with power."
Jaune frowned hearing this, his body yet again screamed to run.
"Umm, what kind of power exactly?" Annatar turned to face him, his magma eyes shining with the flames.
"Just follow everything I say."
Yang delivered a devastating paunch to the man's stomach, but before he fell his companion swinged his fist at her.
She blocked the strong hit, swift left hook to the jaw and her assailant stumbled backwards, trying his best to not collapse.
Deciding to help him reach the ground faster, Yang low-kicked with her right leg, sweeping himfrom his feet.
Hearing someone approaching rapidly from behind, she threw her head back, headbutting the attacker.
A cracking sound could be heard and muffled scream, but she didn't stop there.
She swiftly turned on her feet towards the man, struck his stomach, face and chest in rapid succession, then with one powerful right uppercut she sent him flying across the club.
Then another assailant landed a hit on her face, but she didn't stagger, instead delivered a mighty right jab in return.
She was like a force of nature - hits landing on her had little to no effect, she didn't even bothered with blocking most of the paunches. Her attacks and counters, on the other hand, always had a devastating effect. Much to SDPS troopers horror, she never stopped smiling during the fight, sometimes even giggled, even after one of them smashed the table on her head.
This gave them an impression that she didn't even treat this fight seriously.
Blake, on the other hand, was far different story
Blake dodged another fist, countered with quick strike to the liver, making her attacker lose his breath, then finished him by hitting his neck with palm of her hand.
She struck with her left elbow another man who tried to sneak behind her right between the eyes, blinding him for a moment.
Now blind, SDPS soldier started to throw paunches around in hope of hitting her, but she was already upon another foe, and instead he struck his fellow soldier passing by.
Blake was the definition of "fighting dirty" - She jumped around, bounced from her enemies, dodged their blows, struck livers, scratched eyes, always targeted their weak spots to incapacitate her foes as fast as possible and move to the next. She fought for years against far better equipped and armored robots and droids, and developed efficient fighting style to deal with them.
Another soldier threw his right hand, but Blake dodged again, and before he could retract his arm, Black Panther stabbed it right in the middle of it.
To the man's shock, he found out that he now can't move his arm at all. Before he could retreat, swift attack towards the neck instantly incapacitated him.
She looked at the small group of SDPS, and they put one step backwards, shocked by sheer ferocity and ruthlessness. Unlike Yang, she didn't smile, her face was like stone. But her eyes were reminiscent of the prowling Panther.
She won't kill, that's for sure. But she will hurt them.
Badly.
"Heads up!" They heard Yang, and before they could withdraw or jump away, one of their companions crushed directly into the group.
"I see you are having fun Bella!" Yang waved to her, and Blake just scoffed. Before she could reply, another female tried to attack seemingly distracted Yang.
A very bad move.
Twisting her hips, Yang smashed her fist into the attacker, throwing her with speed of a cannonball, which hit two soldiers further back.
Blake ducked under the fist, pulled a spare ribbon out of her hidden pocket, wrapped it around her attacker's hand, and before he could react, she slide between his legs, and pulled the ribbon.
He slammed the floor head first, a large crack appeared upon the impact. Just when Blake tried to retract her weapon, one SDPS grabbed her around her waist.
"Get her!" She yelled to her companion while Blake scratched and trashed in the attempt to free herself, and he quickly picked up the nearest chair.
"Hold still!" He yelled and swinged his weapon.
But before he could land hit, she suddenly disappeared, leaving only the shadow clone.
"What the..." Woman was able to say before the chair smashed against her skull.
Blake appeared above the chairman, landed on his shoulders, wrapped her spare ribbon around his neck and started to choke him.
"Together you idiots! Fight together!" Harrigan screeched. "There are just two of them!"
One of the soldiers heavily landed right before his Rittermeister, and before he could utter a protest, Nick raised him up from the ground and kicked him right back into the fight.
"Are you really this pathetic without your armors!?" Tiny man started to tear out his own hair, but suddenly, a jovial laughter caught his attention.
Cartez laughed out loud seeing SDPS soldiers getting beaten up by teenage girls.
"Get them guerreras!" He cheered when Yang turned another enemy into a perpetuum mobile.
"On which side are you on!?" Nick lashed out in fury while Cartez continued to laugh when Blake's ribbon struck another soldier like a lash.
"Cartez is on your side in case of an assault" He replied with a wide grin, lifting his glass full of tequila.
"Then do your job and get them!" Nickolaus yelled at Vacuan mercenary, who now drank his tequila slowly, savoring its taste.
"Cartez won't participate in the unfair fight you started unprovoked" Mercenery replied. "Cartez put that clearly in his contract." And Nick screeched in higher pitch.
"Contract states you MUST protect..." But Cartez rose his finger to hush him
"'Protect' means 'defend', not 'aid you in unfair battle you start'." Cartez continued to taste his drink, seemingly disinterested while another scream full of pain could be heard from the group fighting Blake.
But in reality his eyes were fixated on one of the two girls. "Besides, Cartez thinks you handle them pretty well."
Just when he said that, with a loud scream, female soldier landed on the table, smashing it to splinters. Cartez laughed out loud, admiring the Golden Dragon's strength, yet little disappointed at her lack of form.
"Very well indeed" He added and upon hearing it, Nick clenched his teeth in uncontrollable rage, and kicked his own unconscious soldier.
One soldier tried to tackle Yang, but she didn't even stagger when he slammed against her.
"Ole!" Yang smacked his face, sending him spinning across the club, but another man tackled her right hand, second grabbed her left, both keeping her in place for the third one to land a hit on her face.
Fourth one wanted to join the pile, but well aimed bottle struck him right in the head.
"Bar fight!" Mav cheered, threw another bottle which struck back of the head of another SDC soldier who tried to attack Blake from behind.
Soldier rose his right fist to strike Yang again, but suddenly a black ribbon wrapped itself around his hand.
Blake pulled her ribbon, throwing the guy out of balance, and giving Yang time to free herself. And Xiao long used that time well.
In the incredible feat of strength, Yang was able to overpower two soldiers holding her arms and smashed all three together.
"Not bad for bunch of assholes!" She praised them while they collapsed on the floor, groaning all the way down. She looked at the remaining SDPS stormtroopers circling around and rose her guard up.
Blake leapt right to her and now both girls were standing back to back while Soldiers slowly started to surround them.
"Relentless, aren't they?" Yang jokingly commented.
"Any funny ideas?" Blake asked in turn, dead serious as the remaining guys finally realized that they still outnumber them five to one.
"How about we end it with style?" Yang asked, her partner looked at her briefly with risen eyebrow. "Just trust me, alright?"
And after a second, Blake nodded in the agreement.
"Get the reinforcements, now!" Nickolaus ordered one of his men who just got up after getting beaten to the pulp. With pained expression, he saluted, tried to run towards the door but tall figure blocked his path.
"Going somewhere?" Asked Goose before slamming his fist into the man's forehead.
Nickolaus looked at Goose, prepared a knife, but then noticed that his subordinates finally surrounded the Duo, but hesitated to approach them.
"What are you waiting for!? Get them!" He ordered, and, at first unsure, grenadiers started to tighten the circle, slightly confident in their number.
First four of them jumped on both girls, but got eliminated by quick hits in their faces and abdomens, next four attacked almost immediately after last hit was delivered. One with short dark beard almost hit Blake in the face, but quick kick between the legs send him onto the ground, kick of the second one almost connected but this soldier was send flying by Yang in last moment.
That left opening for the two targeting blond girl but Blake stooped it ramming into the white-haired guy holding table leg, he lost his ground and fell on his colleague.
But now both girls weren't in position to either attack last two opponents or to defend against them. In that moment Yang looked in Blake's eyes, both locked their arms together and by using momentum built up by their previous movements (and accelerated by their aura,) they made one full circle in the air, kicking last two crocks away.
And after that, the fight was over, all Stormtroopers were laying beaten up or unwilling to fight anymore, and their leader just stood there, not able to comprehend that he lost.
"Golden Dragon!" Mav cheered, and whole crowd went after her example.
"Now that was a warm up!" Yang said and turned to Blake with a wide smile. "I bet those guys never seen that coming!" Yang pat Blake's back. "It wasn't your first bar fight, was it?"
"Not quite." Blake replied. "But why…?"
"Because we are friends, silly! And nobody messes with my friends when I'm around!"
Blake looked into those lilac eyes, again feeling the surge of conflicting emotions coursing through her.
Like the time she met him for the first time.
She wanted to somehow comment this, but loud voice interrupted their moment.
"Dragón Dorada!"
Both girls turned to the merc, who just finished his drink, rose up from his chair and gave them a proud smile.
"Well fought, You gave Cartez a good laugh" Mercenary put off his glass and stretched his neck.
"Finally!" Nick commented with note of anger.
Blake immediately rose her guard and prepared to fight, but Yang put her hand down.
"Leave that to me." She whispered, then looked at the Mercenary and she stepped up towards him. "So, you want to tango, tough guy?"
"Si, Señorita." Cartez nodded while they started to circle each other. "Toro Dorado heard a lot great things about famous Dragón Dorada. And Cartez is more than willing to check these rumors himself."
"You always speak in third person? Little weird." Yang rose her guard up.
"Cartez doesn't understand what do you mean." He rose his fists too.
Hammer fell like a thunder, smashing against the gold with strength.
There was something in how Annatar wielded the hammer: His swings were both powerful and precise, each hit was strong, yet gentle. And with each swing, ring was getting formed.
While working, Annatar sung a nostalgic song only he could understand. About distant white shores, which he will never see again.
About the forge built under the light of two beautiful trees, forever gone.
He sung to the metal, which will become the ring, about the form it shall take, about the adoration it will receive from human stare, about the beauty it bring to this grim world. He pleaded to metal to allow itself to show him its essence, so he can give justice to its soul, and bring its magnificence to the light of the sun.
And metal sung back, eager to become what Annatar envisioned. Then it started to crave for an owner.
"Your part Jaune Arc." Annatar said. "Sing the song of your soul."
"I still can't believe that aura can work like this." Jaune said, trying his best to understand the lyrics of Smith's song.
"Stop thinking about the song, just think about who you are." Annatar said, trying to push boy's doubts away. And when he started to sing again about Undying Lands, Arc, at first uncertain, immerse himself in the smiths song.
And, much to his shock, his aura flickered and Annatar's voice now sung the tale about him. His past, his present, and his potential future.
"YES!" Annatar cheered in his mind as the boy finally used his inner flame.
Inside everyone is fragment of the Flame, which remembers the great song all Ainur sang at the beginning of time. Each song is different and unique, it grows with the owner, expands, interacts with music of others.
Humans can't see that of course, even the elves can't, no matter how hard they try. It is a gift only Ainur possess.
In other words, right now Arc allowed him to put into the ring fragments of his identity, without even realizing it.
Ring listened to the song about a caring man, who helps everyone in need, noble or poor alike,
Ring resonated with that, and gladly accepted the hammer binding this caring nature.
About the unwavering man, who fall time and time again, only to rise and fight yet again,
Ring allowed the hammer to add that unbroken will.
About a helpful man, who will make friends wherever he goes, and fight for them until he breaths his very last.
Hammer bonded the ring with loyalty to his owner.
As they continued the work, Arc saw various moments from his life unfolding before his eyes.
He remembered the day when his dad told him about his grandfather, about when he held the mountain pass for four days straight against tide of the Grimm to allow people to escape with their lives. About his great grandfather, who defeated the legendary Long Tusk, enormous Goliath which was able to trample entire cities.
The inspiration he felt that day still burns in him, driving him to pursue the career of the Hunter.
Annatar saw that too, and with another strike of the hammer, added that to the ring. And the ring responded to that with joy.
But then, while singing about the Arc's family, his voice broke, a false note appeared unwelcomed and undesired.
Thoughts of his father brought Jaune a particularly painful memory, and forced him to relive the day when he told him he is leaving for Beacon.
"Don't be afraid to go back if you fail. You will always have home here."
Why he said that!? He wants to be a hero! He NEEDS to be a hero! Why he doesn't believe in him!?
"Control yourself." Annatar scolded, snapping Arc out those thoughts.
"Sorry." Jaune tried to yet again attune to the song, and after a short pause, Annatar resumed his work.
Shadow laughed in silent mockery. This human's obsession for being a hero is so… adorable.
Hidden deep inside, he tries to hide it from all, but it festers like a thorn, and serves as great foundation for… other emotions.
Shadow knows how to bring out the worst aspects of humanity. How to corrupt something once pure.
It started to sing it's discord…
Yang charged first, shortened distance between her and the mercenary, swung her fist against his face, but they got smashed against his guard, pushing him back few inches.
He countered with precise right jab, striking her face, but she didn't flinch.
She tried few swifts attacks against his stomach, he blocked each of them, then delivered upper hook.
Yet again Yang's face got hit, she clenched her teeth in irritation and tried to respond in kind.
Right hook, left hook, right low kick, each blocked.
"Stop defending like a wimp and start fighting!" Yang taunted when her right fist was once again blocked by merc's guard.
"Then stop treating Cartez like a mere crook!" His left uppercut smashed against her stomach, she got dizzy for a second, long enough for merc to unleash a barrage of blows.
Blake looked at the fight with a bad taste in her mouth. That guy is not as strong as Yang, but his combat stance is way better than her's, and he certainly has experience in an actual fight.
After receiving more than few blows, Yang grabbed the incoming right fist with her left hand, then tried to counter with right hook, but merc grabbed her hand in a steel grip.
He pushed her hands to the sides giving himself an opening, pulled his head backwards, and launched it forward, delivering a devastating headbutt.
Crowd flinched after that blow.
Yang stumbled backwards, trying to shake the dizziness away.
"You should always keep your guard up, Señorita!" Cartez said before another blow hit her right between her eyes, sending her flying back a few meters.
"Do you need help?" Blake asked as Yang landed heavily just before her.
"No." Yang replied while slowly raising up, all playfulness disappearing from her face and her lilac eyes glowed in red. "That guy is just lucky." She stared down slowly approaching mercenary.
"Does Cartez has your full attention?" He asked almost nonchalantly.
"Oh, you have now, Goldi Cow." She replied and smashed her fists together.
She again charged at him, but this time with such speed that the crowd observing barely registered that quick movement.
Cartez rose his guard up, but Yang punched her way through it, slammed her right fist against his chest. Then his stomach, then his chest yet again.
She ended her angry combo with a strong blow to the jaw, which pushed the mercenary back.
"Dragons BULLY cows." She taunted with a smug smile. "Not the other way around." and some people in the crowd even chuckled.
Cartez spit out some red saliva on the floor, and grinned widely after seeing Yang's angered stare, her lilac eyes turned to red.
"Finally! A serious fight!" He said that with almost childlike joy, then tore his green T-shirt in one go, revealing his muscular torso marked with even more dents and scratches. He then smashed his fists together and right before everyone's eyes, his whole body - skin, black hair, short beard. - all turned to solid gold.
"Wow." Mav whispered to Blake. "This guy is jacked."
Blake didn't respond to that verbally, only nodded in agreement, instead focusing on his battle marks, which were incorporated into his golden "armor".
"With his body being to turn into metal no wonder why his scars were unusual."
"Already going Super Saiyan?" Yang asked with a smirk.
"Cartez see no reason to hold back anymore." Mercenary replied. "And Cartez hopes that daughter of Raven will do the same."
Yang's eyes turned lilac for a moment.
"Wait, you know my..." She wanted to ask but Cartez closed distance between them in one jump, punched her face, blow rung like a church bell.
"Don't get distracted now, la amiga!" Cartez scolded, pressed the attack, and after short moment of shock, Yang started to match his blows, her fists smashing against his metal body like a hammer against the anvil…
Another strike of the hammer against the ring.
Annatar's voice started to break, his once great song became less and less harmonious.
Each time when Annatar brought up another good aspect, something twisted his words.
He sung about a wicked men, who will cheat and lie his way to greatness.
Jaune tried to push away the guilt, remembering as clear as the day how he forged that transcript in his home, how he was meticulously crafting the prompt for the 3D printer to make the official seal, as well as making all the documents he needed to join the Beacon Academy.
He knew that when he submit those documents, there will be no turning back. But he was confident – in Beacon, he will prove to everyone that he is capable…
Annatar tried to bring something good from that – a great attention to detail, a careful planning, but the dark emotion still crawled its way into the ring.
No matter. He can work with that. Damage is done, but is not severe.
He tried to change the tide of dark emotions, to redirect it on another path.
Now, Annatar sung about the righteous man, who is not afraid to stand up for others…
With a laugh, Shadow once again pulled the string…
…About a coward who sits by when injustice is served.
Jaune was once again in the cafeteria, and watched how Cardin abuse the faunus student while his past self looked away, ignoring the issue, pretending like nothing is happening.
"You freaky animal should remain in the forest." Cardin said with a wide grin. "Along with other of your kind!"
Oh, how much Jaune hated this dumb brute, his arrogant posture, his cruelty. But, just like others, he remained silent while he abused those weaker than him, fearing that he will become the target.
He tried to explain that to himself – that he is too weak to stand up against him, that he will just make it worse.
But he couldn't hide anymore: He is a coward. He wants to be a hero like his grandfather, yet is afraid to stand up against a bully? He felt… powerless. Meaningless.
He HATED that.
Wrath and Hate crushed its way into the ring, giving it might, while Shadow triumphed.
Perhaps there will be something useful from that human…
In desperation, Annatar yet again tried to change the topic, and sung about boy's potential future:
About ambitious man, who strive for greatness against all odds…
But Shadow wasn't fooled, and twisted the words once more, delivering a devastating blow.
About arrogant man, who think he is as good as those already accomplished…
Jaune found himself between the lockers in Beacon, just to witness himself, Weiss and Pyrrha talking to each other.
"This is Pyrrha." Past-Weiss said.
"Hello again!" Red head said.
"Pyrrha graduated top of her class at Sanctum!"
Shadow grinned hearing that while Jaune looked at his feet. She was the best in her school, while he…
"Never heard of it." His past-self replied.
Past-Weiss scoffed at him.
"She's won the Mistral Region Tournaments four years in a row! A new record."
Shadow took a great look at the champion, then compared her to the boy beside him. It was unimpressed.
Then it pulled another string.
"She is already a champion while I am… nobody." Thought appeared in boy's mind
"The what?"
Weiss waved her hands in anger, losing it to Jaune's ignorance.
"She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box!" She yelled, and finally, past-Jaune realized to who is he talking to.
Shadow wasn't sure how to respond to that statement, concept of "cereal box" completely alien to it.
Jaune looked at his feet, not wanting to listen to this anymore.
"So, after hearing all of this, do you really think you're in a position to ask her to be on your team?" Past-Weiss asked, and both his past self and he replied in unison.
"I guess not…"
Shadow waved it's arm, changing the scene to something more embarrassing…
Shameful…
Pathetic…
Annatar watched in horror as his harmonious work turns to disarray, how whirlwind of dark emotions makes its way into his perfect creation, filling it with primal might…
Jaune tried to cover his head as Cardin pinned him to the ground…
He then tried to free himself when Pyrrha's javelin pinned him to the tree…
He then was yet again threw away after stumbling into Deathstalker's den like an idiot.
He felt again how powerless he is.
How meaningless he is.
With a mocking laughter, Shadow burrowed it's way into the ring like a worm, and Annatar roared in anger, roar so primordial and rage filled that Jaune passed out just when the reflection of him with pitch black eyes looked at him with disgust.
"Who do you think you are?"
Left hook, right uppercut, Yang struck against the merc repeadetly, each blow against his golden skin sending sparks of fire.
Cartez backhanded her, pushed her back a little, then grabbed her by her shoulders and headbutted her.
Crowd watching frowned when it happened, then looked away as second headbutt was delivered.
"This is gonna..." Goose commented before third headbutt impacted Yang. Loud clang echoed through the club. "...Hurt."
In the attempt to retake Control of the fight, Yang grabbed hands holding her and proceed to crush them with unimaginable strenght.
Cartez sceamed in pain as cracks appeared on his fingers, let her go, and she used this oppurtunity to grab his left arm and right leg, lift him above herself and threw to the ground.
Floor cracked under such impact, but she wasn't done. As Cartez tried to rise up, she jumped on his back, hitting it's center with her knee, then started to hit mercenery's head, smashing it against the floor, each strike deepend the hole Cartez was in.
"The last time I remember Yang wouldn't be able to take that beating." Mav commented, then looked at Blake. "How is she able to stand after such punches?"
"It's her semblance." Blake said as Cartez struck Yang with his elbow, shook her of from his back and backhanded her with such might that she flew away, bouncing once from the floor.
"She absorbs the kinetic energy which she later uses to empower her own attacks." Blake explained while Yang rose on her feet, clenching her teeth. Blake saw the exact same scenario during their training sessions in Beacon - her opponents tried to overpower her with strenght alone, only to receive a devastating counter and lose the match.
"So it is basically 'stop punching yourself' kinda thing?" Goose inquired.
"To put it simply, yes."
Mav whistled with amusement as Yang again smashed her fists against one another, her hair was briefly set ablaze while Cartez roared on top of his lungs and charged.
"That's hella useful." She said and Blake nodded.
"How long exactly she can absorb this?" Goose asked as Yang prepared to tackle the charging Golden Bull, who picked up more and more speed.
"I guess as long as she has aura left." Blake replied. "Or until someone knocks her out."
"Good luck with that." Goose laughed, knowing how tenacious and resilient his friend is.
She couldn't help herself but theorize two possible ways of defeating Yang in single combat - first is to drain her aura in one strike, and probably only Pyrrha is capable of that, and second is to attack her with not a particulary strong, but numerous and precise strikes to drain her aura over time.
"There is one downside though." Blake added and Mav and Goose turned to her.
Golden Bull picked so much speed, lowered his head and Yang too late realized that Cartez does not want to tackle her. Instead, like a rampaging bull, he rammed into her, sending her flying at least seven meters into the air.
With impressive footwork Vacuan turned his body, stopped in place, jumped into the air like a professional basketball player, and before Yang landed, he punched her mid-air.
She smashed through tables and chairs, then slammed against the wall, fell down and both wood and parts of stone wall fell all over her.
"She feels every blow she takes..." Blake tried to remain calm, but her voice showed that she is worried.
For few moments, nothing moved under the pile of bricks, and crowd started to whisper between one another.
"Xiao, c'mon! Beat his ass!" Someone from the crowd yelled.
"Don't back down just now!" Another person added,
Nickolaus grinned disgustingly from his spot.
Mav just blinked in shock.
"Did she just..." She wanted to say but Blake didn't listen, instead run towards the pile of debris. After short moment of hesitation, Goose decided to run too and put himself between the Golden merc and the pile.
Cartez looked at the hidden balcony, rose his eyebrow in unspoken question, and woman in white mask remained motionless. He nodded, understanding what he needs to do.
Blake threw stone after stone, trying to reach Yang as fast as possible, fearing that her partner just lies there, half-conscious and with her aura running low.
"You shouldn't care." Her inner thoughts told her. "She is your partner out of..."
"Screw that!" Blake said out loud and continued digging. It doesn't matter if she wanted to be have partner in Beacon or not, it doesn't matter that Yang's carefree attitude can be annoying and her puns are just bad, she just... can't stand by and watch.
"Cartez knows you can do more than that, Dragon Dorada." Blake heard as merc slowly approached, and reached for her spare ribbon, ready to fight while Goose rose his hands.
"Come any closer and you will lose your teeth." Goose tried to threaten, yet his voice betrayed that he is scared shitless. Luckily for him, Cartez just gave both of them an unamused look.
"Daughter of such famous Huntress is more than capable of fighting better." He stated.
Blake heard and felt growing rumble under debris and Goose watched in amazement as wood and rock starts to rise up.
"Don't bring shame to her name, el niño."
Blake jumped away as the pile exploded in flames, scattering it everywhere, and from it, like a Phoenix, rose a Yellow Flame, which launched itself at the Mercenary.
"Holy shit!" Goose's instincts kicked in, he jumped away from the trajectory of the comet.
Cartez rose his guard in the attempt to block the incoming blow.
But Yang, literally a fireball at the moment, struck him so hard that he flew back despite his confident stance, bouncing from the ground, pieces of gold flying across the club.
He quickly rose up, looked at his hands, now covered in shattered gold, then at furious Yang, who rushed towards him with fury in her red eyes.
"Don't you DARE speak about shame!" She yelled and threw another punch at him, he barely had time to rebuild his armor.
Although her aura flickered slightly too, she had more than enough steam to beat the shit out of him.
Cartez grinned seeing her rage.
"There she is." He said as Yang was again upon him, hitting him square in the jaw.
Blake was left speechless. - it was the first time she saw Yang THAT angry. Sure, she quickly lose control at their training sessions, but to went full ballistic like this?
"Is speaking about her mother her tipping point?" She thought as Yang delivered earth-shattering blows, breaking the Golden armor piece by piece, but merc fought back, their blows clashed like a thunderstorm.
But then, Blake's six's sense kicked in, alerting her of danger. Her ears twitched under the bow, and her eyes searched for the source of the threat.
Someone was sneaking towards two combatants, combat knife in his hands.
Her eyes were now fixated on him, and like prowling Panther, she soon disappeared in the crowd and started to sneak towards the man.
Cartez swinged his left fist against Yang's hand at the same time as she swung her right.
Both fists impacted in the middle, and shockwave threw both combatants away from each other.
Both lifted themselves up, breathing heavily, and their aura now at the breaking point.
Cartez looked at his left hand, and whistled after seeing that gold protecting his hand, entire arm, and even half of his torso was gone. He tried to regenerate it, but found himself unable to do so.
"Well, well…"
"One more word…" Yang interrupted, trying to speak between breathes. "…And they will have to scrape you from the floor."
Cartez grinned after hearing that, rose his fists for final showdown, but his face suddenly turned from happy to enraged after he noticed something behind her.
Yang caught in corner of her eye a silhouette of a ghoulish man with a combat knife rapidly approaching her back.
Harrigan wasn't recruited to SDPS because he was smart, nor because he was a good leader. He was recruited because SDPS always look for opportunists, who lack morals and are more than willing to stab their foes in the back. And Harrigan, like a bloodthirsty rat, sensed the opportunity for such thing.
Although merc looked like he was winning, Nickoluas didn't rose that high in ranks by taking any chances.
He rose his knife high, it's electric dust came to life in sparks, and aimed for Blondie's cranium. Taking her aura to the account, impact should finally bring her on her knees. Then merc can deal with her, catch the Black Panther, and once again, Rittermeister will get his promotion.
But before his knife could connect, black ribbon wrapped itself around the knife and pulled it out of his grasp. With a shocked face he stared at the Black Panther, who pulled the knife to her and grabbed it.
Moments later Yang struck the Rittermeister right in the stomach, and before he could even scream, golden fist smashed his face.
Both powerful strikes threw Harrigan across the club, he bounced from the ceiling and terrified barman jumped away as he smashed into the stash of alcohol behind the counter.
Yang at first gave Cartez a surprised stare as he slammed his fist against his employer's face, fully expecting him to attack her while she was distracted. Before she could continue a fight, Golden bull retracted his armor.
"I yield" He stated, and Yang's eyes turned lilac again, yet she kept her guard up.
"Not doing some dirty trick, do you?" Cartez shook his head in denial.
"Cartez's ally attacked you while your back was turned. Continuing would be a shameful display." He grinned widely "But you gave Cartez a good fight."
"Likewise." She said as the security started to clear the things up. "About what you said. About my mom." He looked at him, her eyes turned red for a moment. "You really know something or you just know how to piss me off?"
"No, Cartez really met Raven Branwen couple of times." Mercenary said. "First being the Vytal festival all those years ago." His face brightened "Yeeaah, she gave Cartez a VERY good fight back there. But Cartez also met her after that."
He looked at Yang again as her eyes turned back lilac. "If you want to know more, then Cartez is more than happy to answer some of your questions before security politely tell the Golden Bull to leave this establishment."
Yang initially wanted to say yes, the opportunity of learning more about her mother was more than tempting.
"Perhaps, if she came here today alone and as predestined, got into fight with wrong people, she would talk with the Golden warrior for hours, learn few facts about her real mother, true reason why she left her, and about the One, who made the rift Melkor gladly used.
This would probably embark her on journey to whole other continents, wanting to discover the truth buried deep under the mountains made of iron and snow. Truth about the bargain between between the Immortal Queens.
Truth about the sacrifice of Summer Rose.
But stories are like the pair of trousers – There are always two ends."
Something itched Yang in back of her head, and turned to so her partner standing few meters away, clearly distressed about security.
"She had more than enough for today, first those creeps harassing her, now security will start asking questions."
"You know what, tough guy? Today is not about my mother." Yang said and gave him a smile. "But the next time we meet, I won't let you go so easily." Cartez laughed out loud.
"Cartez is more than sure of it, Dragon Dorada." He grinned while Yang approached her partner.
"Leaving already?" Mav sounded almost disappointed.
"Yeah, study and all that stuff." Yang replied.
"Study? You?" Both Goose and Yang chuckled while Blake gave her a confused look.
"I thought…" She wanted to ask, but Blond girl just shook her head.
"We will talk about it later." She said and both girls went to the exit.
Hades looked from the hidden balcony and then at a woman with white mask.
"Don't bother them." She ordered and rose from her seat. "And make sure that SDC won't cause any more ruckus here, and to them."
"I am not sure what do you see in that girl Persephone." Man said as the woman walked past him.
"Does it matter to you?" She asked, and he shook his head in denial.
With a single slash of her blade, red portal opened before her.
"Make sure that merc is paid well." She said. "And tell him to watch after her."
"Sure thing ma'am" He replied and Woman in the white mask crossed the portal.
Sun slowly rose above the horizon, and Blake was more than glad to welcome the sunlight warming her skin. And, above all, she was more than happy to finally leave this place.
All these loud music or bright lights are not her vibe, and encountering SDPS wasn't one of the most pleasant experiences she had. But, much to her surprise, she couldn't say that was a waste of time. In fact, she enjoyed one part of it.
"Hey." Yang pulled her out of those thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"I hope you had some fun, despite the creeps."
Blake looked at her partner, and, after a short moment, smiled a little.
"Yeah. I had" She said, and Yang chuckled seeing that. "What?"
"You look way better with a smile." Yang gave her another wink and pulled something out of her pocket. "But we must hurry if we don't want to miss our first class."
Something clicked and nearby motorbike beeped, now unlocked.
"You really preplanned all of that." Blake stated, and Yang nodded with pride.
"Exactly."
Soon, both girls were raiding full speed through the empty streets of slowly waking city, towards the shining Beacon, guided by the sun.
And in that moment Blake looked at the back of her partner head, and decided that maybe, opening herself just a little won't be a bad idea.
Jaune slowly opened his eyes,
He felt like his whole body at the same time got heavier and lighter. His brain started to slowly pick up on things.
The song ended, which meant that the ring was finished.
"Oh Man..." He said, and a terrible pain rung inside his skull. "Is this smithing always that pain in the head?"
Annatar didn't even turn to face him, standing motionless near the anvil and obstructing the view of the ring. Jaune tried to look past him and get a look at the it.
"Is it finished or..." Like a wolf, Annatar jumped at him, and in a blink of an eye, Arc was pinned against the wall.
"WHAT DID YOU FORCE ME TO CREATE!?"
Jaune breathed rapidly, his heart pounded like crazy.
Annatar's face looked sharp, his teeth were wolf-like and his red eyes shined like he was mere inches from tearing Jaune's throat.
"I didn't do anything!" He tried to defend himself, but Annatar tightened his grip.
"Don't lie to me human!" He hissed like a snake. "I would never create such aberration!" he pointed at the anvil, and Jaune followed his finger.
On the anvil, there was a magnificent white ring with lapis lazuli on top. True, it was beautiful, but something was off, but he couldn't tell what, since his focus was somewhere else.
Perhaps on the enraged Smith.
"I really don't know what's wrong!" He repeated. "But the ring looks fine to me!"
Annatar let go of him, and Arc fell to the ground. As he left a relived sigh, he noticed Annatar picking a heavy, doublehanded hammer.
"Wait, are you...?"
"I will make another." Smith brushed him off and rose the hammer. "A Perfect one."
"No wait!" Jaune tried to plead, but nothing could stop the swing...
But Annatar held it mid-air, right above the ring.
He roared in rage and threw the hammer away.
"By the Flame I curse your rules once more!" He shouted into the air, and Jaune wondered what the hell just happened right before him. And Smith felt his confusion.
"It is a gift." He said begrudgingly, staring at the object with fury. "If It was a trinket, I would destroy it without issue, but because it is my gift to you, it's destruction is beyond my ability."
"But why do you want to destroy it? It looks good, really! Even if it's scratched a little..." He shut up after Annatar gave him a dirty look.
"Wear it on your finger and see by yourself." Annatar ordered.
"It's probably awfully hot..." Jaune commented, and Smith grabbed the ring, steam pouring from his bare hand, but he didn't flinch. After a short moment, all heat evaporated.
"Wear it, then pull it off quickly." Annatar handed him the ring, and Arc looked upon the white ring with lapis-lazuli with curiosity.
Maybe it was just an illusion, but something inside the crystal seemed to be pitch black.
He put the ring on his finger, then looked at the Smith.
And truly, he didn't feel any fear towards him, instead the Smith looked like it was he who is scared.
OFF HIM.
He pulled the ring off.
"What the hell man!?" He said.
"My ring was intended to empower, not strengthen!" Annatar said with anger.
"Isn't it the same thing?"
"NO!" Annatar yelled. "Each human is made of two parts: Soul, and the animal soul inhabits. Both aspects must cooperate with each other to ensure survival. And my ring would empower both."
He clenched his fists.
"But this thing will only strengthen the beast which hides inside you. It disrupts the balance. Make you lose control. Give you might that no human should possess."
Jaune looked at the ring and felt a soothing song from it.
"But it works." He tried to cheer him up. "I don't feel fear…"
"I intended to make you courageous, not brash." Annatar said. "Fear is a necessary component of every brave man. Without it, humans make reckless decisions which get them killed."
Annatar looked at him, his anger seemingly evaporated.
"Give it back to me, and I shall make you another, less powerful yes, but it will work as intended."
Jaune looked at the ring, and felt raw power of it, power he needs to finally become what he always wanted to be.
"But maybe that's exactly what I need?" He asked, and Annatar scoffed.
"You really want to gamble your life on it?"
"I already did." Jaune answered and showed the ring to the Smith. "And without it, I will lose everything. Like you said."
Annatar stared at him for a long time in silence, but this time, Jaune didn't back down from that stare.
"Wear it only when you really need it." Annatar finally said. "Don't wear it during sleep. And while you wear it, don't trust yourself."
Jaune nodded in understanding.
"Now leave!" Smith ordered in harsh tone. "And come back after a week. I will have better one prepared in exchange for this defect."
With snap of his fingers, way out opened before the teenager, and Jaune hurriedly left the forge, leaving Annatar alone inside.
Smith looked at the fires, slowly dying out, clenched his fists and the flames suddenly rose back up, fueled solely by his rage.
He picked up the hammer once again, then bars of steel and started to create the first piece of the armor – the horned helmet, which he will fill with all the hatred he felt at the moment.
Then he made a spiked Chestplate.
Then Heavy gauntlets.
Then Armored boots.
All filled with raw might to the core.
He then opened up the safe with all his money, grabbed some lien and left the forge without saying a word.
Sun slowly rose above the horizon, but Jaune didn't care, instead focused on his new belonging.
"Lose control." he muttered. "Just don't wear it during sleep, classes and bathroom and I should be fine."
Since his focus was entirely focused on the ring, he didn't notice how sun revealed that two shadows trailed from his back. But made him realize something else.
"The class!" he yelled, hid the ring the pocket and started to run to the airport. Maybe if he was lucky, he will reach to fastest transport and don't miss the first class of the day entirely.
Shadow grinned and hid himself behind the boys shadow, deciding to stay dormant for now.
To learn more about the world surrounding it.
But, to its absolute delight, human was more than promising.
* One day, both Malachite sisters came to him with a task from Junior, and during conversation, Melanie jokingly said that Annatar is on his "Sigma Male Grindset".
This greatly offended him - How dared she call his smithing "a grind"? And why 'seven male"? It doesn't even make sense!
Authors note
I wrote it before the fireworks!
It took me a lot of time true, and it is probably a longest chapter I wrote until now.
I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.
Fun fact: I thought I would be able to finish it shortly after Christmas.
I think I will get a short break after Sauron encounters...
In response to Teo Char:
Remember, for milennia Sauron had to work with various abominations, such as orcs of all shapes and sizes. True, he would not like Faunus, but he don't like humans either since he already sees them as imperfect mongrels, and both in comparison to orcs... you get the idea.
As for "Proft focused SDC is a story of one generation" - A lot of bad sh*t can happen during one generation. Especially with a man without moral code on top.
Jacques may claim that he is simply apathetic to Faunus and pays them the same as to humans, but since he is also greedy asshole and don't care about anyone, he is also aphatetic to the cruelty.
If it means more profits.
As for Faunus serving as weiters and servants - isn't it a perfect deniability? "I can't be racist, I employ them too! Just don't ask what happened in Vacuo last year."
I will tackle this side of the story more in the future, in chapters more focused about the Heiress.
In response to The knight in dark flames
The ring was given to the white knight,
And the shadow took hold inside his heart...
You can't for more? I will do my best!
In response to ArcronDK
Thank you very much man, appreciated!
It will take more than few chapters before I reveal what is gonna happen to Jaune, but it's gonna be big, and certainly interesting.
I wish you all Happy New Year!
DJ out!