Chapter 7

The Cave

On a coastal road on the northern coast of Vale, a white carriage was bouncing towards its destination. Inside the carriage were Weiss, Pyrrha and Jaune. Weiss was feeling excited as she thought of the possibilities that could be waiting for them. But she was also worried that they would find only something worthless that would not help them. She didn't want to imagine a lecture she would receive from her father. She had had to convince her father that this would be worthy of looking into, so he would cover the costs of the trip. Weiss shook these doubts off her mind and tried to think off the positive side of the trip. She got to see the countryside of another nation, and she'd possibly get to explore ancient ruins. Or at very least a cave. Warmer weather didn't hurt either. Even though they were heading for caves and there was a possibility of getting dirty, Weiss was wearing a white coat and dress, but she had gotten better shoes for this occasion than her high heel ones. Weiss looked at Pyrrha and Jaune who were sitting opposite of her, Jaune looking pale as he had been the whole time when they had gotten to the highway. Pyrrha was gently patting Jaune's back. Pyrrha was wearing a dark red coat and brown boots. She had also brought with her her spear and shield. Weiss could see that they were top quality. Weiss herself had brought her rapier. Jaune had brought his family sword and shield.

"So…Jaune, how much longer?"Weiss asked the pale boy, who looked like he would throw up at any given moment.

"I….think….not…much….oh, I am gonna die", Jaune groaned. Weiss shook her head and leaned out of the window to see how it looked outside. One their left. Endless spruce forest. Far ahead she could see something looking like a house.

"Well, it seems that you are right. There seems to be a house far ahead", Weiss said as she got back in. Jaune was practically out cold as he laid his head on Pyrrha's lap. It didn't seem to bother redhead, who just smiled and petted Jaune.

After another fifteen minutes of driving they got to the yard of a cottage. Once they got out, they looked around. On one side, forest continued as far as one could see and on the northern side, they saw a path leading towards cliffs and sea.

"How are you holding Jaune?" Pyrrha asked as she helped Jaune get back on his feet. Jaune grinned before rushing to the edge of the forest to throw up.

"I guess he will live", Pyrrha said and turned towards Weiss. "It would seem that no-one has been in here for some time".

"Yes. Didn't Jaune say that this used to be his grandfathers?", Weiss said. Pyrrha walked to the front door and knocked a few times. No answer. Jaune soon stumbled to them.

"Unless something has changed, there should be a key somewhere…"Jaune said and began looking under stones surrounding the house. After a few minutes he found it and opened the door.

"I suppose we should wait until morning before we go search in that cave", Weiss said and the driver got their luggage in. Jaune and Pyrrha nodded and they settled in for the night.

Next morning after having a simple breakfast, they head down the path to the cliffs. They took their weapons with them, rope, climbing wedges and hammer. Jaune led them to the cliffside and after walking for ten minutes, they stopped.

"This seems to be the place but...it looks like the easiest path has been eaten by the waves", Jaune said pointing down a steep path. Said path was cut from the middle and it left ten meters in between them and ledge at the mouth of the cave.

"Is there another way to get there?" Pyrrha asked.

"I don't think so…at least we never found any as kids", Jaune said and looked at sharp rocks below them, where the sea beat the rock wall.

"So, any ideas ladies?" Jaune said as they backed away from the edge. Weiss looked at their equipment and then her comrades, especially Pyrrha.

Weiss held an iron wedge in her hand, looking out at the entrance far across from her. "If only we could make a swing of sorts to cross, but we can't even reach the middle, let alone the other side."

Pyrrha, seeing the wedge had an idea and gently took it from Weiss's hand, picking the best spot she threw it at the center of the stone wall. For a moment the other two wondered what she was doing, throwing away an iron wedge like that, but then noticed it building up speed, once it made contact it began to rhythmically pound into the way as if with a mind of its own, trying to embed itself into the cliff.

Once it was firmly locked into the stone wall, Pyrrha lowered her hand. "That should do it. We should be able to swing across with the grappling hook.

Weiss blinked a few times after witnessing this.

"Oh….so you have….a semblance?" Weiss was able to say as Jaune began tying rope into a grappling hook. Pyrrha nodded, smiling a little awkwardly.

"Guess so. I just haven't mentioned it to you, have I?" Pyrrha said, as Jaune was done. And began spinning the rope and prepared to throw. Jaune sent a hook flying towards the wedge, missing just barely. He frowned and tried again. And again. Until the fourth time it hit and stuck.

"Got it. Who goes first?",he asked after tugging the rope to make sure it was secure.

"You two should go before me. I can catch the hook if it loosens suddenly", Pyrhha said.

"So, do you want to be first Weiss? You are our leader after all", Jaune said and offered the rope to Weiss.

"Well…",she said and looked at the wedge and the hook. "Are you guys sure it holds?"she asked, looking at Pyrrha, who smiled and nodded supportively. If any of us fall, I will attempt to catch them with my semblance", Pyrrha said.

"But I think it would be best to tie rope around our waist just in case",Jaune said. Weiss nodded.

"Fine. I will do it", she said and after tying another rope around her waist took a rope from Jaune and took a few steps back. She breathed a few times very deep to calm herself, as the idea of plummeting into sharp rocks and cold water under them wasn't very inviting. She then ran and jumped, holding tightly onto the rope as she swung across the cap between two edges. She was going so fast but as she approached the other edge Weiss reminded herself of Winter's teachings.

"Panic does nothing. Harness it. Let it serve you", Winter had said as she had taught Weiss to act quickly under duress. Weiss focused and as she was close enough, she realized she had to let go of the rope in order to reach the edge. She jumped and landed, bending her knees just like she had been taught. She stumbled two steps into the cave and slammed her hands into the wall to stop herself. She panted as she listened to her heart racing as she straightened herself.

"Well…that was exciting", she said smiling and walked back to the edge to wave at others to let them know she was okay. They waved back and after a few minutes all three of them had gotten to the other side, they entered the cave. Jaune first with his shield in left and lantern on his right hand, Weiss behind him and Pyrrha last shield and sword ready.

They walked slowly, watching every step as they advanced. Floor was uneven for most of the way but after some time and found the symbols Jaune had mentioned in the cafe. Stonewalls and the floor was made of dark blue and the symbols on the wall were golden. To Weiss they resembled hieroglyphs she had seen in her research material and other symbols of ancient civilisations.

"This is it. We didn't go any further than this as kids since we didn't want to get in any trouble…and also because this place gave me the creeps", Jaune said as Weiss wrote the symbols down on her notebook.

"This is great! We actually might find something worthwhile from here!" Weiss said very excitedly. Jaune pointed lanterns light forward. Tunnel seemed to continue quite deep underground.

"Well, let's hope that whoever made these tunnels built them to last", Pyrrha said as they continued. Path seemed to slope downwards. There were more and more symbols on the walls the deeper they got. Tunnels seemed to be in great condition, which was a relief. There didn't seem to be any signs about potential collapses, so keep venturing deeper. Hallway began making turns, but didn't split. They had no idea how long they were walking, but it felt like forever.

Eventually they arrived at the doorway, which revealed a big room. Or at least they assumed it was, since the light of the lantern didn't light the place completely. But what they saw was amazing in itself. Giant, double-edged sword, made out of something that looked like bronze. It stood in the ground, like it had been hit there. And in front of it, was a pedestal made out of the same blue stone as the walls and floors, except round piece of the same bronze-like metal.

"I…I don't know what to say", said Pyrrha as she looked at the giant blade before them. Jaune was so mesmerized that he didn't know what to say. Weiss was barely able to contain herself in excitement.

"This is incredible!" she shouted and rushed forward to have a closer look. "Jaune, bring the light closer! I want to see this completely!", she said as she walked closer. Jaune woke from his hypnotic-like state and stumbled forward. Pyrrha followed, but something was bothering her. She looked around the dark room, trying to spot what was bothering her as Weiss was observing and copying all marks on the pedestal into her notebook. On the pedestal was laying a disc of black metal, with golden edges and middle disc. On black part, there were even more symbols. It was about the size of a saucer.

"Yes! This is exactly like in the notes father gave me! This must be what he wanted me to find!" Weiss said happily.

"But…what for Weiss? What does this disc do?",Jaune asked.

"I don't know yet. But I am certain that it will help us and the kingdom!" Weiss said and reached for the disc. As she picked it up, the pedestal fell through the floor and the ground began shaking. They turned to look at the door they had used, but it was now sealed with a huge bronze plate.

"No! We are trapped!" Jaune shouted. They then heard steps. Behind them and when they heard it they all screamed. Walking towards them was a giant suit of armor, made of the odd bronze as the sword behind the now gone pedestal. Giant warrior was at least six meters tall, and looked like a Greek warrior, wearing a chestplate and Corinthian helmet. Its eyes glowed light blue in the dark room. It grabbed the hilt of the sword and pulled it off the ground without any effort. Then it aimed its eyes towards three adventurers, who could barely believe their eyes.

"What…the…heck….IS THAT?!" Jaune shouted as he drew out his sword, as did Weiss and Pyrrha.

"Whatever it is, it doesn't seem very friendly", Pyrrha said as the giant raised its sword. Group scattered into different directions and the giant blade hit the ground.

Leaping backward, Weiss dodged as the blade slammed into the ground, splitting the ground. Taking the opportunity Weiss lunges forward, climbing the slab of metal before piercing a corner of the golems armor. The construct with their free hand swipes at Weiss, knocking her back as she does a cartwheel to land on her feet.

Raising their sword once more they go to swipe before a rock dings off their head. Looking over to Jaune he is holding another rock, following his throw was Pyrrha lunging her weapon into the back of the colossus's knee.

Unphased, the monster swings back at Pyrrha, which she narrowly blocks with her shield. Sliding back Pyrrha watches as Weiss does an ensemble of quick slashes and thrusts.

The golem began picking up the pace, slashing at Weiss with a flurry of sword swings as Weiss narrowly and calmly dodged them all. Like an acrobat Weiss dodged and poked at her enemy until it caught her off guard, slamming a fist into Weiss's face.

Thrown back Weiss could see red over her left eye, looking up to see Jaune and Pyrrha blocking and dodging the constructs' attacks.

Something swelled within Weiss, a warmth or something that overtook her, granting her the courage and conviction to continue onward.

The Golem knocks away Pyrrha and Jaune as it turns back to Weiss. The two charge at one another when suddenly the monster swung downward.

Normally Weiss would have dodged but instead she deflected the large blade that would normally have ended her. Stunned, the construct swings once more as Weiss leaps atop the blade, running down its length before cutting their arm.

Flying from their hand the Golem was left without a blade as Weiss began to stare at the colossus. It ran at her, attempting to slam down on her with its fists before Weiss with gymnastic talent leaped up, taking but a moment to stare down at the construct before lunging down with all her might, piercing the armor at its heart before it collapses, slowly disintegrating into particles of light. Weiss panted and swiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Well….that happened" Weiss said and looked at her comrades. "You two alright?"

"Yeah….anyone up for a quick exit?" Jaune asked. Girls looked at one another and nodded.

"Yes. We have what we need. And father can send more people to dig around if he wants to",Weiss said and put the amulet in her belt bag and began to lead them outside. Towards the next adventure.