The darkness swirled around her flashes of green light flickered and moved in and out of sight, her head pounded her heart hammering inside her chest as her lungs begged from the sweet relief that oxygen would bring to her, slowly her vision began to return her world blurred and spinning as her eyes blinked open.
Ruby sucked in a breath her lungs quickly thanking her for the sweet oxygen that brought her relief as the world came back to her the dream no the nightmare had felt so real, she closed her eyes once more, she could still see it the eye, that glowing golden eye that shone in the darkness of her mind. Moaning in discomfort she rubbed her brow, attempting to soothe the sudden headache plaguing her.
Ruby let out a small groan as she rolled over her face contorting in discomfort as she pushed herself up to a sitting position 'Why is my bed so hard' she wondered as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, only now did she notice the definite change in her surroundings, silver eyes widened as they stared up at the endless stacks of books that stretched high into the acid green sky.
Looking down she quickly found what she thought to be her bed was in fact, a stone slab. Almost like some sort of sacrificial alter she had seen in one of those horror movies Yang and her dad had tried to hide from her when she was young. She could still remember the nightmares and spending at least a full week sleeping in the same bed as her sister, after her curiosity in watching them had backfired.
Panicking slightly, she called to her friends and sister "Yang, Weiss, Blake! Anyone" no response came.
"Ok Ruby, calm down, calm down. This is a dream it has to be a dream." she said. Sitting up she pushed herself off the slab only to hop back on as her bare feet met the almost frigid stone floor. Sighing Ruby slowed her breathing and did the most appropriate thing she could think off at the time, reaching up she pinched herself. Hard.
Ruby yelped slightly her Aura quickly numbing the slight pane now in her upper arm. "Ok, not a dream." Ruby said as she rubbed the sore spot on her arm.
Tentatively she stood up ignoring the slight discomfort the ground caused her and the pounding of her heart threatening to burst out of her chest, Ruby's eyes scanned the area she had woken up in searching for the one who had brought her to this nightmarish place or perhaps some means of protecting herself if they decided to come back.
Idly she wondered if this had something to do with the incident at the docks. Was this because of Torchwick, had she been kidnapped, had she been drugged.
She wasn't going to sit around and find out. Her eyes landed on a small dagger sitting on the stone table beside her held in a leather sheath and belt. It wasn't much in terms of defense but combined with her Semblance she could probably deal enough damage to incapacitate someone, or now that she looked at her surroundings again something.
Picking up the dagger surprised by its weight, pulling the blade from its sheath, her eyes scanned over the emerald green blade of what seemed to be an ornate dagger. "...Glass?" She questioned as she stared at the weapon in her hand, tapping it against the table's edge she was surprised it didn't shatter on contact instead holding firm. She slowly ran her finger over the blade's edge her Aura flared stopping the dagger from cutting into her skin.
"Whoa." Ruby said in surprise, quickly finding the blade to her liking after a few practice swings. Daggers weren't exactly her forte, overall, she preferred her sweetheart, but her dad and uncle had made her practice with a small blade when she attended signal seeing as without her trusty scythe the odds became quickly stacked against her in a fight.
Quickly securing the belt and dagger around her waist Ruby turned towards the exit staring down the dimly lit corridor. Taking a calming breath, she looked forward she was a huntress, well huntress-in-training. But that didn't matter if she could face down a pack of angry Grimm she could do this. Tentatively Ruby took a step forward followed by another slowly making her way down the corridor in front of her.
Following the twisting corridor passing a few of the squid-like lamps that seemed to just hover above the walkway, rounding the final bend Ruby came to a stop her eyes wide standing at the top of a stone stairwell she stared out over the almost never-ending sea of black water that churned and bubbled as something slinked below the surface, large intricate towers that dotted the strange landscape so high they seemed to disappear into the dark green sky.
"w-Where am I?" Ruby muttered as she stared out over the hellish landscape surrounding her. Whatever this place was, it was certainly not Vale or anywhere else she'd seen for that matter.
"I know where you are… You're here with me." A rather aged and soft voice spoke up, Ruby yelped backpedaling for a moment, pressing her back against one of the bookcases drawing her dagger, glancing around the side she looked down the stone staircase her eyes settled on a lone figure, his form slightly hidden behind one of the stone tables stacked with what must have been hundreds of books each varying in size and condition. While some looked almost brand-new others appeared ancient their covers rotten with pages long since reduced to ash.
Ruby's eyes scanned the man and his appearance, his body including the upper portion of his face was hidden beneath his hood and robe the sleeves and upper chest a sickly green while his pants boots and gloves where a dark gold, his face was similar to that of his voice, well-aged with a number of wrinkles present signifying his great age, his hands rested on an almost ancient ornate cane that seemed to support most of his weight.
"I-I'm sorry." The man began as he moved further behind the large pile of books. "I didn't mean to frighten you it's just; I haven't spoken to someone in so long. Please come out" He said rather meekly.
Ruby grip slackened on the dagger before she replied. "You first."
"...As you wish." he said, the gentle tapping of his cane filled the air as the elderly man made his way into the open. Slowly Ruby stepped out from behind the bookcase, keeping the dagger on hand she made her way down the stairs. Stopping a few feet across from the man she could now see his face fully. Where she expected to meet a pair of eyes she found a number of gauzes wrapped tightly around his eyes
'He's blind.' Ruby realized.
"Please put your weapon away... I mean you no harm." He said razing his hand in a gesture of peace towards the frightened girl.
After a moment she realized the dagger was still held tightly in her grasp gasping she quickly shoved the knife back in its sheath "s-Sorry." she said before realizing something "Hey, how did you know I was-"
"Armed." The man said before chuckling that soon developed into a wheeze taking a moment to catch his breath he said: "I may be old, child, but my ears still work fine." He said.
Laughing nervously Ruby reached back rubbing the back of her neck "Sorry" She repeated.
The man waved her off, a gentle smile coming to rest on his face "No worries." His expression quickly changed to one of concern. "What is someone so young doing in this dreaded place?" He asked.
Ruby laughter died 'That's what I want to know too.' She thought while looking off to the side for a moment, turning her head back to the man she asked " What... Where are we?"
"This... This is Apocrypha a place where all knowledge new and old from across the ages is hoarded, this place has existed far before the dawn of mankind, the knowledge held in this place is sought out by many but attained by only a select few." He said gesturing towards the landscape that surrounded them.
Ruby followed his gaze looking out over the endless world around her and the stacks upon stacks of books that surrounded the two of them. "So, it's a library?" She asked
"Simply put, yes" he responded. "But you still have not answered my question, what are you doing here young one. What is it you seek by coming here" He inquired, once again resting his weight on his cane.
"I don't know, I didn't even know where I was until you told me " Ruby replied, "The last thing I remember was this weird nightmare then I woke up here." The statement brought a stray thought to the forefront of her mind. 'How do I get home?'
Looking up at the man in front of her she asked: "Is there a way out?"
Idly the man's grip tightened on his cane as he looked off to the side in thought, before turning his head back towards Ruby "...Yes" He replied hesitantly "But it's far too dangerous for a young girl like yourself far, far too dangerous." he said shaking his head.
"Sir, please, I have to get home. Besides I'm a huntress I can handle it." Ruby said puffing out her chest slightly.
The man shook his head in disapproval deciding not to question whatever she meant by a huntress before sighing "I was like you once. Young, confident and with something to prove." He said causing a smirk to form on Ruby's face. "And because of that arrogance, it cost me my sight." Her smirk fell at his words.
Looking down he let out a deep sigh, shaking his head in disapproval once again "But… I will help you." he sighed.
"Really?" Ruby asked a spark of hope igniting in her eyes.
"Yes." He replied only for a red missile to barrel into his chest almost knocking the old man off his feet.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Ruby yelled out in joy.
"Shhh." He chastised, while removing the young girl's arms from around him, clearly uncomfortable with the contact "Keep your voice low, we do not wish to attract any unwanted attention." The man began making his way towards one of the corridors off to the side "Come, come. We have much ground to cover"
"Oh, right." Ruby said jogging up beside him.
"So." Ruby wondered as they walked side by side, the gentle tapping of the man's cane cutting through the silence. "I never really got your name. I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose." she said introducing herself to the strange man.
The man was quiet for a moment before turning his head to the young huntress in training and smiled, it was a gentle one but with something sinister hidden beneath it that the young Rose could not see. " I... I am Herma, Herma-Mora." He said.
/
Here he found peace, tranquility, content in the darkness that surrounded him something he was well acquainted with during meditation. A technique Amber had mentioned was used by Huntsmen and Huntresses alike as a way to channel and focus their Aura. For him, it was quite the opposite.
Those on Tamriel perhaps even here on remnant would consider the dragon blood a gift, but those with a better understanding knew this power for what it really was. A curse. "Dov Wahlaan Fah Rel. We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood… You feel it in yourself, do you not?" Mikael let out a slow breath as Paarthurnax's words echoed through his mind, the ancient Wyrm had been right.
His powers grew with each soul he absorbed, with ever Thu'um he mastered, with each enemy he defeated. As did the rage that festered within his soul, the part of him that screamed and writhed that demanded Man, Mer and now Faunus bend their knee to him, worship him for what he truly was. The part of himself he loathed with a passion, such a thing had isolated him from friends and family at times. This being one of the main reasons he trained alongside Paarthurnax, to put an end to it.
It had worked to some degree and over time those thoughts, those urges had vanished. The fire inside him quelled so to speak.
Banishing such thoughts from his mind he settled back into his peaceful trance. As the minutes ticked by, he felt something, a familiar and yet detested presence washed over him, images flashed through his mind a visage of Apocrypha the golden eyes staring down over the hellish landscaped and... a flurry of rose petals that blew past him, a lone figure clad in a red cloak standing before an alter the black book laid bare before her, pages upon pages of knowledge, that's text burned with an ethereal green light.
Mikael sucked in a breath his eyes snapping open. Steadying himself, taking a number of slow breaths calming himself. 'That was definitely a first.' Mikael thought while rubbing his brow, something was wrong something was very, very wrong. Taking a breath, he cleared his mind, but the vile presence still lingered. Turning towards the nightstand his eyes rested on the Black book, an ethereal green glow emanating from between the pages.
"No" He muttered his fist clenching tightly "Mora, what have you done?"
/
Ruby followed close behind Herma they had been walking for almost an hour navigating the twisting and seemingly endless hallways and passages, despite the man's lack of sight he seemed awfully familiar with his surroundings. Ruby couldn't help but wonder 'How long has he been here' She dared not ask or possibly bring up a rather unpleasant memory for the man. As they rounded the bend Ruby nearly cried out in warning out to grasp the man's sleeve as the pathway came to a sudden drop.
Before she could do so Herma came to a halt, Ruby stopping beside him. The aged man stared out over the acid lake bellow to the archway across from them that resembled a bridge of some sort connecting to one of the massive towers that lead up into the sky. "The bridge is out, are there any other ways across?" She asked turning her head to look at the man.
Herma turned his head slightly to the young Rose, smirking he turned to his left a pedestal sat a few feet away a large tomb lay open the lines of text moved and pulsed an eitheral green "Whoa." Ruby muttered as they approached it. "What is this?" She asked
"The way across." Herma said as he stood before the ancient tomb, several tendrils burst force from the pages causing Ruby to leap back in shock. slithering forth they constricted around the old man his body vanishing from sight the tendrils quickly returning to the pages.
"Herma!" she called out in shock looking to where the man once stood. Her eyes turned towards the book fear present in her gaze 'D-Did it kill him' she thought horrified by the event. Was it going to leap forth teeth beard and devour her like it did him?
"Ruby!" His voice called out turning her head she found the man standing across the lake in front of a similar pedestal to the one before her "Come, child, it's perfectly safe." he called out to her, as he waited for her to take the next step. Ruby turned her head back towards the book, glancing back to Herma the old man stood there a gentle smile on his face. "It won't hurt you there's nothing to fear." he said.
Taking a deep breath Ruby turned back towards the book taking a few steps towards it, the pages flashed an ethereal green the dark tendrils springing fourth moving towards her, she clenched her eyes shut as the first tendril wrapped around her a feeling of weightlessness washed over the young reaper as she stood rooted to the ground.
Slowly the feeling vanished as she felt the slick tendrils release her. Cracking her eyes open, a low chuckle emanated from her left she turned to find her guide standing a few feet away. Patting her on the shoulder he turned towards the large gate behind them, ruby not far behind. "What was that? h-How did we even do that" Ruby said in awe "We just teleported across the lake?"
"Tell me" Herma began" Have you heard the terms 'Books are a gateway to another world'" He asked as they continued into a rather large courtyard of sorts a large pillar shot up from the center of the room connecting to a number of platforms and the skylight above, at the base of the pillar were two statues resembling a large serpent resting in its jaws were two glowing orbs one a gentle blue, the other a light green similar to the sky above. Behind the pool was a stairway they split of to the left and right leading to the three platforms above.
"No" Ruby replied as she took in their surroundings 'Although it does sound like something Blake would say.'
"In Apocrypha, such a thing is a reality. Books you may find scattered across the landscape may be used to pass, or simply avoid any obstacles that may block your path. The ones we seek are known as black books, they are what allow one to come and go as they please and only a rare number have ever been found and used. "Herma explained to the young girl who listened intently.
"How? Are they magic or something?" Ruby asked the concept seemed a little far-fetched even to her but, after seeing all this she was willing to believe anything about this crazy place.
"Yes, these books contain ancient and powerful magic long forgotten by man." He explained, Herma stopped as a strange feeling washed over him turning back to the young reaper, Ruby practically vibrated as she stared at the mysterious book behind them, her silver eyes almost seemed to sparkle.
"So cool" She breathed.
"Ruby." Herma said breaking the girl out of her stupor. The man had come to a stop beside a small pedestal next to the gate. Ruby grimaced slightly from the sight of the apparent switch to activate the gate, three small tendrils extending out from the pedestal curling around a small glowing orb.
'Why does everything here, have to be related to tentacles.' She grimaced at the very sight of the disgusting mechanism.
"This is as far as I can take you on my own. The exit lies beyond this gate, but It requires two, to open. There should be a second switch above I will wait here you go on ahead. Be careful child." Herma said.
"Alright" Ruby responded
The young rose turned her head skyward scanning the upper levels. After a few minutes, her eyes landed on a small pedestal similar to the one beside her guide at least three stories up. It would take some time to loop around using the corridors, and in all honesty, she really wanted to leave, like right now. Ruby smirked shifting her stance slightly before disappearing into a flurry of rose petals.
Ruby sprinted up the wall focusing on not stumbling due to the uneven surface, as she reached the third level Ruby pushed off the wall boosting her jump with her aura "Made it!" she cheered as she landed on the platform, only to skid to a sudden halt tittering on the edge of yet another pool of ink-black water, backpedaling slightly Ruby turned back towards her objective.
Ruby jogged across the platform stopping in front of the pedestal staring at the plant, squid... thing, whatever it was.
"Umm, how do I." she wondered as she poked the small orb. Ruby quickly retracted her hand as the tendrils wrapped around the orb the outer shell of the urn closing around it before it descended back into the pedestal. Ruby took a step back admiring her hand work before realizing something.
"Ew!" She cried wiping her hand clean on her pants, yep washing them was the first priority when she got back. Actually, the first priority was a nice long shower then laundry. Ruby strolled over to the edge of the platform looking over the edge back at her companion below, only to find him missing.
"Huh?" Ruby said in confusion.
Suddenly the entire structure began to rumble, the skylight above opened outwards as the platform she stood on began to rise towards the opening, Ruby stumbled back at the sudden movement throwing her arms out to steady herself. The pool of black ink rippled as a structure began to rise from its depth, accompanied by a much larger tomb then the ones she had already seen.
Ruby jumped back in fright as the massive book opened on its own accord, the text moving across the pages glowed brightly as a single glowing green orb of fire rose from its pages, her eyes focused on the apparition, a dark fog flooding her mind accompanied by a strange desire. Her once bright silver eyes taking on a slight green hue, followed by a number of whispers some voices she recognized others remained a mystery while the rest were distorted and warped beyond recognition. Never the less, their objective remained the same.
"Take it~." One of the voices said sounding oddly similar to her sister.
"Know your true self~." Yet again, another voice pushing her on.
"Claim your birthright~. " Ruby found herself drawing closer to the pedestal as the voices continued to spur her on.
She continued on one foot after the other, before she came to a stop directly in front of the ancient tome, there she stood the orb of green fire reflected in her eyes as she slowly reached out towards it, a small unnatural smile creeping onto her face.
"RUBY!" The voice snapped the young reaper from her trance a feeling of nausea washing over her. Ruby fell to her knees grasping her head in agony the voices now culminated together as one screamed out in rage, shaking the very world around them.
"Nooooooooooooo!" The guttural voice bellowed.
An arm wrapped around her waist dragging her back from the pedestal her world spinning and quickly receding into darkness as the voice called out again. "The child is mine!" A monstrous roar echoed across the landscape as Ruby's world turned dark.
/
"YOL!" Mikael shouted, the burst of flames impacting the Luker scorching its carapace armor forcing it back a few steps. Mikael recognized Its massive form and armor plating and inwardly cursed a vindicator compared to the other creatures in Apocrypha he'd faced over time these were by far the worst, they were much stronger than their brethren and carried a higher resistance to Magicka.
The beast unleashed an ungodly roar spewing forth a fountain of tentacles towards the Nightingale. Mikael pulled the semi-conscious form of Ruby Rose into his chest diving out of the path of the abominations attack. Mikael's hand lashed out two Daedric daggers embedding themselves in the Lurkers chest as he slid across the stone floor.
The lurker brushed off the attack before charging forward, reeling its massive fist back to strike at the Dragonborn and Ruby. Mikael's spun around shielding her with his own body as the attack connected with his left side sending the Nightingale rolling across the stone floor his arms still wrapped tightly around the precious cargo in his possession.
Mikael growled pulling himself to his feet, as the Vindicator closed in once again for another attack. Mikael lashed pout drawing his ebony blade severing the best hand at the wrist the severed appendage dissolving into the black water it spawned from, its owner stumbled back roaring in agony grasping the bleeding stump. Mikael thrust his hand forward unleashing the raging inferno that burned brightly in his hand.
The flames washed over the Lurkers form blinding it for a moment, Mikael glanced back at Ruby who lay only a few feet away, her breathing had returned to normal as had her eyes she seemed to be recovering from Mora's influence, now he just had to get her out. Mikael turned his attention back to the Lurker charging forward he slid under a swipe from its arm slashing the opening in its armor around the knee slicing through its tendons.
The lurker stumbled forward falling to one knee. Mikael leaped onto the abominations back embedding his ebony sword into the creature's shoulder before thrusting a Stalhrim dagger into the nape of its neck, upon the initial strike the lurker rose up and began thrashing wildly as Mikael repeatedly thrust the dagger into its neck. thick trails of black ink like blood spewed from the wound, as the abomination desperately tried to remove the man.
Mikael thrust the dagger in one final time dragging it across the beast neck a fountain of black ichor spraying into the air, Mikael jumped off the Lurkers back panting heavily, the creature falling to its knees grasping at its throat as it collapsed, its body quickly dissolving into a pool of black ichor. Mikael retrieved his blade before returning it to its sheath, Mikael hissed in pain his hand grasping his side retracting his hand finding it stained red.
A subtle groan caught his attention Mikael turned to see Ruby roll onto her stomach attempting to push herself up. "Easy." Mikael said jogging over to her despite his wounds. "Take it slow" he advised while moving the girl into a sitting position.
Ruby gripped the side of her head in pain. "Professor?" She said looking up at him in slight exhaustion and clear confusion. "What's going on? H-How are you here?"
"That doesn't matter now, I'm taking you home. " Mikael replied.
The black pool rippled as a massive tendril rose from its depth casting a large shadow over the two. Mikael's eyes widened, shoving Ruby aside as he spun around drawing his blade. The massive tendril slammed into him throwing the Nightingale across the platform, his sword slipping from his grasp clattering to the floor. A void opened above the nightingale five more tendrils lashed out, four restraining his limbs while the fifth wrapped around his throat.
The tendrils hoisted him into the air slamming his body against the structure above the black pool, sickening laughter filled the air as a dark abyss opened before him. "How disappointing." Mora mused. "You truly are following in Miraak's footsteps, a pity. I had such high hopes for you, my Champion."
"Consider it my highest honor, Demon!" Mikael spat back glaring into the massive golden eye that narrowed in response, as the tendril tightened its grip around his throat. "You can kill me, but the child has no part in this. Let her go."
Mora tisk'd as the tendril continued to tighten "I will have much need of her in the future, perhaps it is the time I find a new champion. One that is perhaps more, accepting of the gifts I have to offer." Mora replied as the massive eye turned to look down upon the young Rose
Mikael's eyes flicked over to Ruby who was watching the ordeal in absolute terror, her eyes turned towards the sword that lay a mere few feet away, the girl swallowed heavily mustering what little courage she had left a plan quickly forming in her mind.
"Ruby." He growled even as the tendrils coiled around his throat. "Don't." he warned.
Ruby narrowed her eyes, before vanishing in a flurry of rose petals alongside his blade a small red missile barreling towards them. Mora scoffed, the tendril restraining his arm and the one currently choking him retracted lashing out towards the red blur, slapping the young girl aside. Ruby rolled across the platform crying out in pain her aura flaring around her barely holding up against the attack.
Mikael's hand darted towards the back of his belt, his fingers curling around the hilt of Mehrunes Razor. Drawing the dagger, he quickly sliced through the tendril binding his left arm. Mora hissed as the Daedric artifact sliced through the tendril, before throwing the Nightingale aside. Mikael twisted in the air skidding back as he landed on his feet.
"WULD!" he shouted darting across the platform skidding to a halt beside Ruby, pulling the girl behind him, leveling his ebony sword towards the several seekers that emerged from the dark void around Mora quickly surrounding them, forcing them back to the very edge of the platform.
"What do we do?" Ruby said as the abominations began closing in. Mikael reached into his satchel gripping the black book before wrapping his free arm around her waist, pulling her into his chest.
"W-What?" She gasped, eyes darting between her professor and the edge of the platform.
"Trust me." Mikael said stepped back over the edge. The two plummeting towards the acidic water below, Ruby yelped gripping onto him in fright. Pulling the black book from his pack Mikael opened it to the first page. The text lit up dozen s of black tendril lashed out wrapping around the two as they were consumed by a large flash of light.
/
Beacons courtyard was a scene of serenity the cobblestone paths, illuminated by the moonlight and emerald green lamps lining the way towards the academy. The picturesque scene was broken, by a small flash of green light followed by a scream.
Ruby cried out in fright wrapping her arms around tightly around Mikael as the world took a sharp dip forward the initial impact softened by the body beneath her. The two were sent tumbling across the cobblestone pathway the Nightingale taking the brunt of the impact causing him to skip across the hard ground his shoulder and side lighting up in pain as they skidded across the path colliding with one of the lamps pain shooting up his back.
Mikael growled in pain clenching his teeth together after a few moments he looked down at the girl currently clinging to him her eyes clenched shut. "Miss Rose." he grunted, Ruby's eyes cracked open looking up at him. "Are you alright?" Mikael asked.
"I-I'm- rgh." Ruby tried to respond as her world finally stopped spinning, with her mind now clear she replied. "I'm ok."
"Good." Mikael replied as he attempted to stand growling slightly due to the stabbing pain in his side, the initial strike from Mora had certainly cracked a few ribs. Grasping his side Mikael leaned against the pole for support.
"Are you ok?" Ruby said as she came to his side.
"I'm fine" Mikael replied making his way back towards the academy. Digging into his pack retrieving a small red vial before downing the contents, the effect almost immediate as the pain and in his arm and lower back quickly faded, it still wasn't much for the broken bones.
"Wait, your hurt." Ruby said in concern and slight confusion, before asking "Why didn't your aura protect you?" A few moments of silence passed as neither spoke before realization struck her.
"Penny was right." Ruby whispered Mikael paused in his strides looking back over his shoulder at the young reaper, who stared back at the Nightingale. "Yo-You don't have Aura... do you."
For a moment neither spoke, Mikael stared at her for a moment before turning his head back towards the academy "That never stopped me before." he replied before continuing on.
"Professor, wait!" Ruby said racing in front of him. "What happened back there! Wh-What was that? Where was that?" Ruby frantically shot of one question after the other.
"Ruby" Mikael began making the reaper pause in her line of questions. Rubbing his brow, she continued "I will explain everything in time, for now, I need you to go back to your room. I want you to meet me in my classroom in an hour, bring your team as well you all need to be made aware of the situation I'll explain everything then."
"O-ok" Ruby said.
As the two departed Ruby making her way back to the student dorm, after tonight's experience she doubted there would be much sleeping involved when she got back. Mikael made his way along towards the auditorium, he had a lot to think about concerning his discussion with team RWBY in the morning to come. Eventually reaching the teacher's dormitory he was met with the sight of Amber pacing outside while staring down at her scroll in concern.
The Fall Maiden glanced up from her scroll her eyes widening for a moment, Amber sighed in relief before pulling the Nightingale into a hug. "I got your text, are you alright? Where's Ruby?" She asked.
"Heading back to her dorm as we speak " Mikael replied returning the gesture. "Although I believe I'll have a lot of explaining to do."
"Are you sure about this?" Amber asked as they separated from one another concern present in her gaze, she didn't like the idea of Mikael having to reveal himself, it would lead to a lot of question relating to matters even she still didn't fully understand. Never the less she trusted his judgment and he hadn't given her a reason to doubt him yet.
"They deserve to know, and if I have to revile my past then so be it." Mikael replied. Amber nodded in understanding. The duo made their way inside making their way along to the meeting. Whatever the outcome of their discussions may be, eyes would be opened, and no doubt questions would be asked. He just hoped he had the answers to them.
'To be continued'