AN: Heya everyone, long time no see. Apologies for the long break, for a while I ran out of steam with writing and have had difficulties in real life as well. That isn't over, exactly, but as someone decided they wanted to pay me money by joining my [Insert donation site] I felt I couldn't put off writing anymore since someone felt my work so far, even after months of inactivity, was worth $5. Which is a weird thought.
So, I am back, and shall continue to write again while looking for a new job. All that being said, I would like to remind people that I'm not going to update any faster or hold back updates if I don't get money, it was simply the fact that someone decided to do so that basically kicked my brain into gear.
I've gotten some new ideas, and a new plan for how to do everything. I hope you all like the chapter! Sorry that it's a bit shorter, but on the upside there should be another chapter in a few days at most. It's mostly done already.
I have been reliably informed that I am going to have to shill for my- *Clears throat*- P̷̧̫̆ǎ̵̗́t̸̙̱̾̍r̵̲̔ͅe̸̜͕̊ǫ̴͐n̷̨̞̍͝. Because I have one, under the same name as on here. And money is nice.
Ruby stood amidst the throng of new students, her eyes wide as she took in the grand interior of Beacon Academy's main hall. Her mind buzzed with a mix of excitement and nerves, the realization that she was really here—at Beacon, with Yang—pulsing through her with every heartbeat.
Up at the front of the room, Professor Glynda Goodwitch stood with her ever-present riding crop in hand, her posture rigid and her expression stern. Her voice cut through the chatter, crisp and commanding, and the room quickly fell into silence.
"Welcome to Beacon Academy," Glynda began, her tone leaving no room for anything but complete attention. "Those of you here have been invited to participate in our entrance examination. Those who pass will be accepted as students and will begin training to become Huntsmen and Huntresses."
Ruby leaned forward slightly, hanging onto every word. Around her, other students mirrored her anticipation, their eyes bright with hope and curiosity.
"The process will begin immediately," Glynda continued. "Your weapons will need to be stored securely for the night. You will find a series of lockers through the doors to my left." She gestured sharply, and several screens behind her displayed an image of rows of metal lockers. "Each of you will choose a locker and set a code of your own choosing. I suggest you choose a code you will remember. You will retrieve your weapons in the morning."
Ruby felt Crescent Rose's weight on her back, a reassuring presence. She knew she'd miss the familiar feel of her scythe against her shoulder, even for just one night.
"After storing your weapons, you will return here to the auditorium," Glynda went on. "You will sleep here tonight. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, you will collect your weapons and proceed to the cliffs behind the school. There, the rules and expectations of the entrance exam will be explained to you."
Ruby's brow furrowed slightly. The cliffs? She cast a sideways glance at Yang, who raised an eyebrow but offered no more insight than Ruby already had. Whatever they were expected to do, it seemed Beacon was keeping its cards close to its chest for now.
Glynda's expression did not soften. "The exam will test your combat abilities, survival skills, and teamwork. You are expected to follow all instructions given to you. Those who are not prepared or who do not follow the rules will not pass." She let the silence stretch for a moment, her gaze sweeping the room as if daring anyone to show signs of weakness. "Are there any questions?"
The room remained silent. Ruby felt a shiver of anticipation run through her. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready for it—or at least, she hoped she was.
"Very well," Glynda concluded. "You are dismissed. Store your weapons, return here, and prepare for tomorrow. You will need your rest."
Ruby and Yang made their way into the locker room along with the crowd of students. The room was filled with the metallic clatter of weapons being stored, the quiet hum of conversation, and the occasional sharp clang as someone misjudged the size of their weapon against the locker's metal frame.
Ruby found an empty locker near the end of a row and gently set Crescent Rose inside. She took a moment to adjust it, making sure her beloved weapon was secure before she tapped the screen on the locker's door. The digital interface lit up, prompting her to enter a code. She thought for a moment, then quickly punched in the combination, committing it to memory before the door slid shut with a soft click.
She stepped back, a slight pang of separation hitting her. She had grown so used to the weight of Crescent Rose at her back that being without it felt strange. Vulnerable, even. She reached up and pulled her hood over her head, letting the soft fabric settle around her shoulders like a familiar comfort.
Yang was a few lockers over, her fingers flying over the digital keypad as she set her own code. Her weapon, Ember Celica, was already tucked away, the bracers fitting neatly into the small space. Yang shot Ruby a thumbs-up, her expression an effortless mix of confidence and excitement.
Ruby offered a small smile in return, then let her gaze wander around the room. It was a colorful mix of people, each with their own unique weapons and gear. She spotted Weiss a few lockers down, the white-haired girl carefully securing a rapier in a locker.
A bit further down, Ruby's eyes landed on a girl with dark hair and a bow that sat perfectly still atop her head. The girl moved with a quiet grace, almost blending into the background despite the room's bustle. She slipped a pair of curved blades—sheathed and linked together by a ribbon—into her locker and tapped the code pad with a practiced ease. There was a mystery about her, something in the way she avoided the gaze of those around her that piqued Ruby's curiosity.
Near the entrance, the boy who had thrown up on the ship stood, looking around with a sheepish expression. He wore a simple chest plate over his hoodie, his blonde hair slightly tousled, and he clutched a sword and shield with an air of uncertainty. His weapon seemed almost too large for him, the shield doubling as a sheath for his sword. He fumbled with his locker, struggling to fit everything inside before finally closing the door with a relieved sigh.
On the opposite side of the room, a boy with dark hair and a calm expression methodically packed away a pair of bladed pistols. His movements were smooth, and there was a practiced air to him that suggested experience. Unlike many of the others, he didn't seem nervous at all—if anything, he appeared relaxed, as if this was all routine to him. His green and pink clothing stood out, yet his demeanor was tranquil, a quiet confidence surrounding him.
Ruby took it all in, her mind buzzing with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. Each person here had their own story, their own path that had led them to Beacon. She wondered if they were feeling the same mix of excitement and nerves that she was. The Force thrummed gently within her, a soft undercurrent that seemed to echo the emotions swirling around the room.
"Hey, you ready?" Yang's voice pulled Ruby back to the present. Her sister had finished with her locker and was already heading toward the door, motioning for Ruby to follow.
Ruby nodded, casting one last glance around the room before jogging to catch up. "Yeah, let's go."
Ruby and Yang stepped back into the main hall, which had transformed significantly since they had first arrived. The rows of chairs had been cleared away, and several tables had been set up along the walls, each stacked with neatly rolled sleeping bags. A few students were already helping themselves, pulling down the bright, generic-looking rolls of fabric and finding spots on the floor to settle in for the night.
Ruby barely spared the tables a glance. She had already prepared for this, pulling her own, much comfier-looking sleeping bag out of her backpack before she'd stored it in her locker. The thought of sleeping in something familiar brought her a bit of comfort. She might not be home, but at least a small part of it was with her.
She and Yang found a spot near one of the large windows. The night sky outside was clear, stars sparkling above the silhouettes of the surrounding forest. The view was peaceful, a stark contrast to the swirling thoughts in Ruby's mind.
Yang unrolled her own sleeping bag and flopped onto it, stretching her arms behind her head with a yawn. "Well, today was… a lot," she said with a half-laugh. "You ready for tomorrow?"
Ruby settled onto her own sleeping bag, pulling her red hood up around her shoulders like a blanket. "I think so. I mean, I've been training with Vader for weeks now. I know I can handle it." She hesitated, her voice dropping slightly. "I just hope I don't mess up in front of everyone."
Yang rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her hand. "You? Mess up? Pfft, not likely." She grinned, but her eyes held a hint of seriousness. "You've been working so hard, Rubes. Honestly, you're probably more ready than I am."
Ruby shot her a doubtful look. "You think so?"
"I know so." Yang's tone was firm. "You've got skills. I've seen it. And… as much as I hate to admit it, I guess training with Vader has helped you out." She rolled her eyes, the familiar annoyance in her voice whenever he was mentioned. "Just don't let him push you too hard, okay?"
Ruby's fingers played with the edge of her hood. "I won't. He just wants to help me get stronger. I mean, yeah, he's kind of intense, but he knows a lot. And he's teaching me things I never thought I'd be able to do."
"Yeah, I get it," Yang said softly, her expression unreadable. "Just… be careful, okay? I know he's your teacher and all, but you don't have to do everything he says. Trust your own instincts too."
Ruby nodded, the weight of her sister's words settling over her. "I will. Promise."
They lay there in a comfortable silence, the hum of the other students around them blending into a soothing background noise. Ruby felt the exhaustion of the day start to pull at her, but beneath it, there was a hum of anticipation. Tomorrow, the real test would begin.
Ruby lay still, her eyes closed, but sleep refused to come. The floor was hard beneath her sleeping bag, and every rustle, cough, and shuffle from the other students echoed in the vast room. She tugged her hood tighter around her, trying to create a cocoon of warmth and security, but nothing seemed to help.
Maybe I'm too excited, she thought, but as the minutes stretched into an hour, that excuse felt thin. Maybe I'm too nervous? She shifted again, her mind racing through everything she had learned with Vader, every possible scenario she might face tomorrow. Images of Grimm, of the forest, of her sister and the other students all jumbled together, making it impossible to find a calm center.
Her eyes opened to the dim light filtering in through the high windows. Shadows shifted gently as the moon moved through the sky, but nothing else changed. The other students seemed to be asleep, soft snores and the rhythm of their breathing creating a strange lullaby that she couldn't quite fall into.
Ruby sighed quietly, turning onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. This isn't working. I'm just lying here, getting more and more awake. She considered waking Yang but quickly dismissed the idea. Her sister needed sleep, and besides, Ruby didn't want to admit she was struggling. Yang would worry, and Ruby wanted to prove she could handle this on her own.
Instead, she closed her eyes again and tried to meditate. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, focusing on the sensation of the air filling her lungs. She reached for that place of stillness, the place where the Force flowed around her, where her emotions became a source of strength instead of a tangled mess.
But tonight, the path to that calm felt blocked. She couldn't sink into the flow as easily as she had before. Every time she tried to let go, stray thoughts pulled her back: What if I mess up tomorrow? What if I'm not good enough? What if I disappoint Vader? The questions swirled, each one pulling her further away from the focus she needed.
She tried again, drawing on the excitement she felt, the hope, the pride. She reached for the faint longing for her mother, hoping that familiar ache might help center her, but it was like grabbing smoke. The emotions slipped through her fingers, refusing to solidify into something useful.
Ruby bit her lip, frustration building. Why isn't this working? It had come so naturally last night, the darkness wrapping around her like a blanket, filling her with a sense of purpose and clarity. Now, it was as if the door to that place had been shut, leaving her on the outside, knocking and hoping for an answer.
After a while, she stopped trying to force it. She lay still, her breathing steady but her mind a storm of fragmented thoughts and restless energy. Eventually, she let go of the need to meditate perfectly. She just breathed, let her senses expand gently, and tried to find peace in the simple act of being present.
It wasn't as deep as before, not nearly as powerful, but it was enough. It would have to be enough. And as the hours stretched on, she remained in that light state of rest, somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, waiting for morning to finally come.
Blake lay still in her sleeping bag, eyes open and fixed on the ceiling of the auditorium. Shadows danced above her as the dim lights flickered softly, casting a pale, restless glow across the room. All around her, the other applicants were wrapped in the fitful peace of sleep, but every cough, every rustle, every whispered breath set her nerves on edge.
Her bow pressed against her ears, the fabric rough and loud with every slight movement. The sound was a constant reminder of her disguise, the ever-present need to conceal who she was. It was clever, or so she had thought. A simple black ribbon tied neatly over her head, hiding the telltale signs of her Faunus heritage. But here, surrounded by strangers, the bow felt like a glaring signpost, a flashing light drawing attention to the very thing it was meant to hide.
Her ears twitched involuntarily beneath the fabric, brushing against the material with a soft, grating noise that only she could hear. It was maddening. She couldn't decide whether the paranoia was real or just a product of her exhausted mind. How many times had she been hunted? How many times had a kind smile turned into a sneer, a promise of safety twisted into a threat?
Blake shifted, pulling the edge of her blanket up to cover half of her face. Her eyes remained vigilant, scanning the room in the low light. She had chosen a spot near the wall, her back protected, her view unobstructed. Old habits. Useful habits. The kind that kept her alive when the world was as dangerous as it was for her kind.
She had been on the run for weeks, slipping through the cracks of society, hiding from the White Fang—from him. The memory of Adam's face lingered at the edges of her thoughts, sharp and searing. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the image away, but his voice echoed in her mind, smooth and poisonous.
"You said you wanted change, Blake. This is how we get it."
She felt a shiver run down her spine, and she wrapped her arms tighter around herself, as if she could hold the memories at bay. Beacon was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to prove she could be more than what she had become under his influence. But it also meant being surrounded by people—strangers who might look too closely, ask too many questions. Strangers who might realize what lay beneath her carefully constructed mask.
Blake's fingers found the ribbon on her head, pressing against it as if to reassure herself it was still in place. Her heart pounded in her chest, the rhythm a constant reminder that she was not safe, not yet. She had thought that getting accepted to Beacon would bring relief, a sense of sanctuary. Instead, it felt like stepping into a new kind of danger—one where exposure could lead to disaster.
Blake exhaled slowly, trying to force her body to relax against the cold, hard floor. She had slept in worse places, hidden under tarps in the bellies of smuggler ships, curled up in damp alleyways where every creak of the wind sounded like approaching footsteps. By all rights, this should have been a comfort. Surrounded by future Huntresses and Huntsmen, under the protection of Beacon's walls—this was the safest she had been in weeks.
So why did she feel so exposed?
She shifted, her blanket rustling softly, but her attention drifted back to the girl a few rows over. The girl with the red hood. Blake had noticed her earlier, during the scramble to find a place to sleep. Something about her had drawn Blake's eyes, and now, in the near darkness, she couldn't help but watch her again.
The girl lay still, too still, as if the act of sleeping had become an exercise in discipline. Her chest rose and fell with the slow, deliberate rhythm of someone forcing calm. It was a practiced kind of stillness, one Blake recognized—because she had lived it. It was the calm of someone who expected danger even in their rest.
But it was more than that. There was a presence to her, an invisible ripple in the air around her that prickled against Blake's skin. It was like standing in the shadow of a storm, the pressure before lightning struck. Her senses, already raw and hyper-aware, picked up on it with an unease that settled deep in her bones.
Blake tried to close her eyes, to block it out, but the feeling lingered. She shifted her focus, trying to ground herself, but the girl's presence gnawed at her composure. It was as if the girl saw through the shadows Blake wrapped herself in. As if those silver eyes could pierce through every layer of disguise and find the truth she was so desperate to hide.
It was unnerving.
Blake had grown used to danger. To being hunted. To slipping through the cracks unseen. But this girl—this unassuming, quiet figure who had done nothing but lay still—felt like a threat of a different kind. Not a threat to her safety, but to her secrecy. It was a violation of the invisible walls Blake had constructed around herself, the barriers that kept her hidden.
She turned away, facing the cold wall, pulling the blanket up and over her to cover her ears. It muffled the sounds of the room but did nothing to ease the gnawing sensation.
It was fine. She was being ridiculous. There was no reason to think this girl knew anything about her. She was just another applicant, another student with her own dreams and fears. And yet... the feeling remained, a persistent whisper in the back of her mind.
Blake bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to sleep. Morning would come soon enough, and with it, the entrance exam. She needed to focus, to prepare herself for what lay ahead. There was no time to dwell on unsettling feelings and imagined threats.
But even as she forced her breathing to slow, her mind remained alert, attuned to every shift and shuffle in the darkened hall. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quite shake the sense that she was being watched.
Ruby's eyes snapped open to the sound of shuffling feet and quiet murmurs. The dim morning light filtered through the tall windows of the hall, casting long shadows over the scattered rows of sleeping bags. Around her, other students were beginning to stir, rubbing their eyes and stretching off the stiffness of the cold floor.
She sat up slowly, her head buzzing with a dull ache that pulsed behind her temples. The meditation had helped, but not enough. It wasn't like the night before, where she'd felt rejuvenated and clear-headed. This time, it had been like trying to grip water—her thoughts slippery and disjointed, focus dancing just out of reach. She felt... off.
A cheerful voice jolted her from her thoughts. "Morning, sis!" Yang, already bright-eyed and fully dressed, knelt beside her sleeping bag, grinning wide. "Come on, lazybones, rise and shine! Big day today!"
Ruby grunted, pulling the edge of her red hood over her face. "Five more minutes," she mumbled, the words muffled by the fabric.
Yang chuckled, not unkindly. "Oh no, you don't. If you sleep in, you'll miss breakfast—and you know what they say about breakfast and being the most important meal of the day!"
"Coffee is the most important meal of the day," Ruby muttered. Her body felt heavy, limbs reluctant to move. She knew she needed to get up, to be alert and ready for whatever Beacon threw at them today, but her mind clung to the haze of half-sleep.
Yang sighed dramatically and then unzipped Ruby's sleeping bag, letting in a rush of cool air. "Up you get! You're the one who wanted to come to Beacon, remember? You can't be a Huntress if you sleep through the initiation!"
Ruby groaned but relented, letting Yang pull her to her feet. Her sister was like a force of nature—impossible to resist when she set her mind to something. Ruby supposed it was one of the things she loved about Yang, even if it was mildly infuriating this early in the morning.
She stretched, a long, jaw-cracking yawn escaping her lips. "Fine, fine. I'm up." She blinked blearily, squinting at the bustling room. Students were folding up sleeping bags, chatting in low voices, and making their way toward the lockers. There was an electric hum in the air—excitement and nerves mixing into a potent brew.
"Do you think they'll let us eat first?" Ruby asked, rubbing the back of her neck. "Or are we just going straight to whatever they've got planned?"
Yang slung her arm over Ruby's shoulders, steering her toward the flow of bodies heading out of the hall. "Glynda said breakfast first, then weapons, then the cliffs. Come on, let's go get some food before all the good stuff is gone."
Ruby let herself be led, trying to shake off the cobwebs in her mind. She had to focus. Today wasn't just any day—it was the day. And if she wanted to prove herself, to show that she deserved to be here with the older students, she needed to be at the top of her game.
But beneath the determination, a faint thread of unease twisted in her gut. Something about the day felt different, charged, as if the very air hummed with potential. She couldn't tell if it was a good feeling or not.
Pushing the thought away, she plastered on a small smile and followed Yang into the bustling breakfast hall, determined to start the day on a strong note—even if her morning wasn't off to the best start.
Ruby shuffled through the breakfast line, her tray clattering slightly as she moved forward. She reached for a cup of coffee and, with a practiced motion, dropped five sugar cubes into it, watching them dissolve in a swirl of sweetness. Yang wrinkled her nose at the sight but wisely chose not to comment. Ruby needed her sugar, and everyone knew it.
She sipped the coffee gratefully, the warmth spreading through her chest and slowly burning away the fog in her mind. The caffeine mixed with the sugar, sending tiny jolts of energy through her system. It wasn't enough to completely shake the grogginess, but it helped.
After a quick breakfast, they made their way to the lockers. Ruby keyed in the code she had chosen last night and popped open her locker door. Crescent Rose greeted her with its familiar, comforting weight. She slung it over her shoulder, the cool metal against her back grounding her as they joined the stream of students heading out of the building.
She found herself drifting in and out of focus as they walked, her thoughts wandering despite the nervous energy buzzing around her. She was aware of Yang talking beside her, her sister's voice a constant thread in the white noise of the crowd, but the words felt distant. It was like trying to tune in to a radio station just slightly out of range.
Every so often, she would catch a glimpse of the other students' faces—some steely with resolve, others pale and wide-eyed. She recognized a few from the locker room earlier: the boy with the blond hair and the nervous expression, the girl with the long black hair and the bow, and, of course, Weiss, who stood a few paces ahead, her posture as rigid and poised as ever.
Ruby blinked hard, forcing herself to focus. The last thing she needed was to zone out now. She took a deep breath, the cool morning air filling her lungs, and with each step, the haze in her mind began to thin. Her senses sharpened, and the world around her came into clearer focus. She could feel the weight of Crescent Rose against her back, the chill of the metal handle against her palm, and the crunch of gravel beneath her boots.
By the time they reached the cliffs, Ruby felt almost like herself again. The dull ache behind her eyes had faded, replaced by a growing anticipation. The students gathered in a loose line, and Ruby found herself standing between Yang and the black-haired girl with the bow. She cast a quick glance to her side, but the girl's face was impassive, her golden eyes fixed straight ahead.
Glynda Goodwitch stood at the edge of the cliff, her posture immaculate and her expression as stern as ever. She held her riding crop in one hand, tapping it lightly against her leg as if to keep time with an invisible clock. Professor Ozpin stood beside her, sipping from his ever-present mug with an air of serene detachment. Ruby couldn't help but wonder if there was actually coffee in there or if it was just some kind of prop.
As the murmurs of the students died down, Glynda's voice cut through the morning air, crisp and clear. "Welcome, students. Today you will undergo your initiation for Beacon Academy. The test ahead will not only assess your combat skills but also your ability to work as a team, adapt to changing situations, and demonstrate the resolve expected of a Huntsman or Huntress."
Ruby swallowed hard, the weight of Glynda's words settling over her. This was it—the moment she had been training for. She shifted her stance, planting her feet firmly, and wrapped her fingers around Crescent Rose's handle. The cool metal steadied her, and a spark of excitement flared in her chest.
Glynda Goodwitch's voice rang out over the gathered students, clear and precise. "Students, please step forward and take your place on the metal platforms. One person per square."
There was a brief shuffle as everyone moved to comply. Ruby glanced at Yang, who gave her a reassuring grin before stepping onto her own platform a few spaces away. Ruby took her place, Crescent Rose folded neatly against her back, and tried to calm the nervous fluttering in her chest. She could feel the cool metal beneath her boots and the gentle breeze brushing through the forest beyond the cliff.
She let her gaze wander over the other students as they found their spots. Weiss stood a few rows ahead, her stance as poised as ever, while the black-haired girl with the bow took a platform near the edge, her expression calm and unreadable. The blond boy from earlier—still looking a bit green around the edges—stepped onto his platform with a deep breath, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
When everyone was in place, Professor Ozpin stepped forward, his ever-present mug of coffee in hand. He took a casual sip before addressing them, his voice smooth and steady. "For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
He paused, letting his words hang in the air. Ruby felt the weight of them settle over her, a mix of excitement and nerves twisting in her stomach. This was it—the test that would determine if she belonged here, if she was truly ready for Beacon.
"Now," Ozpin continued, "I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, let me put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today."
Ruby's eyes widened, and she glanced around, catching the same surprise on many of the other students' faces. Team assignments? Already?
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time at Beacon," Ozpin said, his tone calm but firm. "So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."
The gears in Ruby's mind began to turn. Who would she end up with? Yang? Someone she hadn't even spoken to yet? The uncertainty was both thrilling and terrifying.
"That being said," Ozpin went on, "the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
Ruby's thoughts came to a screeching halt. Eye contact? She blinked, her mind scrambling to process what she had just heard. "That... makes absolutely no sense," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely more than a whisper.
How could eye contact determine a partnership that would last for years? What if the first person she saw was someone completely incompatible with her fighting style? What if—
Her thoughts raced on, and for a moment, she realized she had completely lost track of what Ozpin was saying. Her focus snapped back to him just in time to hear the end of his next sentence:
"...Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die."
Ruby's grip tightened on Crescent Rose, her knuckles paling beneath her gloves. The weight of Ozpin's words pressed down on her, and the sleep-deprived fog that had clouded her mind burned away under the sharp edge of adrenaline. Her eyes darted to the other students, some of whom seemed just as bewildered or nervous as she felt. Others were calm, their expressions steady and prepared.
Destroy everything in your path... or you will die. The words echoed in her mind, and she had to swallow the sudden dryness in her throat. She had trained with Vader, had faced off against him in sparring sessions where his strikes were relentless and unyielding. But this... this felt different. It wasn't just about proving herself—it was about survival.
Her eyes moved to Yang, who stood a few platforms away. Her sister caught her gaze and gave a quick thumbs-up, her bright, confident grin a stark contrast to Ruby's own uncertainty. Ruby tried to match the expression, but her smile felt thin, stretched over her nerves like a mask.
Focus, she told herself, breathing in deeply. She let the air fill her lungs, then released it slowly, letting her senses expand outward through the Force. She could feel the weight of Crescent Rose in her hands, the familiar balance of the weapon grounding her. She shifted her stance, her body naturally falling into the readiness that Vader had drilled into her—the slight bend of her knees, the relaxed but coiled posture, ready to spring into action.
Her attention snagged on a girl standing a few platforms away—the one with dark hair and a black bow tied neatly atop her head. Ruby caught the faintest motion, a subtle shift in the girl's posture, as if she had tensed. Her head turned ever so slightly in Ruby's direction, a movement so minute it was almost imperceptible. But then, just as quickly, the girl caught herself, her face returning to a neutral, almost impassive expression.
Weird, Ruby thought, the observation slipping through her mind like a passing breeze. Her focus was too scattered to linger on it. She was too busy trying to absorb every word Ozpin said, to quell the fluttering anxiety in her chest and prepare for whatever came next.
Ozpin's voice continued, calm and unyielding, "Once you have retrieved your relic, make your way back to the cliffs. The first teams to return will be given priority in dormitory selection, but remember, haste can be as dangerous as hesitation. Show us your discipline, your skill, and above all, your ability to work as a team."
Ruby swallowed, her throat tight. She gripped Crescent Rose a little harder, her thumb brushing over the familiar curve of the trigger mechanism. She had trained for this, worked tirelessly under Vader's demanding gaze, and faced challenges that had tested every fiber of her being. But this wasn't a sparring match with a controlled end. This was the real thing.
"Are there any questions?" Glynda's voice cut through the air, her sharp gaze moving across the crowd. Silence hung thick in response. Ruby's mind buzzed with a dozen questions, but none that could be voiced. She had to trust that she had prepared enough, that the training would carry her through.
Glynda waited a moment longer before nodding curtly. "Then prepare yourselves." She stepped back, and the air seemed to thrum with anticipation. Ruby felt her heartbeat quicken, each thud echoing in her ears. She shifted her weight, every muscle in her body coiled and ready.
Ozpin leaned forward, his hands clasped over his cane. "Good luck," he said simply, his voice carrying a weight that belied the casual wish.
And then the ground beneath Ruby shuddered. Her platform clicked, a mechanical sound that set her nerves on edge. Without warning, it lurched, and she was launched into the air, the wind tearing at her as she soared above the trees.
AN: Aaaannnd done! It felt good to get to writing again, if I'm honest. I had forgotten how much I missed it. Normally this would be the section in which I would address reviews for the last chapter, but as it has been 4 months I'm going to just pass this time by. Next chapter shall be longer than this one was, and shall be out in a few days if all goes well. Thank you all for your support, the follows and favorites have been genuinely wonderful and are a big part of helping me continue writing.
I hope you all have a wonderful day, and I'll see you again in a few more.