After commanding his summons, he immediately went back to Beacon using {Gate}.
He will have to return to the city within time to see the progress of his summons in setting up a FOB. And also saving a bookkeeper from certain death.
He liked the man, Tukson. Despite his brief screen time and his demise, the man prefered peace as he had abandoned the White Fang.
A foolish move, but it was something he respected… Somewhat.
Aside from that, he’ll have to plan on the part that would involve the appearance of his summons. Of course they will only protect the people and destroy the Grimm, putting them up as “mysterious monsters” that are ‘friendly’ in a sense.
And then a Grim Reaper appearing out of nowhere. Basking from their reactions in a glorious fashion.
Arriving in his bedroom, he put away the [Cloak of Illusions] into his inventory before walking towards the bed and lying down on it.
The softness was really something else. He could really sleep in a mere few seconds if not him being an Undead.
He sometimes values his condition as a curse and yet at the same time a blessing.
‘I guess some things have their merits of uses…’ He thought aimlessly before letting out a sigh.
There are loads of crap in his mind right now. The contingencies he would have to make, and several more if said contingencies wouldn't work.
An annoying ideal.
Deciding that it would be better to just get some shut-eye, he closed his eyes and willed his all to sleep.
And to the fact he did… Although it didn’t feel like he wasn’t asleep.
More like he ceased all his undead functions and rested his mind.
Drifting only through a dreamless sleep phase…
. . .
In the next few days, he had come to train the students. Though on the third day, they will be heading onto a small trip to Forever Fall.
So it was technically for 2 days he would train them before they would take a breather.
Though training them for a mere 2 days wouldn't bring any expecting results. Especially for Jaune, there has been no change at all.
Jaune was the lowest level of them all. And he is curious enough to see his growth.
He wasn’t blind that he was being dragged down by Cardin, being used as his tool for his team’s ‘homeworks’.
He’d planned once Jaune had stepped up from his shadow, he wouldn't let Cardin and his goons go through without any punishment. A false freedom, as he would have thought it.
There are also some students who aren't used to his training methods, despite having to personally train them and give them feedback on their own combat styles.
Some were unexpectedly arrogant, on which he had returned back to them by sparring to make them see that they were in the wrong.
Which made some of the students rethink their styles and reflect on themselves. They are a forgetful bunch, he personally thought.
Not even one had won against him. Even by a team, none of them could beat him.
And right of now, he is sparring against Pyrrha. With students watching the fight as he silently fought against the amazon fighter.
And this time, he was using a simple metal bo staff against her. Deciding that he’d try out to see if his [Weapons Master] class would work with all matters of weaponry. Whether it would be the same as the one in the game.
In YGGDRASIL, the job class was useful in utilizing various types of weaponry. An open job class that enables him to become more versatile, while at the same time; it was considered a waste of a Job Class slot.
Due to the fact that all it does is enables the Players to equip any kind of weaponry and increases its physical or magical damage by a minor percent.
It was considered useless for players above level 50+.
And his Clan Master exploited that thinking. By using such a ‘useless’ utility Job Class - which was totally not forced against his and the others will to NOT gain such a thing - they were able to surprise a good amount of enemies and oh boy was it useful in disguising into someone else.
Personally, he felt disgusted in using it that way that it was so addictive to hear the last of their prey’s words of despair and curses.
…Aside from that.
There were times that he wanted to switch the Job Class to something more useful.
But right now? He is thankful for Alcatraz to put this once-useless-now-useful-job-class into them.
Compared to YGGDRASIL, in this world; whenever he picks up a weapon, he somehow manages to feel the weapon and use it like he had trained almost a thousand times with it.
To the fight.
It has been about 2 minutes since the spar had begun, and she still hasn’t been able to deliver a hit on him.
Lordez had been slowly walking around like he was in for a stroll, while Pyrrha has been finding an opportunity to deliver a perfect strike, to break the record of Lordez; being called around as “The Untouchable”.
It also proved to be quite a motivator as well.
‘Hmm… Not bad.’ He hummed as he blocked a strike aimed for his legs. ‘But also not good.’
He knew the girl’s advantage ability on metal objects. Each block put up with his staff, he had to either dodge or block it with his limbs. Sometimes putting him in a tight corner.
‘You are close… But not close enough.’ He grinned as he tilted his head to the side, dodging a piercing blade by the pinch of his chin.
He’d have to finish this now.
Twirling the staff in almost a blink of an eye, he hit Pyrrha in the stomach, causing her to stumble as she quickly regained herself but was unable to block in time from a strike to her right arm.
She felt a bit numb when the strike connected. She quickly let go of her sword before slightly using her Semblance to parry another attack from the staff.
Though she was unable to notice it as a distraction.
Lordez delivered a backhanded punch to her, the strike making her fall to her knees. As she was about to quickly move and put distance against him, she felt the staff touching her nape.
“A good form, your moves perfectly executed, with minimal excess movement.” He stated. “Only lacking the will of intent.”
“Thank you for the-!”
A quick jab to her chest surprised her, before feeling a little less… Weaker than before.
“And experience.” He finished. “You were keeping an eye onto me so much that you haven't realized you were already nearing the Red bar?” He raised a questioning brow.
The Champion blinked several times before looking towards the board. And true to the professor’s words, she had already passed through the Red bar.
“I’m sorry.” She felt a little ashamed. She was really feeling the heat of battle against him.
“No worries,” He assured her. “This only proves that even someone with much battle experience, they tend to be absorbed in the heat of battle.”
“I thought I had experience?” She tilted her head to the side, confused when she was lacking experience, yet having some. Did he misspeak?
“...Experience in the real heat of battle, Miss Nikos.” He coldly stated. “In the matter of life and death, you have yet to experience such a thing. And you are too emotional, despite your combat prowess.”
“...I’ll make sure to improve myself.” She bowed her head. While she was confused by his words, she somehow understood what he was trying to say.
“Um, Professor?” He turned and saw Jaune raising his hand. “Wasn’t that… kinda unfair?”
“You have seen me fight against you lot in this room, and you question that still?”
Jaune held his hands defensively, though his face was looking quite nervous and sweaty a bit. “I-I was just wondering… That's all, heh eh…”
“...” He stared at the blonde boy before telling Pyrrha to go back to her seat. “It is because I am preparing you.”
“Preparing?”
“What did he mean by that?”
“Do you mean the Vytal Festival? That's like, many months away!”
“Have you children forgotten what I have first arrived here to teach you all?” He let his voice be louder than usual, almost making his voice echo in the room.
“I am preparing you in what will be the matter of your life, or your death. Not a laughing matter nor something to take your WHOLE mind into it. But it is something that constantly needs to be reminded, no matter how many times I would remind, until you lot shall take it to heart.”
“Aren’t you a bit too… I don’t know, serious about it Professor?” Ruby spoke up, before somewhat cowering slightly when their Professor turned to look at her.
“Is being a Huntsman some elementary play for you? Or a position that needs to be taken seriously IF you dare to earn being called as such?” He said calmly. Although the tone was mistakenly taken as a threat.
“I do not need to remind you of such a threat, that doesn't care what you are or who you are. Only that you are their enemy, and that is all that it matters to them. The end of the living.”
*Ring!*
Almost after he spoke the words, the school bell rang, signaling the end of his class. He could definitely hear some of the students sigh in relief.
He frowned, thinking that his words would be taken in as a ramble. But he digresses. The mature ones will know what he will mean.
“Do kindly remember what you all are in here for. Class dismissed.” He said.
The students then stood up and exited the training arena. With a couple of students limping away weakly as they were being supported by their fellows, groaning at every step of the way.
Once they all have left, leaving only him inside the training arena alone.
Using {Scan} to see if anyone else is within hearing vicinity, he finally released a sigh.
“Stubborn brats still.” He muttered.
It’s going to take much more than a couple of speeches to open up their morality of naivety.
And they are young, they wouldn't understand unless circumstances forced them to do so. And he is not that cruel to make them understand it that way.
Feeling a bit irritated, he pulled out his Scroll and tapped some buttons on the arena features. He had learned this a couple days back, tweaking with the accessibility in the Training Arena.
And he had found something of a surprise…
Pressing a button, the five sections of the walls of the arena opened up, revealing five humanoid robots. These were AK-130, the predecessors of the latest AKs.
He’d guessed that Ozpin brought them and reequipped them for training purposes. Their color schemes were changed from black to dark green. He’ll have to ask the Headmaster in the later future on this one.
They activated seconds later after the walls had opened, before taking several steps forward as they awaited for orders.
Lordez was surprised that this was not shown in the show. Though he was sure that Monty had more plans on this show before he died, how unfortunate.
The man then activated their “Training” mode and put their difficulty to the highest level.
The bots’ lights blinked before their colors switched to a bright red, which was deemed the highest level of its training difficulty.
They slowly circled around him as their hands transformed from either gun mode or blade mode. Though he eyed one of the bots using only its fists.
It was his first time testing these bots out, so he guessed that a specific bot has their own specialty. This one must be martial arts based.
“Begin.” He ordered.
And almost instantly, two of the bots in front fired upon him, while the rest at the behind rushed towards him.
Lordez blocked the bullets fired upon him with his metal staff using only one hand, before unwrapping the chain and whipped it behind him.
It managed to hit one of the bots, and wrap another. He pulled and threw it towards the gunbots, who stopped their firing before dodging the attack.
‘Hmm. These ones seemed to be tougher.’ He noted as he saw the bot that he threw was barely damaged. Only scratched paint and what he could notice were small dents with his enhanced vision.
He smirked. ‘Finally, some punching bags.’
Twirling around in time to dodge a slashing blade that was aimed at his neck, missing a hair at his chin. Another one came on top of him, trying to put down its foot onto him.
Lordez grabbed its foot and slammed it down at his side, hitting the bladebot with his staff, stunning it. He wasn’t given any time as the unarmed bot threw several punches at him. Lordez headbutted the fucker in the head that it literally was rendered useless after that. With sparks in its circuit and some smoke coming out of it.
“Maybe I overdid it a little bit.” He frowned at his own strength. He guessed it was still too powerful despite being handicapped greatly.
The gunbots fired upon him once again, and this time he grabbed the destroyed bot and used it as a shield from the incoming bullets as he rushed towards the two and halved them into two.
He turned around just in time for one of the blade bots to slash him. It landed a hit, but he didn’t feel anything. Lordez grabbed its arm and punched it off before digging in deep with its ripped off armblade into its body.
The last one came to be as it transformed its left arm into a gun before firing at him.
Lordez blocked it while spinning his staff, he found it unexpected when the bot fired its gunport while it charged at him with its armblade raised.
‘A suicidal charge…’ He mused and leapt forward with a thrust of his staff.
Much to his surprise, the bot slid through the floor while still firing its gun. Forcing Lordez to buckle his arms around him while turning his back around to shield intense damage. In turn, the bot sprung itself upwards and thrusted its blade into his back. Or at least it tried to. While he could use {Physical Immunity III} to negate the damage, he would rather see if he would be hurt by something this weak or not.
And the result? He only felt an itch surprisingly. And with the addition of his equipment made from {Create Item}, the blade was still low level to not be able to fully penetrate through his overcoat. Plus it is enchanted, it would take more than a tempered steel blade to even penetrate through his shitty equipment for a show.
He can still feel the tip of the blade, but it only felt like an itch of a poking stick.
Lordez landed on his feet, and the bot raised itself and stood firm with a brawler stance. Its arms transformed itself back to fists.
He wondered whether this bot is different from the others, because this one - he noticed - is capable and adaptive to its combat scenario.
Shooting at him which forces him to block while it went for a stab? That's not normal android programming.
Different topic if someone like Penny is involved.
“Command: End Match.” He ordered, causing the last bot to drop its stance and stood in position before walking back to its respective spot from where it appeared in the wall.
For the rest? They are scraps on the floor now.
“...Crap, didn’t think this through.” Lordez grumbled as he eyed the debris of electrical and mechanical parts scattered around.
He eyed back at the last remaining bot. It is unique in a sense. Very much different compared to its metal brothers, even when he had seen its kind fighting in the Black Trailer.
An interest pulled up on this one.
----------------------------------------
They were now in Forever Fall.
And surprisingly, there were no arguments against him accompanying them along with Glynda, who is the assigned professor for overwatching the trip.
Apparently it is wise for him to accompany her in order to supervise the students. Basically: Additional personnel, more ground to cover.
It only helped cement the alias reasoning for him to accompany them anyways.
To see the results on Jaune’s activation of his semblance.
If it's anything different from the canon on him able to heal, there is still a chance after all.
Glynda gave the students instructions along with a time limit for them to acquire the sap for Professor Peach. She and Lordez will still be in the same place for the students to be able to warn them for any Grimm encounters.
It then occurred to him that he and Orm hadn't met the said Professor at all!
Unless it was that woman who literally has Peach colored hair with a small white coat, he wouldn't have guessed that earlier.
He mentally noted himself to check up on the ‘unknown’ staff member of the school.
“Mr Grimm,” a voice called out to him, breaking him out of his thoughts. “I thank you for accompanying me for this trip.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t bother, it is for the betterment of students’ safety. One cannot be too careful. They can handle themselves fine. I do not doubt that, but it is still worrying…” ‘For an unknown possibility to happen. This part may not be going with the canon anymore.’
Although, she took his words of concern differently. “Yes, they are still apparently children. And looking out for them is a hassle.” She says with a small sigh. “But I don’t regret doing so.”
“...Your words spoke of an unspoken meaning, Miss Goodwitch.” He said politely.
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You reeked of regret when you spoke those words… Lost many souls under your wing?”
Her eyes widen in surprise before turning into an expression of loss and contentment.
“Yes…” She admitted. “And it pains me to see a student under my watch to die. But despite the sadness I feel, I do not let that hinder me.”
He hummed. “It is life, nature's cycle of giving and taking away a soul.”
“Are you not bothered by a student's death?” She asked with a hint of concern in her tone.
“I am bothered by the waste of a life. And why should I if there are people dying somewhere over Remnant?” He retorted calmly. “We train these children to fight Grimm, becoming Huntsmen and women of Remnant. Many would see its calling differently. ‘Noble’, ‘Glory’, ‘Fame’, ‘Cause’, in the end they will die.”
“Thats-!”
“-the truth, Glynda.” He said calmly, almost shocking himself to how calm he sounded. “There is a chance that they will die, or they will live to fight for another day and protect the people from the Grimm… There is no forever in life, Miss Goodwitch. Only certainty.” He said before walking away, not even giving a chance for her to say another word. “I will be checking around the perimeter for wandering Grimm.”
She could only hear his growing distant back, processing his words silently.
Based on his words, she thinks that the man is disillusioned. Having a dark view of life. But… he wasn’t wrong in a way. He did point out things that were true.
She wondered if he turned that way when their village was destroyed…
. . .
The stroll was calming.
Gentle winds breezing through, red leaves shifting from their branches while some fell in a periodic time, the ruffling of his steps on the ground.
If he would guess by season, it would be Fall, as based on the name of the forest itself; clearly named as such He read something like nature changing its elemental structure based on the season.
And now? He could witness such a thing.
Forever Fall being forever… the season of fall.
Chuckling at the poor attempt of his mind creating humor, before sensing a rather few recognizable presences.
Grimm, or rather a couple of strays wandering around. An Ursa Major, and a couple of Beowolves and Ursas’.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
And they seemed to be rather near to where Cardin’s team and Jaune were supposed to be ‘pranking’ the red-headed champion. Pranking would be a very loose term there.
After making sure that there were no eyes on him, he calmly followed the Ursa Major from a distance up until it smelled the sweet nectar of the tree sap.
He wouldn't intervene unless needed, since they can handle the situation themselves. And this would be an opportunity to see if the boy had taken his lessons to heart. He will be very disappointed if he didn’t do so, and if didn’t; then he will increase the difficulty.
It didn’t take very long for the Ursa Major to arrive to swipe Cardin off his feet, scaring his teammates while Jaune stood his ground despite his shock of the Grimm’s sudden appearance.
He’ll have to remind himself to punish Cardin’s teammates on running away and not protecting their team leader.
Such behavior would not be tolerated in the ranks of being a Huntsman.
Hiding behind a large tree as he watched Jaune dealing with the Ursa Major. He noticed that the boy had implemented the moves that he had taught him. Block only when going in for the kill, dodge when you think you cannot land a hit, feint to make an opening.
A small smile was placed on his face.
He then noticed Ruby, Weiss and Pyrrha arriving in the scene. While the two wanted to help, the latter told them to watch, having the confidence that her crush could win this.
And for one moment, to when Jaune was not able to dodge the attack in time, Pyrrha then used her Semblance to shift his shield upwards to intercept the Ursa’s claw. Sparing him from going into the morgue.
The impact from the claw made him kneel, but he managed to cleave the Grimm’s head off. With its black, slickly blood spilling out into the air as its body fell down, motionless as it dissipated.
Jaune standing tall, triumphantly from his first kill, tired and battered from it. It was the first time he had experienced such a thing… Aside from the initiation, he only strategized, not exactly fully taking part in combat.
Lordez could only nod in satisfaction. He already knew that the boy would win against the Ursa, as followed in the show. He was just concerned whether there has been a change to the plot, that he’d have to intervene.
It was only relief that he was not needed.
Jaune’s semblance seemed to be unseen, he’ll have to try and see it again when the time comes or when it is needed.
Unless it turns out to be the same one in the show; an Aura Replenishing Semblance kind, then there's nothing to worry about. But if it's something else…
The interests lie there.
Pocketing his hands, he walked out into the clearing.
“I see you had the situation dealt with,” He said, making himself known. The others noticed as well.
“Professor, we-!” Pyrrha tried to explain, but was cut off.
“I don’t care, Ms Nikos.” He cut her off, though he felt badly for how harsh it sounded when it was unintentional. The students flinched from his tone. Damn, now he felt like an ass. “The situation was handled greatly, as per your assistance to Mr Arc.”
“Wait, you’ve been watching?” Ruby asked.
“I just arrived,” He shrugged. “I was about to intervene when the Grimm had the great opportunity to swipe Mr Arc into the ground if not for his incredible reactions.” He glanced at Pyrrha, his voice suggesting that he knew that she used her semblance on the shield.
“But first, what had come to be for Mr Winchester to be covered in… Tree sap exactly?” He tilted his head towards the boy whose head was looking down like he was caught in something.
“H-He um, got knocked over by the Ursa Major and landed on one of the jars!” Jaune spoke up. Much to the surprise of Cardin, who didn’t expect someone he just beat up to defend him.
“Did he now?” He inquired, facing fully at Jaune. He looked at the boy for what felt like a long time, much to the teen’s relief when he said: “Questions aside; Cardin, I suggest you get yourself cleaned up. Unless you want to attract another Grimm to you?”
The boy widened his eyes in realization before he shook his head furiously.
“Then get yourself cleaned up and return to your tasks. The rest of you, I do not need to remind you of Miss Goodwitch’s instructions once more do I?”
With that, the day went as normal.
----------------------------------------
Ozpin, or rather his real name given by his Creator; Antonio Verdatz, was standing. Gazing outwardly at the window of his office.
Pondering on what the future will bring.
He had arrived in this (initially) mysterious world at least three millennia ago, or to which he had counted before losing the momentum.
At first, he was lost, trying to reorient himself to where he was before realizing that he is in an entirely new world.
Especially in someone’s body. Reincarnating from person to person - at least it was a male body he finds himself to be comfortable with - for a long time. And he did what his Creator had created him; to protect the innocents from harm.
He had remembered the time before when he had… lost in his way. Giving up hope, that he felt himself so useless.
He shuddered and felt angry at the memory, but at the same time glad of it.
He was glad that those four girls had reminded him of his purpose, even if it was not exact. He thought that his Creator had not abandoned him, and sent those girls to remind him of his purpose. He would not let his Creator down, not once more. Only then, even if it was a foolish one, he had hoped that he would see his Creator once more.
He would forever remember those words before his Creator had disappeared: “When all else fails, do not succumb into the mistakes of the past. Rather, learn from it, and venture onto the unknown. Not by someone else but by yours alone.”
He had not fully understood the meaning behind those words, but he somehow managed to take a glimpse at the least of it. There was power behind those words, similar to motivation.
‘To not lose sight of my purpose.’ Is what he thought it meant.
He thought so much of it. But in the end, he could only praise his late Creator for such wisdom. Saddened only that he cannot hear more of it anymore.
But that all changed when the fire nation-
Wrong one, my bad.
Only until now, something had arrived into this world.
Beings, only rivaling the power of his Creator, gave presence in the world. It was shortly brief, but it was enough for him to take notice of it.
He was certain that his Arch Enemy; the Queen of the Grimm, had also sensed their arrivals.
Fear came to mind when he thought they would come to destroy everything in this world. For what he had felt their power was NOT something to ignore.
One was filled with darkness and such evil, and the other filled with rage and destruction.
He steeled himself when he knew that those beings in that night appeared, hoping that they were reasonable, it only seemed that they were… cunning.
For them to appear and act lowly like the inhabitants of this world, was cunning. Their powers, despite feeling restraint to a great extent, were wise.
They are higher beings than the Brother ‘Gods’ his host memories had shown. Supreme Beings for they are more Supreme above a God.
Despite their concerning presence in the world, even more when they are in Beacon! But it provided him the advantage to monitor them. He cannot stop them, not even Salem can. No one can.
All he can do is to get on their good side, and appease their anger should it appear.
But when the Supreme Being of Darkness and Fear had spoken about the… future. He felt heavy.
The Fall of Beacon, the results of his death, the world fell into a blackout.
He wanted to know more, but Lordez had told him no more than that. It worried him. Despite hearing about a ‘plan’ he had prepared when the time came.
He really wanted to ask why, WHY can't they just destroy Salem? It was a foolish question that was building in his mind, but he quelled it out.
For almost three thousand years he had tried to defeat the Queen of the Grimm, many times a failure, and few times almost succeeding.
But this time… He is assured that it will happen. The time will come for the Queen to fall… And another will come to take her place.
He took a sip from his coffee. He will have to negotiate if, no, when the World has fallen into their rule…
‘When will the Light fade into the Dark?’
----------------------------------------
Lordez sighs in relief.
The field trip went well as usual in the show. Though Cardin and his team had received a scolding from Glynda on being caught unaware by a Grimm.
And he managed to acquire a dozen jars filled with tree sap. The substance itself was curious to his mind. How were the Grimm attracted to the sap? Or was it just the Ursa variant, being bears and all and the sap smelled like honey.
And besides, who knows if it would prove useful in the future?
Arriving back into his room - greeting Orm when they walked by each other - he brought out several items from his inventory.
[Eye of All]. A big crystal that is the size of a grown male adult’s hand with a singular red tear inside it. A Legacy Class item that is used for reconnaissance. Despite being such a low ranking item - for his opinion anyway - it still has its uses.
Its use is similar to the [Mirror of Remote Viewing], instead of acting like a typical spy camera shifting from a point of view in unlimited range, the [Eye of All] has a special ability that can locate specific individuals from anywhere - so long they are within the same world as was made in the game itself - and spy on them from a third person view.
(Though I preferred calling it MRV for short, easier to say) - (Sounds like the unit from Starcraft as well)
[Nightmare’s Wrath]. A necklace with a skull tied into it. A summoning item that has a 4 minute delay before it can summon a mass horde of low-tiered monsters that will aid the user. Reusable and not very costly in MP. The only downfall to the item is its delay summoning.
They would prove useful. He hadn't brought them out earlier because he had forgotten about it.
The latter would be useful for the Breach of Vale. He already has summons in the city, but having more fodder against the Grimm is better than lesser. And besides, the monsters summoned are estimated to be around level 29-38. Quite an overkill for this world’s standards.
But not that he would play fair anyways, he’d be having his plans regarding this world prepared soon enough.
The former though… He might be able to use it in searching certain individuals. Maybe he could use it to find Summer. Even dead, he can pinpoint her location. As its range is technically unlimited - only limited in its search if he was in the same world as the person he would be looking for.
Hell, he could locate the other Maidens. He wouldn't need to search for Amber, as she is obviously beneath the Beacon’s Vault. Raven, optional as he already has her location from the results of his advanced recon around the outskirts, and a general direction to where the Branwen Tribe is at in local knowledge of Anima.
The last two maidens, Winter and Summer. He had known of the former’s location being in the Atlas rurals, wanting to spend her last of her days in peace. He is not cruel to drag someone out of the place they wanted to spend themselves with.
The Summer Maiden however, a priority, but not exactly important as well. Someone that he’d use to find with the [Eye of All]. Even Ozpin does not know of her location as she is literally dead silent. Unless she had died and her powers either randomly transferred or her loved ones.
Tricky.
Picking up the item, grasping the orb in his palm, he raised it and then used its ability.
“[Eye of All]!” The item glowed.
Back in YGGDRASIL, he’d have to type in the name of the player to locate their position. He’d have to hope that the person he would be locating with the said item has not blanketed themselves with Anti-Divination spells.
For this world however, being real and all, he didn’t know how this would work. Unless he would have to think for the person, then it might be. It would most likely work due to there being little magic in the air. It would be the best logical possible theory that the item would work without any problem.
Deciding to put all of whatever luck he still has into the item and thought for the Summer Maiden. If the name is required in finding the person he is looking for, then it will be quite the hassle.
Almost instantly he activated its ability, he felt vision changed.
It went from holding the orb to looking at a girl sitting on a chair while writing something in a book.
He deduced that it worked and mentally cheered for himself for the accomplishment he had done, and that the item had worked! Despite not thinking about a person using a specific name to scry on them. He wondered if just by thinking about them would work? Was that the cause of the activation?
He’d ponder about the item’s changed uses later, for now he’ll have to keep an eye on this… girl.
He was facing her from the back, unable to see her face. Annoyed, he willed for the view to change and that it did.
His vision’s angle of perspective changed and it felt like it was rotating the camera’s view on a locked on character.
He was surprised that the girl was young! Maybe around 14-16 years old. Her hair was red with the slight faded orange blended into it. She had a small cluster of freckles on her face. She looked like she was around the height of Ruby and Velvet The bunny ears don’t count for height comparison.
What she wore was what he guessed was some normal looking clothes, though they looked medieval-themed for him.
He was curious enough to find what she was writing in a book that he went closer to it.
Much to his surprise, it was a journal! Diary, whatever! Based on her writing currently, it appears that she seemed frustrated with someone named “Cole” in the village named “ - he’d guessed she was living in a Frontier village.
It would make sense as to why the interior had a rustic wood theme to it. They are in the outskirts. Changing the view, he turned to the window outside. It seemed that the village would possibly be located somewhere in the continent of Sanus.
Back to whatever the girl is writing, it seemed that she and this “Cole” had some kind of an argument over a debt and that she owed the person some Lien from whatever they had made a deal with.
Usually, it's not his business to know whatever kind of business they are settling with. So he wouldn't care much about whatever is going on.
As he was about to deactivate the item, a door opened, revealing a small little girl who has similar features to the suspected-maiden-in-hiding writing on her diary.
“Sister, is everything alright?”
He was shocked, not expecting to be able to hear noises using the item. Perhaps it was due to him being ‘there’ but at the same time not being there? Like his consciousness is to where he is at? He is way confused with how the item’s mechanics had changed.
“Y-Yea, everything’s fine.” She closed the book before turning to the child, or rather her little sister. “Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be playing with your friends?”
The girl looked down, sheepishly speaking. “I was… just worried about you sis.”
The teen’s expressions softened from her words. She quietly hugged her into her arms. “Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be just fine. We shouldn't be so negative all the time or else-”
“-the Grimm would come for us.” Finished the girl. Almost as if she had memorized that line almost every time. “I know.”
Feeling that he is invading their privacy, he deactivated the spell and saw himself back in his room at Beacon.
It felt like {Undeath Sight} with the mix of the use of [Mirror of Remote Viewing], but different at the same time.
Though he felt sober and with that timing, now he felt a bit guilty intruding on them.
He wondered, was there something that happened at them? Based on the elder sister’s tone, it seemed she was saddened and at the same time frustrated about something. Maybe it had to do with this person ‘Cole’ written in the diary.
He sighed. ‘This just keeps getting better and better.’
Pushing the thoughts away, though somewhat glad that he finally located the Summer Maiden - if not only her appearance - he casted {Gate} and walked through it.
Walking through the portal, he found himself in an abandoned warehouse that is bristling with activities amongst his summons. Though they immediately bowed at him in respect, no doubt having noticed his {Gate} which obviously had told him of his unexpected visit.
“Has there been any disturbances?” He spoke dreadfully with a sounding authority in his words.
The spiders took a quick glance at each other before shaking their heads.
“I see…” He hummed before mentally taking note on summoning an Elder Lich later for logistic purposes. The spiders are intelligent, but he’ll need a summon that can verbally talk to him and relay messages to him from afar that is anything of importance.
He can't obviously do it alone.
He wouldn't try to summon them because of their duration in staying before disappearing. He’ll have to find a way to secure his summons permanently.
The Skull Spiders seemed to be an exception, as they still are here whilst they should have vanished 8 hours ago.
There must be a trick or some kind.
“I will be going along for tonight’s walk. Continue along with your work and stay out of sight.”
The spiders made a skittering sound, almost in worried panic. He stopped, sensing their distress.
“Is there something wrong?” He raised a brow. The spiders skittered before one hesitatingly moved several steps forward, this one being a bit larger than the rest, before replying in clicks and ticks.
Despite being non-verbal in understanding what they are saying, he somehow knew what they were trying to say. Quite weird.
Though what they are saying is that they seemed to be worried for their creator to walk alone in the streets.
He made a grin, amused by these spiders' concern for him. The spiders mistook his grin for anger, and thus the lead spider was about to lower its head in shame for asking such a thing, he quickly answered.
“Do not think of such things, having an escort would rather draw out unwanted attention if any of you were to come. Potential annoyances would appear rather than none that would observe in the night. I am able to defend myself from any threat.”
The lead spider still argued that they would prefer to see him being watched over at least by a few.
Lordez felt his expression stilled, but inside he was mentally annoyed and yet at the same time amused. ‘They act like children wanting to see their parents.’ Then immediately, the thought made a frown on his face.
“...Alright,” The spiders rejoiced. “But only 7 of you will be within a kilometer radius from me, for the possibility of you losing what may be a possible source of information. If I would require assistance, I shall call for you. Is that clear?”
The spiders frantically nodded as one.
“Good,” He hummed. “Now pick the 7 who will accompany me, and remember, a kilometer distant from me.” He recalled as he walked out of the warehouse and looked around, scanning if there were anyone nearby. He found none that would randomly stray into the building.
Using the {Light Step} enchantment he had in his equipment to jump onto a nearby roof - that allows him to become weightless as a feather and can jump higher than a 5-story tall building - he continued on to a random direction.
It wasn't for him to personally scout around the city. And besides, it's his first time to properly oversee the place without being in a hurry.
Out of nowhere, he heard a scream of desperation through the air. Finding the source, it was coming from his left.
Quickly leaping roof to roof towards the source, he activated his {Thermal Sight} and saw a couple small heat signatures being surrounded by three big ones.
He frowned as he guessed they were surrounding the children, meaning he had to hurry.
Without hesitation, he vaulted over the building and landed without care into the alley, making a small crater afterwards.
“What the-!?” Before the man could finish his sentence, Lordez instantly grabbed the man and lifted him a few inches above the ground. The man squirming and uselessly tried to escape from his grip. Using a small knife to aid his escape, but failing.
He eyed the man for a moment, not caring about the use of the knife seemingly stabbing his hand but failing to even penetrate his skin.
He glanced at the children, their expressions being frightened and scared. Quite expected for a scenario like this.
“Let me fucking go you monster!” The man screamed as he tried to escape from his grip.
Finding the man annoying, he twisted his hand, hoping to make him quiet. But in turn, he accidentally snapped his neck as a result, noting the loud crack when he did so.
He grimaced as he saw the two men drawing out their respective weapons, a pistol and a long knife. Their faces including the children, are creating a concerning amount of fear.
‘Shit, I might bring in the Grimm at this rate.’ He thought as he let go of the corpse. Dropping it onto the ground like a sack of potatoes. This scared the other two who drew out their weapons in fear.
“Scum...”
----------------------------------------
He and his little sister Ally were walking back home after strolling around in the park in their free time, they then bought some candies along the street to give themselves some treats.
Their parents didn’t mind as they were busy working, though they were supposed to be back before the evening. Though it was already getting dark near evening…
But they were heading home right now, so he’d doubt that they would get a scolding from such a thing.
“I told you, I kept my promise didn’t I?” He smirked as he ruffled his little sister’s head a bit, on which she gave him a small cute pout his way.
“But you said you would get at least 10! This is just 8!” She said while taking a bite out from a chocolate bar.
“Well we have to save money don’t we? Dad said so, remember?” He reminded me.
“Yeah… He did.” She deflated, remembering the words. It did make sense as they were having financial problems at the moment. “But they only cost like 5 Lien!”
Jake ruffled her hair, only this time was gently. “Now now, we still have to save some for some groceries for tomorrow. We don’t want to eat little for tomorrow now do we?”
“No! I don’t like eating little!” She complained.
“Hehe, don’t worry!” He smiled. “We’ll get some candy some other time, for now let’s just go home before Mom and Dad arrives.”
“Ok!” She cheered, her ears instantly perked up.
After a few minutes of walking, they turned a corner and accidentally bumped onto a man.
“Oof!”
“Hey! Watch where you’re going brat!” The man said harshly, annoyed.
“Sorry sir!” He apologized, bowing his head before grabbing his little sister and moving at a slightly faster pace. Though he managed to hear the man faintly said ‘Stupid kid…’.
He sighed in relief and continued walking normally when he could not see the man anymore. A few minutes later, he saw several men wearing jackets with a red sun symbol. He recognized the symbol and paled.
They seemed to have noticed them.
“Look what we have here~ Are you lost?” One of the men said in a mocking tone.
“Leave us alone, we won't bother you.” He said, keeping his sister close to his arms. He could feel her tremble by a bit, and his expression tense.
“Oh? We can walk you to where your home is.” The lead man smiled, but he knew it was a fake.
No human wearing a Red Sun symbol would care for a Faunus.
“W-Were fine, we don’t need help. We’ll be on our way.” He said before picking up his sister in his arms, turning around and ran away.
“Hey! Get back here!” The man shouted and chased after them.
Jake huffed and puffed as he ran towards where there are people and authorities should be, to make the men be discouraged from chasing them. But it was turning into evening, so not many people would be walking around the streets as it was a working week today.
Mentally cursing at the timing, he turned into a corner alleyway, hoping for a shortcut heading towards the park which he was sure the police would patrol there as it is the most public place he could think of which was nearby.
Much to his despair, the alleyway was blocked. They could climb over the fence if only the top wasn’t covered with barbed wires! Quickly he tried to get out of the alleyway just to be pushed back by the men chasing them.
“Trying to run away huh boy?” The leading man said as he cracked his knuckles. “Normally I’d ask for your stuff, but it seemed that you’ve made a big mistake on running away. So I guess it's time for you to learn your lesson.”
Jake gritted his teeth in frustration. If only the fence wasn’t barbed wired, they could have gotten out safely.
“We don’t want any trouble.” He pleaded as he placed his sister down behind him, widening his stance with his fists raised up in guard.
The man smirked widely. “Oh, but you did so.”
“SOMEONE HELP US, PLEASE!” Ally shouted, her voice rang through the alleyway and onto the streets out. But despite that, no one came.
“Oh no no no no, I don’t think no one is going to help you now brat.” The man drew out a knuckle duster with studded bolts on it.
Jake sweated nervously and desperately hoping for someone to save them. He hadn't unlocked his Aura yet and neither did his sister. He was also hoping for the men not having any Aura but he can't take that chance as there were three of them that would cover his flanks. And with a weapon as well.
He clenched his fists tightly as the man moved closer, his face was of a scum that he could think of.
‘Someone please… save us!’ With that thought, he was about to charge in in hopes of surprising the man as he would punch him in the face and have his sister run away to call for help.
*THUD*
Something crashed onto the ground behind the Red Sun men, small clouds of dirt and dust covering the air. Jake immediately felt fear flooded into his system. He didn’t know why, but his body seemed to think that this was something more dangerous than these men.
“What the-!?” The lead men cried out, or at least he tried to when a hand grabbed his face and lifted him up onto the air by a few inches.
From this angle, he could see whatever was holding the man up was not… a human nor a faunus.
He was something else. It looked like the Grimm, but it wasn't a malicious feeling…
It was dark.
Like a monster. A monster that brings nightmares towards humans.
It snapped the man’s neck as it went limp and dropped the body of the once-living like a sack of potatoes.
The other two Red Suns immediately draw out their weapons, one wields a long knife and a short sword, and the other pointing his pistol towards the newcomer.
Then, it spoke.
“Scum...”
He didn't know how to react to that, but he guessed those words were directed towards the Red Sun thugs. Deep and malicious. Tinted with hate and of nightmarish intentions.
The man with a long knife and a short sword charged at him like a crazed man while the other stood still, frozen from fear. Jake noticed that the man's pants were wet, smelling the taint of piss on it.
The monster grabbed the charging man’s head effortlessly, lifted him up before hitting him in the neck, knocking him out as the man fell to the ground motionlessly.
The monster then threw a chain towards the last-third one, wrapping it around him and pulled him towards itself.
The man tried to scream but the monster once again knocked him out with a use of its hand effortlessly.
The monster then unwrapped its chains from the man before dropping him onto the ground.
It stood still before he noticed its head looking towards them. He froze from its gaze. Even with his Faunus heritage, he saw no eyes, no shadow beneath its hood, merely blackness of darkness.
Almost a second later, giant spiders dropped down onto the ground, making him jump in surprise from their sudden appearance.
The giant spiders were some new type of Grimm he thought. White, black and red color scheme on their appearance along with the bone armor covering all around it.
At first he thought they would be doomed by these new Grimm. And how did they manage to get through the walls without being noticed? How did they not notice literal giant spiders a size of a frigging car within the city!?
But what shocked him was that they turned towards the monster, and lowered heads in front of it! As if paying respect! Was this monster their kind of boss? Their leader of some kind?
The spiders grabbed the bodies before disappearing onto the rooftops, the darkness shadowing their figures. Jake eyeing upwards as they disappeared.
The sounds of footsteps in front of him caused him to pull back into composure.
The monster was walking slowly towards them.
Jake saw a pistol on the ground, picked it up and pointed it towards the approaching monster. Or at least he tried to, when his hands were shaking like crazy.
“S-Stay away!” He bravado failed, rolling on a natural 1 for that check.
The hooded monster took a few steps more before stopping, in front of him… With the pistol just a meter away.
“...Put it down.” The monster spoke, making him flinch from the tone.
Jake couldn’t move. Not that he wanted to, he didn’t want to move for the sake of his little sister.
Before when he was young and first saw his baby sister, he promised his parents that he will keep her safe no matter the costs!
Oh how naive he was before.
Right now, it mattered by life and death.
“B-Brother, please…” Ally pleaded, tugging the edge of his shirt gently downwards, grabbing his attention.
“...I do not mean to hurt the two of you.” The hooded monster spoke once more, although this time in a more softer tone. The growling and rough edge from his voice is still there, but it was faint he noticed.
“How could we know you're not lying!?” He shouted.
“...Because you are not deserving of punishment.” It said before putting its hand into his coat.
Jake tensed, prepared for anything on whatever the monster drew out from itself… Only to raise a necklace with a small horn tangled in it.
“...Take it.” It said it took a few more steps forward, almost as close to where the tip of the pistol is touching its chest.
Jake couldn’t dare to move nor he couldn’t dare to pull the trigger. After the long feeling of what felt like an eternity, he lowered the pistol as he was about to grab the necklace.
But then his sister, being a curious little thing that would more-or-so-likely get into trouble many times than he could possibly count, grabbed the necklace from its hands.
“Whoah!” His sister awed from the looks of the necklace. “It looks beautiful!”
“Ally-!”
“...It really does, doesn't it?” It spoke softly once more. “…Blow the horn if you are in trouble, do not use it unless necessary, ok?”
She nodded her head frantically with a determined smile on her face. Her demeanor unchanged almost as if what had happened a few minutes ago didn’t happen at all. “I will!”
With that, the monster turned its back around and walked away.
“W-Wait!” He called out, making it stop.
It only shouldered a glance behind him, he didn’t reply as if expecting the reason for being called.
“T-Thank you… For saving us!” He bowed in thanks.
“...Do not come yourself to harm once more, little one.” Were its last words before it disappeared through the rooftops.
Many questions came to his mind on whatever has happened tonight, moreover so when what he had seen won't be quite believable to anyone - aside from his sister - even if he would tell them about it.
So he would keep quiet about it… Even with Ally telling them what happened, he doubted that his parents would take her words as truth.
“Hey, look at me!” He turned to her sister, seeing her wearing the necklace that the mons- no, their savior had given.
Now closely, the horn looked rather well-made, as it was covered in a vine-like theme.
It raised a question as to how will a horn save them from trouble, but if it was blown as said by their savior in case of trouble, he wouldn't use it. No.
He sighed in slight exhaustion as he pulled his hair backwards. “...Come on Ally, let's go home.”
With that, they now calmly walked to where their home was. And thankfully, he didn’t see any more Red Suns in the streets and there are many people on the street they are in.
“What would happen if I were to blow this?” She asked as she examined it thoroughly, like a child does with their newfound toy.
“I do not know.” He said, but he was genuinely curious to how a horn would help them in a time of need. “But we should blow it when there we are in trouble.”
“Like getting caught from stealing cookies from the cookie jar!?” She gasped. Jake chuckled on his sister’s reaction.
‘How cute.’ “No, maybe something like the… alleyway.”
“Oh…” She said… Before nodding her head, as if deciding something. “Yeah, I’ll use it when the bad men come to hurt us!”
While his little sister was smart, she was naive as a child.
Just like him before.
----------------------------------------
After when Lordez left the two children from the alleyway, he sent a {Message} to a couple of his Skull Spiders to keep an eye on them and protect them from harm.
Lordez sighed when he had interacted with the boy, it was tiring to say at least.
More so when their faces were something of fear… And he felt quite disgusted when he felt ecstasy from it…
Ok it was somewhat his fault for making his character like the taste of fear, but come on! He didn’t know about any of this was going to happen!
He did feel sympathy towards them. And evermore respect towards the boy, willing to protect his sister from those scum, even from him.
It was understandable. Someone coming in killing like a monstrosity badass… Though it did feel quite good.
But he did earn corpses to experiment with his summons though, so it wasn’t quite a loss.
It would still be a long night ahead for he has more to do