Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Inner Circle (2)
Chapter 146: Inner Circle (2)
~Jack POV~
I and Ruby both looked at each other with surprise on her face and mine as well.
Glancing at Qrow Ruby was the first to ask in pure shock as she talked to him, "Uncle Qrow… are you really a part of a group that is meant to save the world?"
Qrow tries to play it off as being cool as he responds to his niece with a gentle smile on his face to her, "Yeah… sorry about keeping this hidden kid. But I never wanted you to be part of this because… AHEM! Of a certain someone, I had to talk to Oz here about it."
Whistling innocently at that Ruby soon rushes to her uncle gushing in about how cool he is, "Ah! I knew Uncle Qrow is the best! If he was chosen for being a secret guardian saving the world! My Uncle is so cool!"
Raising an eyebrow at that with Qrow simply taking the hug rolling my eyes a bit at that but smirk seeing their interaction.
Ozpin, Ironwood, and Glynda merely smiled at this while I began to talk to Ozpin about the situation, "Ok… so then is there any more after the introduction? And what happened to Headmaster Theodore and Lionheart."
At that, Glynda was the one to respond with a frown on her face as she spoke out, "Sadly enough our former colleague Lionheart won't be of much help. Theodore is handling the issue as we speak."
Ruby soon let go of Qrow confused by this as I understood they took their actions of taking care of the threat.
Good.
Ozpin turns to talk to us as he gestures to us to follow him inside the elevator we all follow inside.
As we all go down the elevator Ruby was holding my hand during the trip as I asked the obvious Ozpin, "Where are we going?"
Ozpin merely replied to us in a single sentence, "The vault. Under the school."
Getting surprised by this I began to question them for trusting us this soon about them, "Not to be rude but why are you trusting us with this secret of knowing the Vault?"
At this it was Ironwood to speak out responding to my reply in a serious but calm tone, "We thought to show this to you and your teams when we introduced you all during the Vytal Festival… but circumstances changed that."
Ruby was the one to respond with a frown on her face as she spoke out the reason why, "It's because my mom isn't? Did she also work for you as well…"
Glynda was the one to respond with a frown on her face as she explains something, I didn't expect them to say, "Yes, she did. She was exactly like you in a way Ruby. We introduced her to our group in the final years becoming the best team in Beacon one I was glad to teach in my early years. When we heard her gone Ozpin and I made sure to use our influence so that no info of your eyes reached anyone so long you were inside the Vale Kingdom."
Ruby's eyes widen at that so did I as I never expected them to be this serious about guarding Ruby.
Ozpin was next to reply to Ruby with a sorrowful and mournful tone of his voice as he spoke out to her, "Yes… it was hard for all of us to lose allies. But I guess luck might be on our side for once with your mother returning making all our efforts to protect you with your Silver Eyes but also any potential Maidens."
Uh oh.
That's a flag if I saw one.
Qrow gruffs at that while glaring at me for the other reason why at me, "Yeah… we would've never introduced you in kid if it wasn't for a certain someone spilling the beans."
Holding up my hands in defense sensing hostility from Qrow still sore about me telling it to Ruby, "Whoa! I told you before I apologized for telling Ruby already. There was no way I was letting Ruby not know what happened just well… we didn't expect Salem."
Ironwood on the other hand scolds me but also encourages my actions for my genuine response of helping my friend, "I suppose you wouldn't be able to control yourself helping your friends Jack. But that's also dangerous knowing any knowledge that isn't meant to happen but having you become a Silver-Eyed warrior only increases your life being endangered… but then again I don't fault you for your actions wanting to know what happened."
Strange from him of all people to give me encouragement but…
<Fusion>.
[Ding!]
[Notice of higher level than player modifying the condition…]
[-Fusion Conditions-
Description: General James Ironwood he is the Headmaster of Atlas Academy, as well as the general of the Atlesian Military and a holder of two seats on the Atlesian Council. His weapon of choice Due Process, was a pair of revolvers that could be inserted into a larger cannon form. Make a business deal with him for a partnership of one of your items.]
Guess I should've seen that coming.
The elevator continues downward through the vertical tunnel of dark green lights until it opens its doors and us to step out, with us being the last to leave as we absorb the sight of the large, sparsely-lit hallway she is now being led through.
Glynda waits up for her behind the others as she talked to us, "I'm sure you must have questions."
Ruby is still taking it all in while she asks them what the vault is leaving her overwhelmed by all of this, "Maybe one, or two... I still don't understand. You said earlier you protect potential Maidens… What do you mean by that?"
Goodwitch then begins to explain to the both of us while I kept a calm mood about the whole thing as Glynda explains in a calm tone, "The Maidens have existed for thousands of years. But much like in nature, the seasons change. No two summers are alike. When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons are never lost and that no individual can hold on to that power forever."
I questioned this with a raised eyebrow in honest curiosity, "So, how does the power choose?"
Qrow over his shoulder responds to my question with a smirk on his mug, "Through a series of stupid and convoluted rules."
"Qrow."
Glynda gave a hard stare at Qrow him replying defending himself, "Hey, don't get mad 'cause I'm right."
Goodwitch goes back to us, explaining it all carefully for me and Ruby to understand, "At first, the only thing that was certain was that the powers were specifically passed on to young women. But as time went on, it was discovered that the selection process was much more... intimate."
Intimate?
I think the stupid sexist rules it has only for women to be handpicked even though it belonged to a guy to begin with.
Stupid magic bullshit rules.
Goodwitch continues to explain it for us since I was still unsure how the whole process goes on to become one, "As we understand it now when a Maiden dies, the one who is in her final thoughts is the first candidate to inherit her power."
Qrow was next to talk about the stupid bullshit rule of gender despite coming from Ozpin himself which I question, "Unless it's a dude or some old hag. Then the power goes to someone random, and our job gets a lot harder."
Ruby for her part asked to respond and question about the Fall Maiden, "Oh… but in that case where is the Maiden you guys are protecting. If what you say is important, where is the Maiden, you guys are keeping…"
Qrow sighs at this as he explains to us the bare minimum of what happened to the Maiden and the trouble they are in, "I don't know if you've noticed, but things are getting a lot scarier out in the world. Tensions are high. Grimm is growing stronger, and more prevalent. And it's not going to be much longer before the peace we've been enjoying so much goes out the window."
We both remained silent at that knowing how hard we both fought for peace… well it was nice while it lasted.
Qrow begins to explain to us what we needed to know for the time being new, "We can fill you in on the details once we get everyone in your team onboard. For now, all you need to know is that one of the Maidens has been attacked. And for the first time in history, part of her power was stolen."
Blinking in surprise the both of us never thought our teams had to be involved flabbergasted at this since they want to keep this kind of info a secret.
Seeing the confused expressions on our faces Ozpin began to chuckle at our reactions explaining it to us, "Hehe. I see you are surprised to include your own friends and team in this. Well, we originally planned to do it anyway after all of you saved Remnant. We need people like you to help us in our cause. And my inner circle feels the same way."
Turning our attention over to Ironwood first he coughs into his mouth about us joining their group, "Ahem. I was the one who agreed to let you lot in. What you displayed saving Remnant is what Huntsman and Huntresses are to our code. It would be a waste not to have such talented and brave group of people join our circle despite how young you lot are."
After that, we turned our attention towards Glynda as she pouted and sterns her glare at us but softens up when she also agrees with them, "I would've preferred you, children, to not join this shadow war but… sadly I do agree with Ozpin allowing you to join because of that day. I just wish it was us older generation to carry the burden and not what you have gone through to save everyone."
Raising an eyebrow at that I sense a hint of jealousy in her thoughts when I scanned her using <Telepathy> guess some warrior's pride harm more.
Qrow was next to speak up already voicing his opinion of us not joining but because of me and the info he had no say anymore, "I would've preferred to not let my niece or anyone I care about in this shadow war. But… the situation calls for it with the info the kid here gave me. And I would be spending most of my time helping my nieces out for a change of pace."
Smiling lightly at Ruby she began to smile a bit with a hint of hope in her voice asking him, "Wait… does that mean we get to see you around more often? And you help me train to be the best Huntress ever?!"
Haha.
Always the optimist eh Ruby?
Qrow nods happily as she rushes in to hug her uncle he did the same causing the group to see her ready to join but, I was going regardless of their permission or not considering the issue at hand.
As the saying goes keep your friend close and keeps your potential enemies closer.
That was when Ozpin began to activate something on his Scroll getting our immediate attention right away, "Now then… I believe we can show them what happened to the Fall Maiden. They need to know what's at stake. Do we all agree?"
Everyone in Ozpin Inner Circle agreed as we soon see a pod coming up from the ground making me frown at the scene of the Fall Maiden state.
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