It used to feel like a fairy tale
Now it seems we were just pretending
We'd fix our world and on our way to a happy ending.
Let them laugh.
The world was dark enough as it is, at home and abroad. The shenanigans seen and viewed by Baldr made him smile and shake his head, as large hands deftly put the finishing touches on a little toy from his village, Kringle silent in his office as the fire crackled. Outside, the howls of wolves filled the air and he breathed deeply.
Then it turns out life was far less like a bedtime story.
Than a tragedy with no big reveal of a hero's glory.
And it seems we weren't prepared
For a game that wasn't fair
Do we just go home?
Can we follow through?
When all hope is gone
There is one thing we can do.
Vale! Ozpin, both down in the span of a single night. Even now, the news still rocked the old man to his core as he got up and leaned against the window of his office. Outside, the lonely view of the mountains and snow made his bones ache, the weight of years upon his brow as he closed his eyes. It all seemed to come back to the war, in the end. That was an era that had sorely tested all of them, himself in particular, challenging what he thought he knew. It was more then a war for freedom, for the right to be seen as a person for some, thought undoubtedly it was important. No, if anything the war revealed something else.
Just how isolated and alone, humanity could be if they so chose. Give them a big enough stick, and more then likely they'd beat themselves to death with it. Whatever had taken down Vale knew it...Whoever had eliminated Ozpin had known it. Kringle frowned, thinking of the other schools, the bastions of Hunters and Huntresses that made it their lifes work, passing on their knowledge to the next generation of protectors. Who would be next? Who could you trust?
His eye turned up in a smile as he laughed quietly at his folly.
Let's just live
Day by day
And not be conquered by our sorrows
The past can't hold us down
We must break free!
"You seem more amused of late, Headmaster."
Behind him, standing at the door would be the cyclopian visage of Miss Gard, her eyepatch taking nothing of the quiet dignity she exuded as she stepped forward to stand next to her father. Kringle reached out to embrace her, one meaty hand and hefty arm pulling her close, which she fell into with a quiet sigh.
"I have had epiphany daughter. What do our schools teach, hmm?"
She looked quizzical in reply, unsure where this was going. Kringle chuckled heartily.
"We are schools of death. We take children, give them weapons and point them at monsters. Many die, many more quit...Even more choose to keep moving onward. But this? It is not enough. Ozpin knew this, and so in his memory as I contemplated my old man thoughts? I have come to conclusion."
He beamed and touched the tip of her nose in a mini-boop, prompting a quiet smile.
"Is not enough to teach best way to shoot, or different types of Grimm! No, they will walk forever with Death.... I, must teach them life." He laughed aloud at Gards expression, seeing in her growing severity a mirror image of her mother as he kissed her forehead.
"Thank you for listening to an old man ramble. Now off you go. Students need sleep. And big day is tomorrow."
Inside we're torn apart
But time will mend our hearts
Move onward
It's not the end
So let's just live.
------
Breakfast was a subdued affair. On the table, left for the taking was simply wrapped sandwiches. Quick and as those would notice, portable food along with a thermos. These would be distributed out, along with instructions to meet at the
Hall of Monsters.
The hall itself was easy enough to discover, it was just off from the Courtyard. Lined up with numerous statues, of Grimm and various other monstrosities. Like an honor guard, their sightless stares lingered on the students, the weight of years upon this area...Whatever this school was, these statues at least were old. And standing before a modern, heavy looking gate would be Kringle and Gard. The former smiling in a jolly manner, a white wolf by his side that prompted Angus to smile briefly. Miss Gard would be examining a checklist before stepping forward.
"Good morning everyone. For those who missed introductions or unsure, I am Miss Gard. Deputy Headmistress at Valhalla Academy. Currently, we are about to embark upon the trials to determine teams - You have proven you can fight and you have shown great courage and planning, both in the impromptu defense of Geat Village and in coming here. Now? We must determine your team composition. For four years, you and your team shall share a dorm, work together, plan together- You will be family. You will be...More." She looked more stern as she added.
"There is also a high fatality rate at this point, so if there are any unsure....Headmaster Kringle himself has opted to escort you down to the village, where from there transport shall be arranged at his own expense."
She waited a beat for any to respond, her gaze flicking over the following. Drake gritted his teeth and his grip grew tighter on his hilt. The black-armored, shield-wielding huntress next to him had no features seen with her helm on, but her posture seemed that of casual rest.
If no one stepped forward, she inclined her head and acted the doors. Slowly, ponderously they grinded open and the first thing to hit everyone was the cold. Sharp as knives, they pierced the protective gear handed out to them. Miss Gard stood unflinching and the white wolf howled into the air, answered in the distance like the call to arms.
"You each within your jacket have been given a location at random. Your objective is to make it to that location, wherever it takes you. To find your partner...Simply make eye contact. That partner will then be yours, for the remainder of your time here. Good luck." Another beat passed and with a sudden roar like a drill Sargent she called out.
"MOVE OUT CADETS!"
Baldr, the White Wolf nuzzled Kringles hand, tongue panting out at the head rub that followed before letting out another howl and running out into the cold. Angus grunted, Producing his shield before running out after, soon followed by others. As soon as all of them were on the bridge leading out to the Black Forest however...The gates closed behind them.
And then the bridge launched them all into the air.
Like a springboard, a number of them flung out to random areas of the map as Kringle chortled with glee and on the other side of the bridge, Baldr watched the hunters and huntresses fly.
".....You take far, too much glee in that, father."
Kringle waved a hand.
"Leave an old man his vices. Now!"
His eye glinted as the devices show-cased each Students landing strategy.
"....Show me what you got."
---------
Morgan DeNemain, Ella Sidhe, Celadon Terentius and Lavi Tarantola would find themselves landing in what looked like a black pine forest of sorts.
Samantha Guinness, Minori Pendragon, Rachel Cole and Ervin Douglas flew in the direction of a cliffside face.
Aven Nyx, Drake Scarlet, Rowena King and Midna Eclipse found themselves tumbling among what looked like a riverbank.
Cillian Combs, Mona Creum, David Amadeo and Katarina Nero found themselves flying out on the outskirts of what looked like an abandoned townstead.
And a ways away, Angus found himself away from everyone else. The landing was easy enough. A shotgun blast to slow his descent, Headhunter drawn to cleave anything in his path, a slide on the snow and he was ready. Honestly, this was a lot more his pace and speed. He breathed deeply, enjoying the scent of nature for what it was, the open air where he had grew up. The wilderness was his home, his backyard. As far as he was concerned, he had a home field advantage now and he rushed off to meet up with whoever was around before pausing.
He cocked his head to the side, suddenly very still as he listened carefully.
--------
Kringle frowned.
"Linna, we've lost visual on Angus. Try to fix that, won't you?"
--------
Was this part of the test? Angus turned and more lightly then most would have given him credit, glided across the snow and into an alcove, descending towards the source of the noise. A hole, leading into the underground as he listened carefully. A beat later, he made up his mind and leaped into the dark.
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