User blog:Phantomlink959/Solace of the World Tree, Prologue 1

PART 1: Grey Waldgrun

"I am sure you have all heard the rumors about teams; it is about time we explain."

 Grey Waldgrun stood atop the Beacon cliff, surrounded by other first year students. The young man looked moderately nervous  . He may have graduated signal; but that didn't mean he considered himself to be ready for real combat.

 "For the next few years, you will be working in teams of four... To be decided upon  today ."

 As the headmaster spoke, the recruit looked around him. To the right was his twin sister, Rouge, who was staring intently and trying to calculate her flight path. To his left stood a young woman, short and plain, her dull brown hair was in a bun just above her neck, while she was holding a rather large sword and shield. On her face was a mixed expression of nerves and fear.

 Next in line was a blonde haired boy, about his height albeit much broader of frame, and holding some sort of spear. ''"Those look like dust cylinders; he must be a specialist." '' The other boy looked very serious and appeared to be sizing up other students himself.

"Normally Professor Goodwitch would be here to help me explain, but she had other matters to attend to this morning. In any case, each of you will be assigned a partner upon landing, this partner will be the first person you make eye contact with. After you find a partner, you will make your way to the abandoned temple at the north end of the forest, take a relic for the two of you, and return to this cliff in as little time as possible.”

 The young man looked to his right one last time, to find that Rouge was now staring at him. Her emerald eyes locked intently onto him “See you on the ground, partner,”   she whispered menacingly as the launch plates armed one at a time.

“ Remember, do not hesitate to kill anything that attempts to hinder your progress. If you fail to do so, you will die,” Ozpin concluded as students began to fly.

 Moments after the headmasters words entered his ears, Grey felt a sudden and powerful shove before being flung towards the forest. “Alright, I can do this.” he muttered to himself, reaching for the rectangular box hanging at his side. With the press of a button, the small package quickly unfolded, first the blades away from the body and then the haft rotating and locking into form This was his first time wielding Kriegsgott outside of a training match.

“ I really hope this works!” he shouted to nobody in particular. As he loaded a magazine into the receptacle opposite the weapons blade, A handle with a small trigger unlocked and swung down into place, allowing Grey to fire a rocket packed with dust towards the forest floor; as it struck, the soil was instantly flooded and become swampland. The water dust having done it's work, he allowed the drag from his weapon's blade to slow him down further as he braced for impact.

 When the young hunter struck the ground, a tidal wave of muck exploded around him, coating the nearby trees, as well as his clothes in the thick substance “Glad I didn't wear my new suit,”  he thought to himself while assessing the environment “No other students; guess I need to go looking for them myself.”

After taking a few moments to take inventory of rocket magzines, the young man headed east, towards the nearest student he had seen in-flight.

PART 2: Lila Ashworth

 "...Remember, do not hesitate to kill anything that attempts to hinder your progress. If you do, you will die."

 Lila sighed. “Well, that's reassuring,” she complained to herself as the plate beneath her sprang upward, launching the girl into the forest. Midway down, she drew her sword and deployed her tower shield, the wall of lightweight metal serving to slow her fall as she directed herself towards the tallest tree, embedding her sword into the trunk and transferring her remaining momentum so she could land on a branch. The huntress in training re-sheathed her sword and shield, placing them on her back so she could descend the tree. “Eh, could have been worse,” the girl said to nobody in particular as she looked around. “Why is everything so fuzzy?” Lila pondered before reaching for her glasses “Oh, hell! Really?” she groaned, frustrated. Her glasses were in the wrong pouch and had been crushed when she hit the tree. “Great, just great!” she raved as she near-blindly tried to determine the correct path to the forest temple.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Need some help there?” someone shouted from behind,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">Lila turned and saw the vague outline of a male, probably human, with brown hair, and carrying a large blue painted weapon of some kind. “Not really, I just managed to break my glasses is all.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> He chuckled and stepped closer, collapsing his weapon into a small box and dropping it onto a mount hanging at his side “Happens to the best of us,” he said, looking her over “Close combat specialist I assume? Doesn't matter, anyway. I'm Grey.” He offered Lila a hand, which she grasped and shook “Nice to meet you, I'm Lila.” she said, squinting to try and get a better look at him “We should probably get moving, huh?” the girl suggested as they set out.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">Grey, in an attempt to pass the time while they walked, began asking the brown eyed girl questions. “So, are you from vale?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Yeah.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">The young man tired again “Were your Parent's hunters?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Dad owns a grocery store, mom's a math teacher.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> The young man sighed; clearly this line of conversation was getting him nowhere. Suddenly, he froze, a sour expression on his face, as a high pitched screeching sound started up, slowly deepening as it grew closer “Do you hear something?” Lila asked, turning to him “Yeah.” Grey responded “My sister.” the boy's shouldered dropped as he suddenly began to fear for Lila's safety.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">PART 3:Rost Smith

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> Rost stood at the end of the line on the beacon cliff, his weapon armed and body coiled for launch

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">"I am sure you have all heard the rumors about teams; it is about time we explain."

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> He looked to the right, blue eyes shimmering as he examined the three closest initiates. The first, a rather plain girl, stood nervously, holding a bastard sword in one hand, with a matching shield in the other. She wore plated armor, a simple metallic grey in color.  “poor thing looks terrified.” 

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">"For the next few years, you will be working in teams of four. To be decided upon today."

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> Next was a brown haired boy, of average height, who had no weapons immediately obvious, except for an awkward looking metal box hanging at one side. “L  ooks competent enough”   Rost thought to himself before examining the last student within easily examinable range, a girl, somewhat resembling the boy just before her in line, with a sword and dagger sheathed across her hips and four short metal poles between her shoulders   “I think I can work with her.”   he muttered internally, examining the multiple braids of russet hair that hung down her back, she glanced at him and scowled before returning her attention to the forest.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">"Normally Professor Goodwitch would be here to help me explain, but she had other matter to attend to this morning. So, each of you will be assigned a partner upon landing, this partner will be the first person you make eye contact with. After you find a partner, you will make your way to the abandoned temple at the north end of the forest, take a relic for the two of you, and return to this cliff in as little time as possible.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> After deciding he wanted the girl with the sword and dagger to be his partner, the young man immediately shifted his launch position to intersect with her projected flight path.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">"Remember, do not hesitate to kill anything that attempts to hinder your progress. If you do, you will die."

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> The moment Rost felt his plate click he was ready to be airborne; as he launched, the mage released a controlled stream of dust from the tip of his spear, pushing him closer to his soon-to-be-partner. As she landed, combining her sword and dagger with the folded staff to create a halberd and swinging off of a tree to slow herself, Rost intentionally overshot, going past her and landing with a “whump” when he struck a slightly 'softer' rock.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ note to self, lose course correction, more landing prep...”  He stood up, wincing while stretching the shoulder he had managed to jam against the rock before he pressed the latch to convert Magier Brudder into its short sword form before sheathing it beneath his ankle-length blue jacket. “Now, which way was she?” he pondered before hearing a loud scream; not of fear or panic, but of pure, unadulterated rage.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ THAT can't be good!” Rost shouted to the trees as he made his way towards whatever poor creature was about to die. What he found was hard for him to describe. In front of him stood the girl he had followed in, looking absolutely furious, standing over another female student who appeared to be unconscious. “Do I even want to know?” he inquired as she turned, her green eyes locking with his blue. She pouted and gave a resigned sigh “Whatver, let's just get this over with.” she said, with that she halfheartedly turned north.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">PART 4: Rouge Waldgrun

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> As Rouge landed, using Ira and Pieta in their halberd form to swing off of a branch, she heard a loud thunk beside her, turning to see another girl had landed just a few feet away. The girl turned with a smile, starting to speak “I guess this makes us part-!” however, she was cut off mid sentence by an inhuman roar and a right hook that rendered her unconscious. “No. MY partner is waiting for me further north,” she said, separating and holstering her weapons.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Do I even want to know?” a male voice inquired from behind. Rouge turned, hoping to see her brother and instead seeing a blonde haired boy, of roughly the same stature, with a bemused look on his face. “I'm Rost, by the way.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Ugh... Let's just get this over with” the redhead whined, turning and heading north towards the forest temple. After a short walk, they came across a large bog, where Rost scanned the terrain “This isn't on the map, any idea what might have caused it?” His partner smiled manically. “Yes, this is my brothers work!” With that, she started running full tilt, screaming in joy as she headed north. Rost cringed“This is gonna be a long year...” as he continued at a normal pace, the loud screeching noise emitted by his partner slowly quieted as she got further away, before stopping completely.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> Finally, he reached her location, finding her standing stock-still and glaring intently at another girl who happened to be situated next to the boy with the metal box. Now that he had a better look, he could tell the boy had peridot colored eyes. “Hello, Rouge.” the box-carrier said sheepishly as Rouge approached.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ So, that's her name then?” Rost asked “I haven't gotten a word out of her since she decided not to punch me.” Rouge stepped closer to Grey as Rost examined the assembled team. “You with the sword, what's your name?” he asked the girl who had barely made her presence known.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ I'm Lila, you?” the brown haired knight said

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Rost.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Good to meet you. This is Grey,” she said, gesturing towards the boy with the metal box, whom his partner was slowly creeping towards. When she reached him, Rouge grabbed Grey by the sleeve of his brown leather coat and started dragging him along the path towards the temple. Rost and Lila conceded to follow, sharing a concerned glance, while Grey halfheartedly tried to free himself from his sisters grip.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> After a few more minutes, they reached the temple and began to examine the relics. Rouge quickly selected a totem in the shape of a Nevermore for herself and Rost, while he examined the others carefully. “Grey, Lila, take the other Nevermore totem if you want to be on our team.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Why?” asked Grey as he looked over the other possible choices suspiciously.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Teams of four, each pair chooses one relic. Do the math.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Huh... that does make a lot of sense.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> During the brief exchange, Rouge picked up the matching totem and shoved it into Lila's hands

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ O-Okay,” the other girl muttered quietly, wearing a downtrodden look of acceptance.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">PART 5: Team Building

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Alright,” shouted Rouge “Nobody else has taken relics, so if we hurry up we should be the first team back.” Grey reached for the totem being held by his partner, who handed it over willingly, so he could store it in one of his ammo pouches. Meanwhile, his sister handed her own totem to Rost, who placed it in one of the pockets on his jacket. “Lets go, then,” Grey suggested, placing a hand over the arming switch for his axe just in case. The other members of the team put their weapons into the respective ready positions, and they departed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ So,” started Rost “where are you all from?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Vale.” the other three replied in unison, all trading odd looks afterword/

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Huh. Me too,” he concluded. “Did you all go to signal?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">Trading looks again. Each member answered in the affirmative

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ How is it I've never met any of you?

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Good question,” stated Grey. “You probably never met me and Rouge because she wouldn't let anyone else hang out with us.” Puzzled, Rost directed his next question to the apparently overbearing redhead. “Why wouldn't you let anyone else spend time with you and your brother?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">Rouge, irritated, stared for a minute into the distance as they continued walking “Hmm...” she pondered internally “That's just how it had always been, I guess,” she responded begrudgingly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">[20 MINUTES LATER]

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> The team arrived at the cliff after several minutes of awkward silence, Rost having, for the moment, given up on understanding his teammates for the moment.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ So, how do we get back up?” asked Lila

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ What, you've never done this before?” replied Rouge “It's like the opposite of a landing strategy. Grey, show her how it's done.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> The young man grinned and pressed a switch on the blue and silver metal box hanging at his side, deploying a small handle, which he gripped to lift the weapon from its mount, triggering an internal switch and causing it to begin unfolding into the form of an enormous battle axe. “Step back, everyone,” he instructed as he loaded a magazine marked with a grappling hook decal. He aimed the end of the weapon opposite the blades at the top of the cliff and pulled the trigger, causing a rocket with an attached rope to fire upwards, embedding itself at the top of the cliff. He then withdrew the magazine from the rope and flipped a switch on the bottom, converting it into a climb assist device. Grey stored his weapon and hooked the magazine to his belt while feeding the rope into it “See you topside,” he joked, and took a running start at the cliff as the engine kicked in, the extra force allowing him to sprint up the wall.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> Next was Rouge, who drew Ira and Pieta, her sword and dagger. The dust cylinder on Ira spun a phial of pale blue dust into position and charged the blade as she swung it upwards, releasing a sphere of energy that she struck with the dagger, ensnaring the bolt and dragging her upwards to the top of the cliff.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> Rost drew his sword and flipped a switch, extending the shaft of the spear, then pressed a button, splitting the blade and releasing a dust vent. A cloud of earthy brown dust sprayed into the air and he waved his hand, a silvery glyph appearing and absorbing the dust, staining it the color of earth, before shooting out numerous stone wedges that embedded themselves into beacon cliff, which he used as stepping stones to rapidly ascend.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%"> Lila simply sighed and began to climb using her enhanced strength to embed her hands into the stone. After a few minutes she arrived at the top, where Professor Ozpin and her teammates awaited her. “Showoffs.” she grumbled, panting, as the headmaster looked them over

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">“ Congratulations, you four are the first group to return. Feel free to return to the school, the team naming ceremony will began once everyone else returns.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">while the four began the walk back to beacon proper, Grey let slip something that had been bothering him. “Does it seem strange to anyone else that we didn't encounter any creatures of Grimm?”

<p style="line-height: 150%">[ELSEWHERE]

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%">A man stood in the shadows of the forest, his polished silver armor glinting even in the shade. Behind him sat a pile containing numerous dead Grimm that were slowly fading into oblivion. Without a word, he watched from a distance as the four students ascended the great cliff. Inside his helmet, the mans ancient face wore a demented grin as he turned away from the academy.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 150%">'''A/N: Sorry about the inconsistent POV, I'm still learning to keep it regular. Next chapter (prologue 2) is a 4-year time-skip to RSLG's first mission. The main characters will be in the first actual chapter.'''