Chapter Text
Darkness…
That’s all anyone feels in death. No—nothing. Because there was no more you to feel it… Not anymore. So why did you feel something? Peace and quiet nowhere but a sudden flash of light, filling the room—if that’s what it was.
A soft, sharp exhale, your eyesight came back to you in this vast expanse of white. What you thought to be your end seemed to be a mere snap of fingers.
“So he lives.”
Your sense of hearing abrupt, you turned to see two figures—one entirely purple, the other a gold yellow, though both glowed with vague facial features aside from the horns they had. The yellow one with a set of large deer antlers, the other with curved goat horns going behind over his head. You felt dizzy. Dizzy and confused. You looked at yourself, still wearing your black cape that curtained your form entirely. You moved it to your shoulders to see the rest of you in a dazed panic, still in your black robe. Boots, pants, gloves, hood—all black as you recollected, aside from the mask you realized you still wore, peering through the curved eyeholes of your faceless, white mask.
“I understand you may be confused.” The figure all purple took a step closer, breaking you out of your revived stupor to realize just how towering they were compared to you; they stood a few feet taller. Inhuman. “Death weakens your mind to nought in an instant. It’s not a comfortable experience.”
“Where…”
Body shivering from the experience of reliving, you took one glance up at the being before you.
“Where am I…?”
“Think of it as a line between death and life.’”
The figure all yellow stepped up, just beside the other. “A very thin line. One you had crossed once already, and now…”
“I died.”
You got your bearings slowly, body slowly getting accustomed to the sensations of touch, sight, and hearing. Oh, how you so hated the cold you were afflicted with. You lifted your mask just enough to feel your cheek with one hand. Cold. As expected. You looked around the room—if it could even be made out to be—only to see pure white. No doors, no walls, no ceiling. Just white, with golden entrails flowing around. Your first instinct was to focus on yourself, letting you dissipate into a cloud of black, shapeless mist before trying to fly around. The area didn’t seem compact, but there simply was too much vastness to find any exit, not for miles, if any. You gave up, simply reforming to your physical being, paying attention back to the two beings.
“Who are you?” You narrowed your eyes, peering through your mask’s eye holes with teeth-bared caution at the two.
“Brothers,” the purple figure simply replied.
“The God of Darkness—” The yellow figure gestured to the other. “—And the God of Light.”
Gesturing to himself, he continued. “And you are Hyde.”
“Yes…” You turned your head away slightly, just a moment, before keeping your eyes locked on them. “If you know my name, then surely you know my displeasure of beings like you, right?”
“We know your history. Past and present.”
“Then…” You gave a soft, long inhale, then breathed out quickly. “Why am I here?”
The two beings looked at each other, silent, then turning to you.
“We need you to play devil’s advocate,” The God of Darkness answered, his tone slightly apprehensive.
“God’s advocate,” the other added.
You raised a brow under your mask at their words. They needed an explanation.
“So you both condemned two lovers, in this world you created, to eternal living—the other to reincarnation—all because of some petty idea that bringing one back to life was not an option when they fell prey to illness? And for the other to learn the lesson of life and death?”
Comfortable with your state of living now, you kept your sights on the two tall beings.
“And now you want me to help said man fix it? After what I had endured before this? I can see why this woman turned the world against you.”
“If we allowed the request to bring him back, everybody would want their loved ones back,” the God of Light retorted. “Either nobody is exempt, or everybody is. You can’t make exceptions like that. Not in our position.”
“I’ll concede to your disdain for us, however,” the other brother stepped in. “We were… wrong. We were shortsighted. And whilst we still hold a grudge, we know we should at least give our creation a fair chance to unite.”
“And why me of all people?” You let a hand out from the confines of your cape, pointing at them. “You have the power to bring me here—why not anybody more suitable?”
“We could. We could find someone more suitable, rather than your cursed being. But you learned very hard lessons, and I believe yourself to be deserving of a second chance for it, despite your wrongdoings.”
With his words, the God of Light slowly paced around your still form, though you still kept your head following him. “A chance, for a chance. Redemption, for salvation.”
You kept still as a statue, only your head tilting down as you pondered the proposition. You didn’t want this, you just wanted to rest—pay your comeuppance. Or maybe this was it.
“How do you know I’ll keep my word?” You looked back up at them, the golden yellow brother stopping at the other’s side again. “I could simply throw the deal away, simply rot in this world. Your efforts would be for nothing.”
“We don’t.”
The God of Darkness crossed his arms, leaning forward to get a better look into your eyes through your mask. “But you have the choice to save people. Or not.”
You gave a sharp exhale, never leaving your sharp gaze at the brother’s.
A second passed, then two. Five more seconds passed. A shifted gaze away from them to ponder only incited your hands to ball up within the dark of your cape.
“Fine.” Low and begrudging, you caved in. “What happens now?”
With a quick gesture from the God of Light’s hand, your entire body began to glow a dim purple, glowing around you taut. You even brushed your cape behind to see the rest of you underneath under this glow. You felt more… durable. If that’s what you could pinpoint, at the very least.
“Just a small gift to ensure you don’t die easily. Your little dissipation act you already got from your reality will already be enough to help you. No need for more,” the God of Light said. “You’ll lose your memories of your past, but you’ll be there, and you’ll have our request in your mind.”
“What?”
Your head shook slightly, puzzled. “You said my past made me acceptable to help—why clean my memory? My past? My capabilities?”
“You’ll put pieces together, I’m sure.” The God of Darkness let a hand out, aimed at you.
The God of Light raised his hand at you as well, both of their hands beginning to glow their respective colors, even intertwining in a bright, almost entrancing light.
“Your memories will scatter; but you will always be whole.”
Everything went white. Then it went dark. Black. Did you die? Vanish? No. No, you’d have nothing on your mind if that was the case. Your memories—vanishing before your scattered mind, trying to pick at anything that would jog your memory. Your name? Hyde. you managed to catch that one quite quickly. But you knew this: those gods—if you could even see them as that—brought you here to fix their mistakes.
Where is here?
Slowly, you let your eyes flutter open. Through the eyeholes of your mask, the sights before you were mere blurs, unsteady before you could focus your vision, seeing a bright, blue sky, with the combination of red, yellow, and orange leaves lining the edge of your vision. With a slow, breath—feeling new once again—you slowly turned over, letting a hand prop your upper half up from the floor you now realized to be hard earth. You shifted your cape that blanketed your form to the side to better move, getting on one knee, then leveraging it to stand. A little wobbly, but you were awake. You looked around, seeing the many tall, and large trees that surrounded you in the small glade you woke up in, the greenery the same color scheme as the trees blocking most views past where you were. After a moment of looking around, you let yourself close your eyes, thinking. You attempted to collect some more of what you were before. You remembered them, but that wasn’t what you wanted right now. Some more thought—brainstorming more—then…
Aligning your focus, your body slowly began to dissipate, turning into that same black mist before flying through the fall-themed trees, ghostly exhales in tune with your form’s movement as you disappeared within the dense woodlands.
You stalked through the many buildings, recollecting just how many years you wasted, separating yourself from those orders wracking at your mind, only to come crawling back to try to pick up pieces of what to do exactly in this god-forsaken world. The shady part of this city in Vale was always dark—most streetlights gone out, and the few that were still working, flickering and dying, showing your form before walking out of its cone of light, your entire being almost still under your cape and mask, like a phantom. The only thing keeping you from hiding amongst the dark perfectly being the soft light of the shattered moon above, and your eyes giving you away like glow sticks. Each step was heavy, audible around the empty streets, until they stopped. You stopped, just before a large building. It was simple, and none of the windows showing any signs of light or life taking residence. But, by simply drowning what little noise there was around, you could make out the faintest sound of music—an upbeat, pounding rhythm.
This must be it, you thought.
You slowly walked over to the double doors of the building, but already beaten to it as it swung open, a few people scurrying out, conversing with each other about something—a commotion you could only pick up on. A few people got out, then more. Taking the step forward after enough people stopped crowding out the doorway, the sound of music became less muffled, originating farther down, going down into darkness, with the music growing much louder, more coherent. After reaching the end, the dark shrouding you was quickly replaced by the many swinging and rotating head lights above, along with the ever-switching colors glowing from the dance floor. It was only then you realized why so many people were leaving just a moment ago.
In the middle of the neon-colored floor, groups of men in suits and fedoras surrounded two people—a tall, older man in a vest, with short, black hair and beard and a woman in golden, slightly curly blonde hair—both in an inaudible discussion. Making out his stern expression as he pulled out a set of red sunglasses, and the lady’s more relaxed form and expression, it didn’t seem like a good interaction, you noted. You sidelined the lady out of your focus, beginning to keep a focus on the man, confirming the details of his appearance. You pushed past each of the many men surrounding them, uncaring, though in simply brushing past, or occasionally shoulder bumping against another.
“Are you Hei Xiong Jr?” You intervened, your low tone prompting them to stop and turn to you. “I heard you were the type to have information on certain things. I came to talk.”
“Sorry, buddy, but I got here first,” the blonde interjected. “You might wanna go find someone else to talk to.”
“I’m not talking to anybody,” Hei Xiong corrected. “Especially not you. So both of you better leave.”
The man pointed to her. “Especially you. Ruining the place and causing most of my audience to leave.”
“Aw,” the blonde feigned a pout as you turned to her. “It was only a joke, Junior. No hard feelings.”
“I don’t have time for this.” You stepped between the two, keeping yourself facing the tall man. “Just answer my questions, and I’ll leave.”
“They always say that,” Hei Xiong scoffed. “And you are? Some White Fang member?”
“Nobody,” you replied flatly. “Now, just give me the answers I’m looking for.”
“Uh, hello?”
You gave a drawn-out exhale through your nose, turning to the blonde woman, keeping a hard gaze at her lilac eyes that you finally noticed.
“Go home, lady,” you simply answered. “Seems you’ve already caused enough trouble by his words.”
You turned back to the man. “Now, are you ready to answer me—"
You couldn’t even finish your sentence as your body felt sudden pain from a hard blow to your side, sending you flying—tumbling, bouncing on the ground before hitting back-first onto the bar counter. You hissed in pain, shaking your head into focus as you looked at what hit you, seeing the woman, yellow bracelets on her fingerless-gloved hands extended into what looked like gauntlets, shotgun shells lining within the sides of them. At your hit, she immediately followed up by punching Hei Xiong far out as well, right over you and over the counter with a crash of glass bottles and someone behind it. The men surrounding her immediately rushed in, axes, bats, katanas in their hands, though trite as she got the first hit in, sending some flying and crashing into the walls of the club, or even knocking them down right where they stood.
Giving an annoyed hum, you quickly got back up, letting her get distracted with the group of men as you repositioned to deal with her better. You quickly scurried to the side, focusing yourself to turn to mist, flying up before reforming to normal, perched on one of the metal pillars holding the headlights above, in time to see the woman jump high into the air, aiming a fist before crashing down into the group, creating an explosive shockwave that knocked all of them away, and most knocked out of consciousness. You kept watch, observing like a vulture as she kept up her fight, even dealing with the armed DJ on a stage above. You adjusted your grip on the metal bars you stood on, seeing two ladies—one in red, the other in white—almost matching, step into the scene before engaging. Hit after hit, punch after punch, kick after kick. You kept your eye on the woman as she blasted entire explosions at the two. She got a good kick on the lady in red, boot to stomach, sending her into a glass pillar before going for a hit to the other’s head, then uppercutting her jaw, the punch sending her back with the other.
Your eyes widened at the chance when she stood there, somewhat boastful. You let your hands shift back your cape behind, then ripping out a headlight before throwing it down at her.
“Ow!”
The headlight broke into different parts and pieces after colliding with her head, forcing her to stumble as you leapt down, giving a good punch downward to the back of her head, then another to her cheek. Keeping it up, you grabbed at the front of her jacket as you charged into her, running her onto the counter of the bar, her body slamming over it.
You stood, keen on watching for any sign of movement, nothing appearing from over the counter…
You let a hand out, a black mist flowing to your hand before forming a scythe—the snath simple, pitch-black, with a curved blade that reflected light from the few dance lights that still worked. You let both hands hold the weapon at the ready. Just then, you heard something. A small click, followed by a shotgun shell flying up over the counter.
BOOM!!!
Your eyes could barely register the sight of the woman blowing right through the counter, pieces flying apart like shrapnel as she blasted towards you at breakneck speed, hand reeled back.
You narrowly swerved your torso left, her punch right to the side of your head with a near-miss blast from her shotgun gauntlet right by your ear. She readied another hit, so you swiftly dodged the other, this time ducking and readying your blade to the right as she missed a straight punch. You swung, only for her to collide the side of her gauntlet with your blade, a loud clank as she used her other arm to aim down, shooting to create an explosion right before you. With another blast, she launched herself into the air as it sent you back; although you managed to keep your feet on the ground, sliding back before coming to a halt. Your aura managed to keep you somewhat unfazed as you craned your neck back to see her raining firepower onto you.
You jumped out of the way, out of one blast after another. After the fifth, she landed with a heavy thud as you let your scythe meet her gauntlets. You swung down from above; she let an arm swing above to deflect the attack with her gauntlet. She threw an uppercut; you immediately jumped back to avoid her freight train for a hit. After failing to trade a few blows, you both locked weapons right into each other, the side of your blade clashing into the arm guards of her gauntlets.
You were about to charge into her again, but she beat you to it. She used her strength to push you away, the force making you stumble back as she followed up with a grab to your robe, aiming her knuckles right against your chest. And boom. Such a powerful blast from the shells she had sent you flying, feeling your aura break like glass as your body skipped like a stone on water, only stopping when you collided into the wall—right by the entrance you came in originally. You gave a low, growl, barely audible under your mask as you tried to prop yourself up with an elbow, glancing over to see Hei Xiong finally in the scene with a weapon in hand, catching the blonde’s attention. You could jump back in and try to fight once more, but in this state, you were as good as dead without that aura to help you anymore for the moment.
I don’t have time for this, you sneered in your head.
Putting focus in, you let your form turn to mist, flying out through the exit. You gave a good assumption you’d get no information here. For a long while.
Yang let her head droop on her palm that kept her up, so close to simply deciding to take a nap. She turned to her sides, seeing Ruby doodling on the small piece of paper on the desk whilst Blake and Weiss kept full attention, somehow, despite the lack of education currently being taught by the professor—if this is what was considered education here in Beacon—and simply rambling about his dealings with a Deathstalker. Or so she thought—whatever the professor might be talking about, drowning it out before a small ‘psst’ grabbed her attention to her left, seeing Ruby hold the paper up, showing a poor drawing of Port with stink lines on him. That got the blonde with a small laugh, held back as her half-sister blew a small raspberry, though the small audible grumbling from Weiss’ end said otherwise. Although, a quick clearing of the professor’s throat forced her to pay attention—right back to his ramblings. Ramblings that she drowned out until she heard something that would pique her interest as she feigned attention.
“The moral of the story: a true huntsman must be honorable. A true huntsman must be dependable. A true huntsman must be strategic. Well-educated. And wise.”
Maybe now the lesson will finally begin.
“So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?”
Just as Port asked, steps outside the doorway grabbed his attention for a moment, the professor glancing over to see someone Yang didn’t catch.
“Ah, hold on there,” Port called out, waving a hand to pause any students who may have wanted to answer. “I saw you pass by, Hyde! come in for a moment!”
Yang kept her eyes at the doorway along with everyone else, confused at what seemed like nothing that the professor called for. Almost nothing audible came from out of the room. Then, hearing the sound of a long huff, almost a growl before heavy steps audibly closed in, the person finally coming into view, entering the room with heavy steps. The all-black clothing, the cape that confined the figure’s entire body and barely reaching the ground; the faceless, white mask with curved eyeholes showing only the irises glowing a strong purple, and a hood to cover the rest of his head…
…It was you.
“Port,” you simply spoke, an annoyed undertone in your monotone voice. “I’m needed by Ozpin, so I suggest you be quick with your words.”
“Fantastic to see you here, dear boy!” The professor’s prideful attitude was rather undeterred by your rather grudging one. “Come, come!”
A hand placed onto your back, the aged man brought you closer to the reinforced cage.
“How about giving the students a show of character of what it means to be a huntsman?” Port urged, the ends of his mustache slightly curled up from the grin under it. “You put on a mean swing with that scythe of yours!”
Yang stiffened as your eyes scanned the class, easily seeing you gaze right in her direction, although it simply glanced past without even focusing on her, simply going back to look at the professor—unmoving.
“I’m not here to entertain, professor.” Your shoulders softened down, your tone sounding more soft. “Tell me when something is actually worth talking about—such as a student stepping out of line.”
Yang watched with a stiff gaze as you simply turned to the door, exiting down to the hallway without another word.
The professor could only give a nervous chuckle before turning to the class. “Well, that was unfortunate. He’s actually a kind boy, really—when you’re in trouble and need saving, that is.”
Some murmured amongst each other, though dying down just as quick as it started.
“Well…” Port cleared his throat. “Where was I? Right!”
Straightening his posture, he glanced around the room. “Who here believes to embody these traits of a huntsman?”
“I’ve seen him!”
Yang’s sudden and rather loud blurting as she stood up, hands slamming the desk, forced her teammates to jolt back, the other students around staring at the young woman in weirded-out confusion, and Port raising a brow in silence. Her sister leaned back to peek behind Weiss, staring at the older sister with a wide-eyed, blank expression.
“...What?”