Kindled Spirit [RWBY Fantasy AU]

[AzureAurora]

Kindled Spirit [RWBY Fantasy AU]​

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AN: Welcome! This AU mainly stems from a mass streamlining of the power system in the setting, focused on a single power and it's facets instead of five. And the conclusions of how that changes things. As well as writing for fun and practice! Engagement feeds me. Lemme know what you think!

Chapter 1: The spark of soul.

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Dyllaine Dawnspring stared at himself in the mirror that sat beside his chair in the back of the workshop. A pile of empty bottles in boxes sat at one corner, while rows of shelves with different ingredients of crushed powders and shimmering vials glittered from the other.

He focused on the mirror, where he saw himself. A sea of silver hair framed his face like the frankly unruly mane that it always was. Vivid green eyes peered out at him from beneath the sea of fluff, as a small smile bloomed amid the silver scruff that framed his face. This his skin carried a rosy hue- his days of wandering through gardens pitted against his natural pale complexion.

Can't forget the smile.

He nodded to himself, before he finally tuned back in to what his companion was saying.

"-So while it's potency isn't fully tested, I do believe that this vial has enough herbs tied to bodily strengthening and mental acuity to get someone in fighting shape! Although, I've not tested the side effects completely just yet!" Came the voice of Sylvia, whose tired smile reached lidded amber eyes- and radiated pure pride for work well done.

"That's great! I knew our hard work would pay off!" Dyllaine cheered, as he stood up and pulled Sylvia into a hug. Utterly unbothered by the smudging of inks, stains, and potion residue that stuck to them both.

He lifted Sylvia off the ground, her drooped hazel eyes widened as surprise won over fatigue.

"H-Hey! Dyl! Put me down- I did all the work, you know!?" She yelped, one gloved hand continuously slapped against his head- but alas, the sheer unyielding floof of hair provided plus ten defense from unarmed damage!

He paused and blinked up at her.

"But what about the drinks? And the food runs? And the coffee breaks? And making sure you got six hours of sleep?" He froze for a moment. "And uh… all the tests! I drank so many vials my tongue-" He stuck it out- low and behold, it shimmered like a rainbow of luminescent candy.

"ish steel grlowing!" He exclaimed, visibly pleased.

"I-I get it, thank you for your hard work- now put me down!" Her repeated ineffectual slaps grew more insistent- before Dyllaine dropped her with a chuckle.

"So you think it's good enough, Syl? Got all the notes and stuff?" He asked, unable to stop the grin that threatened to cramp his cheeks.

"Of course it is! It should in theory, help someone find the center of self they need for an awakening." She trailed off, in thought- as Dyllaine gingerly picked up the vial.

He shook it gently and watched as the liquid swirled and shimmered. Most potions he got to see were luminescent, sure- they gleamed plenty of different colors- blue, red, orange, green- all dependent on what their purpose was. But this?

One corner was dark as night, with small pricks of light within, that slowly bled into brilliant orange light. It was as if both midnight and dawn were contained within the same bottle.

He shook it- and watched the colors spiral together. They touched- but remained separate, as if the border was more than color.

Maybe it was? Dyllaine wasn't well versed in arcane things.

Yet.

The mental reminder caused him to nod to himself. He'd understand it all!... Eventually.

"It should take me a few days to finish testing it, I think…" Syvia continued, as Dyllaine hummed to himself.

If initiation is tomorrow, and I've already packed- it pays to be prepared! Then I should be able to drink it now and have a good night's sleep, no?

"It's very important to not rush this kind of thing. I don't think a stimulant this strong has been used outside of maybe the slayer guild, so caution is a must- Dyllaine?" Sylvia finally noticed her friend had stopped responding.

The smell of blueberries, freshly cut grass, and hope. Wafted through the workshop, as the lantern that sat above their heads was outshined by the now uncorked vial in Dyllaine's hands.

He was transfixed, as he peered into the swirling liquid in his hands, as it seemed to take on a silver hue. It felt like anything could be found beneath the surface of the vial- of something so small, and yet so significant.

And Dyllaine was tired of not being anything.

To take the first step, is to become someone new.

The words of his mother reverberated in his head, and Dyllaine smiled.

"D-Dyllaine, I know that smile. Put the vial down- t-that's got the concentration of twenty different herbs! You can't just raw-dog it!" Sylvia exclaimed, as she grabbed Dyllaine's hand.

Their eyes met, hers pleading, and his vibrant.

"I can't?" He echoed, but his tone was anything but accepting.

He raised a brow, and she furrowed hers.

"Dyllaine Dawnspring, you better not-" Alas, her words were unheeded.

"A Dawnspring can raw-dog anything!" He exclaimed, his voice full of pure joy as he leaned forward, grabbed onto the vial with his mouth- and tilted it back.

In a moment- the full concentrated radiance of the potion filled his mouth and slid down his throat. It was warm as if he had taken a sip of both sunset and sunrise. It tasted like his first breath, and his final thoughts at night. Like the dreams he held close since he was a boy, and the fears he never spoke aloud.

It tasted like… Dyllaine Dawnspring.

For a moment, the two of them stared at each other. And Dyllaine smacked his lips a few times.

"Huh, that tasted pretty good." He stated into the silence.

Sylvia's horrified expression didn't budge. And it took Dyllaine a moment to realize why- he looked down.

At the ball of light that slid into his stomach.

"Oh." Was all he managed before it settled in.

And everything was drowned out in a sea of silver light.

--- Kindled Spirit ---

​

Dyllaine was amid a heartbeat, in a sea of darkness- where there was nothing. No direction, no sensation beyond shadow, and no indication of life. The isolation ended as he tasted blueberries and felt the warmth of a hug- of every hug he's ever had.

His chest grew warm, and the second heartbeat resounded. What followed wasn't blinding, nor was it a grand declaration of heroism- but rather, it was the feeling of… taking that single step forward.

Nervous, uncertain, optimistic? It was silver.

Silver small pinpricks, like the drops of dew on a misty morning, or a swarm of fireflies in a forest at night- they swirled and danced within the air- as if they were the fireworks that shimmered in the night sky- from the festivals Dyllaine had seen since he was a boy.

They seemed to linger for a moment- before they began to gravitate towards him- and formed a ring.

A second thrum resonated through the space, as if it held it's breath.

What do you desire?

It wasn't a voice, so much as it was a feeling.

Intrigue- and the ache of a void… of something empty, that waited to be filled.

"Ever since I was little, Ever since I could walk… I wanted to be a wizard." Dyllaine's thoughts were voiced and resounded into the ether. There was no air, and yet the darkness around him rippled like a stone tossed into a pod.

A hand held in his, a kiss pressed on his brow, a hand ruffling through his mess of silver hair, a gentkle poke against his cheek. Each word brought an old sensation, a memory, another flash of warmth.

He held his left hand out, splayed open- cupped, as if to receive a bounty from the darkness- or to hold a hand.

"To be able to smile, no matter what. I want to have a party that relies on me. I want to feel wonder, like in the stories. I want to have an adventure. I want to mean it." It was earnest, it was corny, and it came from the bottom of his heart.

No matter how many times Sylvia cracked a joke, no matter how many times his sister rolled her eyes, and his mother tussled his hair…

It could never change. Only grow.

Yearning, memories, connections yet to be forged.

Dyllaine's gaze lingered on the sea of silver, as it slowly formed a ring around him, a ward against the oppressive dark. Another heartbeat, like the ring of a bell.

Follow your heart, young spirit.

The ring split into strands of light that flowed into his chest- a stream of warmth that lit a fire inside him- a wave of radiance billowed outwards, as that flame nestled inside of him.

A breath stoked the flame like a furnace's bellows- and Dyllaine felt himself burn.

--- Kindled Spirit ---

​

There was a massive canopy sprawling out into the horizon, one dotted with crumbling stone spires, towering treetops, and the occasional massive bird that flew across the horizon's skyline. Only eclipsed by the occasional cloud rolling by the clear autumn morning sky.

A way behind them? Stood the sight of the towering grand building that was Beacon- the greatest Slayer Guild in all of Vale's Kingdom. It was certainly built like a grand company… or a church, if one looked at the spires and edges, and not the gardens, or the ballistae lining the walls.

A grand tower in the center, flanked on both sides by two story buildings and a grand courtyard, interspersed with vibrant flora, gardens, and what appeared to be two training grounds. Stables flanked the far right side- with a curving cobblestone trail around the guild's grounds, towards the winding footpath that connected Beacon to Vale.

But the asthetics were not very important at the moment- what was important was the group stood at the cliffside away from Beacon's ground proper. A mostly barren ridge beyond rolling fields of grass and some odd, purposefully built grids cut into the surface of the cliff.

Dyllaine Dawnspring stood on one of the tiles, as he looked out into the canopy of the emerald forest- even as a blonde woman gathered the attention of everyone present.

One Glynda Goodwitch, an attractive and well renowned slayer and if memory serves, vice guild mistress, went over the rules. One hand tapped the head of her scepter into the other, as she spoke.

"You are to head north and retrieve the relics from the temple. There will be Grimm in the forest, exercise reason and take out the obstacles in your path. Please do not maim your fellow initiates, that would be grounds for disqualification. We don't need new blood that desperately." She swept her stern gaze across all the initiates; her eyes lingered on Dyllaine's own for a moment.

Dyllaine waved and received raised eyebrows for the trouble.

He blinked, and waved harder, which earned a few looks from the rest of the people stood amongst the cliffs. However she seemed to move on, and chose not to comment.

Between the blonde hair, emerald eyes, and well-defined features- Miss Goodwitch made for an intimidating sight to most, and that didn't include the scepter that she carried with her. The ebony wood of the stave was only matched by the shimmering amethyst crystal inset at the tip- a rune flashed within it's surface with each swing she made- like a conductor's baton.

And thus, Dyllaine's complete lack of intimidation made even less sense.

I think that went quite well!

A wave was a sure-fire way to be friendly, after all.

His other hand rubbed at his cheek. It still ached after the experience he had yesterday. Sylvia confirmed that the concoction worked- after he woke up to her screaming at him to wake up while she slapped him black and blue.

Apparently, he was either going to get really healthy, or be on life support at that point. No wonder she wanted to test it some more!

But hey, it worked!

… he would have to get her a gift or something, after he joined the guild.

Scaring honorary sisters is not the Dawnspring way, Dyllaine.

He chided himself, with a wince, even as Glynda continued to speak.

"The first person you make eye-contact with will be your partner. This system ensures that initiates do not die in the field-"

Like it was clockwork, the scepter wielder glared at a man in heavy armor that audibly scoffed.

"We've had enough arrogant initiates die- we do not except solo initiates. We do have observation golems on hand, so we will know who meets who. Everyone has until noon to retrieve a relic- a symbol of your ability to survive and complete tasks- and make it back. If you don't… we'll come to collect you- disqualified" She continued, as she took a pause to let out a sigh.

Her shoulders relaxed, and her gaze seemed to soften ever so slightly.

"Every slayer here has undergone initiation before. Treat the Grimm with due caution, and you will be fine. Gauge the risks, know your own strength. We'd much rather you return empty handed than in a casket, so think carefully." She ended her speech with a nod and stepped back in line with Ozpin- The guild master, if Dyllaine's memory served correctly.

Glynda nodded to Ozpin who held up a hand. Green light flickered and flashed across his fingers in an instant, before he snapped his fingers together. A ring of green light pulsed across everyone in attendance.

"Begin." Ozpin said, without any preamble. And moments after the word left his lips, a loud groan filled the air, followed by the hum of runes that rocked a stone slab upwards rather violently, and shunted a student skywards.

Ker-THUNK.

Which was quickly followed by a gasp and a scream, as the same man in heavy armor was launched into the sky, a rather vicious looking mace in hand- flailing quite helplessly in the air.

Maybe I should've packed a glider. Somehow.

Ah, there's the concern.

I guess I can ask mom if I'm allowed to leap from cliffs when it's the Guild master telling me to. Hm. Later.

Getting launched into a Grimm filled forest was not what he was expected for the practical exam- but well… he guessed it was practical? At least, if Airborne entry was common for Slayers, anyway.

Dyllaine hummed quietly, as he bit his lip- a sense of bubbling worry only kept at bay by the warmth that radiated from beneath his skin. It pulsed slowly in time with her heartbeat. With a deep breath, it bloomed, silver vapor swirled between his fingers.

'Mana, the manifestation of one's soul. The blade of humanity, the shield against the dark.'

So many names, so many titles, so many stories. But no one knew a damn thing about how it actually worked.

'Founded in will, blessed in body?' Then why don't more people know magic?

'Bound to life, untouched by death?' Tell that to the moving skeletons and bundles of rock!

'Tied to soul, fashioned with fervor' Does that mean you have to REALLY like fireballs to cast fire magic? Hm.

The next student was launched- a blonde woman with a golden-hued breastplate and matching gauntlets. Yang, if Dyllaine overheard the earlier conversations correctly.

A girl in red cloth and leather with a… really fancy looking bow. Ruby- or Rose? Something like that. There was a cloud of… petals? that followed her descent- and he couldn't see much beyond that.

A girl in fine white robes and leather- wielding a rapier- Weiss? There was a flash- and she leapt across monochrome platforms that appeared in her path.

A boy in green and pink appeared unarmed. But he did have some big sleeves. Dyllaine never got his name. There was a shimmer of pink- and he seemed to leap across the canopy as if the leaves were steppingstones.

A girl in pink and white with another breastplate and a MASSIVE HAMMER. Dyllaine like her vibe, but he never got-

"Come to Nora~!" The girl exclaimed with audible delight, hammer resting beneath her, as she went careening into the forest.

… Nora, then.

And thus, it was just Dyllaine, and the two Slayers were all that were left on the cliff face.

The concern continued to bubble in his stomach- it rose to clash against his optimism, something that his thoughts could only stall for so long. A frigid pool of anxiety, hardened into a dense lead slurry that made it hard to breathe.

Dyllaine hitched a breath as a flash of silver emanated from within himself. And energy began to bubble within his mental grip- and slowly coalesced into his arms. A flicker of silver light like the rays of dawn emanated from his arms as the stone block below shuddered.

The groan of stone followed- only audible now with the lack of student voices in the air. The tile sank into the floor, and a sense of anticipation lingered.

Dyllaine opened his eyes, and luminant green locked with the guild master's hazel.

"Do be careful with that, Mister Dawnspring." Was the only comment he got from the headmaster, his lips hidden behind the rim of his mug.

With a blink, Dyllaine managed to grin.

"Careful? I care plenty enough!" And with that- Dyllaine was sent into the sky.

His mantle fluttered against his shoulders; it rustled in the wind as he rose to meet the sky. He didn't scream… he gasped- his heart beat a mile a minute, as it hammered from within his chest.

The anxiety squirmed in his chest as it multiplied- it swirled in his gullet, it churned in a nauseous slurry as the energy of the soul welled and built up within his arms. It became fully visible, a sea of silver mist that swirled between his fingers and across his arms, as he pooled everything he had together.

A silver star bloomed in the morning sky.

His belt fluttered in the breeze, several vials clacked against his chest as the momentum of the catapult launch slowly drained away, and his ascent stalled. He went from the ascent, into the descent- and he no longer faced the sun- he faced the ground.

Dyllaine fought with every instinct in the back of his mind to flail- to scream, to cry, to die. Tears welled in his eyes- but that was just the wind resistance he promised herself, even as he fought to keep that morning's Atlesian Toast down.

"Here we go!" He exclaimed- hands held out downwards, towards the ground as he fell like a particularly light rock.

I want to be a hero. I want to make even more friends!

The earnest desire tugged on the power inside of him- supplied by the silver ember that flickered in his breast.

His soul answered.

The wisps of silver light, mana, swirled and merged, it formed an approximation of a cloud- ethereal and amorphous, like a lop-sided marshmallow of morning mist. Albeit one with what looked like two ethereal cat ears and a tail on top.

Dyllaine's heart lurched in his throat, as the marshmallow of light collided with the ground below him- it dug into the dirt, it compressed, and his face was left an inch from the ground. Green eyes practically aglow with silver light as rivulets of sweat touched the ground.

His mana drained out of his limbs like a deluge of silver life- as an exhaustive heat ran up his arms. The expenditure of that inner power sliced through his reserves like a madman with a knife- the cold of exertion slowly settled into the marrow of his bones. The field of radiant silver vapor shuddered and his body lurched forward.

The splat against the grass became a bounce, and his form leapt straight ahead! With a loud yelp, his body collided with a figure of orange, white and pink.

SMACK. THUD.

it left him on the ground, a blink, then another, and his vision did it's very best to reassert itself. Dyllaine found himself pressed against something surprisingly soft but unyielding, like steel encased by a pillow.

A head was below his own. One that breathed, was loud, and very much alive.

"That… Was AWESOME! We should do it again!" Came a voice that he had heard mere moments ago, when he could still feel his legs.

And then his eyes snapped down, and for the third time today Dyllaine was looking at someone square in the eyes. Teal eyes glimmered, staring straight into his soul with an excitement that was infectious.

But unlike the other two times- he was in a heap over the other partner of this ocular stand-off. He blinked a few times, before his slightly pale face gained a small tinge of red, and his smile became a little nervous.

Nora Valkyrie grinned like she had just been told it was an all-expense paid holiday. But from the way she acted when faced with terminal velocity- maybe it was?

"My apologies for dropping in!" He exclaimed, a mask for the feeling of sheer relief that his gambit paid off, and he flopped back onto the floor. The remnants of his anxiety ebbing away with the euphoria of the fact that he WAS ALIVE! And uh…

He had a partner now?

"Don't Say sorry- say you're welcome! That was cool! Magnild utterly destroyed that tree when I came down, and I landed like, pomf. And then you bounced off the ground like a silver spring from the sky- and we collided like Woosh! I'd give it a solid 8 out of ten! You could really have done like… a flip or two?"

Dyllaine blinked- and then he laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

Because how else was he supposed to respond to something like that?!

He couldn't stop himself, as he stared at the sky. Nora smiled- it was a painfully sincere smile that Dyllaine could only hope to match.

His eyes stung a little bit, but he just grinned, as she held a hand down to him.

"What'dya say we start looking for them relics, partner?" Nora spoke with a gleam in her eye- as she bounced on her heels.

"I'd love too!" He replied, even as he put a hand over his chest to still his beating heart- and the now dimmed warmth that he had only started to get used to.

After all- He had an Academy to attend. Then maybe… someone would know what the hell the symbol in the back of his mind really was. And if they didn't… he'd figure it out himself.

"… In a moment. I can't feel my legs." He finished with a wry smile.

After all, the world still spun.

Today would be Amazing.

Chapter 1: End.

 

[SharkCultist]

He's like a golden retriever with brain damage.

 

[AzureAurora]

He's like a golden retriever with brain damage.

Click to shrink...

Thanks! That's honestly what I was going for, lmao.

'Head Empty, Heart Full' is kinda my motto for Dyllaine.

 

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 2: Souls are for smashing

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Dyllaine eventually managed to get his legs under control and followed Nora into the shade of the forest. The morning sunlight dispersed between the canopy and filtered between the spring leaves.

Her ginger hair tussled ever so slightly in the breeze, and those vibrant cyan eyes of hers never seemed to linger on anything for more than a moment. She wore reinforced cloth like he did- under a breastplate that appeared to be a snug fit- and did not appear bothered by the weight.

It seemed that reinforced cloth was a common material choice for Slayers- and she carried a war hammer that was as big as his head- like it was a stick.

She held it over her shoulder, whilst she scanned through the trees with a hand to her brow.

Maybe I should ask to swing it later! That'd be fun!

He patted off his mantle; the green and gold material released a cloud of dust- and he released a few coughs.

"one moment, partner!" He called out, eyes shut, as the cloud passed.

He then slid a hand across the tabard on his chest with a critical eye. Particularly- the golden icon in the center. A budding sapling with a four-pointed star hung just above it.

There, nice and whole.

He smiled, and adjusted the belt slung across his chest, beneath the tabard that rested above it.

And Sylvia said that it wouldn't help, hmph!

He congratulated himself for his own ingenuity, as he slid his hand beneath his tabard, and tugged a vial out from the belt that lay beneath. It seemed that his light kept him from becoming a pancake, and the tough weave of reinforced thread protected his potions from breaking.

Although his smile froze, he only felt one vial rest against his chest.

He tugged it out- with a note adhered to the glass vial- which contained the red glow of a regular draught of health.

'After that stunt you pulled, I'm not letting you have more than one vial for the rest of the WEEK. EMERGENCIES ONLY. Alchemist's Orders.

Also, come see me when you can, I need to make sure your heart doesn't flatline or something.

-Sylvia.'

Dyllaine blinked a few times, before he grumbled, as he stuffed the potion back onto the belt, and pocketed the note.

How'd she even do that!? There were three when I left the house! Was it-

Dyllaine's attention was promptly taken by the sound of a tree felled. The loud groan of the timber collided with the ground with an audible WHUMP.

And beneath it… was a pair of monstrosities.

Wolves, with coats of fur as dark as the abyss, if not for the veins of red that snaked across their muscular frames, all converged upon their eyes, which seemed to glow with malicious hunger.

They sure want a piece of the Dyllaine Special!

Their intended intimidation was less effective when it was mixed with the pained whines.

Because, y'know- they were pinned beneath a tree.

Dyllaine didn't notice the fingers that hovered next to his head until he was flicked right out of nowhere.

"ow! Huh?" He turned, only to see Nora grin at him.

"Ya need a bit more awareness, partner! Less thinking, more feeling! If you've got the right vibes, none of these pooches can sneak up on ya!"

Nora emphasized her point as she held her hammer in front of her. She squared her stance, twisted her hips, and swung! It sailed straight up, and into a wolf that just lunged out of the bushes behind them both.

The hammerhead collided with the beast with a crash of resounding force. Arcs of teal energy shimmered into view- up the haft and across the head of the hammer, as a crackle of lightning and a peal of thunder followed the impact- before it flew into a nearby tree.

Dyllaine's eyes widened, as he watched with awe.

So that's how a slayer uses mana- awesome!

Dyllaine's lips pulled into a smile, as his shimmer-filled gaze caught every trace of the spiritual energy that dissipated into the morning shadows.

"Come on' There's a couple more of em!" Nora cried out with glee, as her foot slammed down on one of the currently downed wolves. She crushed its skull in a single blow and a flare of teal sparks.

"Right you are, Nora!" Dyllaine slapped his hands over his cheeks to focus himself.

"Wait, How did you-" Nora was cut off by a large paw that smashed her into the bushes.

But the loud crash that followed shortly thereafter meant she was fine! Probably.

It's time to be a hero, remember?

A single breath in, a single breath out.

Dyllaine didn't close his eyes- he watched one of the wolves approach him. They tensed, but they didn't charge- they watched. They waited.

Well- that suited him just fine.

The warm mana that rested within himself floated formless and aimless- he gave it direction, and it began to stir.

While Sylvia told him that this power was often known as 'Mana', and was part of a greater system, the power itself was not static. It pulsed in tune with his thoughts, it stirred with his fears, and it grew hotter with his dreams.

Silver mist began to flow out from his very Centre. Not to his muscles, or his bones, or his blood… but the shape of Dyllaine Dawnspring in the world.

Honestly, he probably would've had a lot more trouble with it if the sensation wasn't so new to him, as it was now- but he could feel it clear as day. It had taken… half of what he could feel inside of him to survive the fall, according to the vibes anyway.

Breathe in, breathe out.

That's more than enough for a couple doggos!

Each breath followed a tug of his desire. And the light started to respond- it was sluggish at first. It churned inside of him like a tumultuous storm cloud, before whisps of silver light manifested across his right arm. And like a dam had been cracked open- it begun to swirl up and into his fist, where it lingered and spilled out between his fingers-, as if he held onto a cloud that tried to escape.

The monster's gaze locked onto his limb as it shimmered, and the hunger reflected in those crimson eyes seemed to intensify under the light, as it lunged forward.

"Here we- Uh oh!" Dyllaine's voice shot an octave higher, as he dropped to the ground, and watched the beast sail overhead.

That's a LOT faster then I expected.

Dyllaine rolled to his feet, and lashed out with a punch as the wolf snapped around to bite at him. But he was faster- if just barely.

The mana infused limb crashed right into the monster's snout with an audible crack, and a whine of pain.

Pain and power lit up Dyllaine's nerves, as the breath of strength was released, a flash of silver light followed a grunt of pain.

The wolf fell onto it's back- and tried to recover.

Dyllaine stared at his swollen knuckles and winced.

"Owie."

I… I think I realized why wizards don't punch things. Oops?

Dyllaine didn't have much time to ponder his blunder, before he had to defend himself once again. So he grabbed onto the cane strapped to his belt- which was supposed to add to his wizardly vibe- He couldn't find a real Staff, and swung for the fences!

There was a loud thump, as the completely mundane stick of metal collided with the monster's neck. It shuddered, and silence lingered for a moment.

Dyllaine shrugged, and he swung again. And again. And again.

Was Dyllaine beating the wolf like it was full of treats? Yes. Was it somehow working? Also yes.

"Have! At! Thee!" He grunted out sufficiently heroic words, in his opinion anyway, as he pummeled the monster like it owed him money.

It took a few more swings for the baleful light to finally vanish from the monster's gaze, as the viscous blood that clung to his clothes… remained attached. His nice mantle now stained with the ichor of his first kill.

"ha.. ha… My first foe… Vanquished!" He called out in triumph, as he leaned on the walking implement to catch his breath.

"Oh! You're done! Great!" Came the voice of Nora Valkyre, who seemed to stand on small pile of the dark creatures. A small pack of wolves with fur as dark as night, and a single bear among their number. She seemed to inspect the bear beneath her for a moment.

"Shame this'll probably go to the purifiers. I could've used a pair of Ursa mittens! Ah well." Nora patted the ursine monster beneath her with a sigh, and leapt from the beast, and to the ground.

"So I wanted to ask- how'd you know my name? Can you read minds!? Are you some kind of super detective? Like an assassin? Or a sleuth from Atlas that can make deductions about someone's lifestyles by staring at them for five minutes or less!?" She questioned with wide eyes, as she leaned closer with each word.

Dyllaine blinked, before he grinned.

Man, that sounds awesome! I wonder if anyone CAN read minds?

"I can beat my sister in rock-paper-scissors with a 40% victory rate, which is almost as good! But I just heard your scream on the way down, that's all!" He smiled, before he held out his hand.

"Can't just introduce myself as Mr. Partner, can I? The name's Dyllaine Dawnspring, and It's wonderful to meet you!" He finished before he waggled his fingers.

Come on, Don't leave me hanging!

Nora stared at him for a moment, before a giggle broke through, and turned into a laugh. However just as her head tilted back with audible joy, her hand collided with his and clasped it for a hearty shake.

"Hah! I might just call you that anyway! But it's great ta meetcha' Dyllaine! I'm Nora Valkyrie! Queen of Quakes and Pancakes!" She squeezed Dyllaine's hand, just until it started to ache- before she let go.

She make it rhyme! Wow, she's good at this!

I'll need to come up with one too. Hmm…

Dyllaine of the Arcane? But I haven't read much arcane lore…

His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle punch to his shoulder.

"Say, I wanted to ask. How long have you been training to be a huntsman? Those were some interesting moves." She asked, as she slung her hammer over her shoulder once again, and started to walk in the same direction as before.

"Huh? Oh! Yesterday!" He stated with a smile, as if everything was alright with the world.

Nora stopped, and she turned around.

"You've trained since yesterday?" She parroted, as her brows rose.

"Well- Yeah! Helping Syl get ingredients for the shop kept me in good adventuring shape! But I've not had the chance to practice magic till yesterday. I'm gonna be the bestest wizard in the world, ya know?" He continued, the smile on his face only grew.

"That's… crazy! Doing that silver spring thing with a day's practice is… pretty good!" She gave his shoulder another punch.

"Between you and me? You need to work on your punches! If that beowolf wasn't so darn hungry, he could've dodged! Or well… anyone with a working brain anyway." Nora continued after a moment.

"Or I could blast em!" Dyllaine replied promptly, - as he stuck his tongue out- and carefully slid his cane back into the loop of his belt.

There, nice and snug. Now… how would I do a blast? Hm.

"Yeah? Yeah. Blasting's good. I've never been too good with casting like that. Maybe Renny could give you pointers? Or Miss Goodswhatchamacallit! She looked like the magic type. I'm just really strong!" She paused to flex an arm.

Dyllaine's gaze locked onto the woman's muscular arms as she flexed.

I can feel the heroism wafting off her. So cool!

"Any parter of this queen should totally be able to slay as much as I do, so remember that mister!" She finished, as she turned once more.

"Hey, Nora- I've been meaning to ask… do you know where we're going?" He spoke, before silence reigned for a good moment.

"Of course! We're headed north, right?" Nora asked, as she casually knocked a tree over, to clear the path ahead.

Dyllaine blinked and looked to his right- at the cliff in the distance.

"Uh… Nora? Didn't the cliff point west?" He asked. as he scratched his cheek.

"… I knew that! I was just testing you, silly! Comeonletsgotimesawasting!" She spoke quickly, cheeks slightly red, as she grabbed onto his arm, and she took off into a sprint.

Dyllaine yelped as he was pulled into a run- but he felt alive.

It was an adventure already!

Chapter 2: End.

AN: There we go! Chapter two. A bit of a light hearted romp to get some character dynamics in. Sorry for the delay, everyone! I've been sick for a week and a half and it's drained the motivation out of me. It doesn't help that Rimworld's got me by the throat.

Motivation is coming back, but it's slow going. I'll try to get back on track for a chapter every 3 days. We'll see how it goes though. Lemme know what you think :>

 

[AzureAurora]

Hey there all! Good news, I'm starting to feel better. Chapter 3 should be posted this evening!

Also, got new art in the works for Dyllaine in robes. Mage mode >:3

Inspiration is definitely coming back with my health ^^

 

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 3: Souls stand together

​

"So! You plannin' to get good with that cane, or just wack monsters with it until they fall over like their legs are made of pudding?" Nora's voice rang out amongst the clang of metal colliding with talons.

Sparks drifted into the morning air, as Dyllaine leapt to the side, and just managed to avoid impalement on talons the size of his hands.

"That's a good idea! Kinda hard to do when they're flying, though!" Dyllaine called back, eyes narrowed as he kept his focus on the airborne Grimm that had just attempted to make him into a pin cushion.

Nora was on the side, a large stone tossed up and down in her grip- rather casually. When Dyllaine asked about it, she just grinned and called it insurance.

"Think of it as on the job training, partner! I told you that I expect you to slay just as well as I do!" She cheered, the occasional 'thwip' of the rock that met her palm resounded like a metronome.

Dyllaine leapt over a fallen log, and smiled, despite the rapid pounding of his heart. He heard the dull thunk of sharp talons sunken into wood and repressed the urge to turn around.

Training on the job? I can get behind that! Although I expected that to come after I got in.

"Wish we could have chicken for lunch! Shame these things aren't ready to eat without 'insert guild secret here'." Dyllaine retorted, as the mental image of giant purple chicken legs filled his mind.

Would Grimm meat be sweet or sour? Tangy or Spicy?

He couldn't really stop himself from thinking about it.

Would it be berries and sunshine? Like the potion? Shadow and Ribs?

A few feathers shot past his face- a reminder to take his foe more seriously- sky chicken or no.

This would be a LOT easier if I had some kind of ranged attack… Wait. Isn't that like- Magic 101? Fireballs and the like? It's not like that bird's gonna give me any time to figure it out- though.

Dyllaine grunted as two feather-blades stabbed into his reinforced cloth- and bit into his shoulders. Small rivulets of blood ran down his back.

Like- they say the early bird gets the worm. But could they be more specific? Is it like dirt or wood or stone? It'd probably get it's break caught on the latter two but-

Dyllaine blinked, before he looked down at his slightly bruised hand.

Hey, that could work!

He stashed the cane by his belt once more, as his right hand held onto the wrist of his left. A mental tug began the slow draw of the placid cloud within. The whisps of warmth began to converge, as he heard the monstrosity shaped like a crow taped to knives take to the air again.

Wizards don't punch Wolves, but they are known to lay a trap every now and again!

Dyllaine recalled the feeling of strength, as he coaxed the mists of his soul into his left hand. The feeling of pushing open the dam- and the essence began to flow, it gleamed as silver mist trailed off his fingers.

He dug his fingers into the wood like they were claws- and with a loud 'thunk', the bark gave way, as if under a sap tap.

His muscles tensed, and he grit his teeth.

I'm gonna worm the HECK out of that bird!

His thoughts resounded in his skull as he roared, and a chunk of wood came loose- a makeshift board of timber. He felt the sap stick to his fingers, and the splinters threaten to dig in, as he grabbed onto the board with his other hand.

The whistling of the bird falling into a nose-dive met his ears, and he thrust the wood forward.

"GET WORMED, Idiot!!" He roared, as the white ashen beak of the dark avian collided with the wood. He saw it drill through the wood, and his heart leapt into his throat. His right arm burned and nearly buckled under the force- without his light to strengthen it.

His left arm strained as the whisps of silver light flowed into the wood, and it gained a faint silver hue. It groaned- it cracked, but it held. The bird's beak came to rest just Infront of his face. He had to cross his eyes to see it hover over his nose.

Nora's whoop of excitement reverberated through the clearing, as sweat drenched his brow.

"You got it, Dyllaine! Now kick its Ass!" She called out, as she hopped in place.

"I don't think it has one, Nora!" He replied through grit teeth, as he threw the bird to the side.

It clattered to the floor, angry muffled squawks halted by the wood it was trapped against. Both talons sunk into the wood- but that just made it worse.

It's now or never, Dyllaine! Make with the fire and the ball already!

Dyllaine poured the whisps of silver mana towards both of his palms. Doing his best to coax the energy together.

Just like the landing- but less lumpy!

The energy began to churn within- Light made into movement, formless power given direction- swirling whisps of silver light started to converge, pushing and packing into a sphere in front of him. He held it as if he were holding a snowball that hovered between his fingers, his mind guided the energy into shape.

But as it slowly started to take on a spherical form- Dyllaine realized something important.

How… do you set light on fire? Uh oh.

It's only ever been mist-light-stuff! And Mist is like, the opposite of fire? It was warm and inviting- but that didn't quite scream fireball. But if it follows his thoughts… maybe if he thinks something just right, it'll listen?

The flame burns in the hearth, The lighting strikes in the sky, The water churns in the ocean. Blood pulses in the chest.

Dyllaine started listing off all the forces that came to mind- to no avail. A noise akin to a keening whine left his throat, as the bird's head snapped up- halfway free.

Running out of time, Dyllaine. Focus!

He bit his lip and glanced over at Nora. Her eyes were locked onto the pair of them- and at the energy coalescing between his fingers. She nodded once, the rock clenched tightly in her hand- sparks of teal lightning arced between her fingers and the stone.

She won't need that rock- c'mon! Just keep going!

He sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out.

The gale rocks the trees, the earth rumbles beneath the sky- The Hero Strikes with the Lion's Courage.

A Thrum rolled through Dyllaine's mana as within the very center of the silver cloud… something shifted, and settled into place. As the green shimmer of his eyes seemed to intensify and an uncertain smile became certain.

The thread of thought seemed to fade from there- but what he had? It was enough.

Intent gave power definition- and what was initially a formless sphere of power- started to take shape. A silhouette of a cat's head- with two triangular ears and a formless body for a tail. Its face changed from rounded to angular, like an arrow. It seemed to hum in his grip- eager.

"I guess we're having chicken legs after all! Go!" Dyllaine called out- as he thrust his hands forward. The cradled projectile rocketed forward- just as the grimm freed itself from the wood- breaking it with a loud crack.

It's furious screech was cut off as the warbling orb of spirit and light colliding with its body- and like the wolf he struck before- it was sent careening into a tree.

But this time… it didn't get up.

"YES! Cat Wizard!" Dyllaine cheered, as Nora dropped the rock, and grinned.

"Cat Wizard! I take back everything I said about you Dyllaine!" Nora exclaimed.

Dyllaine paused, blinked, and looked at her.

"What did you say about me?" He asked, as she froze.

"Uhhhh- Nothin?" She said a moment later, as she scanned the treeline.

"Okay-" Before Dyllaine could finish, she gasped and pointed.

"Look! Maidens that need a cat wizard!" She yelled promptly, as she grabbed her hammer and hefted it skyward.

Dyllaine processed it- and turned around. "Maidens in need!? Where!?"

But before he could spot anything- There was an arm looped around his waist- and Dyllaine was no longer upright. But rather- he was being carried.

"Onwards!"

Dyllaine yelped, as Nora whooped with joy- and leapt off a rocky outcropping, which promptly dropped the both of them further down- on the path towards the relics.

--- Kindled Spirit ---

​

Ruby Rose was not having the best Initiation in the world- that much was for sure. Oh, she was attending far earlier than she had expected to- and that was great, don't get her wrong. But, well, her sister had abandoned her to the woods! To the elements! To get killed, and eaten, and never see Zwei or her Father again! Oh the humanity!

Ruby's silver eyes locked onto the movement in the bushes- the glint of tusks shone among the light scattered between the trees. A shock of red blood stood out amidst deep black hues and purple-wrought and matted hair. A finger twitched, a breath left her lips.

A bowstring went taught, and the whistle of an arrow echoed through the forest, a glint of steel in the air, as dark blood sprayed across bushes- and left them in a full-spring bloom.

"Uh oh!" Ruby squeaked, taking a step back, as the plate covered boar charged out of the bushes, as blood oozed from its cheek. What should've been a kill-shot, stymied by that bestial vigor- kept alive by sheer rage and musculature. The arrow still hung from its face, trapped within the iron wall of taught muscles.

The red cloak draped around her slim frame shimmered, the edges of its cloth seemed to blur- to become less distinct, as she tugged on the power within her soul.

Ruby Rose felt the hum of energy push into her legs, as petals that flitted between silver and red danced around her body. Mana pooled at the bottom of her feet, gravity faltered, and Ruby Rose leaped.

Within moments, she was far above the monster's reach, legs over head- as her eyes narrowed into focus. The bow in her hands was drawn back, pointed straight down- as she lingered in the air for a long moment.

A second arrow whistled through the air, as it shot into the monster's haunch, and a squeal of pain filled the glade.

Ruby landed with barely a crunch of the grass- as gravity reasserted itself once again, and she rose the bow in her hand. The lacquered wood and crimson metal of her weapon glinted in the morning light, as she faced her foe again.

"You'll need to try harder than that to hit this silver-eyed sniper!" She exclaimed, as she reached back to grab her hood- and missed.

"Dangit-" She felt around a bit, before she managed to pull the hood over her head and knocked an arrow once more.

The boarbatusk was injured- but it was enraged, and the next charge was faster than the first- blood oozed from both wounds as it made its mad dash towards her.

"Hello Again!" A voice called out from the treeline- followed by a flash of bronze- as a circular shield slammed into the snout of the charging boar. A shimmer of bronze light radiated from it- and its wielder held fast- furrows dug into the ground- but she was otherwise unmoved.

She lowered her stance, shifted her hips- and pushed upwards, which sent the boar monster onto its back with a whine.

"Pyrrha!?" Ruby yelped, eyes wide- as Pyrrha Nikos' sudden appearance knocked the archer out of her groove.

"I don't suppose you have a partner yet, do y- ah, would you like to get this? I've been told that kill stealing is, uh.. rude, no?" The gladiatrix asked, as she momentarily planted her blade into the ground to rub her cheek.

"Oh- right! One second!" Ruby stammered- as she suddenly realized that she was, in fact, in the middle of a hunt. A third arrow was drawn, and with a narrow gaze, she drew the arrow back.

Crimson light swirled from her finger tips, and ran along the drawstring of her bow- dying it in crimson. She pulled it taught, as the light seemed to encompasses the arrow in the same sheen of red- before she fired.

The arrow spun in the air, trailed by a trail of crimson petals, as it sunk into the neck of the exposed monster, and ended it.

"Finally! That thing was way too stubborn. I know this is for initiation, so the Grimm here are supposed to be tough- but c'mon!" Ruby grumbled, as she strung her bow back over her shoulder.

Pyrrha smiled politely. "Well it wouldn't be a challenge otherwise, would it? Excuse me, Weiss didn't leave much- ah, time for introductions. I'm Pyrrha Nikos, do you have a partner?"

Ruby's expression momentarily went flat.

"Oh right, her. Little miss 'what are you doing here? Don't drink that, you'll explode, bleh.'" Ruby's stellar impression of the heiress was interrupted by giggles. Her cheeks flushed.

"I- right! Introductions. I'm Ruby Rose, huntress in training, and the best markswoman in Patch, it's a pleasure to meet you. Oh- and not yet!" She held her hand out, her smile turning brilliant, as Pyrrha took it.

"Then I suppose we're a team now, are we not?" Pyrrha returned the smile, only to pause as a yell filled the air.

"LOOK OUT BELOW~!" Screamed the voice of one excited Nora Valkyrie, as she collided with the earth but a mere few paces away.

From the rising plume of smoke, Dyllaine Dawnspring stumbled out, one hand clutched to his head, amongst the fluff of silver hair. He glanced at both girls, blearily blinked a few times, before he smiled a ditzy smile.

"So, did either of you see any maidens that needed help?" He asked into the growing silence.

They looked at each other.

"Dyllaine… a little help? I got my leg stuck in a pothole…" Nora's voice emerged from the pillar of smoke behind him.

"The maiden in need… was the friends along the way." Dyllaine whispered, as if he unveiled a spectacular revelation.

Ruby Rose… missed her sister, the betrayer that she was.

Chapter 3: End.

​

AN: Initiation is probably gonna last for another chapter or two. I've just been enjoying the shennanigans, to be honest. It makes me smile. But now the team's together! We'll get to see how they play off one another. Lemme know what you think!

 

[AzureAurora]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the radio silence.
I planned to edit the past three chapters one more time to implement more shifts to the fantasy vibe.
That took a lot longer then expected.

Got pretty busy the past few days, and sick, and busy again. But I got it done!

And good news! I am one hundred percent recovered now!

I've also gotten an update on the art, as an appology for the wait!

I'll be posting the next chapter today, or tomorrow latest. As my motivation is soaring right now!

 

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 4: Souls Face Monsters

​

Unknown to the group of four that had started to walk together- they were being watched. Not by the baleful red eyes of the Grimm they had dispatched thus far- but rather, by deep verdant green eyes carved into facets of finely hewn stone.

A slate beak glinted in the sunlight, before a pair of stone wings snapped open- and inexplicably took flight, controlled by strands of imperceptible green light.

A second bird took flight not long after the first- as it followed another group. And then a third- all took flight in the same direction.

Everything has gone to plan- and thus, something was stirred into motion.

A lone cage sat in front of a worn-down tower- where fresh and ancient stone blocks mixed amidst shimmering green runes. A pair of lights emitted from within the tower's depths, as the cage's symbols flickered out.

Latches came undone- and the enchanted cage door swung open. Which allowed for a creature to slip free- the shadow of a small arachnid-like creature, obscured by thick tendrils of purple smoke. It scuttled into the grass, just as all the airborne golems landed beside the cage.

A feminine voice could be heard, even as tendrils of smoke converged around each golem, and green eyes turned purple.

"Are you sure this won't get out of hand, Sir?"

The rumbling of stones filled the space- as each faux bird was torn apart, and something new was forming in their place.

"I'm positive, Glynda. Our initiates have done a fine job of hunting so far. But Miss Valkyrie did make a valid point. Let us see how they deal with something that has a bit more… intelligence."

The golems had disappeared- and what remained in their place was far larger, and far more imposing than the spider that was freed from its prison a moment ago.

Eight purple eyes glared skyward, as a voice spoke one final time.

"I hope you're right, or you'll be talking to the families yourself."

Followed by silence.

Silence, and hunger, and the desire to expand.

--- Kindled Spirit ---

​

This was the best day of Dyllaine's life! Well- no, that would be when he was born- kind of a default win, wasn't it?

Hmmm… third best day? Second is befriending Sylvia, obviously. Hmm… Yeah. Third best day!

It had taken a few moments for Nora to get pulled out of the pothole in the ground that her rather enthusiastic landing tuned into a trap- but the ginger initiate was freed rather quickly, which left the four of them in the forest.

Dyllaine was more than happy to introduce himself to the pair of crimson-colored Initiates. It was only shortly after exchanging pleasantries that Pyrrha suggested that they all group up for the initiation test.

Although it took a moment for Dyllaine to realize that their lineup was something out of a story book. A shield wielding warrior, a hammer wielding force of nature, a lithe girl wielding a bow with grace- and him, a wizard! That was like- a full party! Man, his dreams came true far faster than he could have possibly hoped for.

A wide grin broke onto his face, as he gave Ruby a gentle nudge on the shoulder.

"Hey friend! Can't help but notice you're using a bow. That's really cool! I never managed to get archery down pat. So… how do you hit so darn consistently?" He gestured back to the carcass of the monster boar they left behind. And Ruby just smiled- her fingers wringed at the hem of her dress.

"O-Oh! Thanks! Crescent Rose is my baby- she's been the pride and joy of my dad's smithy for the last four years! I've been working on her for as long as he let me hold up a toolbox. And well- Practice really? I worked hard, but it's nothing special!" She finished, as she gave Dyllaine a nervous smile.

"That's still impressive! That means you were, what- fourteen when you started building it? That's pretty cool!" Dyllaine continued, even as he mulled over what she told him.

Practice Huh?

Dyllaine thought back to the weighted training sword gathering dust in the attic.

If I'd kept working at it… would I have been able to fight like that?

The phantom aches of self-inflicted bruises deeply disagreed. Dyllaine shrugged and let the thought pass him by.

It doesn't matter now, anyhow! I can cast fireball! Or well… Feline Ball? Hmm. Need to workshop that.

"Twelve, Actually." Ruby's response brought Dyllaine back to reality.

"Oh! Well then scratch that- you're amazing!" Dyllaine could remember being twelve. But pestering Sylvia to help him make a super-knight potion out of his mother's flowers did not compare to forging things at all!

"I- Amazing? Hardly! I'm just a normal girl!" Ruby's voice raised a few octaves, as she stammered out denials.

Pyrrha struggled to stifle her laughter with her hand as she watched the exchange. Which caught her a look of betrayal from Ruby, who turned bright red.

However, Pyrrha's laughter also drew Dyllaine's attention- and Pyrrha immediately stopped laughing.

"H-Hey Nora, when did you get your hammer?" Pyrrha threw Nora under the cart with all the social grace of a boar in a castle.

"Dunno! Haven't really been counting the days, ya know? It's just been me and Renny versus the elements! How many winters was that again? Last time we made the mammoth stew… before that was the Stag Sleigh…" Nora's baffling tirade seemed to trail off, as she was lost in thought.

And thus, poor Pyrrha was left to satiate Dyllaine's curiosity by her lonesome.

"How about you, Pyrrha? The sword and shield are a very classic combat style! The number of stories deciding to make use of such weapons is in the dozens! Why'd you decide to draw steel?" Dyllaine paused for a moment after he asked her the question.

Weapons DO use steel, right? Well it was that, or some kind of magic materials. I think.

Dyllaine momentarily wished he could see through Pyrrha's sheath, but alas. He didn't have the super-sleuth vision that Nora talked about.

Maybe there's a spell for that?

"Well! I've been a duelist since I was young! My father made a name for himself as one back home, and I had a knack for it- so I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. As for my weapon choice? Well- a sword and shield is very tactically sound!" Pyrrha replied, her cheeks flushed slightly, as she glanced between her party members.

Nora's rambling had fallen silent, and all three pairs of eyes were on her.

"A big shot duelist? That explains the fancy armor!" Nora whistled and rapped her knuckle against Pyrrha's breastplate- and action that made her cover her face with her hands.

"I'm not a bigshot! I'm just Pyrrha!" She whined, even as Dyllaine and Ruby erupted with a heap of questions.

"Are you a super warrior? Did you slay a dragon? Do you know any super cool spells!?" Dyllaine and Ruby's voices blended, as they asked questions one after another- to the point that poor Pyrrha couldn't keep up.

"I-I just fought a lot and trained hard, that's all! I'm a normal girl too!" She turned to Nora for help, but the ginger-haired warrior just grinned.

"Y-you-" She whimpered, as Nora cackled behind the excited duo as they clamored for all the details.

The tirade of questions had to go unanswered, unfortunately (or fortunately, if your name was Pyrrha Nikos), as a screech and the rumble of stone, echoed through the forest.

Pyrrha reached for the lifeline like a woman about to drown. "Something to be Slain!"

The response was immediate- as Pyrrha's interrogation session was promptly dropped.

"A fight!" "The Relics!" "Adventure!" The three cried out simultaneously- before they looked at each other, nodded, drew their weapons and ran towards the noise.

Well, Ruby and Nora drew their weapons- Dyllaine opted to just make the mad dash towards the monster that would rue the day it faced a cat wizard! And- his still unnamed spell.

I really need to figure out a naming scheme- Later!

For now, the band of intrepid adventurers had relics to find, and a fight to win.

The party has been gathered- and they ventured forth.

--- Kindled Spirit ---

​

Dyllaine pushed through the underbrush and the forest of trees- to reach a hilltop with a rather large, if worn, stone tower that rested atop of it. The battlements had long since been destroyed, wasted away with the sands of time and age- although the rest of the building seemed to hang on, thanks to the magic symbols placed along the stone blocks.

Although interesting- that wasn't the most pressing thing. The most pressing part- was the giant spider fashioned from slate and crystal. Eight purple eyes glowered at the new arrivals- even as a leg the size of Dyllaine drilled into the hillside.

"Take this!" Ruby cried out - an arrow already knocked and released from her bow -- it collided with the spider's stone exterior. And while it didn't just bounce off… it didn't do much damage, either. It merely made a tiny crack in the stone.

"Keep at it, Ruby! Hit the same spot over and over! I saw it on stage once! I'll squash the spider!" Nora cried out- as she ran straight ahead, hammer reared back for a powerful blow.

"Sure thing, Nora?" She responded, as that silver gaze refused to leave the towering spider's form for a moment- she drew another arrow, and took a deep breath.

Pyrrha's sword swung, as the Spider took the lull in combat to go for a cheap shot.

Dyllaine expected the pillar of rock to send her off the ground- he expected her to get banged up a bit. He did not expect the sword to be wreathed in bronze- and to bite into the rock like it was wood!

"Woah!" He exclaimed, as she tucked into a roll, and summarily avoided a second strike.

Dyllaine yelped as Ruby pushed him to the side- and away from another leg- just as Nora reached the spider.

Nora's hammer flashed once again- as she swung the large weapon right at one of the spider's legs. It chittered- and odd sound, reminiscent of rumbled stone- before a chunk of the leg was crushed- and it trembled in place.

"Dyllaine! Stop starin' and start blastin'! The cat needs to come back!" Nora roared.

Oh! Right!

"Thanks, Ruby!" Dyllaine pulled himself away from the redhead, but her focus seemed to linger on their party members- as they held ground.

With that, Dyllaine's intent pulled to the fore- as he grabbed a hold of the magic within.

For my new friends, and their friends here too! Like the Renny I know nothing about! But I want to learn! And Pyrrha's mysterious backstory! And Ruby's cool bow!

The thought, as scatter-brained as it was, resonated with something deep inside of him, and Dyllaine's mana manifested. Silver mist coalesced- as Dyllaine's eyes narrowed.

I don't know if one ball would be enough here. Something… that lasts longer? Something like Nora's hammer… a mighty weapon!

A second thrum, as he focused on the sight of Nora's Magnild, and the way that each strike tore stone from the creature.

The lion's strike crushes stone!

His silver light started to flow- it swirled up his arm, and then beyond it. An ethereal image- a haft, no, an arm. Topped with five… paws?

This'll do!

Dyllaine took off into a sprint- just as Pyrrha stepped in the way of a blow meant to knock Nora off the hill. She withstood the impact with a grunt, and a flash of bronze.

The spider screeched- and tendrils of smoke radiated off of it's body- summarily blinding Dyllaine- as another stone spire lashed out like a spike.

"Dyllaine!" Pyrrha yelled, her voice full of concern- as a plume of smoke erupted from the impact.

Silence reigned for a moment.

"H-Hah… Hah… that was close… again!" Dyllaine giggled, perhaps just a little hysterically, as the silver paw held the massive leg a few steps away from his heart.

But despite the spider's chitters and screeches, and despite it's attempts to wrench it's leg free… the silver paw wouldn't let it.

As one, both Nora and Dyllaine's grins turned feral.

I can work with this.

Chapter 4: Complete!

AN: Thanks for your patience! I decided to do the four man party fight instead of introducing the other team, just because it'd be less cumbersome for getting back into the swing of things. Don't worry, Yang, Ren, Weiss, and Blake will come up at beacon, and beyond.

I just wanna make sure I actually get there, ya know? But boss battle next time! Hooray!

 

[AzureAurora]

Behold! New Art!

I've been enjoying a bit of a break due to holidays here, but I should have chapter 5 up tomorrow! (Was too excited about the new art to leave it for later ^^) So stay tuned!

​

 

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 5: Souls

Chapter 5: Souls Slay Monsters

​

The monstrosity of slate and crystal chittered and screeched as it pushed down on Dyllaine with that ever so sharp leg- like a spear of stone aimed at his heart. Veins of purple light pulsed and continued to grow more intense- as it pressed harder.

Oh! Got a bit of a bite there! And I'm not talking about mandibles!

"A little help?" Dyllaine's voice called out- and drew his teammate's attention away from the giant silver paw that held off his impalement- and jumped into action.

"Hold on for a little longer, Dyllaine! We've got a good chance to disarm it! Disleg it- break one off!" Ruby called out, as she drew her bowstring back- and her eyes flicked between Nora and Pyrrha.

"G-got it!" Dyllaine replied- eyebrows furrowed, as he focused on the silver paw. It wasn't completely static- or defined. It was the silhouette of an arm, one that constantly shifted like a flame in motion. And the continued use of it drew at him- like pushups, but it used the power of his magic. He could feel it flow outwards- the strands of mist that connected it to him- somewhere deep within.

"I'm going to try to disorient it! I don't know if it reacts to pain- but it has eyes! Pyrrha, get in there and shield Dyllaine! Nora- break that Leg!" Ruby finished, before she took a deep breath.

"Understood!" "Got it, Ruby!" Both initiates called out in agreement.

Ruby continued to focus. One breath In, and one breath out.

"With Scarlet String, May this arrow strike true." Ruby whispered, her eyes sparkled with silver light, as her bowstring was dyed crimson. Strands of vibrant light enveloped the arrow as she took aim.

Just as Dyllaine's paw started to flicker and waver- and the leg started to shake in place, everything shifted- and it shifted fast.

The construct reared back with a screech- and a second leg struck at Dyllaine. But before the unleashed leg could meet his form- Ruby released her arrow.

Three things happened in quick succession after that. The arrow curved through the air on a trail of petals- and pierced one of the crystalline eyes. A screech followed, and the leg aimed at Dyllaine veered off course from the sudden interruption.

Pyrrha's greaves took on a bronze glow- as she leaned forward- nearly horizontal- and she seemed to push off of the ground like it was one of the launch slabs from the cliff. The grass rustled in the breeze of her wake and within moments, she skid to a halt in front of Dyllaine- shield raised.

"May blood be shed and bones be snapped, payment made and justice enact! Repriasal!" Pyrrha's bellow made the ground shake, and the bronze glow overtook her form. She took the second blow with a grunt of exertion- and protected Dyllaine. The impact rang like a clock tower chime, as reverberations ran through her shield. The glow dimmed- and her sword seemed to glow even brighter.

Finally- Nora leapt between Dyllaine and the Spider- and with that same feral grin, she swung once more.

"BY TEMPEST FURY AND THUNDER'S CRY, BREAK HIS LEGS AND LET HIM FRY!" Teal energy crackled across Nora's frame and rushed into the head of her hammer- as she brought it down with both hands. A roar of thunder echoed across the area- like the ring of the heavens, as the limb, trapped beneath Dyllaine's claw, was unable to evade the strike.

A loud screech filled the air, as the leg was shattered into pieces.

Static electricity rustled through everyone's hair, stood on end, as Nora exhaled, and hopped back, once the spider started to move once again.

Dyllaine blinked a few times as his ears rang, and his skin tingled. He felt the tremor of the impact in his very bones!

I can see why she called herself the Queen of Quakes!

"You're amazing, Nora!" Dyllaine called out, eyes wide with awe as he fell to his knees, huddled beneath Pyrrha's shield.

Suffice to say- his manifested arm vanished when the leg was no longer a threat to the continued safety of his heart- which was a relief. He liked it beating, thank you very much!

"Thanks, Dyllaine! I said I was gonna squish it, and I meant it!" She replied, as she kicked the rubble at the spider. Fragments of sharp stone peppered it's tough frame, cracked against the same slate exterior. Deep purple energy hummed and crackled between the cracked slate in response, but it continued to charge forward regardless.

It was unsteady, but it was free, and that meant it was on the offense again.

"Stay behind me!" Pyrrha, called out, she gave Dyllaine a glance, as she moved around him, and she raised her blade up before her, the sharp weapon tilted in the monster's direction. It seemed… even sharper now. The blade kept the empowered gleam, and its edge seemed to extend beyond the blade itself.

But this time, things were… different. The giant spider's leg shot out- but it wasn't a stab, it was… a slash. The leg seemed to become slender and shift forward on the Spider's body- becoming an… arm of sorts. A blade. A weapon.

THAT SPIDER IS USING A SWORD!? Wait- Six legs and a hand? Is that… a Crab now?

Dyllaine's musing was cut short, as Pyrrha's leg stamped down beside him, and her shield arm came up to parry the sword strike.

"Focus! You're a mage, right? Then make with the magic!" Ruby called out, as another charged arrow shot at the monster's exterior. This one sunk in with a loud 'thunk' and another screech- and yet, there was no blood.

Huh… are spiders that tanky? Or is it… pretending?

A second strike followed the first, and Pyrrha leaned to the side- avoided the strike, and punished it with a counter swing, her sword scraped against stone, as it pushed the blade further away.

"Most Grimm bleed, right!?" Dyllaine called out, as gears turned in his head and he started to tug at the well of power within him- and coaxed it to the fore.

Silver mist manifested, sluggish but it visibly coalesced in his hands.

"Yeah! If you hit more than armor, anyway!" Ruby confirmed, as she leapt over an attack from one of the legs- one that seemed to slim down into a razor point- with far more reach then expected.

"It's a Gecko!" Dyllaine called out, as one of Pyrrha's legs shot up- and kicked him in the chest- he rolled away with a yelp, as a bulky limb came down on where both Dyllaine and Pyrrha stood a moment ago- and left a crater in it's wake.

An arm looped around him and scooped him up- Nora held onto him like a sack of potatoes, as she swung her hammer as if it were a baton- and crushed the spear-like limb that aimed for them.

"It's very much not!" Pyrrha replied, as she rolled to the side- and avoided another swipe of the oversized blade-limb.

Yeah! Not LITERALLY- but like- it changes n' stuff!

"I MEAN that it COPIES! Like the lizard thing!" Dyllaine clarified from his position on Nora's shoulder- and tried very hard to look valiant- whilst he was held like an unruly cat.

"A Chameleon?" Ruby's voice piped up- after another volley of arrows littered the backside of the spider- now stuck out from it's back.

"Yeah! One of those! It does the mime!" Dyllaine declared, triumphant- for his knowledge imparted would help the party!

"… Dyllaine, A chameleon just changes colors, it doesn't mime- Mimicry!? It's copying our weapons!?" Pyrrha's voice broke through the clash of metal and stone.

Nora's hammer came down on a loose piece of rubble- that collided with another one of the legs- and made the spider stutter for a moment- it used more limbs to attack- three of them, but it became less stable the more it used.

"That's what I said!" He responded, as he drew on the mana inside his soul once again- the power swirled into his palm, and he focused on it- pushed it into shape in his mental grip.

"Well, it hasn't copied everything!" Ruby replied from across the field- as another arrow was set loose, and hit one of the joints for the arm- and slowed a sword swing aimed at Nora.

Dyllaine felt the air woosh over his head, and ruffle at his fluffy mess of a hairstyle, as he focused. Ears and a whisp of a tail took shape- as the feline shaped bolt of magic was molded into form once more, and Dyllaine glanced over his shoulder, at Nora.

"Hey Partner? How good are you at batting things?" He'd ask, as he did his best to keep the sphere stable- despite the constant jostle of her movements.

"Hm? Worse then Renny, Better than you! Why'd you ask?" She'd reply, carefree even as she ducked under another cleave from the spider- and a few of those ginger locks fluttered in the air.

Oh! We'll have to play catch sometime!

"I've got a ball for you!" He'd exclaim, as he held the orb up- it was an odd position- but he pushed his arm back as much as he could- angled over her shoulder.

"Sweet!" She exclaimed, as the crackle of teal electricity wound up the hammer's haft, and Dyllaine felt static run across his skin once more.

Ruby's voice could still be heard over the whine of the static charge as it built up. "That's it! Pyrrha, Nora- get Dyllaine's magic onto the back! I think the legs are replaceable- the spider has been using them pretty recklessly- Drive my arrows deeper!"

From his position on Nora's back, Dyllaine could clearly feel her muscles tense in preparation, as the hot tingle ran up her body- and the whine of her hammer reached a crescendo.

"Okie Dokie!" Nora replied jovially- even as Dyllaine felt the arcs of energy lick at his neck- and the arcing hammer rested over his head.

"Lower your hand a bit, buddy!" Nora called out- as the hammer rung- and slowly arced back even further.

Here we go!

Dyllaine just wished he was in the position to see the attack- as he lowered the limb. There was a whine of power- followed by a WOOSH- as the warmth of the sphere that hovered above his hand vanished with the gush of air- followed by a shockwave that knocked Dyllaine onto his back.

And left him on his back between Nora's legs- which gave him a clear view of the battlefield.

More specifically- the bolt of churned light, mana, and lightning, as it streaked over the spider- only for Pyrrha to leap above- shield raised high. It collided with the projectile- and in a flash of bronze, sent it down like a fallen star.

It collided with the Spider like the toll of a Church bell- cracks of multicolored light bloomed across the stone exterior- as… real squeals emitted from the creature. It shuddered- flakes of rock fell away, as it shrank- and shrank- and… shrank some more.

Until all that was left- was a pile of rubble that glowed in the morning sun.

"Hah… Hah… we won!" Dyllaine declared, before he blinked, as Nora's face appeared upside down over his, a triumphant grin on her face.

"We're totally doing that again later!" She declared, before she flopped onto her back opposite him.

"Uh Guys?" Ruby started, as the rubble began to shake.

"Hm?" Dyllaine called back- as a purple head poked out of the rubble- it chittered and hissed- only for a bronze hued blade to come down on it- and silenced it with a squelch.

"Never drop your guard, friends!" Pyrrha exclaimed with a smile- as she plunged a hand into the rubble, and pulled out a spider the size of a house cat.

"It really was pretending, Huzzah! I was correct!" Dyllaine exclaimed from his place on the floor.

… he couldn't feel his legs again.

"I think the relics are in here?" Ruby called out from beyond the rubble- as she peered into the tower beyond, in all of it's mysterious glory. The green glow of the symbols on the stone seemed to brighten- as Ruby entered the building.

"Ooh! Horsies!" She exclaimed- and moments later, walked out with a pair of golden chess pieces- that seemed to feature a horse and the pointy end of some kind of lance.

"Quest Complete!" Dyllaine exclaimed, as Pyrrha walked over to the pair on the ground.

"Are you okay?" She asked, as she went into a crouch- the curtain of crimson hair splayed over the both of them.

"Just a lil' dizzy… that was a lot of magic for my second day!" Dyllaine giggled, a wide smile on his face as he just… sank into the satisfaction of victory.

He was going to become a Slayer- he helped his new friends win! Nothing could ruin this day!

"Ruby!" A new voice called out- filled with pride and concern in equal measure.

"Pyrrha!" A second called out- more composed- and yet exhausted in tone.

Dyllaine turned his head- and he saw four figures walking on the ceiling!

Oh wait, I'm upside down.

He grinned, as he took in the new arrivals.

Yang was hugging Ruby and rubbing at her head- so they're friends!

Weiss was talking about some.. competition? With Pyrrha- and then there was the last two.

The guy with a green robes and pink eyes- and a girl with a fluffy belt, black leathers- and hazel eyes. They both had raised eyebrows- they seemed confused!

So Dyllaine did what he did best- he waved!

"What kind of Sigil did a number on this thing?" Yang called out once she had released Ruby from the Noogie-trap of doom.

"Dyllaine's did it!" Nora exclaimed from the floor- only for Dyllaine to blink a few times.

"Sigil you mean, like a spell?" Dyllaine pondered out loud. But there were no answers, only silence. Dyllaine blinked- and then he looked up.

All eyes were on him- and Weiss let out a loud sigh.

"I take everything back, Yang. He's way worse." She muttered, a finger over the bridge of her nose.

"Y'know what? I'll take it Weiss-Cream! C'mon dude, lets get you up…" The blonde responded as she got to work.

Dyllaine was lifted with ease- and a part of him wondered if it would be a running theme. Ah well.

Eh, it's probably not THAT important, right? I'll just ask Pyrrha later, she seems pretty knowledgeable! Maybe it's lunchtime ?

Alas- as he'd soon realize upon being carried by Ruby's blonde friend sister, it wasn't lunch time yet. Boo!

But it was time to head back- and that meant getting something to eat!

He really hoped they had good food at a Slayer's Guild.

Chapter 5: End.

AN: There we go! Sorry for the wait, was being a bit unsure about a few things. But better to release then agonize and go nowwhere! First big fight! Hope it went okay! Next chapter will be about the Guild- and actual talks on the magic system! Huzzah! Also incase you were not sure- Dyllaine is a bit woozy from magic depletion. He'll be fine!

 

[Robowolf474]

Interesting start, i like it so far. Also the art for dyl is amazing, whoever did it is a skilled artist :]

 

[AzureAurora]

Interesting start, i like it so far. Also the art for dyl is amazing, whoever did it is a skilled artist :]

Click to shrink...

Thanks a lot! I'm honestly throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Also trying to just commit to something, you know? Had to fight the urge to abandon it like twice, because i've never gotten this far before.

I've... written way too many chapter ones ^^'

My brother's a pretty good artist!

 

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 6: Souls get beds (and friends!)

​

Dyllaine found himself back at the slayer's guild, within the hallowed halls of the slaying organization. They were rather large halls, made with durable stone and polished marble. They seemed to be within a refurbished noble hall. The risen floor where a duke's throne would sit- had been replaced by a lecturer's podium.

Dyllaine stood atop a vibrant green carpet, emblazoned with the symbol of Vale. Nora to his right, and Pyrrha and Ruby stood to his left. His gaze constantly drifted towards the table on the right side of the precession- where the food sat in wait.

A elbow nudged his side and he blinked.

"Just a bit longer Dyllaine, focus." Pyrrha whispered, and Dyllaine sighed.

I know it's important, but I'm hungry!

Despite the pangs in his stomach- Dyllaine focused his gaze ahead, to the guild master, who seemed to smile at his plight, before he turned his attention back to the remaining Initiates… and there were not a lot.

A lot of them probably went back home, huh?

Dyllaine couldn't blame em- the drop was quite scary, after all!

"Ruby Rose, Pyrrha Nikos, Dyllaine Dawnspring, and Nora Valkyrie. You've managed to work as a team and collect the golden knight pieces. Thus, you are all recognized as Initiates. We would recommend team Rose, led by Ruby Rose. However you may talk amongst yourselves and decide if you wish to swap with another group. Good work, young Slayers." Ozpin announced with a smile, as he handed each of them a gleaming silver medallion. Their names etched into each face. Ozpin nodded and then turned to the group beside them.

"Weiss Schnee, Yang Xiao Long, Blake Belladonna, and Lie Ren. You managed to collect the silver bishop pieces and thus are recognized as Initiates. We recommend team Snow, lead by Weiss Schnee. You may also make your own decision. Excellent work." He gave them a nod, their silver medallions and shifted his gaze across the rest of the initiates in the hall.

"I would like for everyone here to remember that while we may teach- we cannot hold your hand. The things you do here will form the habits that you will be taking with you for the rest of your life. Listen well, fail, and grow. Beacon helps Slayers, we will be your go-between for missions and training. While our workshops are not mandatory, we recommend that you do go to them. However, if you complete Missions successfully- you are always welcome in our halls." Ozpin continued before his eyes flashed with Emerald light.

"Respect our halls, respect our knowledge, respect your allies, and respect yourself." Each word amplified a sense of pressure that pushed down on the room, only for the man to nod as he pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose.

"Dismissed. Feel free to enjoy the food we have prepared for you all. Workshop timings can be found on the board in the courtyard, and team dorms can be found across the courtyard- your names are on the wall."

The man took off and walked to the entrance of the hall- where he spoke to Glynda. It took a few moments for the proverbial spell to break, and everyone started to talk.

"Woah! I stopped breathing for a second there, Ozpin really laid it on thick!" Ruby exclaimed with a sigh of relief, as her shoulders slumped.

"Totally! He looked ready to pull open a secret lever and drop us into the dungeons below!" Nora responded, her arms flailing about in a peculiar pantomime.

"That could explain being on a cliff! More space for a super-secret dungeon built into the cliff-face!" Dyllaine exclaimed- as he already started to pile up his plate.

Pastry, Pastry, Ribs, Sauce, Fruits- Ooh! They even have Chocolate! Yoink!

"I don't think that'd be very heroic of them, Dyllaine." Pyrrha replied, voice full of mirth, as she started to pick her own choices.

Dyllaine looked at the pile of vegetables and lean meat in her plate… and placed one of his apple tarts on it.

Pyrrha blinked.

Dyllaine smiled.

"Team Rose deserves a treat!" He explained, as he grabbed another.

"You're not team leader, though." She retorted, a brow raised in mirth.

"Ah- Rubyyy, help me out here!" Dyllaine whined, as one hand reached out and shook at Ruby's shoulder.

"Ah- of course! Pyrrha, enjoy yourself! Leader's orders!" Ruby took charge! While she also stole all of the strawberries and cookies from the end of the table.

"Partner! Help me get all the pancakes, the flying turtle is trying to take em!" Nora cried from the other end- as she glared at the man on the opposite side of the table.

Brown eyes set into a glare, short cut brunette hair, and grey armor with golden accents met Dyllaine's gaze. A flanged mace hung on his left side.

"Oh! It's the 'people die alone' guy!" Dyllaine exclaimed, to the man's irritation.

"Oi- I don't want to hear that from someone who looks like the business end of a paintbrush." The man grunted.

"Thanks! My hair's pretty neat, isn't it?" Dyllaine replied, all smiles.

What a lovely compliment!

"… what the fuck?" He muttered, as he looked between Dyllaine's smiling face, and the rest of his group.

"Opening!" Nora exclaimed, triumphant, as she wrenched the tray of pancakes out of the distracted man's hands.

She hopped back, swiped a small jug of syrup, and started to hum a tune to herself, as she utterly drenched the stack.

"… If we end up sparring, I'm going to pound you into the dirt." The man muttered, before he stalked off.

"Dyllaine, I don't think he was trying to be nice." Ruby said after a moment, one hand tugged at his sleeve, as she watched him leave.

"Hm? Well, what else could he have meant?" Dyllaine questioned, one brow raised.

"Well… that you dip your hair in paint? I think? I like it! But he's just being Mean." She'd huff, before she returned to her plate of stacked biscuits and fruit- before she squeaked as her sister's arm wrapped over her shoulder.

"Hey Rubes! Rubes' Team. Glad to see you makin' friends, sis! I'm so proud of you! No one's bullying you, right?" The woman's friendly grin turned into a glare- as lilac eyes swept over the other three members of Ruby's team.

Once again, Dyllaine waved!

"They've been super nice, actually!" She said in their defense- cheeks slightly red.

"Hi Yang! I didn't know you and Ruby were related!" Dyllaine spoke brightly, to Nora's giggles from behind him.

"Hey- uh, Dyllaine, yeah? You're looking a lot better- and just as loud! I guess we don't look very similar, huh? Our dad's the same! Mom, not so much. But it's nice to meet you guys too! Take good care of my sister, will you?" Yang replied, and she followed up with a smile.

"Of course! I'll do my best!" Dyllaine snapped a clumsy salute- before stuffing a tart into his mouth.

Yang snorted. "You and the Pancake monster over there are partners, right? You seem made for each other. I should probably stop Weiss from blowing up. I'll grill your partner later Ruby. Good luck~!" She'd rustle Ruby's hair, much to Ruby's indignation before she walked off.

Dyllaine blinked a few times, and watched yang walk off, as he chewed.

I wonder how confident you have to be to punch monsters in the face… all the time?

He hummed, swallowed, and glanced towards the girls.

"Wanna check out the dorms?" He'd gently nudge Nora with an elbow to get her attention.

She glanced up at him- hands and lips stained with syrup.

"Hm? Sure! Just gimme a sec!" She'd reply… before she continued to devour the pancakes with greater haste.

"Right!" Dyllaine shoved another tart into his mouth.

"Dyllaine, Nora, it isn't a competition! No! Don't you start, Ruby!" Pyrrha sighed, as her team started to chew through their stockpiled lunch like it was going to vanish.

"At least they're good people, Pyrrha." She muttered to herself- fingers on the bridge of her nose.

But she couldn't fight the exasperated smile that formed, either.

--- Kindled Spirit ---

​

It was a short walk to get to the dormitory, and Dyllaine didn't take long to find the new room for the team, considering there was a plate that said 'Team Rose' on it, near the entryway. Dyllaine briefly wondered what it'd be like to be in charge of 'Team Dawnspring', but it didn't last very long.

Ruby's super smart, so that's fine!

He decided with a grin, before he had her do the honors, and open the door.

It was a rather nice room, all things considered- there were four beds, spread out across the room, as well as a window that faced the forest that surrounded Vale, a few shelves for books, and four desks- one beside each bed.

A candleholder rested atop each desk, and two crystals were set into the wall, which radiated a pleasant green glow. Dyllaine didn't think it was any brighter than the typical lamps they used at home. Stacks of paper, and a few books could be found on each desk, and a door to a restroom could be found on the right side of the room.

The walls were barren, but they were smooth, and had a few hooks in the walls for paintings and the like- or diagrams, he supposed?

Sylvia and his Sister had a few of those on their rooms, for alchemy and mechanics and what not- but they kinda hurt his head when he stared at them for more than five seconds.

He much preferred the portraits of cats that his mother liked to paint. They were cute- maybe he could ask her to spare a few for the dorm? Over the weekend, maybe?

"Dyllaine? Hello? Dyllaine to Remnant?" A hand waved over his face, and he blinked- and then glanced over, to Nora's face, which rested a mere step away from his own.

"There you are, silly! We were just deciding who's sleeping where! I chose the far right, and Ruby's taken the far left. Pyrrha wanted to check with you- isn't she nice? Oh, Boop!" Nora ended the explanation with a playful poke to Dyllaine's nose.

He blinked, and then he nodded.

"That's kind of you Pyrrha, thanks! I'd like to… hmm…" He hummed for a moment, and took in the window in the center of the room. The beds on both sides of it honestly looked the same. Same green bedsheets, same comforter, same pillows- so it didn't really matter.

"Oh, I know!" Dyllaine fished a silver coin out of his pocket.

"Pyrrha! Heads or Tails?" Dyllaine flicked the coin instantly, and watched it smack the ceiling.

"Oh- whoops?" It bounced off the ceiling with a loud ring of metal, and landed on the right bed with a soft thump.

"Err… Tails?" Pyrrha offered after a moment of silence- and Nora's amused chuckles.

"I'll take the right one, then!" Dyllaine declared after a moment, as he retrieved his coin, and deposited his bag onto his bed.

"Oh, before I completely forget- what was Yang talking about earlier? The sigils and stuff? I was so hungry I forgot to actually ask about it!" Dyllaine asked his team about the mystery, whilst he started to unpack.

Potion rack, alchemy book, story book, plush, plush, snacks, scarf, magic book, extra clothes, toothbrush, my knife- oh!

"That's where that went! I was wondering about that." Dyllaine exclaimed, as he took the sheathed implement out of his bag, and unsheathed it for a moment.

Yep, just as sharp as it was this morning.

He nodded to himself, and squared everything away, as well as his now empty bag. The green of the bed was nicely complimented by his two plushies, a cat and a manticore, at their places of pride by his pillow.

A glance to his new friends showed that they had unpacked and settled as well. Although Dyllaine wasn't entirely sure where Nora had managed to carry so many weights- he didn't see them tied to her bag?

… he decided it'd be better to just go with it.

"You wanted to know about Sigils, Dyllaine? Uh… how long have you been using Magic?" Ruby asked, as she plopped onto her bed, a small stack of books placed by her desk, and a oiling kit rested atop her lap. She seemed to have taken a oiled up rag, and started to work on her bow- Crescent Rose? Already.

"Mhm! I've been a wizard for two days now. It's honestly been my goal since I was little! I never found anyone to teach me, though. They told me to work hard, but never about what to work hard on? I thought it was pretty weird." Dyllaine smiled, as he tugged on the warmth inside- and a small flicker of silver responded.

"Huh!? You've had it for two days!? And you were already able to cast spells!? That's awesome! You'll be caught up in no time!" Ruby exclaimed with a smile, as she put her bow to the side for a moment, now focused on Dyllaine.

"I'm honestly surprised that you came with such a small wealth of experience- don't get me wrong, you were very brave, and I'm glad it worked! I'm just… that explains a lot." Pyrrha added, one finger scratched her cheek, as she propped her sword on her lap.

Dyllaine blinked.

"Thanks! But what do you mean? The only requirement they said on the board in town was being able to use Mana. I could feel it, I could move it- so that's using it!" He responded, his head tilted to the side.

Pyrrha opened her mouth- worked her jaw a few times and then closed it. "That's actually a fair point, even if I don't think it was exactly what they meant."

"Don't worry though, Dyllaine! You were great today, and after you go through Nora's training regime, you'll be as strong as the rest of us, I'm sure of it! Besides- you're asking questions! And Renny likes to say… what was it? Oh yeah! Knowing is half the battle!" Nora chimed in, as she propped a couple knick knacks on her table.

A few baubles, a silver bell, a pink ribbon, a small plush of a… sloth? A bag of brightly colored marbles, and those aforementioned weights.

"Then I guess I'm halfway to halfway! Cuz I asked the question." Dyllained paused, and blinked.

"Wait- would I be halfway, or still at zero? Does it count if it hasn't been answered yet?" He continued, the second question met a few quizzical looks.

"Uh… huh. That's a good question, actually. Oh- now I'm doing it!!" Ruby laughed.

"As for your ORIGINAL Question? Sigils are kind of… actions that your soul remembers. They're actions, experiences, or ideas that you hold so closely to your chest, that your mana starts to remember them, and make you a lot better at them!" Ruby continued, before she held out her bow for emphasis.

"I've never been great at using my Mana like you did earlier today, but I am good at using it on other things!" She'd finish, a spark of crimson light flickered at the top of her left hand's index finger.

In her other hand, the bow began to glow.

"This is what happens when you coat something in Mana, usually to make it better at it's job. A useful trick! Not too hard to learn, but it gets better and better, the more you can do it!" She'd explain, before she put her other hand onto the drawstring.

"Whereas this… is a Sigil of Mine. Scarlet String." Ruby's words seemed to shift again, they became… heavier.

Dyllaine could've sworn he felt something in the air, as the all the crimson mana converged and sank into the bow's string, a uniform line of vibrant red.

"A sigil like this takes my Mana and my archery to another level, it's kind of… a sign of my hard work and love for Crescent rose!" She finished with a broad smile.

Woah! So like- if I practice super hard, I can get super cool spells!?

"That's awesome! But how do I uh… make one? Do I just practice?" Dyllaine asked, unable to keep the smile off of his face- nor resist the rising excitement in his chest.

I'm gonna get even better!

"Oh, making your first Sigil isn't particularly hard. I'll walk you through it, if you two don't mind." Pyrrha spoke up again, with a polite smile- after she glanced between Nora and Ruby.

They shared a look, and nodded.

"Go ahead, Pyr! You're the big time duelist!" Nora replied with a saccharine grin- much to Pyrrha's obvious Dismay.

"Quiet you! Ahem- now, Dyllaine. I want you to close your eyes, and take a deep breath for me." Pyrrha spoke, her voice taking on a soft tone, rhythmic in it's cadence.

"Alrighty." Dyllaine replied, as his eyes fluttered shut. Only able to hear quiet giggling from Nora's side, and Pyrrha's calm voice.

"Breathe nice and slow. And feel your mana- really think about it. Is it warm, or cold? Excited, or calm? Try and focus on it's very center, if you can." She'd continue, as Dyllaine listened.

His brows furrowed, but he did what he could. Slowly pushing his mind through the sensations- the sensations of the warm mist that filled his body, the mana- it drifted aimlessly, and he ignored the urge to grab it. Instead- he followed it as best he could, drawing deeper and deeper into his chest.

It's warm, and excitable, like a lil kitty! Kinda does it's own thing.

He decided, a soft hum reverberated through his chest at the thought.

"And now… focus on the desire to learn. To grow. To see yourself flourish." She finished, and Dyllaine- while unable to see her, could hear the smile in her voice.

I wanna become the best wizard!

His mana rippled, like a stone in a pond, before the very center of it all- started to shift. That was when- Dyllaine felt it. The very centre… a ring, no- a sphere that beat like his heart. And around it? There were… three… spaces.

Both present, and yet not. The best way he could describe them… was like his mom's canvases. They shared the same warmth of his mana, but they felt… empty.

"Why is my soul empty?" Dyllaine asked, only to hear another giggle for his totally legitimate concern!

Why didn't his soul have cool art inside of it!?

"Those are where your Sigils go, silly!" Nora exclaimed from her bed. "Mine's filled up with lightning, and my muscles! Ruby's is filled with her bow, or something! Pyrrha's… got a sword? Dunno." She finished with what Dyllaine could only imagine to be a self-satisfied grin.

"I… close enough, Nora. Most of us create our first Sigil by accident, through training. It's most definitely not a bad method, but it might take some time. So, you get to decide your first instead. Go on, focus on one of those empty spots, and cast a spell. Think about why it matters to you." Pyrrha continued, her tone exasperated, but amused.

Alright- if I were to put a spell in, then it has to be…

Dyllaine's thoughts went through all the experiences he had held for his second day as a mage. The fall, and the marshmallow of mana. The sphere of power he used to fight back, the way his mana filled his fingers and broke through bark like it was paper. The paw the flickered long enough to save his life.

It all came back to that little ball of mana. Like a squire's blade, yet to become something greater.

That's it!

Dyllaine's mana churned within his chest, as he coaxed some to the surface- silver mist coalesced between his fingers, and pulled tight into a sphere that hovered in his palm.

He took in a deep breath.

A simple start, a first step, to become someone new!

Like becoming a Knight from a Squire!

A second shudder ran through his mana, and the rest of Dyllaine's body, as if his spine was struck by a shot of lightning. Dyllaine gasped, and in his mind's eye, he could feel an image burn into his memory- the outline of a cat's head, with two green eyes.

What came with it? Was a feeling of awareness. Of Presence.

And when he opened his eyes? He wasn't alone on his bed anymore.

The sphere wasn't in his palm anymore either.

There was a floating image that filled the centre of his vision. But he wasn't focused on that. Instead, he was focused on the feline shape of sliver light, seated on the foot of his bed, it stared up at him with almond shaped eyes that glowed green. And a faint sense… of amusement.

Dyllaine squealed.

"I'm a CAT WIZARD! Even more so then earlier!" He thrust both fists into the air.

Ruby wasn't quiet about it either. "THAT'S SO COOL!"

"I wasn't expecting a familiar, to be honest. But can you focus on the task at hand, please?" It took Pyrrha a solid minute of gentle coaxing to get Dyllaine to stop gushing about the Mana Cat.

And so, Dyllaine's eyes crossed, and he stared at the thing in the middle of his vision.

It hovered like a silver hued mirage, just visible enough to make sense of, without obscuring his vision entirely.

Name: [Dyllaine Dawnspring]

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Age: [18]

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Epithet: [Hope-Dyed Scion]

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Core: [Found Familiar - Craving Connection, found in soul.]

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Resonance: [ Burnished ]

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Echo 1: [Squire's Call] – [Combat] – [Invoke the spirit cat, Squire.]

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Echo 2: [ ----- ]

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Echo 3: [ ----- ]

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"Woah…" Dyllaine whispered, as Nora hopped onto his bed, and wrapped an arm over his shoulder in a side hug.

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"Congrats, Dyllaine! You just went on a spiritual trip, and unlocked the Parchment of Power! Or POP for short! Cuz it's makes your soul go pop!" Nora exclaimed with a giggle, as she gave him a squeeze.

Dyllaine's grin was so wide, that his cheeks wouldn't stop cramping.

"I stand corrected. This is the Best Day Ever." His eyes never left the screen as it shimmered in place- a testament to his new life- as a Slayer.

Chapter 6: End

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AN: Bit of a longer chapter! Sorry for the long wait, had a little bit of a writer's block, but here we are. So I've got a power system in mind, that works for both a Lit RPG and a progression fantasy framework, and I'm still debating if I want to include it at all. So feedback would definitely be appreciated!

Don't worry, that's the only menu I plan on adding, if I keep it at all. No stats, no resource bars, nothing like that. Just three spells tied to the soul, that grows as you do.