Unexpected Incarnate (RWBY Ozpin Incarnate SI)

Zack's POV

A day had passed rather quickly after my meeting with the Belladonnas, Ilia requesting my assistance and my spar with Sun. Currently, I find myself walking through the middle of the forest with several reform White Fang members, Ilia, Sun, Ghira and several of my friends who chose to volunteer to come along.

Ruby, Blake, Ren and Nora were the ones who chose to come along, while the others stayed back. Of course, since Ruby's birthday is a couple of days from now, I have taken the opportunity to have Yang organise with the others to prepare for Ruby's birthday since this operation we're in will take days to complete. And according to Ilia, if everything runs smoothly, it will only take at least four days and land right on the dot on 31st October.

I trust Yang to get the job done, and Weiss with her, well… I'm sure they can organise a birthday party when we return. Oh yeah, Ren and Nora chose to come along because Nora was tired of doing nothing and wanted some action. Though I wonder if bringing her was a wise decision, though she did promise to me that she would be on her best behaviour during this mission and Ren will keep her in check.

And then there's Neo. Once I informed her that I would be busy with some stuff, she just shrugged and gave the okay as a response. Though I have asked her not to stir up shit while I'm not around. I can't imagine the idea of us coming back to see the whole hotel's mess because she chose to piss off Yang or something. Whatever happens, I'll accept it.

Weiss and Jaune can keep them in check for the next few days.

I think.

As for where we're all going now, we're heading straight for the main White Fang base. While most of the extremists were captured during the Battle for Haven, there are still stragglers that remain and need to be subdued so that Ghira can rebuild the entire organisation. Admittedly, I am unsure if my presence is technically legitimising Ghira's claim again or why they want my help, but here I am.

As if my gut instincts were telling me, I feel I'm walking into uncharted territory right now. The show never went into detail about where the main White Fang headquarters is, except that it is likely located in Anima. Though if true, we'll probably stumble into the Throne room, which Adam got a bit stabby there.

In addition, Ilia was leading the group by the front, with Ghira and several newly reformed White Fang members acting as bodyguards. Ruby, Blake, Nora, Ren, Sun and I followed right behind them and a large group of Faunus volunteers in case things got hairy. Now, you're probably wondering why we were not using Bullheads to get there.

The thing is, Mistral needed them badly for reconstruction as well as to bring other Faunuses back to Menagerie since it turns out that Ghira and Blake have brought a sizable amount of Menagerie's population to stop Adam from blowing Haven up.

For now, Kali has chosen to remain in Mistral to help in the reconstruction efforts with the councils, alongside others who decided to stay to help. It's good to know that despite the ongoing crisis, Humanity and Faunus kind can eventually get along. I guess they'll now see us Faunus in a better light after we saved their bacon.

And speaking of Faunuses, I can feel their eyes behind me while we walk, and they're gossiping about me. Wonderful. And from what I can pick up, most bear curiosity about my features, though others call me the last Arakan in an almost religious way. To say the least, I was slightly unnerved by their talking. That made me sound like a prophet from the Gods or something.

I get it. I'm a living relic of Faunus history. Now, please stop saying while I'm within hearing distance!

"Are you okay?" Ruby's voice broke me out of my thoughts while we walked through the endless forest. Letting out a soft grunt, I brushed the fringe of my hair covering my left eye aside.

"Yeah, just thinking about what we will find there." I admit while looking into Ruby's silver eyes as she blinks cutely.

"Oh, did this play out in the… show?"

Taking a quick glance at the forest, I shook my head. "No, the story skipped two weeks before you guys left for Argus." I explained softly before Ren butts in while Nora hums happily to herself.

"Are you sure it's safe to talk about this here?" Ren asks before a lazy shrug comes from me.

"Eh, it's not like anyone here except you, Ruby and Nora have any idea about what we're talking about." And as if to prove me correctly, Sun suddenly jumps into the conversation.

"Talk about what?" He asked on my right as I brought a finger over my smirking lips.

"Not allowed to say anything~." Sun gave me a childish pout while his body sank slightly. And seeing his reaction brought a chuckle to my lips before he asked again.

"Why? Are you guys hiding something?" Sun prodded before I gave him a dry look and spoke slowly.

"Perhaps."

…

"That's not an answer."

"Correct."

"Are you going to elaborate further?'

"No."

I have to admit, it was funny toying with Sun like this and to make it even more humorous for us because I was giving him my best deadpan expression while Ruby and Nora looked like they were about to giggle at his expense. As for Ren, he had a soft smile, so it was worth it.

Sun gave another pout before muttering out loud. "You're no fun." In which I had to respond back.

"No, I am very well-known for my humour, dear friend."

This proved to be the final straw for Ruby and Nora both started cackling rather loudly, I must admit. Wincing slightly at the sheer volume, I could only mutter in my own head.

"Ow, my ears."

"I concur." Ozpin helpfully added in with his own deadpan comment.

Though both of them must be laughing quite loudly because Ghira, Blake and Ilia turned and looked curiously at us with expressions questioning what had happened. Didn't help the fact I had a smug look on my face while Sun looked so dramatically depressed the whole time. While all that was happening, Blake's eyes went from Sun to me before rolling her eyes at our shenanigans.

Ilia just gave a questioning look while Ghira shook his head and brought them forward. By the time an hour had passed, we could see something with sloped roofs towering over several buildings. Ah, I think we're near their headquarters. How did they manage to build one hell of a base without attracting Grimm?

"Keep your hand on your weapons. We do not know whether they'll be hostile or not. But just in case, be prepared for a fight." Ghira ordered out before a wave of affirmations came by. As did my friends and me. Walking forward until I am beside Ghira- and holy shit, his height alone makes me feel tiny!

Where was I before getting distracted?

Right.

"Lead the way, chieftain. And if I may add, they may be less likely to attack us if they see a familiar face. So perhaps seeing you or Ilia could put them at ease?" I suggested, though all I got from Ghira was a grunt. It's not the type of conversation I was looking for, but I'll take it, I suppose.

With a nod and a plan in mind, we continued our journey towards the White Fang HQ, and it was way bigger up close. How the hell did they manage to build this place up? It's like a fortress over her with stone walls, towers and shit! Hell! Its overall design reminded me of many of those Sengoku period castles in Japan.

Except more modern in look.

Even more surprising was that it was manned as White Fang personnel could be seen on the walls, though from the positioning of their body, they looked like they were in a state of despair after Adam's murder spree. How haven't the Grimm flocked to them yet? And knowing my luck, that might change soon.

"Halt! Who goes there!" We heard a woman who sounded like they were in their early twenties yell out as she and several White Fang members drew their guns and pointed right before Ilia revealed herself.

"Cease, all of you! Do not fire!" she yelled out loud enough for everyone nearby to hear her before Ghira showed himself. As expected from seeing their sister Ilia and Ghira himself, every White Fang member slowly brought their guns down. At the same time, everyone else, including me, remained hidden in the forest.

"Sister Ilia? Chieftain Ghira? You're a sight for sore eyes! Things have been rough here since Brother Adam murdered most of us!"

"Yup, well, that happened…" I silently thought to myself before Ilia questioned them.

"Adam was here?"

"Damn right, that traitorous bastard was here. He left bodies in his wake and left to hunt for Sister Blake." Another Faunus on the wall grumbled bitterly before sighing. "He left many of us at the hands of the Grimm. Now, I doubt you're here for a chat, sister. What brings you here?"

"Lay down your arms, brother and sisters. There has been enough fighting. Chieftain Ghira is taking back the Fang and rebuilding it." Ilia continued, and for a moment, the remaining White Fang members looked as if they were about to resist. But before any conflict could happen, one of them walked forward and audibly sighed. From his outfit, I could guess he was their chosen leader.

"Very well then, I doubt we could fight you all even if we resisted. We're lacking in supplies and ammunition." He says before he pulls his mask out, revealing a rather handsome-looking man with grey eyes and brown hair. "I am Lieutenant Perry, and I lead the remaining survivors for the Fang stationed in our headquarters after Adam's massacre."

WAIT, WHAT!

That no-named nobody who appeared in two scenes is now a lieutenant?! I… guess it makes sense since time passes quickly, but to think he managed to escape and survive the train crash in Vol. 2. I must have shown my surprise before Ren and Ruby were giving puzzled looks at me. Knowing that they would be asking questions later, I signalled that I would tell them later and, accepting my request, they nodded and kept their lips closed.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Perry," Ghira greets him before giving the signal for everyone to reveal themselves. "As Ilia has told you, I fully intend to rebuild the White Fang to what it was before. Adam has caused more death and destruction and has planned to blow up Haven Academy if it wasn't for us stopping him."

"Really?" Perry's eyebrows rose in shock. "Bloody hell… I know that man's crazy, but blowing up a school like he did to Beacon? Why did he think that was a good idea? As much as I sometimes detest the Huntsman, it does not feel right to bomb a school full of children."

We watched Perry shake his head in disbelief before turning to one of the remaining survivors. "Open the gates, there's no point fighting. We've lost." For a moment, the rest of the survivors looked hesitant, but knowing he was right, they relented as one ran off to open the gates.

"Did you at least have food and supplies with you?" Perry then asked. "As if he murdered his brothers and sisters, Adam torched the storehouses. We're running out of food fast, and we only had a day's worth of it. Even more, those we send out to get some never returned. I fear the Grimm have claimed them already."

Never thought I'd say this to a terrorist, but I feel bad for them. But seriously, did Adam really torch the food stores that were meant for his members? What the hell, man! That was so unnecessary to do that!

"We do." Ghira confirmed before the doors creaking opened up, and we walked in. And the first thing I saw was graves. So many of them are all against the wall and looking recently made. At the same time, I could see people bringing in supplies, much to the joy of the remaining survivors, though many of them were tense when they spotted me and my friends.

"Huntsman… What are they doing here? Are they with Ghira?"

"Hell, if I know, but I doubt we stand a chance against them at all. Stupid Grimm attacks draining our ammo supply."

"I think they are… But what can we do?"

"What's with him? He's Faunus, but why is his tail abnormally big?" Excuse me? I'm not some sort of strange specimen, thank you very much!

"Seriously. That's something off about him."

"I'm right there, and I can hear you!" A pout soon came on my face before Ilia took us into the main building in the middle of the headquarters while Ghira broke off to coordinate with the survivors. Upon entering it, we had to walk through numerous dark halls that smelled of dried blood, which is totally not ominous at all of what happened here.

"Ugh… smells awful." Nora groaned as she pinched her nose at the smell of something coppery with the taint of rot in the air. Yeah, I'm not happy about it either, mainly thanks to my enhanced smell. Even Ilia, Blake and Sun looked affected by it.

"It smelling awful is putting it lightly." Blake commented while I nodded my head in agreement.

"Yeah, imagine how we Faunus have to deal with it with our enhanced smell. I can tell ya, it's worse."

"And I must agree with you. If possible, we should leave as soon as we are done here." Ozpin whispers in my head, and I unconsciously nod my head. He has a point. It honestly feels as if this smell is going to drill a hole through my nose at this rate.

"Did Adam really do this?" Ruby softly asked while I could only confirm her horror.

"Yeah. He must have really gone mad with his obsession to reach the point of murdering his own people like this..." I muttered before we walked past a wall stained with dried blood. I could only rub my nose when the stench of the dead grew ever viler.

Oh gods, the smell is so bad!

Sun audibly gagged right before he asked a question. "Where are we going anyway?"

"To the Throne room," Ilia answered earnestly before I noticed her eyes narrowing. "There's a path that will lead to the meeting room. It is where we keep all our plans and the location of all operative cells." Ilia explained before Nora asked.

"Wait, you're unaware where all the cells are located?" To which we were rewarded with Ilia shaking her head.

"Unfortunately, not. To prevent the location of all our cells from being revealed should they be captured by local authorities, only those of higher ranks will know where they all are." Ilia explained. And it does make sense for the higher levels of the White Fang to have this setup. With a curious hum coming from me, we arrived at the throne room and fuck man…

Upon a quick observation of the entire throne room, it has a long hall made from stone and bricks and lined with columns with walls featuring a geometrical pattern, and there are red banners with the White Fang symbol hanging from the columns. The floor has a red carpet that leads the length of the hall and leads to a simple, elevated throne. Lastly, the hall's walls are lined with niches containing statues of a mysterious cloaked Faunus wielding a spear.

It's a pretty standard throne room, I think. But I still need to figure out who or what those statues are supposed to represent. Definitely not the sisters… Perhaps what do some Faunus believe their deities are like?

Or at least that was how it was supposed to be because blood was everywhere. While the bodies of the goons slain by Adam were gone, the blood stains remained all over the room, and even the throne was vandalised precisely like the show. The entire scene had this eerie feeling if I have to say so myself.

In addition, that awful smell from earlier was back with a horrible vengeance!

Clutching my nose tightly with one hand while doing my best not to gag, we moved on through the throne room while Sun grimaced at the amount of blood spilt there. "Damn, how many did he kill here?"

"I do not want to know Sunny." Nora exaggeratedly gagged while we continued walking through the long halls and passed by the desecrated throne chair. Glancing all over the walls, Ilia placed her palm and began shifting it around as if searching for a hidden button.

"It got to be here somewhere." She mumbles before all of us nod and begin helping her find the hidden button. It took a while because we were all touching the wall all over the place in a… persistent manner. But eventually, it appears that Nora finds it while announcing it out loud.

"Ah hah! I found it!"

A click could then be heard before the throne chair was suddenly pushed up and shifted aside by a stone panel to reveal a flight of stairs that seemed to lead deeper underground.

Huh, strange.

"Nice job, Nora!" I heard Ruby cheer while I stared at the now flight of stairs that led somewhere.

"I push a button!"

I swear that's a reference to something…

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Turns out this tunnel was much more profound than any of them had expected, for they had been going down the stairs for minutes at this point, but they finally reached it. Breaking the door open because it was locked, Ilia was the first to walk into a room full of documents and cabinets all over the place, and in the middle chamber was a table of giant proportions with the map of Remnant on it.

There were also niches containing statues of the same mysterious cloaked Faunus wielding a spear everyone had seen earlier.

"Whoa…" Sun mutters in awe while his eyes bounce all over the room. He had never been to something like this before, and frankly, this is exciting to be in.

"Yeah, I agree," Ren mutters before leaning his hands on the table and staring at the map while Ruby and Nora observe everything in sight. "Ilia, if I may ask, where are the maps?" Ren then asked before he got his answer when Ilia shuffled through some files she took from a cabinet and pulled out several pieces of paper.

"Here," Ilia proceeds to place the paper on the table before everyone crowds around her to have a look.

"That's a lot of cells to go through." Zack mutters after recovering from his stunned state. To think, the While Fang had cells everywhere! Some were in locations he expected them to have, like the city of Valco, but others were in Mantle, and even Atlas has one! How did they even set up shop so close to the Atlesian military?!

Heck, it appears that even some villages and abandoned locations also have them!

"How are we supposed to capture every single one of them if there are many cells all over Remnant?" The fox Faunus then asks, before Ilia shakes her head.

"We won't be doing this alone, nor do we have to worry about most cells." She says before pulling out another piece of paper and laying it on the table. "Many of them have disagreed with Adam's extremism but remained silent over their fears of facing his wrath. With him gone, it should be easier to come into contact with and bring them into the fold without fighting."

Ilia then took out a marker and circled several cells in Mistral and near the White Fang headquarters. "Currently, these are the main suspects of where those who escaped capture could have fled."

"Seems simple enough." Ruby hums while Ilia nods.

"It can be if they willingly put down their arms. But just be ready for a fight in case they resist."

"I assume we'll have support from the reformed White Fang guys?" Nora jumps in.

"Yes. But for now, gather everything you can find her. We need to pass them to Ghira." And with that, everyone dispersed and began picking up everything of value here. While that was happening, Zack was picking up another document when mind-shattering pulsing pain erupted in his skull, and it took all of his discipline to not cry out in agony.

"Nnng…" He groaned painfully with his hands clutching his head. "What is… happening…?" Zack whimpered while gritting his teeth before Ruby noticed her friend was suddenly unwell.

"Zack? Are you ok?" She asked while approaching with haste.

"Pain… Blacking… out…" He groaned again before becoming motionless after the mind-shattering pain faded away. Still, when Ruby arrived by his side, Zack was seemingly dazed. His eyes seemingly lost the light within them and became empty. As if something horribly wrong had happened in his head.

Now concerned for his health, Ruby began shaking his shoulders while calling him out with worry, which drew the attention of everyone. "Zack? Zack!" She called out to her unresponsive friend.

"Ruby, what's wrong?" Ren asked before their Fox Faunus friend did something that stunned everyone. Violently shoving Ruby back, Zack suddenly drew Oathkeeper from his back and slashed through one of the cabinets in half!

"Whoa! What the hell?!" Sun yelped out first, while the others were in utter shock about what was happening.

"Zack!" Ruby gasped with dread in her voice while he began smashing the cabinet into pieces with his fist and Oathkeeper. Crushing or slicing the wooden cabinet into nothing but shattered pieces of wood and sending crumpled paper everywhere.

"Blake, what's happening?" Ilia rushes to her crush's side while the cat Faunus can only shake her head in stunned confusion while the others try to stop him from destroying what's left of the cabinet by locking his arms.

"I have no idea." She uttered.

"Oi Zacky! Get the hang of yourself!" Nora cried out while she clung onto her friend's left arm, Ruby clung to his back, and Ren got his right arm.

"Calm down." Ren orders before using his semblance on him. But to his shock, it did not work. In fact, it seemed to make him react more violently.

"What? He resisted it?"

 Zack continues on without uttering a single word, right before gaining unexpected strength to shove his way out of his friend's grip and rip the last piece of wood in the way to reveal some sort of etching on the stone wall. And before anyone could stop him, the fox Faunus lays his right hand on the wall before the tattoos on his arm begin glowing violet so bright that they could be seen through his jacket.

A rumble soon shook the meeting room, causing everyone to stumble for a moment while the etching began glowing violet. Then, the wall started crumbling into dust and revealing a new path to somewhere, blocked by rotting wooden panels. But whatever's affecting him seems to fade away, for he collapses onto the floor like a puppet without a master.

"Zack!" Ruby cried out while grasping onto her friend before he landed on the ground, his eyes seemingly resting after what had transpired. Yet, the silence couldn't last forever.

"What did I just see? And the hell was that?" Sun asks before Zack groans as if he has just awakened from a nap.

"That's not normal, and his arm… Is it the sisters commanding him?" Ilia could only theorise before Ren stepped in.

"I hope not."

"Mmm? Huh? What? What happened?" His eyes fluttered while Ruby showed her delight that he was back. She pulled the fox Faunus back up and into a tight hug.

"Zack! You're awake. Do you remember what happened?"

"I uhm… Remember pain, and after that, I can't remember anything else. Just blank..." The fox Faunus could only mutter while rubbing his head before he noticed his work with stunned silence. And unable to comprehend what happened, he points at the open path and asks. "Did I do that?"

"Yup!" Nora helpfully confirms his suspicion while peering into this new path blocked by rotting wood. "You went all smashy and stuff, but we tried to stop you, but we failed!" The orange-haired girl comments with vigour and exaggeration in her voice.

"Oh…" Zack could only blankly bink in response to the reply, only to realise that Ruby was still hugging him. Though he will never admit it for his dignity, he likes the comfortable feeling he's receiving. And she smells of strawberries. "I… I remember hearing a voice to go there, but I doubt we can do it now."

"Perhaps after we deliver the documents and inform him of what just happened, then perhaps we can have a look." Ilia suggested with her arms underneath her breast, though her eyes were filled with uncertainty, as did the others.

After all, what caused him to act like that unexpectedly?

"Really?! Renny, do you think we'll find treasure down there?"

"I do not know, Nora." Ren mutters before brushing his hair aside, while Blake sighs at how complex the situation has become.

"Uh, Ruby? You can stop hugging me now." Zack felt his cheeks glowing, but was instantly denied by his friend.

"No! You just suddenly went crazy! How will I know that won't happen again?"

"Right…" The Fox Faunus' voice drawled out while getting teasing looks from the others before giving out a sigh and a head pat. "But I'm better now, and whatever affected me is gone now. But I wonder, how long has this hidden door been there?" He asked before his fellow Faunus spoke next.

"I frankly do not know," Blake shrugged. "But I wonder, you have a point, how or why is this path there? And why did the Fang build its headquarters over it?"

"Perhaps the answer lies within it, huh, guys?" Sun shrugged while holding a bundle of paper in his hands. "You know, this reminds me of those kinds of ancient tombs that could have treasure or ghosts you can find in Vacuo."

"Ghosts?" Ruby blinked.

"It kind of does…" Blake glanced away for a moment. "We should get these papers to my father now." And with that, everyone resumed and salvaged whatever documents they could find that weren't destroyed by Zack.

An hour later…

Upon gathering all the necessary documents, they could find, Ilia returned, and with some help from Zack and friends, they met up with Ghira again with what they found in the meeting room. During this time, he was also informed of a secret path beneath the throne room and within the meeting room after Zack's unexpected rampage.

He is still feeling relatively confused and embarrassed about the whole incident.

Of course, wary of what could lurk in this unknown path that happens to be revealed unexpectedly by the fox Faunus, Ghira advised that should they explore this uncharted territory, they should be prepared for anything. He even suggests that he should come along since most of the headquarters are now under their control, and all that is left is to plan for their attack on the other nearby cells and arrest any remaining resistance.

With the go and approval, everyone began returning to the meeting room, with Nora helpfully smashing the rotten wooden planks blocking their entry with Magnhild. And before they entered the dark corridors, Ghira had given lanterns to Ruby, Ren, and Nora so that they could see, since everyone else could see in the dark, but they couldn't.

Though the journey was met with nothing of relevance except for the darkness and almost damp smell of the air, that quickly changed when they stumbled across a cavern of massive proportions. Even more interesting or alarming were the signs of ruined stone architecture. As if someone else had inhabited the ruins.

"Wow… talk about an ancient underground city…" Ilia mutters with a hint of awe before Zack walks ahead of everyone towards a particular wall with inscriptions of a long-forgotten language. Yet unknown to everyone, the voices were calling out to him again, but this time to approach the wall.

"Wait, where are you going?" Blake asks before her Faunus friend stops and looks at everyone else behind.

"The voices are back, and they want me to go to that wall," Zack said with his finger pointing at it. "And I think it's clear that this place is historically relevant to my ancestors."

"Clearly." Ghira grunts with his eyes bouncing all over the place to watch for any potential traps.

"Dr. Oobleck will go nuts if he ever finds this place. I think he would love to learn everything he could hear," Ren muttered. "Speaking of Dr. Oobleck. It has been a while since we last saw them. I wonder how he, Professor Port and Goodwitch are doing right now back in Beacon?"

"I like to think they're okay." Ruby added in before their energetic friend added in.

"Yeah! Who knows what we can find here, Renny! Oh, perhaps some treasure like what Sun had said!" Nora grinned as her excitement grew at this ancient place.

"Well, I suppose we could look around, but I advise caution. We have no idea what could be hiding here. Assuming there's anyone here to begin with." Zack mutters before he approaches the wall, as do his friends behind him. And for a moment, his eyes glowed gold unnoticed when he began to brush his hand on the wall.

"Can you read them?" Ilia asks right as Zack shakes his head. He can't, but he could perhaps decipher it in time. But before anything else could happen, Ozpin chose now to speak his thoughts.

"I wonder how old this place was? From the looks of it, I believe this place is several centuries old. Or perhaps as old as the first Faunus was created."

"You suspect something, Oz?" Zack could only ask the man within him.

"Yes, as insane as it may be, I believe this place can shed some light on your ancestor's history. Or perhaps, even what your ancestors were like."

"Yeah, but an underground city near Mistrial? I wonder how they made this city undetected?" Zack pauses for a moment when it clicked in his head. "Could it be those etchings on the wall they mentioned earlier?"

"Could be. Perhaps only those with magic could access these caverns."

"Hm." Zack gave a soft grunt as his eyes focused on the unrecognisable writings on the wall. Brushing his hand over the inscriptions, the tattoos on his hand began to glow again, and to his and everyone's surprise, the inscriptions began to burn the same colour and change into something more readable in the form of simplistic art stretching out all over the wall.

For everyone else, they see the life of a white-haired Faunus boy, but to Zack, It is something so much more unnerving and something he never thought possible.

It was his story.

His entire childhood before him, from the day he was born to his youth to the day his town was burned to the ground, and he fled for his life alone. It all seemed nonsensical, but eventually, everyone began piecing it together on whose story this belonged to.

"Wait, is this your history?" Blake could only ask while baffled when part of the wall portrays him meeting up with team RNJR in Mistral. Yet, the fox Faunus remained absolutely silent while walking alongside the wall, his hand brushing against it while the others were surprised that this was written.

And when they called out to him out of worry about his lack of response, he did not respond, for everything had become echoes to his ears.

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Zack POV

I… don't know what to say. Everything in front of me is basically my entire history written down in art, but was this foretold? Like the tales of prophecy? The very idea is… ABSURD! Does it mean that every pain and suffering I went through is foretold!? No! I refuse to believe that everything I've been working on has been predicted in the past! The very idea of it is stupid!

I felt my body tensing to the point I thought I was about to snap any second now. And at this point, how much was my free will to make the difference, or did someone else already preordain my path?

No, I can't fall into that pit. There must be answers at the end of this wall.

Bringing my attention back to the wall, I moved to the far end to see where it ended. The battle for Haven. My close encounter with death. After the battle and my fight against my trauma from Cinder. And my meeting with the Belladonnas, Sun and Ilia.

All of it was on full display, like a book for everyone to read and see.

But… that's it.

I have reached the point that nothing came up, no pictures nor what could be my future. It was almost like this entire wall wasn't meant to be some sort of prophecy but a fancy record of my existence! As if proving my theory, parts of the wall began to crack, and what was revealed behind it was everyone, including me, in this very cavern.

"I was correct," I muttered after minutes of pure silence from me. I've been too shaken up to speak, but seeing my theory confirmed is comforting. "This does not show my fate or destiny but a record of my history. The only question is, why?" I found myself asking that question out loud before Ozpin finally spoke. I guess he, too, was stunned upon witnessing it all.

"While I do not have the answers, Arakan. I believe that, perhaps, this place has more relevance than we once believed. In addition, I'm sensing magic not too far from here. It's faint, but I can tell it should be worth of interest."

"Where?"

"To your right."

Glancing to where Ozpin said the magical signature was, he is right. I can feel it. It's almost undetectable, but it is definitely there. "Just a record of your history?" I then heard Ruby ask after she walked toward me. 'I don't get it."

"I had originally suspected this to be some sort of prophecy, but it turns out to be a live recording of everything that involves me for some reason." I explained while at the same time, I could see everyone else walking in.

"This is quite strange… I wonder why it's doing that…" Ghira mutters the question on everyone's mind. "And I'd like to offer my condolences for your loss." Yet I simply waved his offer. I do not need it at the moment. I've already moved on.

"I've long accepted their deaths. Even if I missed them dearly." I sighed softly while my eyes wandered elsewhere. "And at times, I wonder what they think of me now?" Not just of my journey as a Huntsman to save the world from Salem or my memories merged by my time on Earth, but my eventual ending of becoming nothing but part of Ozma as a collection of memories.

How would they feel about it?

Would they feel pain at my eventual end or hope at everything I achieved in this world? Not only as their son but as the last of a dying legacy of the past and its journey to revive itself?

Without even realising it, I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, and it revealed to be Ruby offering me a sympathetic look with her silver eyes. "Zack, I'm sure wherever they are, your parents will be proud of you. I believe they are, do you?" God-damn it, Ruby, how could I say no to you? Even if you're in pain on the inside, you still look out for everyone, but even such burdens cannot be carried alone.

Even if you don't care about your mental state, I'll do my best to look out for you.

This I swear.

Feeling a smile grow on my lips, I simply nod at her. "Yeah, I'm sure they are. Thanks for the word of confidence, Ruby. I needed that." Taking my eyes away from her and to everyone else, I spoke. "Well, perhaps we can walk around and see what we can find here, but as I advised earlier, do take caution. While I doubt anyone else is here, traps are an entire story."

With that, we agreed to split off into groups and explore the place so we could cover more ground, with the promise to come back to this specific area in an hour. And should any of us fail to show up here, the rest are to go looking for them. Or at least that's the idea should everything go according to plan.

Which, most of the time, falls apart almost instantly.

And we're off. Nora, Ren and Ghira formed one group, and Blake, Ilia and Sun in another. And due to the lack of an additional person. That just left me and Ruby as the last group to be formed. And we're off. The first couple of minutes were of us walking through more ruins, which brings us into question.

What happened here? And where are the bodies, assuming there's anything left here? Ozpin's memories have proven to be quite the boon with some knowledge I lacked. For example, bones do decompose, but it takes decades for it to happen and centuries for them to fully decay. And if you're wondering why Oz knows this fact, it is because he delved into archaeology in one of his previous incarnations.

With that out of the way, Ruby and I chatted while exploring the ruins until we arrived at what we could guess was the ruined remains of a temple? Or is a shrine a better description for it? Anyway, upon stumbling across it, what we found right in the middle of an altar was a white crystal floating above some sort of metallic device? Its designs are definitely ancient if we were to guess.

"Oooh… was that?" Ruby tilted her head curiously while I was beside her, staring at that device with a crystal on top of it. It's radiating that same magical signature, Ozpin, and I detected it a while back. But the main thing of concern is how untouched it appears to be. Everything Ruby and I had explored so far appeared to be stripped of anything valuable or rotted away.

Yet, this thing looked clean and untouched by time and attrition.

Something's not right here.

I rest my hand on Ruby's shoulders before she can move closer to that mysterious crystal device. "I dunno, but I advise caution. It could be booby-trapped." I watched as her eyes widened in realisation before adopting a thoughtful look and giving me a nod.

"So… what should we do then?" Ruby then asked while I glanced around. I soon realised that some of the patterns beneath us were not floor decorations but vents of some sort. Another thing was the presence of something on the faded walls. But whatever it was, I couldn't tell.

I swear this feels like a DND game when I pass a perspective check roll in a dungeon or something.

Pulling out an Ice Dust crystal from my pocket, I began to absorb it while Ruby gave curious looks about what I was doing. And while I was absorbing, it, I could see my aura flickering in reaction while the feeling of the freezing cold coursed through my veins. Terrible feeling, I can tell ya.

I caught my breath when I felt my whole body freeze up for a split second before mists of frost surrounded me, much to Ruby's surprise when I heard her gasp. Even more so when I flicked my tail so I could see it coated in violet ice. "Feels like my bones are ice…" I grimace at the feeling. Sure, having Fire Dust in my system did make me feel like I was on fire, but having Ice Dust felt worse because it felt as if my entire body was freezing from the inside!

"What are you doing?" I heard Ruby calling out to me while I was in the middle of getting into my stance. Okay… I got this…

"Something that should reveal tripwires or potential traps. No one leaves such valuable items in the open like that." I explained before I thrust my hand forward and sent a wave of icy mist to coat everything in a layer of ice. And just like I suspected, there were numerous tripwire traps everywhere! Even more so, I had the vents covered up in ice to 'hopefully' prevent anything from happening.

"Ah, Choo!" Ruby sneezed from the icy mist that went past her before sniffing.

"You okay there?" I raised an eyebrow at my friend. But that sneeze, though. Sounds adorable.

Heh…

"Yeah. Just don't mind me. It's just cold." Ruby explained, while I shrugged and recalled the remaining icy mist and made them gather in my palm into a smaller crystal before keeping them. And with most of the traps revealed or blocked by ice, Ruby and I slowly crossed numerous stone chairs until we arrived at the altar.

Yet none of us want to touch it despite our curiosity, and for good reason. After all, could there be a pressure plate underneath it that will trigger once we take it? "What do you think it is?" I heard my friend ask out, while I could only give a simple shrug.

"Don't know. But I'm picking up some magic from it." I explain my observations before her eyes widen enthusiastically.

"Really? Then, is there something we could do about this thing?"

"I could try touching it and see what happens." I offered a suggestion before I heard Ozpin immediately call me out.

"That's the most foolish thing I have heard coming out of your mouth, Arakan."

"Then do you have a better idea about what we are supposed to do with this thing?" I snapped back with a frown. Honestly, Oz, if you're going to call me out, perhaps you can back it up with an idea. I'm all open. "If not, perhaps you could come up with something to help us." I could only glance aside while Ruby watched me curiously, though I didn't have to wait long for a reply.

"And I believe I have an idea. Excuse me."

"Wait, what are you-"

I didn't have the chance to voice out because immediately after, Ozpin took control, much to Ruby's surprise and my utter frustration. I always fucking hate it when he does this shit. But alas, if he has an idea about what to do with this… instrument. Fucking hell!

"Professor Ozpin?" Ruby gasped out while Ozpin took out his cane and nodded at Ruby.

"Yes, Miss Rose. I believe I have a solution to this predicament." Oz said, while I fumed a bit.

"Seriously! Again!? I know we haven't had this in a while, but come on! You know how much I hate it when you take my body without consent!"

"If I were you, I'd reframe that differently." Oz deadpanned.

Wait, what?

"What do you- Oh. Oh no… Uhm… Oh no… Not what I meant! I'm saying t-that you're doing that to me. I mean, I… I'll shut up now." If I had control of my body at the moment, I would have been as red as Ruby's cape, and I have come to regret the way I was saying it. It does sound like he uh… used me, which is fucked up out of context.

It was even worse when Ozpin let out an amused chuckle at my obvious reaction to my mistake. Well, fuck you then! "As I was saying before, Arakan took my focus. Allow me to have a look at it."

Ozpin said before he walked around the altar with my body and observed every nook and cranny. "Hm... Upon touching it, I don't see any obvious mechanism or way for this to be a trap. I am picking up some sort of warding magical field on it. How interesting…" He hums.

"Warding?" Ruby asked curiously while Ozpin continued.

"It is magically protected by an invisible barrier, and from what I can tell, touching it will trigger its defensive mechanisms. What they are is another story entirely." He hums while I idly watch by, since I can't do anything since I'm in the back seat.

"Can you try and circumvent it? I'm not good at all this magical stuff…" I ask.

I can try. Though it has been centuries since I last performed something like this."

Standing beside Ruby while she watches us silently, Ozpin then spoke loud enough for her to hear. "Miss Rose, I advise you to stand back. I am going to try and circumvent this warding. But just in case this fails, it is recommended you stay back to avoid being caught in the backlash should I fail."

"Okay, Headmaster," Ruby said as we could hear her keeping her distance from us. "Will you be okay doing this?"

She then asked next, while Ozpin responded back confidently. "Yes, Miss Rose. I will be alright." Gripping the shaft of Long Memory, I simply watched as Ozpin tapped the handle of Long Memory on the crystal with his eyes closed. And while I couldn't see anything since our eyes were closed, I could feel him using a tiny portion of his magic to access the crystal.

While it was difficult to explain, it was as if Ozpin was trying to magically picklock this ward safe. I could feel his magic slithering through several security nodes on the crystal device. But every node he passed seemed to send a shiver of pain through us. It's not a mind-shattering kind of pain, but a pulsing kind of pain you feel from getting crushed underneath Nora's hammer.

Actually, that's a terrible kind of way to explain it… Perhaps Ozpin's right. I could word things better in the future.

Hmm…

Okay. The point is, this entire procedure is starting to fucking hurt, and it feels like my insides are turning to mush!

"Oz, not to be burdensome or anything, but this is getting quite painful." I moaned out while Ozpin nodded his head while my body visibly trembled from the pain.

"I understand. It appears that this pain is coming from my magical incompatibility with this device. And I'm almost done. Please bear with it for a little longer." I hope you know what you're doing, Oz. I prefer not to die anytime soon. Also, magical incompatibility? He did mention something about the magic the sisters use being more primal. Could that be the reason why we're in fucking pain over here?

Thankfully, we didn't need to take long before Ozpin finally said something. "Done." And with our eyes open again, we could see the barrier coating the crystal device, fading into nothing. However, this must have taken much out of Ozpin when our body suddenly collapsed onto the floor.

"Ozpin!" Ruby cried out while we tried to get our breath in order.

"It is nothing, Miss Rose. I've simply overextended myself, but it should now be safe to touch." Ozpin said before passing control of my body back to me while I gasped for breath. It didn't help that my legs felt like jelly, and I had to use Long Memory to push myself back to my feet.

"I'll leave the rest to you and Miss Rose. Unlocking it has taken out more of me than expected." Oz whispered in my head while I simply nodded while Ruby helped me.

"Thanks Ruby." I smiled before bringing my attention back to this crystal device thingy. "Oz gonna take a nap now. Apparently, unlocking it has taken more out of him than he expected." I explained before glancing at Ruby, who listened intently to my words.

"So now what?"

"Well," I stuck my hand upwards with my thumb and index finger out while pointing at that device. "Time to see what's so special about this thing to have it here." I kept Oz's cane once I felt my legs strengthening again. Sucking my breath in, I reached in and picked up the device.

Upon closer observation, the base of this device is made from silver with gold engravings in the shape of a star as its base. And as if compelled to levitate over it, the white crystal seemed to follow it even when I held it upside down. But nothing else seemed out of the ordinary except that magic I sensed in it.

Or at least, that was what was supposed to happen.

Instead, we got the crystal glowing brightly before something shot from it and into my head!

And I saw things that I didn't know of. The entire history of this settlement is that it is one of countless underground homes made by my ancestors a long time ago. All to shelter their people from the outside world and Grimm. I also saw how that wall I touched was made by the first Arakan as a record and alarm to every one of every chosen of the Sisters was picked and their entire lives.

What the hell were they thinking when they chose to make this?!

Another memory popped up soon after, and this one was how this settlement fell to Grimm, which came like a tide of teeth and claws of all sorts of Grimm. I saw as my fellow Faunus fought with such fanatical resistance that I didn't think was possible until the last man, woman and child. And to my awe, I saw one of my ancestors fighting alongside her people!

And even more so when I noticed that she had elongated ears and butterfly wings on her back while wearing robes. I watched through the eyes of one of her supports as she yelled out some sort of incantation while flying in the air before a wave of blue-tinted wind came out of nowhere and swept every single Grimm off their feet and sent them flying at such speeds that they die upon impact with the ground or walls!

She then said another incantation before a firewall erupted from the ground! Holy shit! That's so cool!

Another thing I noticed is she is a Faunus that so happens to be a fairy if I were to guess from her wings and elongated ears. What kind of Faunus species would you need to be to become a fairy Faunus, I wonder? But what I do know is that it was a slaughter. And despite it being a memory, I could smell the blood in it. It was awful, I tell ya.

And I saw how the last of the survivors, including my ancestor, used the very same crystal we found to impute it with everything I've seen so far before escaping through that very same tunnel we found underneath the White Fang's headquarters! So, this explains so much!

This device is not some random thing. It's a memory storage device!

And I just relieved every bit of their memories!

Feeling a headache after seeing everything in one go, I tried to cling to the memories, but they all faded as fast as they appeared in my head. Even more so when I realised, I was on the floor with Ruby beside me, calling out desperately with the device still clutched tightly in my hand.

"Ruby?" I could only ask while still slightly groggy from all those memories that flowed into my head for a moment. "What happened?" I continued while I got a thankful smile from my friend.

"Zack! You passed out when that crystal thing did something. Are you alright?" She asked before gently pulling me off the floor.

"I'm good. Thanks for the help." With a smile, I accepted her help, and once I was back on my feet, I explained while still holding the memory storage device in my hands. "This device is unlike anything I've encountered before." I mumbled while trying to replay those memories in my head, but most of the significant details faded. I still know enough about it to explain to Ruby.

"It is a memory storage device used by my ancestors." I began to explain. "And for a moment, I saw everything that was recorded within it through the experiences of several memories, including one of my predecessors who had long ears and butterfly wings." I explained further while Ruby's eyes grew to the size of plates and while in awe.

"Really?! That's so cool!"

"Yeah. It's crazy witnessing it all." I agreed before a question popped into my head. "How… How long was I out for?" I asked before I was rewarded with the sight of Ruby scratching her hair in thought.

"Eh… You were out for a couple of seconds. Why?" Wait, what. Only a couple of seconds? It felt longer than an hour in that thing, witnessing all those memories. My eyes stupidly returned to the crystal device in my hands.

"Does time not exist within it?" I felt myself asking those questions before I shook my head. I can't worry about this thing. Still, the thought as to why made me conclude it to be magical nonsense.

"It felt as if I was in that thing for hours…"

Ruby looked absolutely stunned and confused before she asked me. "Hours? How?"

Hell if I know Ruby.

"I guess magic at work." I sighed before deciding to keep it in a bag I bought. Who knows? I may find a purpose or even find a way to put some of my memories inside it for safekeeping before Oz takes me.

"Or perhaps to record my death note or something." I felt the bitter part of my mind whisper to me, but I quickly shook it off from thought. "Well then, wanna keep exploring? We still have plenty of time before we need to meet up with everyone." With that out of the way, I changed the topic, which Ruby appeared happy to do.

"Sure! Though, it's a shame that Yang and the other's didn't want to come." I watched as she mumbled sadly before I petted her on the shoulder.

"I wouldn't worry about that, Ruby. It is their decision not to come since our choice is voluntary. But I'm sure they'll have something waiting for us at home." A sly grin grew on my lips. Though I never said it earlier, I brought Weiss into our plan and Jaune. I'm sure those three, alongside Qrow and maybe Neo could prepare a surprise by the time we return.

"What makes you say that?" Ruby asked, but I simply placed my finger on my lips and was rewarded with a pout on her face. And she's adorable.

"Why can't you tell me?"

"Because that would ruin the surprise~." I chuckled as I walked off while Ruby soon began chasing after me.

"Hey! Wait up!" She cried out while I simply chuckled. I'm happy I have her and everyone else on this journey.

And so, Ruby and I left the temple and resumed exploring this dead place. Now, I hope we don't encounter any Grimm here because it feels like someone or something is watching us from the shadows. However, every time I look around, I see nothing near us. But that gut of mine still suspects that something is watching us…

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Unaware of the Fox Faunus and his companion, his gut feeling was correct. Someone was watching them from the shadows high above in the form of a woman with blood-red hair in a long ponytail that goes to her hips. Her eyes were also as red as her hair, while her face was angular and sharp.

She wears a skin-tight suit with armour on most of the vital parts of her body and on her arms and legs but still slightly exposes her midriff. In addition, her body is covered by a white cloak. The woman also had heel boots with metal reinforced pieces with notable spikes attached.

Another thing of notice was a plain white mask on one hand with a katana with red markings on her hips. There was also a large cylinder cannon-like gun on her back as well.

"Hmph." She grunts before she wears her mask and turns around to leave. "It's getting boring here watching this child explore this desolate place." She mumbles to herself before climbing up a rope ladder she used to get into this settlement back to the surface via a secret entrance.

And once she did, she began walking alone through the forest and humming. "At times, I wonder why our Khan is so interested in that little Faunus, even if he happens to share his hair. Alas, I had thought this mission would be much more interesting than observing him. Frankly, those Branwen tribesmen were much more entertaining to deal with."

However, before she could continue to her destination, the sounds of rustling made her pause and draw out her katana. And it proved to be the right decision when a pack of Beowolves showed up snarling at her.

Yet, instead of losing her composure, she laughs at the Grimm surrounding her with a crazed grin behind her mask. "Ah, wonderful! Things were getting too boring here!" The woman pulled out the cannon on her back and pointed it at the Beowolves before her. "I'm gonna enjoy crushing every one of you to pieces!"

And with that, she pulled the trigger, as a blast of energy erupted from her cannon and eviscerated a chunk of the Grimm before her and part of the forest. In response to her provocation and first strike, the Alpha roared before every single Beowolf descended upon the mysterious woman as one.

However, that didn't deter her, for she proved to be as skilled as any veteran Huntsman in combat.

Mixing up her attacks, the women appear to dance through the Beowolves' attempt to maul before either slicing them at their joints, kicking them, or straight up using the cannon in her arm as a bludgeoning tool and crushing them underneath it. And without even stopping or slowing down, she absolutely decimated the Beowolves without a single hit on her.

Leaving just the Alpha as the only one left alive from her assault. Seeing each one of its pack dead at her hands, the Alpha let out a roar before charging in to kill her personally. But unknown to the Alpha Beowolf, she still has one more trick. Keeping her cannon on her back, the red-haired woman extends her arm.

"Domination!" She cried out as black chains erupted from her palm and bound the Alpha in place. The Alpha snarled and roared at her while trying to break out of the chains holding it. But the more it struggled, the more the chains wrapping around its body and limbs tightened and crushed it slowly.

As for the woman, she giggled at the futile struggle. "Who said you could stand up?" She asked before the Alpha Beowolf found itself unwillingly falling on the grass, still growling but unable to do anything as the mysterious woman walked up towards it

"Now, stay absolutely still." She ordered before slowly beginning to use her katana and carve an emblem of an Oleander flower on its bone mask. It snarled but found itself unable to do anything, as if these chains forced complete control of whoever was bound by it. "Good dog. Now roll over." She said before the Alpha found itself unable to do anything but comply with her words.

The Beowolf then did a rollover like any loyal dog would for their master. "Good." The woman hums again before getting on its back, while the Alpha struggles and fails spectacularly to get this woman off its back. Seeing the apparent disobedience of the Beowolf Alpha, she did a slight cut on its neck before giving one final command.

"Let's go now."

Compelled to the will of the chains wrapped tightly around its body, the Alpha found itself running somewhere with this woman riding on its back. Yet, as the Beowolf alpha takes her to where she's heading next, she glances back with a thought.

"This won't be the last time I'll be there watching your progress, little fox. But for now, I am needed elsewhere. Perhaps when the time comes and with my Khan, I'll see what you're made of. After all, only through battle, then will your true self reveal itself. As he says it."