Chapter Text
Deep within the quiet of the night of fire and bloodshed, a guttural growl rumbled through the air, echoing in the mountains, the sky, and the dead of fallen men. A sound that blended rage and hatred, reverberating throughout the area, it represented the night, when men become monsters, demons. It was the welcome gates of their final resting place. Deep within the suffocating pitch blackness, a grotesque voice surged with palpable hatred, echoing through the silence like a sinister storm. It began to twist and contort, transforming itself, shifting from the monstrous roar into a more human tone filled with vengeance and emotion.
“DAMN YOU, NATORI, YOU TRAITOROUS BASTARD! I FOUND YOU AFTER ALL THIS TIME. I HAVE YOU IN MY GRASP! I WILL KILL YOU, THIS TIME FOR GOOD. YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE STOLEN FROM ME! WHAT YOU HAVE STOLEN FROM US! VENGEANCE WILL BE MINE!”
In an instant, the monstrous voice dissipated, consumed by the haunting echoes of the void, leaving only a lingering chill in the air, swallowed by the echoes of nothingness.
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[ Flames ]
Clive awoke alone in a room. His mind was in a daze, and he could barely process anything but to wake up. He cried because he was in so much pain. Emotional pain, a feeling he hadn't felt since his mother rejected him in favor of Joshua when he came of age to use his power. Clive was 13 when his mother no longer saw him as her son or something to be useful for her. The pain of a rejected mother’s love still burns in Clive’s heart. His heart burned even more when Clive faced the reality of having proven his mother's rejection valid after what had transpired the night of the Phoenix gate.
What the hell happened?
The night should have been perfect; everything had been set up. They had been ready for missteps, prepared for any ambush or attack from outside enemies. Joshua was supposed to perform the ritual at the Phoenix gate, and they would begin the war. Yet, despite all the preparation and careful planning, they still got ambushed. They were attacked, and suddenly. Clive's mind went blank and was strained with a headache.
I thought everything was fine.
I thought Joshua and Father were safe; I ensured they were safe.
I ensured they escaped safety while I killed off all the ambitious intruders.
Why was Phoenix there? What was the monster attacking the phoenix, and why couldn’t I do anything to stop it?
It was a night he couldn't forget, even though it was a night he wanted to, but his soul pulled the country to reply to the memory. The sight of fire, the smell of burning wood, blood, and the sound of screaming. Of his allies, of his enemies. Of Joshua… Clive fell back into memories of blood and fire, corpses of soldiers covering the ground, ashes filling the air. All Clive could see was fire, dead men, and blood everywhere. Knights should be a ray of hope, yet that same hope could be grave to despair, whichever the knight's swords point towards or to whom the knight's master considers their enemies. Clive knew what kind of life he would get into when he became the first shield of Rosaria. He knew the price he would pay with the blood of his enemies, non-combatants of enemy land, and many warriors, but
Clive never wanted to pay the price of the blood of his allies, his friends, and, above all, the blood of his brother. And he almost did.
Memories began to invade Clive's mind; Joshua and their father were in danger. Joshua awakes as Phoenix,
And suddenly
A Vision
The memories become more evident.
Clive remembered a monster. A demonic monster that brutalized his brother until he was beaten to death.
Clive screamed, begging the beast to stop hurting his brother. To spear him instead.
He swore he would protect him, His baby brother, and yet the only thing he could do was watch his brother die before him.
They are being murdered in front of him.
“I swore…” Clive’s thoughts desperately screamed in his head. I promised I would protect him.”
“And you will continue to do so, young man.” A voice appears in Clive's head.
A bright light appeared in the sky, engulfing everything. The screaming had stopped, and the smell of blood and fire was gone. Clive's vision of the burning building in the night sky and the phoenix had disappeared into a bright white light of nothingness…
Clive woke up in a bed covered in bandages and bruises.
Strange machines surrounded Clive, making beeping noises and speaking words he did not understand. Clive was in a weird place, but he could only focus on Joshua. Tears began to form in Clive's eyes. Why couldn't he do anything? Why couldn't he protect Joshua? When Joshua needed Clive the most, Clive couldn't save him.
“Joshua, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.” Clive was overcome with guilt. Tears flowed through his eyes as his chest tightened, and he let out a cry.
Suddenly, a door opened.
“Good, you have finally awakened. Pardon the intrusion, but I had to ensure you are alright.” A man appeared with a plate of cookies in one hand and a cup in the other hand. The man had gray hair and wore a green jacket and black sunglasses that swayed to the side. He had a black can with a silver metal that he had his hand gripping on top of it on his side. A woman appeared next to him. She had blonde hair and wore glasses. Her hair was in a bun with strange paper on the side; she wore a white shirt that exposed parts of her chest, wore a long black skirt, and appeared to have a long wiping stick next to her.
Are they his makers? Here to kill him? He didn't care, though. He deserved to die. To be killed for failing his duty, his country, and his people.
All the court men and women, all the people who encouraged him.
His friends.His teacher.His father. His brother. Jill .. who prayed for his return.
Clive felt his soul down with the depths of his hatred.
He deserved to die. It should be his punishment for failing.
“Are you here to kill me? Please do it. I am prepared for my punishment.” Clive said.
The older gentlemen looked at Clive and smiled.
“Kill you? Oh, nothing of the sort, young man. It's the opposite. I'm here to ensure you are alive, and let's taste my world-famous cookies. I bake them myself and am proud.”
“However, the cookies may be your undoing,” The woman remarked.
“Glynda, your words wounded me. Did I work hard on these cookies and ensure they were edible?” The woman raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, I brought them. " The older gentleman admitted.
‘Which one?”
“Brandeis's baker,” the old man said happily, feeling a bit of pride in finally being able to buy cookies at his favorite baker. Unfortunately, the woman beside him did not share the same enthusiasm and glared at him.
“I knew it! Hand it over. Those cookies are going to kill this boy.” She demands, sticking her hand out; however, the older man protects the plate of cookies and swifts his body away from the woman, like a child watching his favorite toy.
“Glynda, please, the boy should judge whether the cookies are good.” The man placed the plate of cookies on the nightstand next to him, not paying much attention to the size of the cookies.
Clive tones the adults out and stares blankly at the plate of cookies. He doesn't know what they are discussing and honestly doesn't care. He has no other interest than knowing who is going to be his executioner and when his execution will begin. As the adults talk amongst themselves, Clive finally speaks.
“Please…” a low whisper left Clive's lips. The adults stopped mid-argument
“Please kill me. I have nothing left to live for. I couldn't protect my brother. I stood there helpless and watched him die! and I failed as his shield…So please do it. Please kill me….” Clive said in a low voice.
“No, young man. Killing you is the last thing I would ever do, especially to someone such as yourself.” The gentlemen said, “I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here, so I'll get straight to the point…Your beloved little brother is alive.” The gentlemen said with a warm smile. Clive's eyes shot up as he looked at the gentleman before him.
“What? That’s impossible, I saw my brother.. “ Clive tried to ignore the lump in his throat as his voice was weak from crying. Tears and snot ran down his lips as he was trying to speak. It was clear the lad needed tissues, not a plate of cookies. ”I saw him get brutalized in front of my very eyes.”
“Yes, but he is still alive and in our care,” the men said gently. The gentleman couldn't look at the teen’s running noise and handed him a tissue from his pocket. The Gentleman gestured to Clive to wipe his nose. Clive obeyed and cleaned his face of tears and snot. The gentleman held his hand, and the woman behind him gave him a flat board. The man touched the board, and a bright light appeared.
“See, take a look.” The man put the screen in front of Clive's face.
The light showed Joshua in bed, covered in bandages and surrounded by machines, covering his face and his mouth as if he were in deep slumber.
“Joshua!!! Joshua, are you okay? Clive got up from his bed and grabbed the lightboard. “Joshua, you're here! I'm coming!” Clive screamed at the screen.
Clive tried to get up from bed, but his body failed him. The older man caught Clive before he hit the ground and gently pulled him back into bed.
“Joshua, I have to see him. I have to know if he is alright. Please let me see him. Let me see my brother.” Clive begged
“Joshua is fine. He is alive and in stable condition, but he needs his rest, as do you. I can reassure you that Joshua will be okay; he is alive and well.”
Clive stopped his movements and looked up at the men with tears in his eyes.
“ He is?”
“Yes…”
Clive let out another cry, this one of relief, before passing out from the amount of energy he felt trying to get out of bed.
The night was almost a tragedy, but his brother survived and is alive. He had thought he had lost his brother forever, but something had happened, and Joshua survived. Joshua was alive, and he was going to be okay. That's all that matters to Clive, and it's all that he cares about now.
“Maybe I should've gotten some fruit,” the old man comment
“Yes, fruit would be more appropriate,” the woman added.
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[ Flame_Wizzard ]
Hours have passed
Clive has finally awakened from his tearful slumber. The sun sets within the windows, and the strange machine around him continues to beep, making annoying noises. Clive also felt that the air differed from what he remembered; it was heavier and colder with a hint of mint. Clive remembers the cold air from his travels in the mountains in the far lands of Jill's home kingdom and the winter session when it snowed in Rosalia, but this was a different air, a foreign air that he was not familiar with.
"You're finally awake,” Clive heard a voice in a gentle, calm tone, the same one he remembered before he passed out.
Clive jumped from his bed to see the older man from before sitting on the cover of the room with his legs crossed and touching the light screen.
“Was he sitting there the whole time?” Clive asked, “Why? What do you want from me? My head? Or my body?”
"Neither. I am a happily married man to a beautiful Adult woman. So please clear any nefarious suspicions of my intentions.”
The gentleman stood up from his chair and placed the board behind him. The door knocked, and the woman with the blonde hair bun arrived pushing a metal chair with wheels, standing next to the gentlemen. With her timely arrival, Clive assumed that she must be the gentleman's adult wife.
” How about we start with the basics, such as introducing ourselves? My name is Professor Ozpin. I am the headmaster of Beacon Academy and king of Vale.“ Ozpin stopped when he felt the women's glare as if he was not supposed to give that information to the bedridden young man. Ozpin gave an innocent smile at the women before continuing.“ Don't tell anyone that. I refer to that last part to be a secret. " Ozpin put his finger on his lips and winked at Clive before returning to his customary gesture: The lovely woman next to me is Glynda Good witch. She is the head professor at my Academy.” Glynda respectfully nodded at Clive ."What is your name, young gentleman? "
"My name is Clive Rosfied, the firstborn of the Rosaria Royal family, crown prince, and Joshua's shield." Clive wasn't sure if he was supposed to give out his full title to strangers, but since Ozpin is of royal blood, and Glynda appears to be, Clive thought it was customary to give his royal title as well. Clive tried his best to bow, but the most he could do was put his hand over his chest and move his upper body to a slight bow. Looking at the pair, Clive suddenly remembers the two before passing out; more importantly, he remembered what Ozpin had told him. Joshua is alive, and Ozpin saves him. Clive felt a wave of gratitude fall in his heart.
"I am forever in your debt for saving my brother and me, "Clive blew to Ozpin. Ozpin let out a hand in proper protest; he wasn't used to teenagers being this respectful.
"It is quite refreshing to meet a fellow royal these days and one who is relatively young and mannered. You could teach my son Oscar a thing or two about the royal court, but that could wait for another time and place. " The older adult stood up from his seat, walked towards Clive, and smiled.
"Clive .. would you like to see Joshua?" Clive's eyes and ears perked up.
What kind of question is that?
“Of course, I want to see him! Clive exclaimed. The last time I saw Joshua was when his life was being threatened!!! “ He tried to rise but felt a sharp pain in his chest. He clenched his chest, then regained his calm demeanor. "Yes. I would like to see him, please!!!" Clive said in anticipation. What is he waiting for? A demonic beast was assaulting his brother. What physical scars Joshua may have only outweigh the mental scars he must have gotten from the ordeal. Clive needed to be with Joshua right now, not just for his brother's shake but his own.
"Okay, you may visit him, but only briefly. He is still recovering from the Infirmary. But I have a few connections where you can see him for a few minutes if you wish," Ozpin promised with a playful smile.
"Yes, very much, please!!!" Clive could have jumped if it wasn't for his injuries. He was like an excited dog, hearing the sights of his masters.
“All right then, stay still. I'll get you a wheelchair chair. Unfortunately, you will have to take your vital machine with you.”Ozpin pointed out the device next to Clive's bed.
Clive looked at the machine and saw it was connected to his hand. A needle was through his hand and was taped down. His body still hurt; he thought it would be healed by now as, usually, Clive was no stranger to battle pain. His body had gotten used to injuries. Usually, he would sleep it off, and the thought of pain would fade within the due time when he didn't think about it, but now Clive found himself being tied to a heavy machine and being reminded of his injuries. The device appears to show number lines that go with the beeps and a picture of a heart. It was a strange machine that he didn't understand.
"Do I have to be strapped to his machine? "Clive questioned. The device was heavy and only slowed down his movement. He was never used to being started by a metal device. Usually, he would heal with magic, crystals, or sleep.”May I leave this behind?” Clive asked
"No. That machine is what is keeping you alive..." The older adult said casually as he walked out the door.
"My apologies, this machine is keeping me alive!?! " Clive has many questions about that statement and how a machine keeps him alive. Still, now, the most important thing is seeing Joshua. Everything will be answered in due time. Since Clive was in the strange room where he couldn't leave or be killed, he had enough time to come up with more questions.
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