Shiro's Sanctum

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.

Betad by Priapus Malcolm Tent, Marethyu, Beans, Mike God of Lore, Old man of the mountain

The Celestial Remnant

Chapter 01: Remnant of Divinity

Sighing, I reach up and run a hand through my hair in frustration. Life has never been simple for me, not that I need or even want simplicity. Being an orphan on Remnant is never going to be easy, especially in the poorest kingdom (that's barely even recognised by the other kingdoms).

My fox ears twitch at the sound of someone approaching, my long white tail swishing behind me. How aggravating, don't they know I have things to be doing?

Celestial Remnant System Online.

Honestly, I figured that I'd just lost the plot when this nonsense popped up. Remnant? Celestial? A remnant of what? I doubt it means the name of my world.

Pre-existing traits, [Faunus], [Aura], [Semblance], [Colour Scheme], [Base Proficiency], [Little Red] and [Silver Eyes] 

have been added to the character sheet.

Why else would boxes appear in my mind's eye, explaining Aura and my race? The only one that stood out was Silver Eyes, which I didn't think was worthy of any real attention. After all, it's just an eye colour, right?

[Silver Eyes] 

You... have silver eyes. Well, isn't that an interesting development? You are now one of the Silver-Eyed Warriors. These figures are Warriors of Legend and are incredibly rare. Not much is known about them except their origin seemingly being linked to the God of Light. They embody his desire to preserve life and, as such, are in opposition to Destruction, which is embodied by the Grimm. Through your silver eyes, you are able to emit great blasts of silver light, capable of pulverising and/or turning Grimm to stone. They react to the desire to preserve and protect life, as such, positive emotions will probably help you master them. To begin, your eyes will be difficult to use and extremely draining, but with enough practice, all Grimm shall fear you.

This power only works on Grimm and those who are bound to them. After this world you will be able to use them on any being similar to Grimm in nature as beings of malevolence and Destruction. Any biological descendants of yours will also inherit the power of this Perk.

Yeah, turns out it might be a little more important than I first thought. All my life, the Grimm have hated me with a passion that seemed downright personal. I've seen Grimm run past Huntsmen and Huntresses exclusively to try and kill me. Turns out I didn't imagine it. I'm trying not to think too hard about the casual 'after this world' in the description. I don't know how to use my eyes, as strange as that sentence may be.

I'm not even going to touch the claim that they came from the God of Light. I've never been one for religion.

There's also another issue. Little Red and Base Proficiency.

[Base Proficiency] - Free

Things are about to get heated around here, with the Kingdom-spanning conflict on the horizon. It's for the best if you can actually hold your own in a fight. As such, here is a bit of a start to make it easier to keep yourself alive. With this Perk alone, you're roughly as capable in combat as Jaune Arc at the end of Volume 1, alongside knowing how to use your own weapon and the basis for your own unique style. Training will, of course, see you improve, but you at least won't be a burden at the start. 

[Little Red] - 200cp

You are roughly equal to Ruby Rose during Volume 1 in combat abilities. This is a fair bit above the normal student, not quite the peak, but a good way towards it. The acrobatic fighting style of Huntsmen and Huntresses won't be far out of reach for you, nor will creating your own style of combat.

Requires Base Proficiency to Purchase

Jaune Arc? Ruby Rose? Volume 1? The first two are obviously names, but for whom, I have no idea. A brief investigation showed me that they both exist. Ruby Rose has a social media profile where she exclusively posts pictures of her family and her weapon, a Scythe/Sniper. Jaune Arc doesn't seem to have one, but I found that the Arc family are farmers from Vale, and I was able to track him down as one of their seven kids.

Volume 1 is just… strange. And 'Kingdom-spanning conflict?' How foreboding. I suppose my hopes for an easy life are already dead in the water.

Starting Rolls complete, rolls blended into character background.

It all started last night when I had the strangest dream I can remember. Four glowing motes of light danced through the night sky, showing me flashes of impossible things before all four rushed into my chest, and I woke up. Nothing has made sense since.

[Secular Skills] 

Through growing up in a society in which religion tried to stem the natural instincts of the cat people towards vanity and good looks, you learned to craft amazing clothes and outfits from the most basic materials and tools, and don't worry, they all will look fantastic.

See, last night I was not a clothier. I didn't know how to sew or the first thing about designing clothes, and yet now I have some basic tailoring equipment around my small apartment and memories of me using my 'skills' to make a bit of money on the side, fixing and making clothes for my fellow Faunus. I'm somewhat renowned around the Menagerie for it. 

The small drone beeps as it sees my annoyance, barely visible on my features.

[Tower of Fantasy: Couant] 

A small drone that follows its master, shielding them from damage. When the shield is broken, it lets out a shocking burst that damages and knocks back all nearby enemies. This can also stun weaker enemies for several seconds.

I suddenly remember making Couant, piecing it together over the years. The small silver orb hovers in the air, its screen showing a neon blue smiley face as it beeps encouragingly at me. I give it a soft smile despite my confusion. It has Xs for eyes and a small upturned triangle for a mouth; honestly, it looks somewhat adorable despite its power.

[Psychic Abilities - Clairvoyance (Two Dots)]

In the World of Darkness, psychic abilities and mythic sorcery are, at first glance, completely different. However, both manipulate the same powers, albeit in very different ways and are both considered forms of linear magic. While a sorcerer utilises numerous tools and ceremonies to harness supernatural powers, a psychic makes do with lots and lots of willpower. Furthermore, the majority of psychic powers are innate and can be improved, but not gained, without outside interference, in stark contrast to sorcery.

Clairvoyance is the psychic power to perceive a location of choice without being physically present. Unlike astral projectors, clairvoyants remain aware of their physical surroundings while using their abilities. Familiarity with a given locale makes this power easier.

[1] - The psychic sees some images of their target location, but they are hazy and indistinct. They can be no more than a mile from it.

[2] - Images of the target location become clear, and the psychic can now faintly hear through their clairvoyance. Furthermore, they may now be up to ten miles distant from their target.

I don't know what my semblance is; I'm a late bloomer in that regard. Yet, people think my Semblance is 'Farseeing', letting me project my mind to distant locations. That's what the two Huntsmen currently making their way up towards my apartment are coming to fetch me for. It's a useful trick and one that I've been asked to make use of regularly for the safety of Menagerie. 

Finally, the biggest and most confusing one of them all.

[Dragon Lair] 

An attachment to your pocket dimension that adds a large cavern. About once a month it spawns a large amount of gold coins and gems inside of it. If you have a companion who has a draconic form or is a dragon themselves, they may take up residence inside the cave.

I am not rich; I've made enough money with my tailoring to keep myself somewhat comfortable, but I'm still a teenager with no family living in Menagerie. Why, and how, did I get a secret pocket dimension that is simply a large cave filled with solid gold coins and precious gems? That's not even mentioning the name, or the suggestion that I befriend a dragon to live in it.

It's obscene. Gold isn't used as a currency anymore, but it can still go for a damn good price, and gems are also a good source of wealth. Not that I could sell them without having to answer some particularly pointed questions.

[Little Red] and [Psychic Abilities - Clairvoyance (Two Dots)] both have upgrades available. Would you like to lock them in?

Sure, why not? I'll pretend I know what is going on because I don't really have any other choices at the moment.

System Startup Complete. On behalf of your sponsor, enjoy yourself!

Sponsor? Well, isn't that a lovely implication? 

A knock on my door makes me mentally dismiss the mental pop-up, calling for them to enter as my hands skillfully work on a torn shirt.

"Mr Akari? The High Leader wishes to see you," the man says, watching as I slowly finish up what I'm doing and rise from my seat.

"Very well," I say sedately, knowing I can't afford to say no. I am not White Fang, but that doesn't mean much when Sienna Khan requests my time. They aren't surprised by my simple, indifferent response; I am not someone who shows emotion easily, and the two White Fang agents lead me out of my apartment. 

The White Fang may be seen as terrorists in the other kingdoms, but they have a different reputation on the Menagerie. For one, they supplied the materials for me to make my weapon, as they do for all aspiring Huntsmen and Huntresses. It isn't required for us to join the Fang; in fact, in many cases, they prefer we don't, but it's very clear that they expect us to remember that they helped us when we become full-trained Huntsmen.

It's a simple but effective way of ensuring that any Huntsmen from the Menagerie feel like they owe the Fang, especially the very rare ones like me. After all, it is exceedingly uncommon for an aspiring Huntsman from the Menagerie to get accepted into Beacon, the most prodigious huntsman academy in the world.

In fact, there have only been two others in the last decade. Last year, a rabbit Faunus called Velvet Scarlatina was picked, and she was the first in eight years. Vale isn't particularly pleasant for Faunus (though it is better than Atlas, at least) but Beacon's reputation is undeniable. 

The Chieftain himself paid for me (and several others) to travel to Vale and attend their initial tests, though I still need to pass their actual initiation when I get there. I was the only one who passed the first round, and I am expected to pass the initiation and represent our people.

But first, they still can squeeze a little extra use out of me before I leave for Vale. 

– Sienna Khan –

As Akari was led in, she gave him a small smile in gratitude for his quick response. He didn't return it, blank, tired eyes staring back at her.

"Miss Khan, you called for me?" Akari asked, tail swishing behind him. It gave away his irritation at being pulled away from whatever he had been doing, complementing his twitching ears. 

Akari was a rarity, a Faunus with two traits instead of one. It wasn't unheard of, but it was extremely rare. Some Faunus held an almost superstitious belief that it was a sign of that Faunus' potential or destiny, but she didn't. It was just a tail.

"I did, Akari. As I imagine you already suspect, I'd like your help in scouting the Grimm around Kuo Kuana," Sienna explained, making him nod, utterly unsurprised. Why would he be? He went through this several times a month. "We've had reports of unusual activity, strange movements. I'd like to use your Semblance to gather as much information on them as we can before you leave us."

Akari nodded, silver eyes clearly tired as he took the seat she gestured to. She wasn't pleased that Ghira had arranged for him to attend Beacon despite the potential benefits. Scarlatina had practically gone native from her time in Vale, and it was a waste of Akari's talents.

She wanted to bring him into the Fang, but Ghira had beaten her to it. Akari was a decent fighter, nothing amazing, but he had potential. The real talent lay in his Semblance, which made him the ultimate scout.

Akari crossed his legs, looking at the map she brought up. As always, she pointed to areas she wanted to survey, and he simply closed his eyes and started to speak. It wasn't necessary for her to do this part herself; she could have had someone else take over, but she was invested in Akari and didn't want him to forget where his loyalties should lie after he started attending Beacon.

Some things required a more personal touch.

They'd long since worked out that Akari could see anywhere in a ten-mile radius, and her compound was on the edge of the city, so he could do a lot from her home. Sometimes, they took him out of the city, but Grimm seemed to have it out for him. Some of her men had joked about using him as Grimm bait since it wasn't uncommon for Grimm to ignore them to go for Akari. The best idea they had was that despite his often expressionless features, he had strong emotions that were serving as a lure.

She made notes as Akari spotted some unusual, stronger Grimm. They'd have to be dealt with sooner rather than later. It would be unfortunate to lose access to his power when he left, which made a small frown on her face.

After he was done, she had them picked up and took him to the other side of the city, repeating the process again from a different spot. He could scout fast while Farseeing, and with him leaving in a matter of days, she wanted to ensure that she squeezed every bit of use she could out of him. She paid him for his time; of course, she wasn't going to alienate him by using him as slave labour.

Again, she made notes of the locations of various larger hordes (worrying that they were unusually close to the city itself), Akari helping point them out on the map. 

He needed several breaks, it taxed his Aura to use his Semblance for so long, and by the time they were finished, the sun was almost set. 

"You've done well today; the city is that much safer because of your work, and our Huntsmen will be far safer going on their patrols with this information," Sienna praised, and despite his lethargic demeanour, she could tell that he was at least slightly happy at her praise. "Have you given any more thought about my offer?"

"Sorry, I'm gonna have to decline. I want to go to Beacon," Akari said simply, his tone blank as she nodded. It was the answer she'd expected, despite her disappointment. She hadn't expected him to join the White Fang instead of leaving for Vale, but she had to offer all the same.

"Understandable; Beacon is known as the best academy for good reason," Sienna agreed easily, moving on and not pushing the subject. "I do hope you'll return home during the breaks."

She stressed the word, reminding him that the people of Kuo Kuana had taken him in and looked after him. Nobody really knew where Akari had come from. A patrol found him wandering the wilds outside the city when he was roughly five, and his features were so striking that she would have expected his parents would be easy to identify. Snow-white hair and pale skin, with a pair of remarkable silver eyes, but no other Fox Faunus even resembled him. His features made him look almost Mistralian, but it hadn't helped find who had left Akari out in the wilds. He'd known his name and very little else about how he'd gotten there or who he was.

He'd grown up in an orphanage, and moved into a small apartment when he became old enough. It was rare for people to actually get adopted. Frankly, most families had enough mouths to feed without taking in more.

"I plan to," Akari agreed, though she knew plans could change all too quickly. Scarlatina came home because she had family here, but Akari had no close connections. He spoke to few, had no one he saw as a friend, lived alone, and seemed to prefer his own company.

He would be spending the next several years with a new team, and that would likely be the closest relationship he had ever experienced. It would be all too predictable for him to grow attached to his team and decide not to return here. It would be good for him but bad for Kuo Kuana to lose his scouting capabilities.

If he were more naive or cocky, she'd have considered trying to seduce him to send him off with memories of her. Keeping in contact with him (discreetly) would keep him pining for her and make him all the more eager to come back into her arms. Unfortunately, Akari was rather clever, and she knew he'd see it as exactly what it was: a honeypot.

Still, she had her ways, her thoughts returning to Velvet as she smiled.

"I do think I'll miss these little meetings, Akari. I hope Beacon lives up to your expectations," Sienna said gracefully, giving him a small smile, which he returned, if only barely.

– Akari –

Sienna will miss my Farseeing, no doubt. Still, Kuo Kuana has been good to me and I don't mind using my power to try and help keep them a little safer, and the money is nice. 

Feat Achieved: Become useful to the White Fang (100cp granted, 100cp total)

I suppose it's better than being an inconvenience to them. My power pings in my mind as I walk home, telling me that I can afford one of my locked choices. It's 100cp to upgrade my Farseeing but 200cp to upgrade Little Red.

In the end, it's my curiosity at the strange description of Little Red that makes me decide to focus on that. I want to see if it can explain more about why Ruby is so important that my power mentioned her.

Returning home, I stretch and start making some supper, my tail swishing at the smell of my meal. Returning to Ruby's page, I frown as I notice something rather curious. Her profile picture is her hugging a small dog, smiling at the camera, with a beaming smile on her face.

Happiness is clear in her silver eyes.

Her father is a teacher at Patch's combat school, Signal Academy, with blue eyes, and her sister has a very active page with lilac eyes. Yang is going to Beacon; she'll be in my year if we both pass the initiation. I'm very careful not to like anything because I don't really have an explanation for why I'm stalking their pages.

I do eventually manage to find a single picture of Summer Rose, specifically an old picture of her with Team STRQ. Her silver eyes smile at the camera as she throws her arms around the shoulders of two men, Taiyang and another, who I don't know the name of, but oddly enough recognise, while a frowning girl stands over to the side. The two I don't know are definitely siblings, with dark hair and red eyes.

A memory of my first visit to Vale comes to mind: a drunken man with messy dark hair and red eyes harassing me when I was leaving the exam room. At the time, I thought he was a racist, but his jabs seemed aimed at my eyes, and I do recall him bothering me about who my family was before a stern blonde lady dragged him away.

I got my acceptance letter almost immediately, and further investigation into Yang's inability to not broadcast her entire life online shows that she's boasting about how her little sister got accepted into Beacon two years early.

I got accepted immediately after someone showed interest in my eyes, and another student got to skip two years and join Beacon, who also happens to have silver eyes.

Special Offer!

Your sponsor is offering you a 500cp bonus if you are willing to accept a challenge!

Again, sponsor? I don't suppose they want to identify themselves?

Nope!

Fine, what is the challenge? At this point, talking to my power makes as much sense as anything else.

Until Beacon's winter break, you will be unable to skip anything and must buy whatever you roll if you can afford it.

Sure? I live by a simple mindset of 'why not'. 

500cp granted, 600cp total.

[Invincible Girl] - 200cp, 400cp remaining

Why, hello there, you rising star! You are, frankly put, a prodigy in the arts of combat. Like a certain Nikos, you seem to be made for this profession. On top of fighting being easy for you, you're already a fair bit above your fellow students, starting out on the same level of skill as her, capable of giving a Maiden a good fight with your technique alone. You're definitely going to be the powerhouse of your team and most likely have already perfected your own brand of combat.

Requires Little Red to Purchase

Nikos, even I vaguely know that name. Some Mistral champion fighter, if I recall correctly. Allegedly, she's never lost a fight since her tournament debut. Funny, sounds like even my very power is a fan. The purchase comes with a rush of new knowledge and memories, and even the meeting I just came out of seems to have changed.

Your patron is helping you settle into your new power by adjusting your history to explain any new powers you gain. She will stop once you leave for Beacon. 

It's both helpful and yet unnerving; Sienna was more pushy about me staying on Menagerie in the new history. I think my weapon just became made of better materials as the Fang made several investments in me.

My weapon is special to me, so I don't mind that benefit. It's a spear/shield/rifle combination… that is admittedly shaped like an umbrella. I based it on a Mistrailan legend I heard about living umbrellas, which is why it is red with a face on the 'umbrella' part.

My power pings me to tell me I can afford to upgrade Farseeing, which I agree to; it's a useful trick.

[3] - Hearing is no longer faint, and though the psychic cannot affect the viewed location, they can "touch" things, though their sense of touch is dulled, as though wearing thick rubber gloves. Any location within fifty miles can be viewed.

Again, my history changed as Sienna made use of my larger range… but it doesn't stay that way for long as I purchase the next level.

[4] - The clairvoyant's sense of touch is now sharp, and strong odours can be detected. The psychic's maximum range increases to five hundred miles.

I don't know how long it could take to roll the final level, so when prompted I just keep going.

[5] - All five senses may now be used perfectly, and any location within five thousand miles is fair game.

My power settles, telling me that I have the highest level of Farseeing. Now, we never left Sienna's office, as she had me explore the island. She also paid me a lot better and offered me a high-ranking position in the Fang if I joined up. My answer didn't change.

…how far away is Patch? 

Eating my supper, I move onto my bed and cross my legs as I focus my mind. Ruby Rose, what makes you so special?

My power works one of two ways. I can either start by leaving my body and moving my senses, no longer confined by gravity or the need for a physical body, or I can jump straight to a location I am familiar with. My time in Vale was short, and I barely paid attention to my surroundings so I'll have to do this the long way instead of skipping to Beacon.

Patch is just off the shore of Vale, and even at the speeds I can move my mind, it takes me some time to fly across the seas and then over the Kingdom of Vale, looking for the city from up on high. I've never bothered looking into how big Remnant actually is, but apparently, the answer is 'not that big' as I arrive above the small island. I don't know if I could reach Atlas, up north of Vale, but I haven't hit my limit yet as I zoom down to a lesser altitude.

Sienna has no idea how big my range actually is because I stretched the truth, suggesting I am able to cover our island without going much further. If she knew I could see into the other Kingdoms, I doubt I would ever be allowed to leave. The espionage potential would be too much for her to resist the temptation to see what Atlas or Vale were up to. 

Patch is small, and my investigations into their social media revealed a picture of their house. It doesn't take me long to find it. It's earlier in the day here, showing just how far I've actually travelled as it sent my mind into a different timezone.

Moving through the walls of the house, I breathe in the scent of whatever their father is cooking. Honestly, it smells nicer than what I ate. 

A barking gets my attention, blinking as I stare down at the dog from Ruby's profile picture, staring in my direction and barking. Can it see me?

"What is it, Zwei?" a chipper voice asks, my target in sight as Ruby looks around the room in confusion, wide silver eyes looking for whatever has set Zwei off. "There's nothing there."

Ruby moves closer, walking through me as I shudder, smelling her floral shampoo as she looks out of the window. She doesn't react herself because while I can 'touch' things, I can't actually affect them in any way.

"Maybe it's a ghoOoOst~" another voice jokes, making both myself and Ruby turn to see Yang coming down the stairs with a grin on her face. "Is there anyone in the room with us?" Yang asks in a spooky voice, wiggling her fingers as Ruby laughs (maybe a little nervously).

"Yes," I say, in a rare moment of levity, knowing they can't hear me. 

Ruby jumps a mile, letting out a shriek as I blink. Huh. Yang and Zwei didn't react, and Taiyang came running with a frown on his face, running through me.

"I heard it! SOMETHING JUST SAID YES!" Ruby shouts, shivering as she spins around rapidly. "Yang, did you do that? Did you hide a speaker, or-"

"When would I have had time to do that? And Zwei wouldn't be barking at a hidden speaker. I didn't hear anything," Yang waves off, frowning.

"Are you okay, Ruby? Did you drink some bad milk again?" Taiyang asks, watching his youngest daughter take several deep breaths. Hmm, is it the eyes? 

"No, I know what I heard. When Yang asked that, someone said 'Yes' right into my ear," Ruby gasps, spinning around as she unknowingly flails her hand through my face. I was right behind her, but that's because she moved towards me, not the other way around. 

Still, this is the other Silver-Eyed Warrior? She's just a kid, but then again, so am I. 

Yang teases her sister about her jumpiness; Taiyang relaxes when he hears that it's not a threat, just a ghost that's haunting his daughters. Somehow, I don't think he'd be so relaxed if he knew the truth. I'm invading a private moment, but my curiosity overcomes me as I walk up and poke Yang in the cheek.

Her cheek doesn't move, of course, and she doesn't react as I feel the softness of her skin. I move back to Ruby, poking her in the side. She doesn't react, making me frown. I was sure she'd feel it; was that a one-off?

"Hello."

Ignoring the shriek, I scratch my chin. It wasn't a one-off. How interesting. If anything, I would think she'd be able to see me, not hear me, since the special part is the eyes. And yet, waving my hand in front of her head, I get no response. How curious.

"Boo."

As she shrieks again, I cancel my power and snap back to my room with a small smile. Entertaining. 

My scroll distracts me from potential plans to harass a random stranger from across the world, sparing Ruby any more torment from her ghost.

'Hey, hun, I know you're probably very busy getting ready for Beacon (three more days!), but could you pop down to the house tomorrow?'

I send a simple 'ok' back, my smile not fading as I reply to Kali.

Kali is the wife of the Chieftain of Kuo Kuana, Ghira, and I've known her for years. She would often come down to the orphanage, usually bringing some of her home cooking for us, and she and Ghira paid for my apartment. Ghira also often came to the orphanage; he takes his job seriously and cares for his people.

I know he doesn't get along with Sienna despite them basically sharing the island's leadership. They have different personalities and ideals, and while they both want what is best for our people, they have very different ideas about how to get that.

Turning in for the night, I check the time zones as a cunning plan strikes me. If I get up early enough, it'd be late night back in Patch… 

— Bonus Scene — Ruby Rose

Yang was a big jerk. Her dad, too.

She knew what she heard, it wasn't her imagination and she hadn't even had that much sugar. No, she wasn't getting too excited about Beacon (mentally squeeing about her upcoming start); she had heard a soft, male voice in her ear.

Pouting, she wished her dad luck in the haunted house when they went off to Beacon. With her nightlight on, she glared around the room challengingly. Zwei was fast asleep, no use at all as her guard dog, but she dared the ghost to come for her now that she had Crescent Rose.

"Heh, that's what I thought," Ruby gloated, smiling proudly. "Stupid ghost's too scared of me."

'You sure?'

Jumping out of the bed, she shrieked at the top of her lungs as she grabbed her weapon, swinging it wildly before taking aim at the bed. It had been right there with her?

"Really, Rubes? Aren't you a little old for nightmares?" Yang asked tiredly as she opened the door, making Ruby glare at her dumb sister even harder. 

"I wasn't asleep! I taunted the ghost, and it spoke back to me," Ruby swore, shaking as she spun around.

'Heh.'

"Don't you laugh at me!" Ruby demanded, realising something. The ghost wasn't dangerous; it was just a jerk!

"Huh, I wasn't?" Yang blinked. "Ruby, are you sure you haven't eaten something funny?"

Pouting, she sat down on her bed with her arms crossed as she switched between glaring at Yang and the last place she'd heard the big dumb ghost from.