Beacon Academy
THE NEXT DAY
Kyle continued his walk down a hallway to his next class. Suddenly, his scroll gave off a short buzz, alerting him.
"Huh..?" He said before quietly removing it from his belongings. After giving it a quick glance, he saw that he had received a voice message from Liam.
"Hey Kyle, sorry for not being around like I should. I'll explain everything to you and your brother. Let's meet somewhere safe and without a crowd. Right before lunch should be good." He told him.
Kyle quickly widened his eyes but sighed in relief.
"I know a place in particular, it's a private study room at the library. No one should be around during that time" the message continued. "Talk to you later"
Kyle stood there alone, feeling somewhat optimistic after hearing from his absent teammate. Soon, he came back to his senses and continued toward his next class.
Elsewhere
Cole swiftly made his way down the hall as he also walked to his next class. Suddenly, his scroll buzzed, and he quickly pulled it out to see that he had a new message.
"H-Huh!?" He cried before realizing it was from his own brother and team leader. "What the hell, what does he even want?". He almost dismissed the notification until his curiosity got the better of him. He clicked on his brother's message and began reading. 'Cole, come to the library before lunch for team meeting, ' it said. "Wha…." Cole murmured as he stood lost in thought.
"Huh….about time. This oughta be interesting…" he thought as he gave a small grin. He placed his scroll back into his bag before continuing down the hall.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Kyle left his class while most of the other students left for the cafeteria. After putting his things in his locker, he traveled down the hall as his surroundings became quieter. With most of the other students at lunch, the hallways were empty right now.
Kyle looked down at his scroll as he typed a message to Liam.
*I'm on my way.*
Picking up the pace, he reached the end of the hall and turned before immediately ramming into a figure.
"Ugh!" Kyle cried out, dropping his scroll.
"Whoa!" cried the other person. They soon met eyes, and Kyle saw another male student before him. He had a similar height to his own, wore the school uniform, and had caramel colored skin.
"My bad," the student said, breaking the awkward silence. He reached down, picking up Kyle's scroll before standing back up. "Here you go?"
"Ah...thanks." Kyle replied, taking back his scroll. "Er, sorry about running into you."
"Are you in a hurry?" the student asked, raising a brow.
"No…well, yes. I mean…kind of" Kyle told him as he squinted his eyes.
"Why are you wandering around alone while the other students are at lunch?" the guy said suddenly in a serious tone. He then looked at Kyle with a piercing glare. "Are you a spy?"
"What!?! Kyle yelled. "What do you mean!? I was just-"
"Relax, just teasing," the student said, grinning. "You fought off monstrous grimm in the exam to enter Beacon, you shouldn't get flustered so easily. The name's Aero, Aero Cairn."
Kyle mentally scolded himself for looking like a fool, before extending a hand. "Uh…hello. I'm Kyle Voltio." Kyle told him as they shook hands.
"Huh, aren't you and your brother those guys who couldn't get a team before the exam?"
Kyle's brow twitched. This wasn't the first time he had been asked that. Several other students had brought that up as well. Upset that he and his brother hadn't completed the exam requirements, and were given a member of the famous Ivanhoe family to fix things.
"...Yes, that's us. And you're the one who people are saying is a psychic, right?"
Aero looked slightly embarrassed after hearing that. "Ahem...that's just a dumb rumor. Well...I'll let you get back to your own business, and I'm sure you don't wanna miss lunch."
"Right, farewell then." Kyle replied as Aero quickly brushed past him before disappearing.
"Well, he left rather quickly. Don't tell me that rumor is actually true..."
Kyle stood there alone thinking to himself for a minute before coming to his senses. He began moving again as he looked down at his scroll to see if Liam had responded back.
The message had been read, but there was no reply.
"Strange…" he thought to himself. He continued walking on until finally reaching the biggest room on campus perhaps. The library.
After entering, Kyle stood alone in utter silence. He looked down the massive hallway of the endless rows of tables, chairs, and large bookcases….on both floors.
After making his way up to the 2nd floor, he continued on until he saw several doorways to the right. Yes, private studies. He quietly walked up to the first room, poking his head in through the doorway. After looking for a moment, he looked around and saw nothing but a long table and several chairs.
"Nothing here…" Kyle thought to himself. He quickly moved on to the next doorway. Looking in, he saw nothing but the same thing. He stepped into the small room and pulled out his scroll to look for any messages. Still no reply.
"Hmm?" He said quietly. Kyle suddenly lowered his scroll as he began hearing a noise. Turning his head, he looked over in the direction it was coming from. The wall in front of him.
He quickly made his way over to it before placing his left ear to the surface and listened.
Kyle's eyes shot open as he recognized the sound. Voices.
"That might be him, in the next room" he told himself. Pausing for a brief moment, he looked out the room doorway. "I….should go."
Suddenly he took a single step away before he stopped. He quickly came to a realization. His semblance. It would get him there instantly.
"No, no….that would be too creepy" He thought to himself. "I'd look foolish."
Kyle suddenly turned around and faced the wall again. "There's only one way to find out I suppose," he thought again.
"Besides, it's only just Liam….I can't ever picture him upset over something so trivial. Plus, I'd be showing him my abilities."
Kyle froze. His semblance. The one thing he was hiding from his brother.
He moved towards the wall before stopping again. "Who in the world is he talking to?" he thought quickly. "It couldn't be Cole. He's usually…late." Putting his ear to the wall, he listened briefly… and no longer heard anything. He had likely been talking to someone on his scroll, he concluded.
"I suppose that's likely enough to have been why," Kyle told himself.
He suddenly activated his Aura as a green light encased his entire body. "Well..here goes nothing," he thought. His semblance soon came into effect as his hand reached out towards the wall. In one fluid motion, his whole body emitted a glow from his aura. Taking a small breath, Kyle pushed against the hard surface. He slowly began phasing through the wall and continued moving on as his body left the room.
Within seconds, he soon found himself inside the workings of the wall, surrounded by nothing but the materials that comprised it. Kyle then moved swiftly, realizing he no longer had breathable air.
After what felt like an eternity, he suddenly felt his body come to an opening. After stepping through, he came to a halt. His eyes widened at the sight of two figures in the middle of the room.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" a male voice said.
By the time Kyle's back leg finished coming through the wall, a familiar face stood in front of him menacingly.
"Ugh, Whaa-!?" Kyle cried as he stopped dead in his tracks. Before him was his faunus teammate looking him dead in his eyes.
Petra Kalestra stood in front of Liam Ivanhoe, arms crossed.
"WHAT…KYLE!?!" Liam cried from behind as he ran up to his teammates. "HOW DID YOU….ARE YOU OKAY!?!"
There was awkward silence as the three students stood in the room together.
Kyle felt somewhat in an embarrassing situation, and felt the need to speak first.
"Uh, hey you two….sorry if I interrupted your talk. I just wanted to… uh…" he began
"Spy on us?" Petra stated.
Kyle froze after finally hearing the first words from his mysterious teammate.
Another eerie silence was emitted throughout the room.
"Explain yourself," Petra demanded.
Liam stepped in between the two of them. "Guys, relax…." he said as he held his arms up. "Kyle….is this true?"
"No I was… just looking for you guys," Kyle told them. His eyes remained on Petra as she faced him with a scowling look. "That was… just me… using my semblance!"
Liam stood quietly until he gave a smile. "I see….what a very sneaky way to go about"
He began laughing abruptly as he looked over at his team leader. "Seriously, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"I'm very sorry…" Kyle told him as he continued feeling embarrassed. "Didn't know you two were both in here."
"Oh is that a problem?" Petra snapped. "Do I need to leave?"
Liam continued laughing hysterically in between them.
"Way to make an entrance!" he gasped. "I had no idea you could do that!"
Kyle smiled nervously as he looked at the current state of his team.
Liam was quite frankly light-hearted.
Petra…..not so much. She continued with a piercing glare.
Liam finally gave a deep sigh of content. "The thing is…I knew something was up. As soon as Petra's ears shot up, she turned towards the wall, ready to greet you!" he said to Kyle. "Her leader's grand entrance!"
Kyle sighed as he stepped forward. "Again, apologies."
"No problem, just good to know you're on our side!" Liam replied with a chuckle, patting him on the shoulder.
Kyle looked over at Petra to see her unfold her arms. He quickly took the initiative and offered his hand as he stepped forward.
"Petra, sorry if I made a bad first impression. It's nice to see you again. He began. "I realize you probably heard me from the other side with your heightened senses... that's impressive."
His faunus teammate continued with her dagger-like piercing eyes. "Yes…I heard you. Eavesdropping"
Liam quickly turned to give Petra a look of disapproval. "Uh, hey…let's not get upset now."
"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," Kyle spoke gently. " I don't want there to be any animosity between us….if that's okay"
"Yeah Petra, he IS our leader. It's his job to look out for us, remember?" Liam added gesturing towards Kyle.
"So...I'm supposed to TRUST you?" she asked before turning away towards the door.
"Sure, why not?" Kyle replied. "Whatever makes you feel comfortable"
"He's here" Liam suddenly said looking down with his scroll in hand. "I told Cole where we are in the library"
Kyle's eyes widened as he nervously looked up towards his teammates.
"Uh…look guys, I have one small favor to ask." he said.
"Sure, we'll do anything. Wanna wait until your brother comes in?" Liam asked with a reassuring smile.
"Well...I'm afraid it's only meant for the two of you," Kyle continued.
"Huh?" Liam paused before turning towards him. "Why is that?"
"It's very important," Kyle sighed. "I need you two to promise me this stays between us"
"We're listening" Petra told him, her back turned still.
"Cole…doesn't know I have a semblance. After I unlocked mine, my mother and I thought long and hard. We decided to not let him know because we believe it would only discourage him since he's struggled in the past…especially after the death of my father"
There was an eerie silence in the room.
Finally Kyle stepped closer to him teammates. "I need you both to promise me…you won't let him know. Please."
Liam nodded slowly and finally smiled. "Okay, my lips are sealed!"
"Petra, what about you?" Kyle said, looking in her direction. "Can I trust you? I only ask for your cooperation"
There was another moment of silence until the young faunus girl turned around with her arms crossed. She stared blankly at her team leader.
Kyle continued to give her a worried look, one of true concern. She looked over at Liam who quickly gave a cheerful thumbs up.
"Ugh, fine." Petra replied. "I see no benefits in doing so"
Suddenly her attention turned towards the doorway of the small room.
"HELLO!? GUYS!?" A familiar voice cried out. "WHERE ARE YOU ALL!?"
"He's here!" Liam said in a very enthusiastic tone.
"I heard him" Petra said in a rather monotone voice that sounded disappointed. "His stench is unforgettable as well"
"Why does he have to yell…." Kyle thought to himself as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a library…"
Liam quickly stepped out of the doorway of the study and waved at his approaching teammate.
Several moments passed, and suddenly Cole came into view.
"HEY MAN! SO GLAD TO SEE YOU, ALSO WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN!?" He cried, slapping the side of Liam's arm.
"I'm glad you're here" Liam said, wincing silently. "Maybe we should…whisper here. This place is meant to have a more quiet atmosphere."
"OH! Right….my bad" Cole replied as his eyes widened.
His eyes quickly looked behind his teammate over towards his brother close by and also saw a lean, shadowy figure standing in the room.
"Whoa!" Cole cried overreacting. ""It's...her"
"Oh I'm sorry…am I a problem?" Petra replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"Relax guys, I had to do some talking to her, but she's glad to be here....right?" Liam asked her with a slight smile.
"OH…..right" Cole said as he came to a realization. He looked over at Kyle, who gestured for him to come over.
He stepped forward before he saw his brother raise an eyebrow, and tilt his head over to Petra.
"Huh? What…" Cole began. "Oh….Oh! Uh, hey….Patricia!"
Petra remained quiet before twitching her mouth
Kyle gave a sigh, lowering his head.
Liam's face was one of cringe. There was a short moment of silence before he quickly stepped forth, wrapping an arm around Cole's neck.
"No no no…it's PETRA. He stated, smiling.
"Dammit!" Cole screamed internally.
"Ha! I knew that! I was kidding of course!" He said as he forced a laugh.
Stepping away from Liam's grasp, he quickly moved closer to his faunus teammate. "No you're not a problem, not at all. You're just different!" he said, offering his hand.
"Come any close and I'm taking off your arm" Petra told him in a serious manner.
"Uh…." Liam said, raising a finger up. "Maybe that's not the best term…"
"Oh, sorry! I meant different in a good way! " Cole quickly corrected himself.
"You're totally fine with me, I'm glad you stand out on the team!"
Kyle finally intervened and put a hand on his younger brother's chest…pushing him back.
"Ah! Whaa…hey! I had it handled!" Cole snapped.
"What my brother is trying to say is we're glad you're a member of this team" Kyle said looking at Petra. "It's okay. We're your teammates, and we'll always have your back"
"I'll believe it when I see it" Petra replied almost immediately after him, causing her male teammates to stare back in disbelief.
"Geez, what's biting you?" Cole asked.
"Yeah, why the hostility...?" Kyle asked, shaking his head. Liam gave a big sigh before turning to look at Petra. "You promised, remember? These are your friends too." he commented.
She remained quiet as she glared at the three of them before uncrossing her arms.
"Alright....I'll tell them. A little." Liam added.
"What....do you have to tell us...?" Kyle asked as he and the young Faunus met eyes.
"She had a very.....rough, past." Liam began. "Oh yeah?....JOIN THE CLUB!" Cole snapped unexpectedly. "We lost someone too!". Petra looked back at him with no expression present.
"Cole, enough," Kyle told him. "Let's hear her out."
"I'm sorry to hear that... you guys lost someone as well," Liam replied. "But Petra.....was orphaned."
"Oh," Cole said. "That's.....not good, is it?"
"Not very much," Kyle reminded him, with a frown.
"Petra is from.....Vacuo," began Liam. It may be a ways off, but before attending Oscuro Academy, life was rough....not just for her, but for her friends and family."
"How....bad was it?" asked Kyle. He avoided eye contact by simply looking at the floor.
"Well, her family lineage falls somewhere in the Faunus war" answered Liam. "Her mother and father were huntsmen at Shade Academy.
"That place gives me the creeps," Cole said out loud.
"I couldn't care less what you think," Petra replied.
"Oh…sorry" Cole said quickly. "Just being honest"
"And....both were killed, unfortunately." He continued. "She hasn't told me much more. "
"So, who took care of you?" asked Kyle, looking her way. "Where were you raised?"
Suddenly, Petra's expression changed as her eyes shot wide open and gave a worried look.
"She.....doesn't want us to know I'm afraid," added Liam.
"Okay....I'm sorry." Kyle replied. "We are glad you're on the team. I'm sure your skills already with your weapon will do us all some good."
"Cole....do you have something to say?" Liam asked calmly.
"It's…nice to meet you" he murmured.
Their was an awkward silence before Kyle spoke up.
"How have you been attending classes?" He asked Liam.
Their teammate gave a smile before laughing to himself. "Over the Holonet." "I've been listening in."
"No way..." replied Cole, shaking his head.
"Yeah, Ozpin said I can do it until I'm comfortable being around everyone. I've avoided the press even....but it doesn't mean they won't be looking." Liam chuckled.
"Well....what about her?" Kyle continued pointing at Petra.
"Oh, uh...she's been given a special schedule somewhat. In small classes, fewer students believe." Liam answered with a shrug. "She asked me to ask Ozpin"
Kyle stopped as his thoughts raced through his head. "Why didn't she ask me…the team leader?"
"Can we go eat lunch?" Cole asked suddenly. "I'm freaking hungry."
"Waiting for the team leader's permission." Liam told everyone with a smile.
Kyle suddenly came out of being lost in thought, raising his head back up.
"Uh sure thing. Let's head out now." He replied. He looked back at Petra with a small smile. The four members left the room and made their way to their next destination.
"I hope all the babes sit next to us at lunch " Cole said to Liam as he smirked and began stretching his arms behind his back.
"I thought you were trying to avoid any attention" Petra added as the four students walked side by side.
Uh…." Liam stuttered as his face got red. "Well I d-don't exactly know for sure if I'm comfortable with it but… I've decided to make myself public. Just as long as you guys are with me"
"Aw, come one dude. I wish the opposite. I want them ladies to be smooching all over us" Cole smiled before nudging Liam in the side.
"Heh…I am not so sure about this" Liam added as he began sweating bullets.
"Kalestra...." Kyle thought to himself, not paying attention to their conversation.
Yes....he had heard that name before. It was in one of the countless books he had read. One on Faunus...history. Yes, it was about The Faunus War. That was 80 years ago.
Kalestra. It was tied to…Menagerie. Not Vacuo. Either way….both places had a shady history.
"Was her father a...revolutionary?" Kyle asked himself. "Could she possibly have ties to a bloodline of Faunus leadership?"
Kyle turned his head to look over at Petra, who only continued walking forward and looking away.
"Maybe she still....does," he thought to himself as he turned his face forward.
One way or another, he knew he had to find out. And another thing was certain….
She was lying.