Unlikely Truce

Stiofan Ua Binn

-----

Stiofan's patience wore thin.

The Professor, a white haired, large bellied man in a double breasted burgundy suit, started class with a speech on the true meanings of becoming a Huntsman/Huntress.

That was half an hour ago.

The speech was long, tireless, and irrelevant. What was the egotistical middle aged man trying to achieve? He spoke of past glory and success in his youth. They were here to learn and understand the creatures plaguing their world—not listen to a boastful preach of tales long past.

If that wasn't narcissistic enough, a solid gold bust of himself stood tall beside his desk.

An hour later, Stiofan's eyelids grew heavy, and the once coherent words leaving the professor's mouth sounded eerily similar to 'blah, blah, blah.'

The spacious room had little distraction to offer respite, save for the illustrations of Grimm species lining the whiteboards and their recreated taxidermy heads. The preservation of Grimm remains was an impossible task due to how quickly they decomposed shortly after death, so false trophies were a common sight among those who collected them.

A locked metal box sat in the corner of the room, the most attractive thing here so far. It's existence and size to possibly fit a quarter of the class sparked enough curiosity for him to maintain consciousness.

Stiofan envied Alexander and Cooper attending Dust Studies at the moment, sparing them from this oral punishment.

Sadly enough, the day was still far from over.

The boredom didn't fare so well for Roderick either. Every few seconds his head lowered and snapped, repeating the process in clockwork. At one point, he fell too far and headbutted the desk, nearly catapulting himself out his seat.

In the row below them, Ruby's poor attention span caused a silent ruckus. The young lady could have at least been subtle while creating an activity to entertain herself, something the professor should have noticed if he'd been engrossed in the actual lecture.

To her right, Lady Weiss kept stride and recorded the professor's words (as expected). The same could not be said for Yang in the next seat over, staring into space and twirling a strand of hair.

For the last member, Stiofan steeled his gaze on the threat reading a novel.

Ever since that day on the train, her and that masked Faunus of Red have been a thorn in his side.

As a future member of the SDC First Guard, he should have reclaimed his honour and finished her there in the Emerald Forest. However, he was not prepared for her sudden appearance, and the circumstances of the moment caused a flicker of hesitation to dwell within him.

Stiofan sighed and ran a hand through his brown locks.

Perhaps, it was a good thing he stayed his blade. The cons of assaulting another student would have been disastrous, and besides, a conversation with her was something he's been looking forward to for a while now.

A noise shifted within the metal box. He stared longer. Nothing happened. He dismissed it as his tiresome mind playing tricks on him.

Professor Port raised his voice, stirring Ruby awake and placing pen to paper.

Stiofan assumed she was to mimic Lady Weiss, but her concealed snickers made him suspicious. She lifted the sheet, and he snorted at the crude doodle of the professor labeled as Professor Poop.

To further the jest, she imitated flatulence with her lips.

Roderick slapped his mouth, Yang ducked her head and pounded the desk, and the bow haired intruder shook as she buried her face deeper in the novel. Only the heiress had a distasteful glare fixed towards the young leader.

As the professor continued about the qualities of being a true Huntsman/Huntress, Ruby's playfulness left Stiofan astonished. She balanced a pencil on her finger with a book and apple on top, fell asleep, and reawakened a few seconds later to pry the inside of her nostrils with her little finger.

Lady Weiss shook, and her naturally pale complexion spiked blood red, a sight he's grown accustomed to in their youth.

Roderick gulped and tensed in his seat. "Does Weiss always get this mad?"

Stiofan nodded and gestured to the spectacle below. "Has Ruby always been this. . . unmannered?"

He shook his head. "I think it's gotten worse."

Finally finished with his tale, Professor Port addressed the class. "So, who among you believes to be the embodiment of these traits?"

Lady Weiss' hand rocketed up. "I do, sir!"

"Well, then," the professor turned towards the box, "let's find out."

The cage rattled, and an animalistic grunt resonated from inside.

Stiofan blinked. It couldn't be. . .

Lady Weiss left and returned minutes later in her battle gear.

Yang pumped her fist while her partner cheered and waved around a small flag labeled RWBY.

"Yeah." Ruby tossed both hands in the air with the utmost enthusiasm. "Represent Team RWBY!"

"Ruby," Lady Weiss spat venom, "I'm trying to focus."

The young girl shrunk in her seat. "Oh, sorry."

"Alright." Professor Port raised his hybrid battle axe and blunderbuss weapon. "Let the match, begin!"

A single chop shattered the lock, and a small Boarbatusk stormed from the cage.

Stiofan jumped halfway out of his chair.

Was such a thing permitted? To think a professor of all people would not only bring but allow a Grimm to run rampant on academy grounds was absurd, and considering how swiftly Grimm lose their will to live in captivity, what lengths did Port even go to to capture that Boarbatusk?

Roderick grasped Stiofan's arm. "It's alright, man. This shouldn't be too hard for her."

Stiofan clenched his jaw and returned to his seat, knowing full well how Lady Weiss would react if he interfered.

"Yes, you are correct. I should place my trust in the abilities of a future Huntress."

The leader looked back at the stage, and his golden eyes widened. "What the heck?"

Stiofan tensed at how the Boarbatusk focused its undivided attention on him rather than Lady Weiss, a bewilderment everyone shared.

The Creatures of Grimm were known to be heavily attracted towards negative emotions. Stiofan was unsatisfied over the entirety of the class, yet that couldn't have been enough to bring forth the Boarbatusk's wrath upon him, could it?

Soon after, the bone armoured boar snorted and charged at Lady Weiss, but she rolled away, grazing its armour with Myrtenaster.

"Haha!" Port said. "Weren't expecting that were you?"

Ruby cheered. "Hang in there, Weiss!"

She accelerated and thrusted. Her attack deflected off its armour, causing the rapier to entangle in its curly tusks.

"Show him who's boss!"

Lady Weiss' attention flickered to her partner, an opening that gave the Grimm a chance to toss both her and the weapon across the room.

Stiofan balled his fists.

Port's haughty laugh bellowed across the classroom. "Oh, what will you do now without your weapon?"

Roderick leaned over his desk. "Ruby, I think you should stop."

Her brow furrowed. "Stop what?"

"You're distracting her."

Ruby scoffed and waved a hand. "She's doing fine."

Lady Weiss waited at the last second to evade and fooled the charging boar to ram into a wall. She retrieved her weapon and readied her stance.

"Weiss, go for its belly!" Ruby said. "It has no armour underneath."

Lady Weiss snapped. "Stop telling me what to do!"

The Boarbatusk rolled towards her at high-speed. She activated a solid glyph for it to crash into, flipped onto another glyph behind her, and propelled forward, thrusting the tip of her blade through the Grimm's underbelly.

Port clapped in an enthusiastic manner. "Bravo, bravo! It appears we do indeed have a true Huntress in training." He checked the clock, and his wondrous mustache curved downward. "I am afraid this is all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings. Class dismissed."

Stiofan released the breath he held. For him, it was enough to know Lady Weiss escaped unharmed, yet with a performance like that, the same could not be said for her pride.

Lady Weiss stormed to the door, stopping at the threshold for a moment to direct all her animosity in one single downpour towards the young leader.

Whether it affected Ruby or not, she wasted little time chasing after her.

The moment she was not appointed team leader, Lady Weiss would be bitter to the tongue, and to make matters worse, the title she sought for was given to an immature lady two years their junior.

It was only a matter of time before they clashed.

"Should we say something to them?" Roderick said. "To be honest, I think someone's gonna get hurt."

Stiofan inhaled a mind clearing breath of air. "Upon entering the unknown, tread warily for what lies ahead lest must you walk upon a nettle of thistles and thorns."

"You know, a simple 'no' would do."

"Indeed," he said and peered at the disguised White Fang agent.

If only it were that simple.

After classes were over, Stiofan waited outside the lecture hall for a distinguishable black bow to pass the doors, and when it did, he intercepted its path.

"Greetings, Faunus of Black."

The hidden Faunus froze and trained her sharp gaze on him. "Is there something you need?"

Despite the offer, he doubted she'd help him with anything.

"There is no need to be tense; I'm here to talk is all. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin my image if I hurt a pretty lady such as yourself."

She crossed her arms and settled a laser-like glare at the center of his forehead. "If there is something you want, just say it already."

"Let's speak there." He chuckled and pointed to a quiet spot by the colonnades outside the courtyard. "Be best if no one overheard us, now would it?"

The Faunus set upon him a calculated stare, searching possibly for trickery. The paranoia was understandable considering how their first encounter occurred.

A moment passed, and she agreed to accompany him on the silent venture.

Stiofan leaned against a column and examined her body. A clever move on her part. Disguising herself to appear human would draw suspicion away from her as being a Faunus in general.

"What are you staring at?" she said and shot daggers at him. "I thought you wanted to talk."

"Apologies, I am both equally perplexed and curious." Stiofan cupped his chin. "May I ask where your Faunus trait is?"

The Faunus clenched her teeth.

A sensitive subject. He felt rather rude for asking.

"Why are you here, Faunus of Black?"

"Don't call me that! I have a name, and it's Blake. And aren't you an apprentice of the First Guard?" She pointed to the distance. "You should be back in Atlas protecting whatever it is you protect."

"I'm here," he sighed and closed his eyes, "because I failed to protect a certain train about a year ago."

She flinched. "But why here and not at Atlas?"

Stiofan detested Atlas Academy's military lifestyle subjugated upon the students. The pressure that academy inflicted on them towards joining the Atlesian Military was appalling. Huntsmen and Huntresses were supposed to be free from allegiance, given the opportunity to choose for themselves—a core aspect Atlas has forgotten over the years.

"I preferred a change in scenery," he said and absorbed the nature surrounding them. "I hear Vale is beautiful this time of year."

The knuckles of the Faunus squeezed white. "Are you just going to joke around? Cause if you are, then I'm leav—"

"Is the Faunus of Red here as well?" Stiofan dropped his light tone.

She tensed, lips pressed into a thin line. "After we completed our mission. . . I left him and the White Fang behind."

Stiofan raised his brow. "Pray tell, what the reason was?"

The Faunus of Black folded an arm across her body to hold the other. "I'm trying to give myself a chance at a new life. To do better for the world."

"Is that all?"

"Excuse me?"

He stepped closer. "Is that why you saved my life?"

She stepped back. "I-I was just doing what I believed was right."

Stiofan fought the laughter threatening to escape. Who knew this lady could be such a wonder.

The Faunus of Black flared. "What's so funny?!"

"My apologies," he said and calmed himself. "It wasn't your ideal I found amusing. Just the irony itself."

Her head tilted.

"It's the right thing to do, you say?" Stiofan locked her in his sights and discarded his friendliness. "Let me remind you of something, Faunus of Black. You left your partner and those terrorists behind, all for an opportunity at Beacon. Now you, a supposed ex-White Fang agent, are sharing a dormitory room with the current Schnee Heiress herself. Does any of this still sound right to you?"

The Faunus stiffened and her breath wavered. "It's not what it seems, Stiofan. I'm not associated with them anymore, and I promise you, I will not hurt Weiss no matter what."

"Listen close." He scraped his voice to a fine edge. "If I learn you're still in contact with the White Fang, seeking ill intent to any here at Beacon especially towards Lady Weiss, then I vow you will fall by the ends of my blades."

Fear glossed in her amber eyes before they steeled firm. "Believe me. I have no such intention. You have my word."

Stiofan passed her without a single glance. "Pray you can keep it that way."

-----

The next day, Stiofan kept his interests to a minimum towards Professor Goodwitch's explanation on Combat Class rules.

Similar to tournament based regulations, combatant's Aura levels were monitored and gauged, and those whose fell into the red zone were considered unable to continue, automatically forfeiting the match.

What was more interesting was the closely seated proximities between Lady Weiss and Ruby. If he had not witnessed them being at odds yesterday, he would have believed they were friends.

Equally bemused, the others stole glances every now and then, and it summoned the unspoken question: how exactly did the young leader quell the heiress' rage?

"Now that we have all that out of the way," Professor Goodwitch said and tapped at the large scroll cradled in her arm, "I believe a demonstration should be made to clear any confusion."

Several murmurs rang through the class.

"Alright, do we have any volunteers?"

Stiofan raised a hand.

The chance to free himself from boredom and test his skill against another kindled a flame within. Although, it would be dishonest to say his intentions were solely for entertainment purposes.

Professor Goodwitch nodded. "Is there anyone who would like to be Mister Ua Binn's opponent?"

Not one person moved.

She sighed and adjusted her glasses. "Very well, I'll begin the randomization process."

Two projectors behind the arena activated.

Several names and faces shuffled, melding into one indistinguishable blur until slowing and selecting the next combatant.

"Your opponent will be Dove Bronzewing," Professor Goodwitch said. "You two have five minutes to be dressed in the armoury and then return here."

Roderick punched Stiofan's arm. "Good luck, man."

"Aye, mate. Wipe the floor with that scrub, Stephen," said Cooper.

Stiofan ignored the mispronunciation of his name, offered gratitude, and prepared for battle.

-----

Omniscient POV

-----

"How do you think Stiofan will do against Dove?" Jaune said to no one in particular.

Pyrrha knew at first glance, from one warrior to another, Stiofan was no pushover.

"I believe he will do fine," she said.

His eyebrows lifted. "Gee, you really think so?"

Weiss scoffed and crossed her arms. "Stiofan won't have any trouble whatsoever against someone like him."

Several heads turned towards her.

Ruby's lips pursed. "What makes you say that?"

Surprise pinched Weiss. "Don't any of you know?"

Blake's bow twitched. If there was any information she could use against him, she'd need all she could get.

"Know what?" said the hidden Faunus.

"Yeah, Weiss. What's up?" said Yang.

Roderick and Cooper leaned closer to the heiress.

Weiss sighed and touched her forehead to halt a growing headache in its tracks. "Like Pyrrha here, Stiofan is also a renowned fighter, but he's not on par with her popularity. He's mainly known back home for winning the Atlas Fest Tournament a couple years ago."

The news took them all by surprise.

To hear Stiofan was a fellow tournament winner earned Pyrrha's intrigue.

"How good is he?" said the redhead.

Weiss smirked at the two combatants entering the arena and prepared herself for the show.

"Just watch. . ."

-----

Stiofan Ua Binn

----

'Victory falls to those who control the battlefield.'

Stiofan could never ever forget the ring of those words inside his ears even if he tried, courtesy of the many teachings his mentor etched into him.

Firstly, understand the opponent.

The most noteworthy characteristic about Dove had to be how his eyes were trapped in a permanent squint. The reason eluded Stiofan, and by assumption, it would be inhibited vision. Light plated armour protected his chest and shoulders, leaving his lower abdomen and sides defenseless, and like many other weapons, his sword was also a gun.

The stage itself was open and flat, nothing around to make use of, but that didn't mean it was entirely empty.

With Yellow Fury and Red Fury raised, Stiofan stepped forward, weight balanced on each foot.

Time to form a plan.

"Are both of you ready?" Professor Goodwitch said.

They nodded.

The buzzer sounded, and gunfire burst from Dove's blade.

Stiofan twirled Yellow Fury, deflecting the bullets. He charged the moment the gun clicked and returned a series of strikes, pressing Dove into the defensive.

How was his balance?

He swung the Red Fury low, tearing a scar into the floor as he flipped away.

Reflexes?

He hurtled forth Yellow Fury. He jerked late, and the tip bounced off his pauldron, staggering him.

Stiofan sprung, slamming the long spear down. Dove fell into a backwards roll shy of the impact launching rubble into the air. From the side, Stiofan slipped under a silver flash and countered with a spear jab to the ribs. As his Aura gauge dropped, Dove glowered and hastened his aggression. Stiofan parried, making good use of his weapon's advantageous length to keep him at bay.

Dove was no amateur. He combined each strike with a feint at every chance, and it could've been a serious threat were Stiofan to ever lower his guard.

A yellow glint caught Stiofan's eye. He retreated to it while defending from Dove's onslaught, and when Yellow Fury's shaft pressed underneath his boot, Stiofan locked blades, forcing Dove's sword to the floor, and lunged, kicking a gap between them.

Slow reflexes due to poor vision, decent balance, aggressive, and easily agitated.

His lips twitched as the plan formed and came to fruition. Time to reap the earnings.

"Is that really all you've to offer?" Stiofan said and opened his guard. "What child's play."

Dove growled and rushed forth.

Stiofan stabbed Red Fury into the ground at an angle. A look of confusion crossed Dove's face. Noise rose from the stands, echoing in a collective murmur.

'Apologies,' Stiofan thought. At the last possible second, he generated a burst of Aura into the long spear and flashed a mist of flame. 'Our battle has concluded.'

Dove broke stride and covered his face.

Yellow Fury returned to Stiofan's grasp with a flick of his foot. He ripped Red Fury from the ground and thrusted the short spear at Dove's unprotected abdomen, forcing his innards to gag out.

Stiofan whirled and pressed a hidden switch on the shaft of Red Fury. The polearm collapsed to form a short sword. Flames roared from the blade as he swept it into the back of Dove's knee, lifting him into the air parallel to the ground. With Yellow Fury transformed into a short sword as well, Stiofan slammed the tip into Dove's abdomen, detonating a crackle of lightning swallowing him whole.

The ground gave way upon impact, cratering beneath his motionless body, and his Aura levels drained into the red.

"That's the match," Professor Goodwitch said and stepped in. "The winner is Stiofan Ua Binn."

Both projectors turned green with his photo caption as the victor.

"Well done, Mister Ua Binn. I'm glad to see you hold true to your title as an Atlas Fest Tournament winner."

"Gratitude." Stiofan bowed his head. "Dove was an experienced opponent."

"Either way, I think you'd be a perfect candidate for this year's Vytal Festival Tournament."

"You humble me, Professor."

She smiled and faced the bleachers. "That is all we have for today. We will pick it up again tomorrow. Class dismissed."

Before Stiofan left for the locker room, he noted the number of slack jaws finding their way to the floor, and none was more pleasing than that of the Faunus of Black's.