I opened my eyes and found myself under a wooden rooftop. It hit me quickly that this wasn't a dream; I was still in a new world, part of a show where Grimm creatures existed. To my surprise, I was the father of one of the main characters. What a time to be alive!
"I'd better get up now before the day hits me hard," I said to myself as I pulled myself up, only to not feel pain at all from my ribs that were hurting like hell yesterday.
I shifted my body, twisting and turning as much as I could, but I felt nothing. When I got up from the bed, I unbuttoned my white shirt and removed the badges. To my surprise, the bruises had vanished, leaving only the fine cracks created by Hazel.
I wondered whether this was due to the ointment and my aura, or to the system indicating that I had unlocked my chakra.
Ding!
[Good Morning, Cassian. It's 6 in the morning, and you are the only one awake! I suggest that you make preparations for what to do today. To inform you that your body has been healed almost entirely due to the effects that were used on your body, including the ointment, aura, and chakra.]
"Huh, so that's why my body healed, but I still have dust crack lines on it. Are there any consequences or side effects from having these?" I asked, wanting to make sure that this wouldn't accidentally harm anyone.
[There are currently no issues that will injure anyone who comes into contact, but the user can use these dust lines that infuse with your weapon if possible.]
"Hmm... That's right, I need to replace Sky Voyager with a new weapon. Since Sky Voyager was essentially destroyed before I got here and lost its other half, I won't be able to use the card I picked from the goddess. The big question is, where's the best bladesmith shop in Vale?" I thought, sighing and shaking my head, unsure of what to do.
If anyone could help me get to Vale quietly or connect me with someone who knew a weaponsmith, it would be Qrow Branwen. He was one of the people who helped me come back here, which turned out to be fortunate; it was thanks to him as well.
"I suppose that's my best shot," I told myself as I buttoned my shirt, putting on his black vest, and lacing up his boots.
I walked to the door, pausing briefly to look out the small window behind me.
The early morning sky was adorned with a soft golden-orange light from the rising sun. Mist hung lightly around the edges of the forest surrounding the cabin, and I could hear birds singing in the distance. For a brief moment, the world felt peaceful, almost like home to me.
"Fresh air sounds good," I said under my breath, pulling open the door.
The morning breeze washed over me the second I stepped outside and onto the porch. Cool, crisp, clean. This kind of scene in the show would have felt normal, like any anime people have seen, but in real life, it was different.
I stretched my arms overhead, feeling the last stiffness melt away. Aura, chakra, ointment, all of these did their job in fixing my body.
"Not bad," I murmured. "Still alive. Now healed...but still in a hole that was dug up for me."
CRACK.
I froze.
A twig snapped to my left.
"Oh, come on! Really?" came a familiar voice.
I turned.
Qrow stood there looking at the bottom of his boot, and glaring at the broken twig beneath it like it had insulted his entire existence. His hair was even messier than usual, and this time, he looked less drunk, which was surprising.
"Morning," I called. "Guess your semblance is messing with you this early, huh?"
"It's not my fault," Qrow growled, kicking the piece of broken wood. "I walked in a straight line. A straight line. And the damn twig just… just appeared out of nowhere under my foot."
"Ah, yes, I remember how your bad luck affected me many times during Beacon and got Tai and me in trouble with Goodwitch." I blinked, feeling as if my mouth was speaking on its own since I didn't have those memories. However, I let it slide because I didn't want Qrow to notice anything unusual.
"Hey, that was just a little payback for you spilling the beans about the time I snuck booze into the dorm room. Poor Tai ended up in the line of fire because of it." Qrow explained as if it were a little thing that Tai got caught in crossfire.
"Wow...Love you too, Feathers." I said while deadpanning at him
He grunted, but there was a small smirk at the corner of his lips.
We stood there for a moment in the quiet morning, watching the sun fully rise above the trees. The warm glow painted the forest in golden color, and the breeze rustled the leaves, making the morning perfect.
For a world that almost seemed normal, but with Grimm and Huntsman and Huntresses, hopefully, days like this can continue where it's peaceful.
Qrow finally turned toward me, crossing his arms. "So. You got a plan for today? Besides stressing Tai out by breathing near him, Ozpin comes in the afternoon to talk with all of us, especially you?"
"Funny you say that," I laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of my neck nervously. "I was actually hoping to ask you something."
Qrow raised an eyebrow. "That's never a good sign. Every time you say that, it ends with either a bar fight, a Grimm fight, or you somehow convincing Tai and me to fight over who is the better fighter."
"It's not going to be any of that, I promise," I reassured him, but now that I knew that information, I could see it happening.
Qrow sighed. "Alright...Let's hear it."
I took a breath. "I need a new weapon and need you to come with me to go to a weaponsmith."
Qrow raised an eyebrow.
"I think there's more to this story, Cass, so go on."
"Sky Voyager is no longer going to work for me due to missing the other half during the fight with Salem's group. Without the other half, Sky Voyager isn't going to cut it anymore." I explained, after all, without a new weapon, I'm completely useless right now.
Qrow let out a low whistle. "Damn… losing half of Sky Voyager. Never thought that would happen in my lifetime, but here we are." He scratched the back of his head. "Can't exactly duct-tape that weapon back together since they were both made to be connected."
"Yeah, unless either of Salem's inner circle could mail it back, that would be good," I muttered. "Doubt it would happen."
Qrow sighed but scratched his chin. "I know someone who owns a bladesmith store, but you would need to find the right bladesmith to commission your weapon on your own. I'll take you, but you're on your own on who's building your weapon."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah… that's fair. Asking you to hand-deliver a custom weapon is too much even for me."
"It is," Qrow said bluntly. "And if you try, I'll shove you back into the bullhead myself."
"Ouch. Hurtful."
"I'm just being honest," he corrected. "Besides, you're not the only one who needs something fixed. My weapon's dust chamber jammed last week. Might as well make it a two-for-one trip."
I paused. "...Wait, you jammed Harbinger?"
Qrow coughed. "Bad luck happens. And before you ask, no, it wasn't my fault."
"Your semblance literally makes it your fault."
He clicked his tongue. "You just can't keep your mouth shut, can you, Cass?"
I smirked, stepping off the porch and joining him on the dirt path that led away from the cabin. "So, it seems we have to get a ride on a bullhead to get to Vale. Unfortunately, your bird form can't ride us since you're small."
He glared at me. "You didn't have to say it like that. I have feelings, you know."
"I know, but it's fun," I said with a smile, with no hint of regret, saying that.
"We need to leave now," Qrow explained. "Oz and Glynda will be here in the afternoon, and who knows what will happen if we're late? Oz will definitely have questions, and even Summer and Tai will want to know what's going on. We can't afford to delay anymore time. It will take time to commission a weapon and find the right bladesmith."
I nodded. "Then I guess we leave before Tai wakes up and decides to give me a death glare."
Qrow snorted. "Honestly? I'd pay to see that."
"Wow. And here I thought we were bonding." I said with a deadpan expression.
"We are," Qrow said, starting down the path, walking away from the cabin. "This is bonding. Me messing with you for now while Tai gets ready."
I groaned. "Remind me again why you're my ride?"
"Because everyone else would give you the cold shoulder, while the kiddos would be confused about who you are," Qrow said without a hint of hesitation.
"Ouch… but accurate, but still ouch," I said, while I felt like imaginary arrows had hit my heart.
---
An hour of flight later, and the kingdom of Vale greeted us, but from my perspective, this wasn't just a show anymore; this was a real city full of living, breathing people, and it kinda seemed unreal even from above the sky.
As the Bullhead landed, people started getting off, while Qrow and I were the last to completely leave the Bullhead. I looked around to see many new things. People moved through the streets, civilians, shopkeepers, faunus, everyone with somewhere to be.
I couldn't help but be amazed that this was the place it would later fall due to Salem's invasion to find the Relic of Choice and the rest of the Fall Maiden's power that Cinder needed.
"Alright," Qrow muttered, stretching his arms as he'd just woken up from a nap. "Welcome back to Vale. Try not to cause a scene."
"No promises," I said, shaking my head, trying to adjust my thoughts to the present as my eyes scanned the area. "Let's get going, we don't want to be late when Ozpin arrives at Patch."
Qrow nodded as I started following Qrow beside him while looking around the city. After all, I might need to change the future a bit.
After walking the streets for a bit, turning down quieter paths until the busy city noise faded and was quieter. Eventually, we stopped in front of a shop tucked between two older buildings.
The sign above it creaked slightly in the wind.
"Iron Baker's Forge & Arms"
"…That's not ominous at all," I muttered as this building looked old and rusty; even the nameplate had rust in it.
Qrow shrugged. "Don't let the rust or poor building quality fool you. The old man who runs this place has been making weapons longer than we've been alive. If anyone can help you, find a good bladesmith, it's him."
I looked at the shop.
Something about it felt… told my instincts not to judge it, and as the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover.
Screw it, not like I have a choice at the moment anyway. I've gotten past the first step; now I need the second.
As Qrow walked ahead of me, I followed closely as he opened the door. A bell chimed overhead as we stepped inside.
The inside of the shop was dimly lit, but every inch of the walls was lined with different kinds of weapons of all kinds, swords, spears, axes, gun-blades, things I couldn't even name. Some looked elegant, others looked like they were designed purely to ruin someone's day if they didn't know how to use them.
And then there were the unfinished ones.
Half-forged steel resting on racks. Blueprints scattered across tables. Dust crystals lay around neatly.
"…Okay," I whispered. "This is kinda cool."
"Told you," Qrow said, already walking further in. "Try not to drool."
"I'm not drooling," I said defensively.
"You are a little."
"…Shut up."
CLANG.
The sharp sound of metal hitting metal echoed from the back of the shop.
"Shop's open," a gruff voice called out. "If you're here to browse, don't touch anything you can't afford to replace."
Qrow smirked. "Same old guy."
We walked toward the source of the noise, stepping past racks of weapons until we reached the forge area.
There, standing over an anvil, was a broad-shouldered older man. His hair was gray, tied back loosely, and his arms were built as if he could rip me in half like nothing.
He didn't look up immediately. Just kept hammering.
CLANG.CLANG.CLANG.
Then he checked the metal he was hammering and slowly put it down as he turned to see us.
"…Qrow Branwen," he said, but the tone of voice sounded indifferent. "Didn't expect to see you this early. What'd you break this time?"
"Hey, it's not always me," Qrow replied casually. "Harbinger just… had a moment."
The man snorted. "Weapons don't have 'moments.' Their owners do."
"Yeah, yeah."
His eyes shifted.
And landed on me.
They narrowed.
"…Well, I'll be damned," he muttered. "If it isn't the ghost of Vale himself."
Oum, I hate that name. Why did people even call me that? But at the moment, all I could do was just stand in place like an idiot.
"Cassian Valehart," he continued, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Heard you were gone from Vale a while."
Qrow let out a low chuckle, like he was in a bar or something, drinking till he was drunk like a skunk.
"Yeah… about that," he said. "Guy's got a bad habit of disappearing and reappearing, which makes me remember my sister. Real annoying trait, honestly."
"Tell me about it," the blacksmith muttered, eyes still locked on me like he was trying to figure out if I was real or some hallucination.
I shifted slightly under his gaze, resisting the urge to rub the back of my neck again.
"Why does everyone look at me like I'm either an asshole or someone who wasn't coming back ever again?" I thought.
Oh, right. Because the original owner ran away like a coward.
"Look," I started, keeping my tone even, "I know I've been gone a while. But I'm not here for a reunion tour. I need help."
The old man raised a brow. "Help, huh? That's a first. Last time you came in here, you said, and I quote as he pointed a finger at me, "'If it breaks, I'll just get another bladesmith than you old fart.'"
I winced. "…Yeah, I'm sorry about saying that."
God, past Cassian was insufferable. I almost want to cry in frustration.
Qrow leaned his shoulder against the wooden wall, arms crossed, clearly enjoying my suffering.
"Oh, that takes me back," he said with a grin. "I remember you saying that to his face, by the way. He almost threw you out with a ban lasting until your death."
"I'm starting to think that past Cassian deserved everything that happened to him," I muttered under my breath so they couldn't hear me while I shook my head at how bad a person Cassian was.
The blacksmith snorted, not even trying to hide it this time.
"Good. Means you've got at least a little sense now." He stepped closer, boots heavy against the stone floor. "So, what's the problem? You don't come crawling back here unless something's broken or not sharpened."
I reached down and slowly unsheathed the single remaining blade of Sky Voyager, letting the steel catch the dim forge light.
"This is all that's left."
The old man's eyes sharpened instantly.
He took the blade from my hand without asking, turning it over, inspecting every inch with a craftsman's precision. His fingers traced the crimson engravings, the balance point, the edge of the blade.
"…Hmph."
He walked back toward the anvil, setting the blade down gently like it was his own child.
"Where's the other half?"
"Lost," I said simply. "A mission that went bad."
Qrow scoffed lightly. "That's putting it nicely."
The blacksmith didn't look up. "Lost… or taken?"
I hesitated for half a second too long.
"…Taken," I admitted.
He grunted. "Figures."
There was a brief silence, filled only by the crackle of the forge fire.
"This weapon," he said, tapping the blade lightly, "was never meant to stand alone. You know that, right?"
"Yeah," I replied. "I figured that out the hard way."
Not just that, but I also lost my skill card on the first day.
"It's not just about balance," he continued. "These two were made to sync. Your aura channels with the Dust components and the Transformation mechanism. You're missing half the system."
"Which is why I'm here," I said, meeting his gaze. "I need a replacement."
That got his attention.
He turned fully toward me now, arms folding over his chest.
"A replacement?" he repeated. "You think I can just copy this?"
"I'm not asking for a copy," I said, shaking my head. "I'm asking for something new."
That made him pause.
"…Alright."
I blinked. "Then we could get-."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," he growled. "I didn't say I'd make it."
"Then why did you say alright?" I asked, not really understanding what he was now meaning.
"I said alright. But I didn't say I'll be making it. I have too many commissions from Huntsman and Huntresses...So I'll be asking my apprentice, who has been training to be a bladesmith for a few months, to do it."
The words hung in the air for a second.
"…Your apprentice?" I repeated, not sure how to feel about that.
The old man snorted, grabbing an iron metal pole and starting poking at the coals like this conversation wasn't even worth his full attention. "What, you got a problem with that?"
"I mean…" I hesitated, glancing at Qrow, who looked confused by this as well. "No offense, but I came here because you're supposed to be one of the best. No offense to your apprentice, but I kinda need a weapon that won't break in half during battle."
"Oi," the blacksmith barked, shooting me a glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Watch your mouth. The girl's got more talent in her pinky than most Huntsmen have in their entire arsenal."
"Harsh," Qrow muttered under his breath. "But knowing this old man, he's not wrong."
I raised my hands slightly as I surrendered. "Alright, alright. I didn't mean it like that. I just... look, I'm working under a time limit here. I need something reliable for a long while."
The old man studied me for a long moment.
Then he huffed. "Good. Means you're finally thinking before talking. That's new."
I resisted the urge to sigh.
He jerked his head toward the back. "Oi! Get out here! We've got a problem child who needs a weapon!"
There was a pause.
Then a voice echoed from deeper inside the forge.
"Give me a second! I'm in the middle of-"
CLANG!
"Ow! Okay, okay, I'm coming!"
Footsteps followed. Light. Quick. A lot less heavy than the old man's.
And then she stepped into view.
A girl who looked maybe around her twenty, maybe a bit younger, with soot smudged across her cheek and arms, her hair tied back messily to keep it out of her face, and had bunny ears. She wore a sleeveless white shirt and gloves, one of which she was currently pulling off with her teeth.
Her eyes flicked from the old man… to Qrow… and then landed on me.
She froze.
"…No way," she whispered.
I blinked. "Uh… hi?"
She walked closer, slow at first, then circling me like I was some kind of exhibit in a museum.
"You're…" she pointed at me, squinting slightly. "You're The Cassian Valehart."
"…I get that a lot nowadays," I muttered.
She suddenly grinned.
"Holy crap, I thought you were either dead or missing."
The old man crossed his arms. "Focus, brat. He needs a weapon, and that means he's going to be your first commission."
The words hung in the air like a hammer waiting to drop.
Her first commission.
And somehow… that commission was me.
"…Wait," I said slowly, blinking as I pointed at myself. "I'm the first?"
The girl rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly looking a little less confident. "I mean… yeah. Officially. I've made practice weapons, helped with repairs, even designed a few prototypes, but..." she gestured between us "You'd be my first real client."
Qrow let out a low whistle from behind me. "Damn, Cass. You always did have a knack for making things complicated."
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath.
The old man snorted. "You want a masterwork? Then wait six months. You want something sooner?" He jerked a thumb at the girl. "You trust her."
I looked back at her.
Soot on her cheek. Calloused hands. Eyes sharp—focused. Not nervous, not really. Just… waiting. Like she was used to people doubting her and was already bracing for it.
And then there were the ears.
Faunus.
Bunny ears, twitching ever so slightly as she watched me.
"…You got a name?" I asked.
She straightened a bit. "Kira. Kira Ritz. I hope me being a faunus doesn't affect this commission."
I shook my head, "No. This won't affect your commission. If anything, I'm glad to work with you."
Kira blinked.
"…Huh," she muttered, both ears stood up in surprise. "That's… not the reaction I was expecting."
"What, you thought I'd walk in, insult your ears, and demand a refund before even paying?" I asked, knowing from the show that many racist people who hate faunus would do that.
"Wouldn't be the first time," she said dryly.
"Wow. People suck."
"Yeah. They do."
There was a brief pause.
"Well then...Cassian, I'm glad to be your bladesmith for your commission and hope to meet your expectations." Kira said with a smile as she extended her hand out for a handshake.
I couldn't leave her waiting after all this, so without a doubt, I extended my hand and accepted the handshake.
"I don't know why, but my instincts are telling me you will exceed them, and thank you for taking my commission for a new blade, Kira. I can't wait to work with you." I spoke with a smile on my face, as I also needed to talk to my system about a certain thing and whether they could do it.
Qrow didn't know why, but he felt this pair would make a weapon capable of amazing things, and he didn't know why he felt excited to see it firsthand when it was created.