"Do you think that he will decide to attend?" asked Glynda when they were a ways away from the home and making their way to the clearing where their bullhead was waiting for them.
Ozpin hummed, "Hard to say. I do not blame him for being skeptical of our arrival and invitation, but I believe that he will make the right choice in the end."
"All I can say is that you better be right about this, Oz," said Qrow while taking out his flask again and draining the remaining contents. "The kid's been through a lot, and living out here on his own for so long has him set in his ways."
Professor Goodwitch sent him a sympathetic look, "You worry about him."
The huntsman grunted, "Yeah, what kind of godfather would I be if I wasn't worried about him?"
Stepping into the clearing where the bullhead was warmed up and ready to take to the air, Ozpin paused and looked back into the forest. He may not have known what decision the young man would make, but deep down he had a feeling that Haru would choose the path that would not only benefit him, but also the state of peace that was at risk in their world.
Hours had slipped by, the sun had long since set but Haru had yet to notice as he sat in the living room of his home staring at the small flames licking the walls of his fireplace. The picture of him and his parents laying on the coffee table beside the scroll given to him by Ozpin.
He was at an impasse. As much as he wanted to simply ignore the invitation that had been given to him, something deep within made him pause. His thoughts now going back and forth on what his decision should be.
Remembering the stories both his mom and dad used to tell him about their time at Beacon when they were starting out as a huntsman and huntress in training. Their team, their friends, the teachers, even how they met and fell in love.
When he was little he loved to hear about those times in his parents' lives… but now they were bitter memories that reminded him of how they had been taken from him six years ago.
The mere thought of it caused his jaw and fists to clench and his eyes to harden in their gaze. Qrow spoke about the White Fang disappearing up here and the rumors of a vengeful spirit, he was partially right.
There was no ghost, but there was a vengeful orphan out for the blood of the ones that destroyed his family.
Screams, gunshots and blood spraying through the air flashed through his thoughts.
A younger version of himself on his knees, tears streaming from his eyes mixing with blood splattered on his face while he sat in a large pool of dark-crimson where two bodies laid unmoving nearby.
Men in Grimm masks standing over them, laughing at the death they wrought, causing a burning rage to blaze to life within the boy's soul. A scream of fury pulled from his young lungs as he charged the men with his father's axe in hand.
Haru stood up fast, the couch flipping over as his form literally vibrated from the rage within him. A dark-orange colored aura flaring around his body in-tuned with his emotions before he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, his fury and aura diminishing bit by bit until it settled back where it belonged.
Even after all these years, he had to work hard to keep his semblance under control. It was a specific one that was passed down through the bloodline from his father's side, every male possessed a rage that could be used like an ultimate weapon on the battlefield. In fact, his great-grandfather ended several great battles with such an ability long ago.
Even Haru's father was renowned and feared for his fury. It was why he was known as the "Blood Wolf". The only one who wasn't scared of him was his mother, who saw the gentle soul he was beneath his strength.
Of course, a Human/Faunus relationship wasn't really accepted everywhere, and the two of them were scorned by those that were outside their small group of friends. It was hard on them, but they thrived perfectly fine regardless and made a life for themselves… until the night they were killed in front of their own son.
Running a hand through his hair, Haru flipped the couch back upright before sitting back down again. Going back to thinking about what he should do, he reached into his shirt and pulled out a pendant on a gold chain.
The charm was round, no bigger than a quarter and was shaped like a shield. A handful of unknown markings surrounded an omega symbol made from a ruby that was set into the metal. It was his mother's, given to her by his father when they first got together.
The heirloom had been in his family for centuries, its origins lost long ago but held great meaning. Passed down from each generation as a symbol for what their family stood for and their strength. It was one of only a handful of cherished possessions Haru had that meant the most to him.
Clutching the pendant in his hand, pressing his fist to his forehead, the young hunter mulled over what he should do. What was the best choice? And what his parents would have told him if they were with him now?
He knew that his mother would want him to go, to learn more about the world and expand his mind. His father would have also wanted him to go, to improve his skills and learn more that could prove useful. Both of them had always wanted the best for him, and if Ozpin knew them and was tasked with ensuring he had a place at the same academy they went too… then it was obvious they were continuing to put his best interests forward.
Even when they weren't there anymore.
Leaning back against the couch and sighing deeply, Haru let his mind finally settle on his choice before sitting back up and reaching for the scroll. Dialing the only number displayed in the contacts lists and waited for the line to be picked up.
"Hello, Haru. Is there something I can help you with?" Ozpin's voice floated calmly through the speaker.
"I've made my decision, professor..." the young hunter said back.
In another plain of existence, somewhere between life and death, a female entity suddenly became aware of a shift in the strings of fate.
"After so many millennia… the time has finally come."