Four Kingdoms, Four Forges [RWBY x Adeptus Mechanicus]

Chapter Two: Misfortune

Forge Patrica prided itself upon one gilded marble pillar, that was taught unto every man, woman, and child within the city by the Blessed Databanks. Forge Patrica was impenetrable. Within a solid thick metal circle underground lies the city of manufactoriums and ornate cathedrals to the machine god. The four gates of the forge - one for each cardinal direction - were an intricate series of gear shaped blast doors, guarded by numerous secutarii all hours of the day. Corin Gregori looked upon these holy and blessed soldiers as they stood ever vigilant at the base of the Northern gate. The crimson banners of Forge Patrica hung above them, towering even above the grand Spire of the city. As a lowly adept, Corin was limited and constrained by what he could do within this forge sanctified by the blood of the Omnissiah and his faithful.

But today was the day that would all change. With a glance to his right he spotted his teacher and soon to be master - Rune Priest Alekzander Vlahos. His form was hidden behind tarnished and worn robes. Two mechanical arms - ever folded in an act of giving alms - stretched out of the sleeves. Two mechadendrites slithers from behind his reinforced legs, coiling around his power pack. Glass orbs scattered across the power pack, containing unknown liquids that sploshed with his every step. The Rune Priest emitted a series of untranscribable code to the secutarii alpha, <0=Ec Jf JDA 6AAJD fb JDA +fC.>

The alpha bowed deeply to the Rune Priest before barking to his squad, <fFAe JDA C=JA!>

<Rune Priest Vlahos?> questioned Corin only to receive a nod to continue speaking, <What language were you speaking in with the Secutarii? It is one that I do not recognize from my time studying under the Blessed Databanks.>

A deep chuckle vibraded from under the tarnished robes, <You still have much to learn Adept Gregori. There is some knowledge that is not in the Blessed Databanks.>

Years of learning and teachings were all challenged by that single sentence., <B-But, the the Blessed Databanks contain all knowledge and everything not with- within the Blessed D-Databanks is false! That is by d-decree of the Omnissiah's Voice!> His stammerings of faith only served to increase Alekzander's chuckling to laughter.

Slowly the gear gate rotated, metal audibly buckled under the moving slab, springs and pistons shrieked in pain from this rare motion. The pitchblack abyss of the tunnel systems was laid bare before Croin. His brain and miniature cogitator brain wracked in pain at this blashemious sight. Doubt crept into his soul as countless eyes appeared to stare back at him from the emptiness of the unholy tunnel.

Alekzander glanced down upon his student, the child's form was shaking faster than the jackhammers of the construction servitors. Careful words were required for this situation. <Fear not the dark, my friend. Conquer your fear and the dark with the blinding light of your faith. You actions shall make the impure, pure.> The jitters of the adept lessened slightly. <Here is your first lesson Adept Gregori, how to conquer your fear. Follow my lead.> The Rune Priest made sure to obscenely lift his head up and straighten his height to its maximum. His mechanical eyes became tinted green as the night vision augments took affect. With a stride oozing in confidence to the point of irony, Alekzander Vlahos marched into the void without a visible fear in the world. His student hesitantly followed in the steps of his brazen pride.

~0~

"...Schnee Dust Company profits have been lowered by an unacceptable margin. Due to the recent growth in crime across the globe, my profit has fallen down by twenty percent. We must act now! Atlas must show that we will not cower in the face of anarchy. We must bring order to the other kingdoms to maintain peace! These... banditry rabble must be dealt with swiftly and harshly." General Ironwood used every ounce of his will to not audibly groan during Jacques Schnee's long winded rant. James did not despise the man, no, far from it; James only rejected how Jacques would use money to silence voice against his company. The power Jacques held within Atlas was too vast to attempt to remove him, or even actively go against him. The SDC's batch of council members on their payroll nodded and clapped in agreement at Mr. Schnee's speech.