Destiny No More

Chapter 83

The Emerald forest was no stranger to the sounds of combat. The area played host to the initiation of every year of students to have passed through the halls of Beacon, and it was the only place where people could go to train against actual Grimm. As such, many people sought it out for training, meaning their little group had the perfect excuse for going there without anyone being suspicious. If they traveled a little deeper into the woods than most, none would ever know to comment. Any Grimm that approached were swiftly dealt with to hide what it was exactly that they were doing.

Penny hovered in air, for a moment, shaking rather aggressively as she attempted to steady herself with the use of her powers. Flight was something Pyrrha had only just started to get a hang on, and even then she only used it when needed. Penny was making good progress however, faster than she had at any rate.

Her powers cut out suddenly, and Penny dropped. Rather than crashing into the ground however, she managed to land in a controlled crouch, panting all the while.

"It is... quite tiring." Penny said in between breaths.

"How does that even work?" Coco asked from a nearby tree. Team CFVY had been more than happy to come watch the training session, partly to help Pyrrha keep the area devoid of Grimm, but more likely to see the Maidens in action. "I thought you said you don't get tired like us fleshy mortals?"

"I didn't-" Penny quickly tried to correct Coco, stopping only when Pyrrha put a hand on her shoulder.

"Coco, don't pick on Penny." Pyrrha chastised her friend. "You know she isn't good at picking up on jokes."

Both of the girls managed to look embarrassed at that, Penny for having missed the fact Coco had been teasing, and Coco for having done so in the first place.

"I am not capable of building up exhaustion." Penny decided to answer the question. "I am a synthetic being, and as such my body does not require rest like everyone else does."

"I get that, but like..." Coco gestured towards Penny, who was still bent double over her knees, breathing harshly.

"I... don't know." Penny explained. "Magic is... different. I am not physically tired, as I am not capable of feeling such, but I am... spiritually tired."

"Magic doesn't run off of the soul, but it does seem to run alongside it." Pyrrha tried to help, so much as anyone could. Even Ozpin didn't fully understand it. "Physical body or not, it's her soul that is getting strained."

"Is now really the time for a lecture?" Fox sent.

"It's not like there's any Grimm nearby." Velvet added.

It took Yatsuhashi a moment to respond, and that became clear as to why when he stopped through the tree line. "It is quite interesting, many philosophers and wise men have tried to trace the origin of Aura, it is incredibly intriguing to learn that there is something else inside of us."

"Something else that we can't use." Coco muttered.

"Pyrrha could turn you into a bird you know." Velvet added as she too stepped into the clearing alongside Fox. The three had been quick to spread out when they arrived, leaving only Coco close enough to actually watch the training. "Or maybe a frog."

"How about a penguin?" Fox sent. "It would clash with her whole fashion style, I'd love to see her forced to go shopping for a change."

Coco glared at Pyrrha. "If you turn me into anything, so help me, I will never talk to you again."

Pyrrha chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I won't..." She couldn't help the smirk that came to her face, nor could she hold back the desire to mess with her friend. It was only fair considering how rarely Coco was on the back foot. "I don't suppose you have a favorite color of fur?"