Through We Endure. (RWBY x OC)

. . .But we are. . .

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The scene continues, with the scene unfolding with a panoramic view of Beacon Cliff, the camera slowly zooming in on Professor Ozpin. He stands sentinel, his posture unwavering as his eyes, reflecting a blend of resolve and weariness, scan the Scroll in his hands. The Emerald Forest below is a vibrant contrast to his somber demeanor.

A moment passes before Glynda Goodwitch approaches, her footsteps silent. She holds a tablet, its screen flickering with the aftermath of battle. "One more team to be formed, sir," she announces, her voice carrying a mix of formality and concern.

Her reference is clear: Hadryn Yorgh, the lone figure yet to find a partner in the chaos below. With a tap, Glynda brings up the footage of Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren, their figures receding from the battlefield, leaving the defeated King Taijitu in their wake.

Glynda: "Poor boy... I can't possibly imagine how those two got along,"
she muses, her tone laced with pity.

Glynda: "Still, he's probably better off than Miss Nikos."
The screen shifts at her command, now showing Pyrrha Nikos and Jaune Arc navigating the dense forest.

Ozpin's response is a noncommittal hum, his attention seemingly anchored to his own device. Glynda's gaze lingers on him, seeking guidance, but he offers none, merely sipping from his signature mug, lost in thought.

Glynda: "I don't care what his transcripts say. That Jaune fellow is not ready for this level of combat,"
Glynda declares, her judgment final as she powers down her tablet. She turns to face the cliff, the sunlight catching her blonde hair, turning it almost ethereal as she adjusts her glasses.

Glynda: "I guess we'll find out soon enough. At their current pace, they should reach the temple within just a few minutes,"
she speculates, her eyes scanning the horizon.

"Speaking of which, what did you use as relics this year?"

Her question hangs in the air, unanswered.

"Professor Ozpin?"
she prompts again, her tone edged with impatience. Ozpin remains silent, his focus on the tablet unwavering.

Glynda, driven by curiosity, peers over his shoulder. The screen reveals a harrowing scene: Hadryn Yorgh, engulfed in a rage-fueled onslaught against the Grimm. The brutality of his attacks resonates through the holographic display, showcasing his merciless defeat of the Bellecist and his ruthless cleaving of the Deathstalker.

Glynda: "Is that... I saw that knight in the Auditorium. I admit his technique is impressi-"
Glynda begins, only to be interrupted.

Ozpin: "The Grimm... Since the last 8 years, we've experienced a rapid increase of Grimm activity, correct?"
Ozpin interjects, his voice tinged with a newfound intensity. It's as if a puzzle piece has clicked into place, and he seeks confirmation, his inquiry hanging between them like a weighty secret.

Glynda's eyes widen as the footage continues to play, the grim reality of Hadryn's actions unfolding before them. The silence stretches on, filled only by the distant sounds of the forest and the soft hum of the Scroll's display.

Finally, Glynda speaks, his voice low and contemplative.

Glynda: "Yes, an increase in Grimm activity,"
she confirms, Ozpins gaze still locked on the screen.

Ozpin: "But this... this is different. It feels different, There's a ferocity here, a deliberate force that's unsettling."
Glynda nods, her expression grave.

Glynda: "It's as if he's not just fighting the Grimm, but waging a war against them,"
she observes, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ozpin: "And the Grimm are responding in kind. It's escalating. And the fact he is bleeding, Means hes doing all that without aura"
 Ozpin turns to face her, his eyes piercing.

Ozpin: "Exactly. And it's not just here. Reports have been coming in from all over—similar patterns, similar aggression. It's as if something has changed, They say Grimm are attracted to large pools of Aura. But what concerns me is the fact Hadryn doesnt possess any, So he wouldnt be the cause of concern." 

Ozpin's expression hardens, the lines of his face etching deeper with concern.

Ozpin: "If Hadryn is indeed without Aura, it changes everything we know about the Grimm's behavior,"
he states, his voice steady but tinged with urgency.

Ozpin: "It suggests a shift in their nature, an adaptation we haven't seen before."
Glynda processes his words, her mind racing with the implications.

Glynda: "An adaptation? That's... troubling. It means they're learning, evolving in response to our strategies."
She pauses, considering the broader ramifications.

Glynda: "If they're targeting those without Aura specifically, it could mean they're becoming more strategic, more selective. Picking off the weaker enemies."
Ozpin nods, his gaze returning to the Scroll.

Ozpin: "Precisely. And if that's the case. . ."
He takes a deep breath, the weight of crushing leadership pressing upon him.

The revelation hangs heavy between them, a new challenge in an already daunting war. Glynda looks out over the forest, her eyes reflecting a steely resolve.

Ozpin: "Then we'll adapt as well. We'll train them harder, make them smarter. We won't let this change tip the scales in the Grimm's favor."
He pauses, taking a moment to compose his thoughts.

"As for the relics,"

he finally answers her earlier question,

Ozpin: "I chose chess pieces this year. Each piece represents a role one might play on a team. It's a subtle reminder that every member is crucial, regardless of their strength or skill."
Glynda considers this, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Glynda: "Chess pieces... A fitting choice, Professor. It teaches them strategy and foresight."
The two stand in silence, watching the last rays of sunlight dance across the Emerald Forest. The day's trials have yet to end