Chapter Text
-Rhodolite Garnet-
Rhodolite garnet is believed to promote kindness, love, spiritual growth, compassion and self-worth.
She didn’t know why she ended up here. In Thors Military School, branch campus, as a student. Oh wait, she was here because of that damn Erebonian Soldier that took over Crossbell Police Academy. Damn them to Gehenna.
Juna Crawford cursed her luck (actually, she cursed those Erebonian soldiers more than her own luck). Not only she ended up in the country that annexed her own. She ended up with a so-called hero , the Azure Chevalier himself, as homeroom instructor. Could she snap now?
“Something got in your panties or something? Your face looked like you swallowed something bitter, Crawford.”
And here it was, the devil himself. Floral white hair was what she saw first, then the man’s piercing crimson eyes, the damn smug smirk painting the man’s face. And those words… rude…
“Nothing you will understand, Instructor.”
Crow raised one of his eyebrows. “Ho? Care to test me?”
Juna gritted her teeth in annoyance. “An Erebonian like you won’t understand, Instructor.”
She glared toward the white-haired instructor, daring for the man to tell her otherwise. But to her own surprise, the man laughed out. Really hard. Juna wondered, did she say something that made her instructor lose his brain’s screw?
“Ah man, that's kind of funny.” Said the man after he was done with laughing.
“What is so funny about that?” Juna muttered out with a sullen tone.
“The funny thing is kiddo, that I’m not an Erebonian.”
What… What did the man say? Not an Erebonia? No way, that’s impossible. The man was a hero in this damn country! How was that possible?
Seeing her silent reaction, Crow let out a weak smirk. Before he hit her head lightly with the clipboard on his hand. “You need to learn more history, kid.” The man rested back his hand on his shoulder.
It was only a glimmer, but Juna was pretty sure she saw something sad in those eyes. But she didn’t know what brought that sadness up. In the end she sighed and slouched down in tiredness. She let out a small groan.
“Urgh, I hate History.”
“ Know thy enemies . That means including their history, you can learn a lot from you enemies past.”
“Urgh, fine. History huh… I wonder, is there someone out there to make history as their favorite subject?”
Silence was what greeted her joking question, when she looked up at the man’s face, she could see it. The clear sadness and grief that painted the man’s crimson eyes. His mouth slowly shifted to a sorrowful smile.
“Indeed, what kind of person makes history their favorite subject… huh…” Crimson eyes glanced toward the window, watching the sun that slowly set down. “Pretty sure that person is a hard-core history nerd, idiot, and too kind for their own good…”
Ah… At that moment Juna realized something. ‘History’, it was the ‘History’ subject that made this person react like this. Juna wondered, was the person Crow lost love history? Seemed like the person was very important.
After all, the mention of that person's favorite subject already made this man… The strong man that Erebonia said was a hero… Letting out such a heart-breaking expression in front of Juna.
-oOo-
Crow was glaring at the book in front of him. History… A damn history that he needed to get a good grade if he didn’t want to repeat the year. He didn’t even need to graduate, damn it! With the plan progressing steadily, he shouldn’t have to worry about something like this.
Yet, here he was.
Why must he learn Erebonia’s history? There were even some histories about other countries including Calvard. He was sure that Calvard and Erebonia were nemesis, so it was kind of strange to see the eastern counterpart of Erebonia to be mentioned.
While he was busy thinking, something smacked on his head, making him let out a groan. With a glare, he looked up and saw Rean already standing in front of him with a notebook in his hand. Crow was sure that was what used to hit him earlier.
“Reaaannnn! What was that for?!”
“I tried to call you so many times! So, I used the last resort.” The younger male huffed and turned to look at what made Crow focused so much. When he saw the history book, Rean immediately understood why the older male didn’t hear him.
“Really?” Rean raised his eyebrow, “That’s rare. Should I warn everyone about any sudden storm?”
“Oi! I’m not that bad!” A deadpan expression was what he got. “Rude!”
Rean only rolled his eyes, before he sat beside Crow. Then the younger male gave Crow the notebook he had been holding since earlier. Crimson eyes blinked in confusion, but he accepted it and opened it. His eyes were greeted by a familiar handwriting, Rean’s hand writing. The content of the book was a history subject’s resume.
“Rean, this is…”
The younger one scratched his own cheek. “Well… I heard from other seniors that you’re struggling with history’s subject. Since I’m pretty decent in that subject, I thought that my note might help with your study.”
Might? Man, this note would help him a lot! Not only was Rean's hand writing easy to read, the content of the resume highlighted all important parts that might appear on the test. And, the black-haired teen made a resume for 2 nd year material as well. So, in short, this note contained all material from their history subject.
“Rean, can I kiss you?”
“You ca—wait… what?”
A blush could clearly be seen on Rean’s face, seeing this made Crow let out a snicker. For someone that many people sought for, Rean was so dense with people's affection. Often didn’t realize that he was being flirted with. But for Crow to easily make him react like this? What a treat.
Rean heard it when Crow snicker, the younger male immediately glared and tried to reach for his notebook.
“You know, on second thought. Give my notebook back.”
Crow immediately waved one finger in front of Rean’s face. “Un-huh, no can do. Your notebook is mine now~”
“Hey! I’m letting you borrow it! Not giving it to you!”
The older male patted the younger one's head, “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Rean.” He let out a big grin. “I will make sure to give it to you later, when this stupid test is done.”
“…You better pass the test and return my book.”
“Aww, trust this old Crow!”
“…”
“Reannn, that so meannn!!!”
.
.
.
In the end, Crow broke his promise. After all, he hadn't returned the notebook.
Even until now, he still kept it in his room.
Since, not long after, the civil war broke out. And when the war finally stopped.
He couldn’t return it to the owner that was no longer there.
-oOo-
-Aquamarine-
Aquamarine symbolizes tranquility, harmony and clarity. It is said to be able to relieve stress and clear the mind, with calming, soothing properties
Slash after slash, dodge after dodge. There was a lone student standing alone inside the training room. Anyone could see how much the students train by seeing many training dolls scattered on the floor.
That afternoon, Kurt Vander just did his usual things. Training his sword style. A Vander twin blade style. After giving the training doll a last slash, he stepped back to catch a small breath. Slowly he looked down on his swords and then to the doll.
His face immediately crunched up in frustration. The slash on the doll, it didn’t cut cleanly as his usual slash. Did that mean his sword style was dulling?
Ah no… if he thought about it, the reason for this unclean cut was his mind. And his disappointment.
He decided to enter Branch campus after everything that happened. Hoping that maybe with this decision, he could get stronger. He did get information that General Aurelia would be the principal. What he didn’t know was…
The Azure Chevalier was here as well.
It frustrated Kurt, someone like that, someone like Crow Armbrust, who was one of the persons that triggered civil war. Became a so-called hero .
The man's demeanor was so frustrating! Acting so smug yet so lazy. He did see the man’s ability with twin guns in their first fight simulation inside the keep. And he knew enough about guns to know that the man was very much skilled.
But still, something about that man just grated Kurt in a wrong way.
He slowly took a small breath again, trying to calm himself. That was strange actually. Seldom that he felt something like this at someone he barely knew.
“Man… It’s already late enough. And you’re still here? Talk about dedication.”
Seemed like the man himself appeared. Kurt turned around and barely gave the older man a nod.
“Something on your mind? You’re not a newbie, yet you didn’t notice my presence.”
“Maybe it’s because you’re good at hiding your presence, Instructor Armbrust.”
Crow let out a snort at that. “Kid, I know a lot of swordsmen and women. And even at the newbie level, they could at least detect footsteps. I didn’t even bother to hide it.”
Kurt was silent for a while, in the end he just replied with, “Nothing really. Just thinking about something.” Sheathing both of his swords, it was Kurt the one that asked this time.
“Why are you here, Instructor?”
The man shrugged his shoulders, before walking inside and looking around the room.
“Patrolling. Telling the remaining students, they have one hour left to go back.”
“Is that so…”
Kurt’s fuchsia eyes are still lingering on the man. Watching carefully what would the man do. The man steps suddenly stopped in front of the training sword. And to his surprise, Crow took out a some-kind of sword that Kurt knew came from the east side of Zemuria. No one ever used it, since all students in the branch campus used a style from Erebonia.
The man then sheathed out the sword, the movement was not smooth, but Kurt could see it was not the first time this person held this kind of sword. Strange, Kurt was sure his instructor didn’t use that kind of sword. He opened his mouth to ask what the man was doing. But he immediately clamped his mouth shut.
At that very moment, Kurt saw many emotions flowing through the man’s face. One emotion that could easily be seen was… grief.
That… was unexpected.
Then as fast as the emotion appeared, it disappeared as fast as well. The training sword was sheathed in and being put back on its original place. Crow then glanced at where the practice doll was. More exactly, at where Kurt’s current practice doll. The man saw the cut… and slowly opened his mouth.
“A certain junior of mine said, ‘You can’t wield a sword properly, when your mind is in turmoil’. Better calm yourself, kid.”
Kurt… couldn’t deny that. So, he nodded his head, and glanced to where the sword from earlier was.
“That sword earlier… that's an east-style sword, right? You know eastern sword style, instructor?”
Crimson eyes blinked, before a wistful expression entered Crow’s face.
“Yes, that was a tachi. A… junior of mine practiced ‘Eight leaves One Blade' style. I learned from him.”
The younger male put his hand on his chin. “That’s rare. For an Erebonian to learn east style. I wonder what kind of person the junior that you mentioned. Choosing this rare sword style to learn.” His statement was greeted by silence. When he glanced at the man… Crow’s face was scrunched up in an expression he couldn’t read.
“What kind huh… An idiot. That’s what I can tell ya.”
And with that the man left the room.
With how the man acted... Kurt got a feeling that he wouldn't meet this junior that Crow Armbrust just told him.
At that moment Kurt got it. Why the man grated him in the wrong way. The man was strong, he got the title, and many other things. In Kurt's eyes, the man had a lot of things. So why… Why did the man look like he didn’t want anything to do with that?
At this very moment, Kurt got the answer as well for that question as well. What was the meaning from strength, title, and everything else…
When you couldn’t even use it to protect someone important?
-oOo-
A groan of tiredness left his mouth, he stretched both of his hands upward. Before putting it back down beside his body. Currently, the Trista west highway was bare from any monsters since he just finished them up. He had just returned from another meeting with the ILF members to talk about the next step of their plan. But damn, he was so tired. Having a double life was so tiring alright.
Suddenly his footstep stopped as he glanced around. Crimson eyes narrowing, someone was here. He moved toward the presence he senses, footstep was soundless. A few moments later he saw the source of the presence he sensed.
It was Rean. Lilac eyes were closed, his body was in a stance, with one hand resting on the handle. What did the younger man do here this early? Training this early, at 5 AM?
“I know you are there.” Lilac eyes fluttered open before it stared at him with a piercing gaze. “What are you doing here, Crow?”
He let out a whistle. “I’m pretty sure I hid my presence. Can you still sense me?”
“Sort of.” Said Rean while shrugging his shoulders.
Crimson eyes then landed on the hand that still rested on the handle of the tachi. Since earlier, Rean didn’t sheath out his tachi at all.
“Are you training, Rean?” He then glanced around. “I didn’t see any practice dolls.”
“Ah no. With my mind like this right now… I don’t think I can wield my sword properly.”
“Your mind?”
“…’ You can’t wield a sword properly, if your mind is in turmoil.’. That's what my master told me once. Hesitation only brings danger. So, wield it when your mind is calm.”
Turmoil huh… it was small, but he could see the slight trembling of Rean’s hand. And Rean’s face… It was clearly troubled by something. Was it about what happened a few days ago? About when Rean used his so-called ogre power?
Lilac eyes glanced at him warily before looking down.
Oh, Crow got it. Rean was scared of his reaction. This person… was an idiot. Then without any word, Crow reached forward and sling his hand around Rean’s shoulder. The younger man let out a small squeak of surprise,
“C—crow?!”
“Mannn, I’m hungry.” Crow gave Rean a wink. “Let’s search for some breakfast, shall we?”
Lilac eyes widened, but slowly, a smile entered Rean’s face. The younger man then nodded, Crow smiled back and ruffled Rean’s black hair. With that the two entered Trista together.
“Kirsche hasn’t opened yet though?”
“Naah, it will be fine. That guy often opened his door for me, when I knocked hard enough.”
“Crow…”
“It’s fine, he doesn’t—Ouch! Rean! Don’t jab me that hard!”
.
.
.
Crow hadn’t used his double saber for a long time.
The last time he used it was in Reverie Corridor.
‘You can’t wield a sword properly, if your mind is in turmoil.’
He no longer could use it. Because whenever he touched that weapon, his mind always flashed toward that time.
The time where he couldn’t protect Rean.
-oOo-
-Moonstone-
Besides representing divine feminine energy, due to its symbolic connection to the moon, moonstone is also thought to represent new beginnings.
Altina Orion only doing her mission like she was told to. Tasked to supervise Crow Armbrust was her mission. So, she did her best to do her mission. Observe, report, repeat. But… it was a lie if she said that she didn’t have a motive of her own.
Her, a homunculus, having a wish of her own. People who knew her origin might be surprised if they knew about this. Altina's wish was a simple thing, she… wished to remember. To remember the memory that she lost in her previous mission.
The chancellor said that in her previous mission, she was wounded on her head, resulting in some of her memory to be lost or blurred. With how hurt her head was at that time, she could confirm herself that indeed, she sustained an injury on her head.
Her lost memory should not matter, since it was only memory. But… something, just something in the back of her mind, telling her to remember. That she needed to remember. But the problem was, how? There was not even a sign of her memory returning for a few weeks.
Then after meeting with Crow Armbrust again, a flicker of memory just appeared in her mind.
It was a memory of someone, smiling at her yet she could not remember the person's face. But she could remember feeling warm. She couldn’t even tell whether that someone was a male or female. However, there was something she was sure of.
That person was important, very important to her. So, she needed to remember. That’s why her objective was no longer one. There’s another objective, to remember that person, whoever that person was.
“Hm? You’re here as well, black rabbit?”
Lime green eyes slowly opened, she turned around and saw the older man was walking toward her with both hands on his instructor jacket pocket. Altina gave the man a small nod in greeting. Crow smiled slightly, before he walked toward the railing near the edge of the rooftop and leaned on it while staring at the scenery.
Both of them didn’t say anything at first, thankfully the air was comfortable, not tense at all. It was Crow, the one that talked first.
“So… Black rabbit, is what I read in your medical record is real? That you lost some of your memories?”
Altina nodded her head. “I confirmed it. Some of my memories are blank. I remembered about the civil war and some of my missions after that. But some of it was completely blank. I didn’t even have any memories about the infernal castle.”
Crimson eyes widened at that, before he looked back at the scenery. “Is that so… then I hope your memory will return soon.”
“Why?” Asked Altina with a tilted head.
Crow rested his chin on one of his palms, and smiled slightly. “Because you changed… for the better I think.” That made her eyes widened slightly, “The black rabbit I know in the civil war won’t choose for herself. But at the end of our orientations in the keep… you choose to stay in Class VII. Not because of your mission, but by your own choice.”
Altina was silent for a while, before she opened her mouth. “You know right, that I might have a selfish motive of my own?”
To Altina's surprise, Crow let out a bark of laughter. “Black rabbit, ah no, Altina. That made it better then.” The older man reached out his hand and patted Altina’s head. “It's proof that you’re human, when you have your own will and wishes.”
“Altina, you’re a human. You just prove it yourself, by having your own wishes.”
Ah… it was a male voice. And it sounded so gentle and kind. She thought that she made the right choice, by staying at Class VII. Just now, another part of her memory returned.
“Did you just smile?”
“I think it’s only your imagination, Instructor Crow.” The silver-haired girl slowly stood up and bowed toward Crow. “Excuse me then.” Claimh=Solais appeared from out of nowhere, and she went away with it. The small smile hadn’t left her face.
Crow watched as the girl left, his eyes slowly glanced toward his hand. A hand that just patted Altina’s head. He then let out a small sad smile.
“Seems like your habit was contagious. The one that had a habit of patting people's heads was you after all.” As he muttered those words, he left the rooftop.
-oOo-
He was humming while walking behind the main building of Thors Military Academy. Just finished with helping George in the Engineering Building. Crimson eyes glance around to see student enjoying their club activity. Even though it was already afternoon, many students still stayed behind.
While looking around, his eyes landed on the courtyard. Suddenly he let out a yawn, it seemed like he was tired. Perfect. Around this time the courtyard bench was usually empty. He could sleep there. With that in mind, he walked toward the courtyard.
To his surprise, he was not alone.
There was already someone else on the courtyard. Rean was there, sitting on one of the benches while reading a book. That’s rare, usually the younger male was walking around the campus to help with many tasks.
“Hello, Crow.” The younger man looked up from his book and smiled toward Crow. “Searching for a nap place?”
Crow let out a grin. “You know me so well~”
Rean only rolled his eyes fondly before shifting to the side slightly, giving a room for someone to sit beside him. Crow accepted the silent invitation to sit beside the black-haired teen and immediately sit down. When he finally sat, he let out a tired groan.
“What were you doing actually?”
“Urgh… both George and ‘Gelica being bossy. We did some adjustments to the orbal bike. But damn, that was tiring.”
“Then why didn't you take a nap in the infirmary?”
“Instructor Beatrice didn’t allow it.” Muttered Crow with petulant expression.
The black-haired teen let out a chuckle at that. “Take a small nap here then, I will make sure no one disturb you.”
A brilliant smile immediately entered Crow’s face. “Aww, Rean. You’re the best!”
Without saying anything else, Crow closed his eyes and leaned his body to the side. Then his head landed right on Rean’s lap, surprising the younger teen. One of his eyes opened, and he was greeted with lilac eyes peered down at him.
“I never said you can borrow my lap though.”
But Crow only grinned up at him. Used to his senior antics, Rean only sighed. However, the younger man smiled, then to Crow’s surprise, Rean gently caressed his hair.
“Fine, only this time alright.”
Crow wanted to say something, but he stopped himself. Crimson eyes fluttering close as he listened to the slow hum from above him, the gentle movement that caressing his hair never stopped. The hum was the last thing he heard, before he entered the dream land. For the first time in a while, He sleep peacefully.
That was not the last time Crow borrowed Rean’s lap.
.
.
.
No one had ever touched his head, especially his head.
He thought his pops would be the last one. He was wrong.
Now… he hadn’t allowed anyone to touch his hair or pat his head.
Because it’s a privilege that he only gave to Rean.
-oOo-
After their first field trip, New Class VII learned some things.
First, their homeroom instructor was not from Erebonia. Altina already knew this one, but not Juna and Kurt. It was surprising for the two when the older man dropped the hint that his origin was from port town, but it was not Ordis the port city.
“I was from Jurai, currently named Special Economic Zone, SEZ Jurai for short.” A melancholy smile entered the man’s face, “One of the few countries that the chancellor managed to annex.”
At that moment Juna understood why her instructor told her that he was not an Erebonia. She promised herself to learn more about history, about the county where she was currently. So that she won’t make a careless assumption and give a wrong judgment to the wrong person. After all, both Crow and she were similar. For both lose their country to the chancellor's decision and order.
Kurt understood something as well, of why this person dared to trigger the civil war. Selfish it might be, but he understood. Losing a place that he used to belong to, suddenly at that, will drive anyone to resentment. And he himself probably will do the same, resent and hate, to the person that caused his loss.
Altina knew where Crow Armbrust came from, of why the man chose to became terrorist and tried to take the chancellor down. But she didn’t understand why. Then she remembered, that the main reason for Crow’s anger was about his grandfather. It was then it clicked on her mind. Will she do the same if the important person on her memory being driven to the corner, in the same way Crow’s grandfather was? Surprisingly, she could answer yes, she will.
Second, old Class VII was scary in their own right. The alumni from Class VII that they already met were three people. A musician that was already famous even though he just debuted, used his travel to gather information. Then a master in Arseid style, who went around Erebonia to teach, while gathering information as well. And a bracer that rose fast in rank, who used her connection to gather information as well.
And yes, the repetition of ‘gathering information’ words was on purpose. because from what they know, Class VII gathered a lot of information to seek an answer.
They just met three of them. Juna, Kurt, and Altina couldn’t imagine what the rest of class VII would be like. IF, three of them already like this. If they count their homeroom instructor, they already met four though.
“Heee, you can’t really call me from class VII. Since I was only there for a while.”
Elliot gave Crow a look that immediately made the older man tense. “What did you say, Crow?”
“No, nothing. You’re right. I’m part of Class VII.” Crow immediately answered, cold sweat could be seen on his forehead.
“Good answer.”
Laura let out a chuckle. “Still scary as ever huh.”
“Be glad it was only Elliot. If Alisa and Machias hear you say that Crow, you’re done for.” Said Fie with a smirk. Crow let out a visible shiver, and groaned. That confirmed it, old class VII was scary.
Elliot suddenly let out a small sad smile. “ He won’t like it if you say that as well…”
Crow’s mouth opened a little in shock, it slowly closed and the man smiled a little. “Heh, you’re right.” He ruffled his own white-hair, “Somehow I can hear him being angry at me now.”
“He might haunt you for that.” Fie muttered out softly.
The white-haired man let out a gentle snort. “If he did, I think I would be happy. After all, meeting with him again is something that I… ah no, what all of us wish for.”
With that statement, the four of them exchange a soft yet solemn smile.
Third and last things they learn for now. That Crow Armbrust, alongside other members of Class VII, lost someone very important. It was not new information for them, but the interaction just now confirmed their suspicion.
In the last civil war, someone from Class VII died.
-oOo-
-White Scolecite-
White Scolecite can mean manifesting everything you desire into your life. It is used as a resource for people struggling to take, or regain, control of their lives.
It was already late at night, and the small town of Leeves was already bare from any people outside. Yet he was still here, sitting at one of the benches while staring at the night sky. The sky was dark, with a certain blue color hue.
Made him remember a certain someone's hair.
He immediately shook his head, trying his best to make sure his mind didn’t spiral down to that . He switched his thoughts toward the event that happened in Saint Arc. Ouroboros made their move again.
After their absence for some time now, they appeared just like that. With new enforcers and new weapons. Then… the supposed-to-be-dead Jaeger King. Anddd, another important thing. A new divine knight. Fuck his life, he didn’t get paid enough to get involved in this craziness!
Crow should really ask Vita more about Divine Knight before accepting the trial. But teenagers driven by revenge were not famous for their clear minds. He wondered how Rean felt when he found out about the new divine knight and the craziness that happened. Pretty sure the younger would only accept his fate and roll with it.
And again, his mind went to that person again. He slowly massages the space between his eyes, ever since seeing the new Divine knight, he couldn’t get enough sleep.
Nightmares suck.
Years might have already passed, but sometimes, whenever Crow shut his eyes… the images were still there. Lilac eyes that stared blankly, black hair with blue hue, clothes and ground stained with blood… Parting words, then a beautiful smile... that stained with blood.
Slowly, he let out a breath
Crow then reached toward one of his pockets, and took out a small coin. A small 50 mira coin, the very same one that he took from Rean’s room. The very coin that connected him and Rean. He let out a weak laugh seeing this coin.
This small thing was his and Rean’s beginning, a small little thing. Yet, it was very precious to him and Rean. It was the only thing besides memories and one notebook, that he could keep about Rean.
Hand slowly clutched the coin.
“Hey, Rean. If you’re here now… I think you will make a good instructor. A damn good one. Your patience is on par with a saint after all. But too bad…” Crow leaned back at the bench, face facing the sky, expression slowly morphed into a pained smile.
“…You are not here.” His free hand slowly reached out toward the sky, like trying to grasp the stars in the sky. “Are you there Rean? Watching over me? Over all of us? I wonder what your reaction is knowing that I became an instructor.”
Crow suddenly let out a chuckle. “Somehow, your deadpan and disbelief expression just appeared in my mind. I can even imagine what you will say to me…”
Crimson eyes glistened, and one tear slowly fell down from the corner of his eye. Lips tugging up into a bitter smile.
“Hey Rean… I miss you.”