Layla wasn't the first case the teachers had seen before. She had the makings of a great huntress, albeit one for more independent assignments. She was introverted, but social when necessary. Her style of battle was crafted to be independent of outside help, but leaves areas where teammates could capitalize on them should she have any. In all honesty, she was a girl with a bright future. But despite such promising features, there was one thing many were worried about.

Bloodthirsty. Ozpin had coined the term when he gave Layla a general overview after her few weeks attending classes. It spoke in her movements, her attacks, and her general body language in the presence of others. Her eyes would always dart towards someone's weapon then to the most accessible weak points, trace amounts of bloodlust would leak before receding just as quickly. Was she aware of her condition? Who could say, but the fact remained that she was always ready to pounce into battle.

But this type of situational awareness and paranoia usually came from those with questionable backgrounds and war veterans. Neither seemed applicable to such a young lady. Checking her background never showed any signs of conflict that would alter a previously civilian child's mindset. The only lead that they had would be the month long disappearance case the police had taken into account as unsuccessful, but considering the clues upon her return to Vale, many possibilities popped up.

The obvious had been Roman Torchwick's personal interest in her recruitment, and her recently developed skills to combat a high profile criminal. The pieces more or less fit that she had some affiliation with the White Fang. How, none of them knew, but her condition and background were the only leads they had.

It was a subject that required delicacy to mention, should there be secrets left behind by the girl. Ozpin was forgiving enough to those with questionable secrets so long as they do not harm his students. His own were dangerous enough already.

But this attack required information, one that could be given by the person standing before him. The being that went after Layla was nothing he had ever seen in his long life, and he highly doubted that witch would want one particular student.

As his student quivered under Miss Goodwitch's gaze, he focused his attention on the man beside her. And it unnerved him to no end. The overflowing stench of blood that surrounded him was palpable, yet it wasn't wild. It was focused, finely sharpened by combat of several decades. If Layla's inability to control her instincts was a result of mere weeks, then the man before him was centuries old.

Ozpin cleared his throat, addressing Goodwitch to stop grilling the child.

"Well, I suppose I'll get straight to the point," he glanced and acknowledged the male. "What attacked my student?"

Subtle changes in his stance happened, movement that seemed almost apprehensive. Hesitation, conflict, and resolution, all expressed within seconds of change in posture.

"An old nemesis of my brothers and sisters, one I did not expect to appear in such an isolated world," it replied, a grave undertone beneath a stoic and monotone voice.

"This world? You mean, they exist outside of Remnant?" Glynda gave him a skeptical look before gesturing to move on.

"It would be prudent to be open minded in this situation. They are abominations that have ravaged countless worlds, ones far more advanced than your own."

Its hand glowed, palm facing up, projecting an identical image of the creature.

"A tool turned weapon, gaining sentience and retaliated against their masters. What attacked was simply a part, an insignificant fragment of a greater whole. How apt that they are simply called Sentients."

Layla stared intently at the image, brief flashes of the attack running through her head. Not out of fear or horrid flashback, but the analysis of mistakes she made. Her position, lack of defense and reaction to a hostile enemy. She examined its limbs, blunt and long. The strength behind those would constitute for parrying instead of outright blocking, maybe evasion. A small curse escaped her lips at her inexperience, at the feeling of insignificance she posed against such an opponent.

The Tenno merely gave a mental sigh at the child's grimace and body language. The feeling of inadequacy was often a common feeling to deal with, especially to those who have just been given a chance to prove their worth. It was a familiar sight from the few untouched memories remaining from the War. What worth are the struggles of a newly branded retinue of soldiers in the face of the overwhelming power from the Orokin's personal attack dogs? It was, however, up to those individuals to decide whether to accept that as fact or push forward. Praise was artificial and fleeting, but results were evident and solid, existing within the confines of reality that gives meaning to their lives. It would let the faunus continue training consistently, no matter their request for more arduous regiments. Those of this planet were hardy, but it did not mean they were invincible.

"Their physiology exists to crush the opposition by high speed assimilation and adaptation of the world's technology, effectively nullify any form of armed resistance against them."

"Then how were you able to harm it with your weapon?"

"Like every other creature that exists, it has weaknesses," the image vanished. "In this case, I am that weakness. My abilities are a poison, a plague to their kind. And that plague extends to my weapons."

"But if what you say is true," Glynda interjected, "then you'd be facing an army by yourself. Humans and Faunus can only go for so long before they get overwhelmed, no matter how effective they are at killing. You would only tire yourself out going up against something like this."

He huffed, or an equivalent of one for a Tenno, before turning to the woman. "Perhaps, but the limits you assume I can handle severely underestimate my capabilities, but that is neither here nor there.

"The main threat remains present and waiting, possibly recovering from a centuries long war. Regardless, your planet is now threatened by forces you all are incapable of handling."

The last few words were spoken matter-of-factly, like a simple throwaway comment. There was no urgency, no sense of hate against an apparent nemesis, only a cold logical statement. To Layla, she merely shook her head, too used to such responses regarding dangerous situations.

Were any of the other students present, or god forbid Ironwood, there would be an uproar for either proof or complete mobilization to prove their military might.

"I see, and are you sure we can't do anything against this threat?"

"The lethality of your weapons lack in comparison to my own, but the basis is similar. Below acceptable firepower, but with the presence of Dust, provide a small advantage and a degree of modification."

Reaching behind his back, the golden scythe materialized into existence. Crackling green lightning arched across the ivory blade, the incarnation of Orokin perfection hanging lazily in his grip.

Layla's breath nearly hitched when it was handed over to her. The weight was immense, but properly balanced. She was careful of handling something so beautiful, so perfect, in fear of staining its shine, to taint the purity of this holy weapon.

"I've taken interest in the concept of Aura and Semblance, as it is a trait I have not observed in previous worlds. The limits seem to vary, but I can only assume that it shares certain properties to my own general abilities, due to an absence of proper subjects and controlled environments," its head turned towards Layla. "Attempt to channel your Aura into my weapon."

She nodded, letting her soul flow. It was a strange sensation compared to doing so with her own weapon. For a while, she felt nothing, merely a steady stream around the weapon's shaft and lower blade distributed evenly towards the main blade. Upon touching, she felt the residue of power left when her master used it to cut through the Sentient. A foreign substance that touched and overwhelmed her with the horrors of the beyond, as well as its wonders. But more than that, she felt herself drained, like the fatigue of battle had taken her after her Aura had enveloped the blade for mere seconds.

"While weak, this planet's denizens share a small shard of what makes myself and my brothers and sisters toxic to Sentients," he observed, taking back the weapon and channeling it properly. "However, you may have a small chance of fighting back a single one should you use properly forged weapons and well planned attacks. Though, a small squadron will likely eliminate you, should they be comprised of a variety of units."

Ozpin and Glynda watched in subdued concern at the display, before the female professor walked and helped the kneeling student up, allowing her to lean against her side.

"Hmm, this simply a lot to take in. While I have more questions, perhaps Ms. Brimstark would like to retire for now. Our guest here will follow you shortly. Glynda, would you kindly escort her back to the dorms?"

The professor nodded, lightly guiding the girl's back towards the elevator. As soon as the lights fall lower, Ozpin returned his gaze to the stoic giant. His eyes rarely ever lie when it came to judging someone's character, and even with his old stare, he found nothing of note to recognize. If not for the man standing before him, he barely felt the presence, like a passing breeze.

So he stood and took up his cane, leisurely walking towards the window, and looked towards Vale.

"Perhaps, you could shed some light to this planet's past, should your tale be true."

"The history of your planet can only be assumed to be the machinations and tampering of Orokin researchers. How it has affected the present only concerns me when it is deemed dangerous," the Tenno crossed its arms across its chest. "Your artifact is sealed, secured by a specific energy signature. Each resonate differently in order to trigger the mechanism. A wise investment."

Ozpin narrowed his eyes and glared dangerously towards the man, finding himself looked upon an equally dangerous faceless stare.

"I hold little interest towards your trinkets, and its powers. It is considerably weakened without a proper wielder, one I can assume is beyond the borders of Vale." It replied, its interest seemingly nonexistent to the buried item.

Ozpin relaxed, and looked to the distance, to the monsters beyond the walls. There were more than he'd realized. Now they faced a war on two fronts.

"Will you truly help, to secure a future for these children?"

"For them, and more."

-

Layla laid on the bed of her new room, the fatigue in her body slowly fading. She returned her thoughts to that weapon. It was so simple, yet elegant. No complicated machinery to transform, no secondary functions to fulfill. She had never truly gazed upon the weapon in that light, merely the flashing blur of golden destruction it wrought on its enemies. But such thoughts fail to reach the forefront of her mind to those that overwhelmed her senses.

Her soul had touched it, enveloped it in its entirety. She never felt in control during her short time wielding it. It's presence was unimaginable, history a millennia old. She was but a child holding the weapon of a god. Those… immaculate figures, silhouettes of utterperfection. They were watching an insignificant creature first discover its unimportant existence before turning away to more entertaining views.

Insignificance. A simple word that kept her in an unending loop of pain that throbbed like the pounding of drums.

It was a painful and merciless truth upon her discovery, yet how could she deny it? It was easy to see her existence as a simple soldier trying to reach higher into the realms of those divine creatures. But she felt it there, in the presence of their glory, the darkness within that weapon's edge. An executioner's blade, willed by the darkest intentions instead of the holiest tasks. There was a taint, a horrifictumor within their golden majesty.

She rubbed her forehead to ease the pain again. Taint? How could they be? Those perfect creatures, divinity made flesh, couldn't possibly be marred by such earthly flaws.

We are there to serve, to follow orders of our immaculate masters. To endure the pain for our insignificance.

Layla growled at that statement. Servitude through pain? To be stepped on for the sake of… no she wasn't like that anymore. She was no one's servant, a faunus of her own will. To serve anyone, even those majestic creatures would be… an hono-

Shut up… Shut up dammit! Her nails dug in, trying to silent those condescending voices. I'm stronger now! I can make a difference!

"It seems you've done more than just channel your aura," the Tenno commented, standing over her curled body.

Layla tiredly looked up, snapped away from the screams, eyes hazy and confused. Willing what little strength her body could muster, she sat up to meet the Tenno.

"What am I seeing?" The question was barbed with irritation, even anger. "All these people, covered in so much gold. They just keep appearing all over my head, telling me things."

"An echo of the past, history etched into weapon by the Void. It seems I did not think through my actions and their consequences."

She wanted to snap back with a comment, an attack, but she reeled it in. It wasn't her, it was the damned pain in her head that was making her irritable. She just needed it to stop for a moment, a single second of piece from it all so she could actually think and process everything else that happened today.

And then she felt the cooling hand of her teacher on her head. The pain slowly faded, a dulled voice vaguely humming a lullaby in the back of her head. A sound so familiar and loving, no she knew it well enough. An old song hummed during her younger years, of a memory that silently sat within the deepest recess of her mind. It was light, a chuckle of amusement from a woman before the familiar sensation of her hand touched the top of her head.

"The pain, has it receded?" The warframe's hand retreated back, their head in a slight tilt to the left.

"Y-yeah," she whispered back, touching the spot where the cool air slowly soothed the pain and her anger. "Th-thanks I needed that."

"A mistake to be reviewed and considered on my part. Shall I leave to let you rest?"

"N-no. I'm fine. Just… what did you do?"

The Tenno paused, almost coiled to answer before the barest hint of hesitation stopped the answer. It again pondered for a second time, one lasting twice as long as the one during the meeting.

"You… exhibited symptoms of an ailment I am familiar with," Layla found it strange, of how the monotone voice was more, gentle. "It is one of normal occurrence when experiencing an echo from the Void. Often times, it would feature constant pain and irritability, so I simply provided a… passed down treatment."

"O-ooh. T-then am I gonna get those headaches again?"

"No, so long as you… keep what you have felt when the pain starts." He was silent after that, arm now hanging limply on the side before turning to look at the window. She stayed silent and waited, confused at the sudden silence.

"It would be best for you to rest before assuring your mother and friends about your condition. They will ask questions, so I suggest abstaining from the truth until your headmaster deems it necessary to inform them."

"B-but why? Wouldn't it mean that more people would be prepared to go up against these Sentients?"

"Secrets are easier to contain when it is isolated from the populace. Should knowledge regarding our meeting be known, it will spread and create chaos. This problem will be handled in the shadows, in order to prevent widespread panic. Anything more, and the risk of insurgents taking advantage of it will plunge your kingdoms into disarray. Understood?"

"Right… I'll do that."

The Tenno nodded, turning its back to open the door. It stopped mid turn when he felt the hug behind him. It was brief, but to both parties, it felt longer than it was.

"For w-what's it worth, thanks for everything you've done for me. I mean it." Layla whispered out.

The Tenno grunted in affirmation. Layla had done what she wanted to do, but she never expected a firm, but gentle pat on her head in response. It was awkward, stiff, and completely unnatural for someone she's been with for a decent amount of time.

But she smiled all the same.

A/N: Y'know, I hate info dump chapters, but when some secrets have to be revealed, I can't exactly help it.