The evening sky was painted in shades of orange and purple as Onyx Thorn approached a small village on the outskirts of Vale. His eyes scanned the surroundings, a familiar tension in the air. Bandits had been attacking nearby settlements for days, and it was clear this village was their next target.
"Stay in the sidecar, Hemera," Onyx instructed, his voice calm but firm as he turned to his adopted daughter, who was nestled safely inside the Shadow Phantom's sidecar. Her silver eyes sparkled with concern, but she nodded obediently.
"Papa, be careful," Hemera called out, her voice small but full of worry. "Don't let them hurt you."
Onyx gave her a reassuring smile, the weight of his responsibility clear in his eyes. "Don't worry, Little Light. I'll be back in a minute. Just stay here."
With that, Onyx stepped forward, his raven-colored hair flowing gently in the breeze. His Total Darkness Semblance activated almost instinctively as he surveyed the bandits gathered ahead, surrounding the village and terrorizing the civilians. His amethyst eyes flickered with a dangerous light as shadows wrapped around his form like a cloak. His enemies had no idea what they were about to face.
Onyx raised his hand, and the darkness responded. Dark Weapons formed from the shadows—sleek, razor-sharp blades, glowing faintly with a menacing amethyst hue. He gripped one of the weapons, and it hummed in the air, waiting for his command.
The bandits, seeing the lone figure standing against them, laughed dismissively, thinking him an easy target. One of them raised a crude sword and charged, only for Onyx to effortlessly sidestep. With a flick of his wrist, he swung his shadowy blade, and the bandit's weapon shattered upon contact, the shards of metal scattering in all directions. The bandit was knocked off balance and quickly subdued by a sharp strike to the chest.
Onyx didn't give them a chance to regroup. With a wave of his hand, he summoned Darkness Manipulation, and the entire area around him plunged into a thick, impenetrable shadow. The bandits froze, their eyes wide with panic. They couldn't see a thing. Their movements slowed, disoriented in the complete darkness that now engulfed them.
One by one, they tried to swing blindly in the dark, but Onyx's shadows guided him effortlessly. His Dark Weapons cut through the air with precision, each strike landing with deadly accuracy. He moved through the bandits like a shadow himself—silent, fast, and lethal.
From the outside, the village appeared quiet, but the sounds of battle were drowned out by the overwhelming presence of Onyx's Semblance. The darkness became his ally, allowing him to control the battlefield with a ruthless efficiency.
With another surge of energy, Onyx summoned Dragon Blasters, skeletal dragon heads made of dark energy that circled above him. They fired concentrated beams of destructive force, disintegrating the last few bandits who dared to try and fight back.
When the dust settled, Onyx stood alone, the shadows receding from around him. The bandits were all either incapacitated or fleeing, their attempts to threaten the village utterly broken.
Onyx turned toward the sidecar, his expression softening as he approached Hemera. The darkness melted away, leaving only the fading light of the setting sun. Hemera was standing beside the sidecar, her silver eyes wide with admiration.
"Papa, you did it!" she exclaimed, her voice full of excitement and relief.
Onyx knelt down, his heart swelling as she ran into his arms, her small arms wrapping around him in a tight hug. "I knew you could do it, Papa," Hemera whispered, her voice full of trust.
Onyx smiled warmly, his hand gently patting her back. "It's all over now, Little Light. You're safe."
Five Hours Later...
The sun had set, casting a soft orange glow over the village as the townspeople began the task of cleaning up after the chaos. Onyx had already dealt with the bandits, and the villagers were now working together to repair what had been damaged during the attack. It was a slow process, but the sense of relief was palpable.
Hemera, her silver eyes sparkling with joy, was playing with the village children near the outskirts of the village. Her laughter echoed through the air as she raced around, her boundless energy infectious. Onyx watched her from a distance, a small, content smile on his face. His little "Light" was always able to brighten even the darkest of situations.
He was still lost in thought when the familiar hum of a Bullhead caught his attention. His sharp eyes turned toward the sound, and moments later, the airship landed nearby. Out stepped Ozpin, accompanied by Glynda Goodwitch, their figures approaching with purpose.
Onyx turned away from the scene, facing the two as they walked up. His expression was calm, though there was a faint curiosity in his eyes.
Ozpin extended a hand in greeting, his voice steady and measured. "Onyx Thorn, I presume? I am Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy. This is Professor Glynda Goodwitch, my colleague."
Glynda nodded, her gaze thoughtful but professional. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Thorn. We've heard much about your remarkable skills."
Onyx's ears twitched slightly, sensing the weight behind their words. "I take it you're not here just to shake my hand," he said, his tone neutral but probing.
Ozpin gave a small, knowing smile. "You're correct. We've been following your progress for quite some time, Onyx. After hearing about your abilities and actions, I would like to offer you a position at Beacon Academy. Specifically, as a professor and Huntsman. You would be the youngest in history."
Onyx's expression remained unreadable, though his mind raced. A professor? He had never imagined staying in one place for long, let alone teaching.
"I'm not sure I'm the right fit for that," Onyx said, voice soft yet firm. "I've spent my life traveling. I don't know if I can stay in one place."
Ozpin met his gaze with understanding. "I realize it's a significant change, and I don't expect an immediate decision. You have time to think it over. This isn't something you need to decide right away."
Onyx stayed silent, his gaze drifting back to Hemera, who was now playing with the village children, her laughter light and carefree. A deep sense of responsibility stirred within him. Could he really give her the stability she needed while continuing his life as a wanderer?
"I'll give you all the time you need to consider it," Ozpin said, his tone gentle but firm. "Whatever your decision, I will respect it."
With that, Ozpin and Glynda turned back toward the Bullhead, leaving Onyx to contemplate their offer.
---
A Couple of Days Later...
It was late in the evening when the door to Onyx's cottage creaked open. Onyx had been sitting by the window, gazing out at the village, still wrestling with his thoughts. He could hear Hemera's soft breathing in the next room, her small form curled up in her bed. But tonight, he wasn't sure of anything.
The sound of boots on the floor made him turn. He was surprised to see Qrow Branwen step inside, his usual half-grin replaced by a more serious expression.
"Didn't expect you," Onyx remarked, his voice quiet but welcoming.
Qrow gave a dry chuckle, stepping further into the room. "Figured I'd find you still thinking about it. Ozpin didn't make it easy on you, huh?"
Onyx shook his head. "I don't know if I'm cut out for it. I've always been on my own. This... it's a lot to take in."
Qrow leaned against the wall, folding his arms. "I get it, kid. I really do. You've been running, living life on your terms. But there's something you're missing."
Onyx glanced up, his curiosity piqued. "What's that?"
Qrow's expression softened, his voice steady. "This isn't just about you anymore. Hemera deserves a home. She needs a place to grow up, somewhere stable. You can't keep running forever, Onyx. You've been taking care of her, keeping her safe, but she needs more than just safety. She deserves the kind of life you didn't have."
Onyx looked down, thinking of the young girl who had become his world. Hemera's smiling face flashed in his mind. Could he give her what she needed? Could he really stay in one place, give her a future that wasn't filled with uncertainty?
Qrow continued, his tone softening. "I know it's hard. I know it's a big change. But she needs you, and you need to think about what kind of life you want for her. It's not just about you anymore."
The silence stretched on as Onyx's gaze lingered on the floor, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. His thoughts were torn between his freedom and his responsibility as a father.
Finally, he looked up at Qrow, a quiet resolve in his eyes. "I'll do it. I'll go to Beacon. I'll make it work... for her."
Qrow smiled softly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and relief. "Good. You made the right choice, kid."
And just like that, Onyx had made his decision. He would go to Beacon, embrace the stability Hemera needed, and forge a new path—one where he wasn't just a wandering protector, but a father giving his daughter the life she deserved.