Комната Историй / The Room of the Stories: Глава 3

Act 1. Chapter 3

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:07

Author's Note:

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:14

I'll say a few things.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:14

1) Three months. This chapter took three months to write, and I'm not happy with it. Too much time was spent simply doing nothing. So I'll try to get my writing schedule back on track, hoping I can write two more chapters before the new year...

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:15

2) Writing via phone is Hell. My respect to all authors who write their stories through phones. You are truly something.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:15

3) This chapter... I didn't like it. Maybe after the War Games Arc, I'll do a remake. But if you like it, I'll leave it as it is.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:15

That's all, and as usual, Light Jester was with you, see you soon! And I'll go to bed...

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:16

* * *

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:16

All this happened in an instant. As soon as Miss Goodwitch's back disappeared behind the door, madness reigned in the room. Students were laughing or were in shock, depending on how well they knew Jaune and the CRDL team. After all, it was the last lines written by “High Priest Russell” that made everyone freeze at the beginning, and then react in their own way.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:44

For example, Yang and Nora laughed so hard that tears of pain appeared in their eyes. Jaune opened and closed his mouth like a fish thrown out on land, not having the strength to answer anything. Ruby and Emerald also laughed, but not as loudly as the blonde and the orange head, while they supported each other so as not to fall to the floor; even Weiss froze as if she had heard the most ridiculous and impossible thing in the whole world, but she had neither the strength nor the desire to laugh at this nonsense. The rest showed a more or less normal reaction.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:45

Blake, although she was smiling, “What did I just hear?” was reading in her eyes. The champion sitting to Jaune's left also smiled slightly as she looked at her leader, but unlike the others, she was glad that Team CRDL had abandoned their ideas about Jaune. Perhaps they could even become friends...

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:47

As for the rest...

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:17

Ozpin smiled slightly, as did Ren, but unlike the guy, he hid his smile behind a mug of coffee. Cinder sitting to the headmaster's right, could only blink silently as her mind tried to process what she had heard. And when she realized what she had heard, she did not laugh or smile, she simply shook her head. But Neo showed much more reaction, unlike the black-haired one. She, resting her forehead on the table, shook as if in a fit, although not a single sound was heard, but her eyes, now hidden from people’s attention, shimmered with many colors, showing the true mood of the mute girl.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:49

And the only one who did not react in any way to the words spoken was Mercury Black. He was silent while his gaze was directed forward, no one knows where, no one knows why, but if someone looked into them now, he would see the incredible. It was as if a supernova was being born in the guy’s eyes, but unlike an astronomical phenomenon, this flash was nothing more than a harbinger of a brilliant idea. As if by magic, the guy’s lips began to widen into a wide grin, and his face began to fill with awareness and admiration. And the next moment...

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:49

He slammed his hand on the table, causing everyone to literally choke on the air and look at him. Already standing on his feet and smiling the widest smile, Mercury looked at all of them. Yes, at some point, Mercury even regretted what he had done since Cinder’s gaze did not promise anything good, but the guy swallowed a lump and, mentally hoping that his employer would not burn him in front of strangers, opened his mouth.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:26

"Have you realized this?!" the guy looked at every person in the room. "Did you realize what the book wanted to tell us?! What did the one who locked us in this room want to say?! Did you understand?!"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:27

"Got what?!" Weiss raised her voice, feeling that if this guy didn't shut up, she would turn him into an ice sculpture. Mercury, seeing the look of the heiress, felt something was wrong, so he cleared his throat several times and then continued in a normal voice.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:27

"We're stuck in these rooms for a purpose, aren't we? I mean,” Mercury waved his hands sharply when he saw Weiss’s narrowed gaze. "We were given books, most of which are empty, and only this one!" the guy pointed his finger at the lying book. "was not empty like the others! Why?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:28

Everyone thought about it.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:18

"Because it's the first?" Blake shrugged, to which Mercury looked at her.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:29

"Then, don't you think we'll have to read all the books that are currently in the closet, hmm?" all eyes focused on the multitude of books, which with just one glance caused pure horror in some students. Well, except for Blake, of course. "If we have to read all these books, then let me tell you, it will take us much more time than a day or a week! I, unlike you, am talking about something else!"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:30

Once again, something in Mercury's gaze made Jaune flinch. The blonde swallowed a lump, not understanding where this bad feeling came from. Others, on the contrary, listened to the silver guy. He smiled and then continued.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:31

"When we first got stuck here, the closet was closed, wasn't it?" Having received nods, Mercury continued. "But for this, we needed to know where the key was in order to open it and read the books. Headmaster Ozpin,” the guy nodded to the headmaster. "was able to get the key only because the one who locked us here knew Ozpin and what he would do!"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:32

Ozpin frowned, sensing some logic in the boy's words.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:18

"So why, I ask you, why did we decide that reading a book is our goal or solution for the liberation of us all?! Why?!"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:33

"Because it’s logical, idiot,” Emerald yawned, closing one eye. And then, she looked with her remaining eye at the guy who continued to stand to her left. "All books are empty, this one is not. What are your problems?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:34

"I don’t have them, Emy,” Emerald grimaced but didn’t say anything. "But that’s not what I was talking about..."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:35

Mercury looked around all the people in the room again and then continued.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:35

"I talked about what if in this book," the finger was again pointed at the book. "Are there other clues that can lead us to freedom?!"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:36

"Hints?" many students asked in one voice. Weiss shook her head and then looked back at the silver-haired boy. "What hints? Where did you even see them?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:43

“In the end,” the guy said with a slight smile. "In the end."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:44

Silence.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 19:21

"Okay,” Emerald turned away and stared at the other people in the room, starting to ignore her partner. "What suggestions do you have to protect us from the influence of my distraught partner?"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 05:58

“You don’t understand,” Mercury shook his head. "Listen, what if we were locked up for this?! In order to create a new religion, headed by Jaune Arc - our Master, who will become a symbol of the era of Humanity!"

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:00

"Hmm, maybe freeze him with ice?" Weiss joined the conversation with Emerald, also starting to ignore the guy. Others just widened their eyes and looked at the young guy. Jaune also looked at Mercury and in the blond's gaze, one could read only horror at the prospect that Mercury was trying to foist on them.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:01

It wasn't even crazy, it was simply impossible! Who would even want to create a religion, or should I say a cult that praised him- Jaune Arc, who was just an ordinary seventeen year old boy, who only after entering Beacon realized what Aura was and that it was mandatory for admission?! Any student ten times better than him, so why did Mercury even propose this idea!?! Jaune felt a bitter residue on his tongue, remembering his thoughts the moment he agreed to the guy's request to sit next to him. He had thought that Mercury was a nice and rather normal guy....

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:17

How wrong Jaune was. Mercury was a madman, and his eyes, which now burned with a fanatical fire, only proved it. Fortunately, no one will want to accept this stupid, terrible, and, most importantly, impossible idea. Yes. Exactly…

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:01

Slowly, the blond turned his head to the left, hoping to see a skeptical look on his partner's face. But unfortunately, his dreams and thoughts were not destined to come true. Pyrrha, eyes widening, was looking at Mercury and seemed absorbed in the silver-haired lad's speech. It was at that moment Jaune regretted leaving the innocent and sweet Pyrrha in the clutches of the disgusting creature whose name was Mercury Black.

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:18

//"I wonder if this is how they brainwash people in the sects." - Jaune thought indifferently, paying attention to the guy and his speech, which was getting hotter and hotter, and the audience didn't even try to stop him. It probably didn't make things any better either that Jaune noticed the glances of Nora and Yang, who were looking at Mercury with interest. "God... if you are there, please... stop Mercury Black and his crazy speech. I don't want to see my friends brainwashed, I don't want to hear endless praise from Pyrrha. Please make it go back to the way it was! Please don't add Mercury Black to my life!!!"

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:19

Perhaps Jaune's prayers did reach the Gods, or perhaps it was just a coincidence, but nevertheless, Cinder Fall did what Jaune wanted with all his heart. She silenced Mercury Black.

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:20

"Black, enough,” Cinder said two words, but the guy fell silent as if in an instant he became mute. After standing still for a while, the guy finally sat down, leaving the listeners in shocked silence, and then the students, as if rehearsing, said in one voice:

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:02

"How did you do that?!" all eyes focused on the third-year student while she silently cursed the culprit of all this. But she still had to answer, so taking a big breath, she began to speak.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:04

"I'm his leader," Cinder said simply as if it were obvious. But those words only caused even more attention from the students, mostly from the reaper alone. After a bit of silence, the Maiden decided to ask a follow-up question. "Shouldn't the team obey the leader? Or is it different for you?"

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:20

Fall even smiled slightly as she noticed the teens stiffen a bit in their seats. Some even looked away. Apparently they were not used to the idea of their leaders acting like... Leaders? Although, the young Shnee's gaze had warmed somehow.

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:21

And Cinder Fall knew all too well why.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:04

//"Atlas," Cinder thought dismissively, stifling the urge to grin haughtily. Instead, she turned to Mercury and continued aloud: "Mercury sometimes gets so bad that I have to calm his violent temper myself. I guess he inherited something from his father after all. Right, Mercury?"

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:21

And from her sweet smile, Mercury awoke the desire to run away somewhere far away, it was too scary to see this smile on the Maiden’s face.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.24 в 06:05

"Yeah," the boy said weakly, hearing his partner laughing quietly. Except, even Cinder's words couldn't stop his idea, she had him too caught up in its... Insanity? Maybe. In the end, it didn't matter so much. "Yeah, Cinder's right, I do get a little crazy sometimes. But, come to think of it, why not?"

Camrad_RIP 23.06.24 в 08:22

And again, irritated sighs were heard in the room.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:50

"Guys, I’m just proposing an idea,” Mercury threw up his hands. “But when we find out that this was our key to liberation, then do not ask me for forgiveness or, to your deepest shame, a rank higher than the henchman in my Church of Jaune!”

Camrad_RIP 15.06.24 в 18:52