By: Kage Ookami

Halloween Soil

Prologue:

Legends. Stories scattered through time. Mankind has grown quite fond of recounting the exploits of heroes and villains, forgetting so easily that we are remnants, byproducts of a forgotten past. Man, born from dust, was strong, wise, and resourceful. But he was born into an unforgiving world. An inevitable darkness, creatures of destruction, the creatures of Grim, set their sights on man and all of his creations. These forces clashed, and it seemed the darkness was intent on returning man's brief existence to the void.

However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change, and in time, man's passion, resourcefulness, and ingenuity led them to the tools that would help even the odds. This power was appropriately named, "Dust." Nature's wrath in hand, man lit their way through the darkness, and in the shadow's absence, came strength, civilization, and most importantly, life. But even the most brilliant lights eventually flicker and die. And when they are gone. . . Darkness will return. So, you may prepare your guardians. . . Build your monuments to a so-called free world, but take heed. . . There will be no victory in strength.

"But perhaps victory is in the simpler things that you've long forgotten. Things that require a smaller, more honest soul."

Welcome, to Remnant.

Chapter 1: The Rookie

A girl stood alone beneath a broken moon in a calm looking clearing within a shadowy forest. Her black cape blew gently in the wind, and her jet black hair with purple streaks shifted slightly in the same direction, showing a little skull beret resting on the right side of her head, before her hair settled down just past her neck, and her eyes shined a bright purple color. Her skin was as pale as snow, yet so very fair it almost shined in the night-light. The wind picked up and blew away her cape, and she looked up in slight surprise to see it float away before sighing and looking back at some blank object in the distance. She blinked once and looked down at her clothes. A black shirt and combat skirt with purple linings along the sides that came together at the center to form a faded purple star.

She turned her eyes to the left as eight more shadowed figures walked out quietly from the tree line behind her. All eight were Beowolves, their fangs as white as the almost bone like structures protruding from their skulls and backs. One that stood at the center of the pack on its hind legs growled, much more bone like structures decorating it as the alpha of the pack. It growled, but the girl merely smiled as she frowned at it, "Finally you show up," She placed her right hand on her hip and pointed at the creatures, "My name is Sora Starling! I'm a student at Combat School! And I'm here to destroy you in a totally awesome way!" She shouted at the creatures.

The alpha of the pack growled with growing anger, and the creatures around the alpha began to draw closer to the girl.

She looked up and gave a cocky smile, "You're not going to survive against me!" She shouted while placing both hands at her hips, smiling with a confidant gaze aimed at the entire pack. The creatures showed no hesitation as they drew closer and closer. The alpha finally snarled loudly, and the Beowolves growled in response before charging towards Sora, hate and blood lust shining in their eyes.

Sora widened her stance, lowered herself a bit, and picked up her hands, "Bring it on!" The first one swung down both its claws, but Sora spun to the right, kicked her leg out for a clean roundhouse kick that shattered the creatures head. She suddenly jumped into a backflip to avoid another claw slash from one of the other creatures. She landed close to the creature, and punched out with full force to send the next one flying into another, killing one while the other tried to stand back up. Sora ducked as one of the larger ones swiped to the side of her. She then swooped its feet out from under it and caused the massive creature to fall down on its back, hitting its head hard, and knocking him out. She then got into a crouched position so she could jump into the air as the next two of the creatures swung their claws at her lower body.

Sora smiled and kicked her legs out into an aerial split to kick both of them clean in the face for an easy kill that destroyed their skulls. Another one with a serrated claws swung down quickly as she barely touched the ground, and it snarled hungrily as it readied itself to kill. Sora gave a cocky grin and pulled a black rod out from her pocket. It shot out into a sword that was cut in the middle so as to allow for two blades on one hilt. She blocked the claws and spun around to cut the creatures arm off, stab the blade into its neck, and then fire a bullet straight out of its skull before pulling the blade out. One of the creatures stood back up and ran forward to strike her, but she sliced with lightning speed to remove both its arms before kicking it back into the tree line it had come from. The last of the pack that was obeying the Alpha looked at its leader nervously, only to see it snarl at him. That creature then looked to Sora and started to claw its way towards her.

She took a knee and arched her body to the side while the sword folded back and extended a gun barrel out, while retracting the hilt, so the sword became a long barreled rifle. She pointed it up at the creature while it had its claws raised, but it stopped itself from moving and started to stumble back. Sora held her position and watched the creature turn tale and run away in fear.

The Alpha shook its head and crouched before charging towards her. Sora grinned and aimed her gun at it, "Come on then! Show me you're worth that bounty!" She shouted as the creature jumped at her. She fired a shot and rolled out of the way as it landed right where she was moments ago. Sora stood up straight and looked down at her outfit to see a claw mark going through the side of the skirt. "Ugh, do you know how long it took me to make this? Finding this in my size is hard as is! And I hate going out shopping!" Sora cried out as the creature growled and came after her again. "Fine then, semblance it is then," she said as she aimed her gun at the creature. Her eyes glowed neon for a short moment as she seemed to analyze the creature with inhuman focus, and as the creature readied to pounce she fired a shot and then rolled out of the way as the creature suddenly slid past where she was and slammed into a tree. "Weak spot, right above the left shoulder near the neck, maybe next time you'll better protect yourself," she said as she watched the body begin to vanish. "Finally… Now to call the authorities for my reward," she said with a hungry grin at the thought of a reward.

After some time had passed, Sora watched the authorities scouring the area she had been in, ensuring the Grimm creatures were truly dealt with. She stayed watching for a moment before finally turning back to the man she was speaking with, who had called her name three times before she even remembered he was there. "So then . . . Sora Starling . . . I would say good job, but you both never took an official contract and that was also very incredibly dangerous work you did out there tonight."

Sora rubbed the back of her head and laughed nervously, "Y-Yeah well I was just out for a stroll and they came out of nowhere, so I just had to defend myself you know?"

The man frowned, "Well then . . . As the chief of the police's bounty division, I give you the reward of two hundred Lien for the creatures slain, as well as four hundred for taking care of the pack leader. Despite you not officially taking this contract." He backed up slightly in surprise as Sora's eyes flashed in excitement at hearing such high numbers.

He held out a sky blue plastic card for her, which she reached for greedily. He pulled it away and Sora snapped back to reality, "Uh . . . Roland? What uh . . . What are you doing exactly? I'm supposed to be paid right? So just give me my money." She said while trying to grasp the card he held above her just out of arm's length. "Hey! Come on stop it!" Roland looked down and glared, which caused Sora to recoil back and shake a bit. "Roland? What did I do?"

He sighed and handed her the money. "Sora . . . You're not a kid anymore, stop trying to run off and have all these adventures, what would your father say if he knew you were taking contracts from the Bounty Board at the police station? Without permission from us or him I might add. You nearly gave him and your mother a heart attack when you wanted to run off and become a Huntress at one of those academies, and I know it was hard enough for him to say yes to that, so why on earth would you be doing this? You've still got another year of combat school!"

Sora looked down sadly, "I . . . I just don't want him to have to worry so much. I really want to be a Huntress . . . I want to be a hero, and fight to protect my world and everyone in it."

Roland laughed softly, "I think that this might worry him even more, I know it's hard proving to parents that you can do this, but you need to realize that they're just worrying over you because they love you. I know they are stressed enough about letting your older brother go to Atlas Academy so far away tomorrow afternoon. It's almost a full day away by airship, and even if it is the major academy he's earned a spot in to become a Huntsmen, they're still worried sick about him. You're the only child they have left with just a year to go at combat school."

Sora sighed, "I know I know . . . I just want to try to make enough money and get the reputation to go to Beacon Academy in the kingdom Vale."

"Is that so," asked a new voice. A man in a dark black coat with a black vest, green sweater, gray hair and glasses walked up from a few police cars with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Thank you officer, I'd like to have a moment to talk to her if that's alright." The new man asked. The officer didn't seem to even resist as he turned around and left without another word. "So, you want to go to Beacon Academy you say?" The man asked with interest.

"It's my dream school! I've always wanted to become a Huntress and attend there, my brother told me all about it when some of his upperclassmen friends went there! But um . . . Who are you exactly?" She asked.

The man perked up at hearing Sora's dream to get into one of the major academies in the world of Remnant. "You don't know who I am?" He asked with a small smile and tired eyes.

"No? Are you famous? I don't really remember famous people too well." Sora said nervously.

"I am Professor Ozpin."

"… Wait… What?" She asked with shock.

"Hello," he answered back.

"THE PROFESSOR OZPIN?! THE HEADMASTER OF BEACON?!" Sora suddenly shouted with both shock at not noticing him, and awe at finally noticing him.

"Again, Hello. . . You really want to get into my school?" He asked her.

She looked up with a flaming passion in her eyes, "It's been my lifelong dream ever since I heard the stories about Huntsmen and Huntresses, and their adventures in defeating monsters."

Ozpin took a sip from his mug and thought to himself. "You're absolutely certain you want to go to that school?" Sora nodded, "My big brother Fenris is already attending Atlas since he's always been a military kind of guy, so I figured I'd go to one that fits me and Beacon just sounds so cool! I mean I can't compete with my big brother and his grades or skill, but I'm just wanting to go to Beacon so badly because being a Huntress would just be so cool! I mean I want to see new things, go on adventures and just . . . You know, just have fun and get stronger! Being a Huntress and helping people while looking so called would just be," She squealed at the thought of being one and stared at Ozpin with wonder, "There are no words!"

Ozpin smiled and laughed, "Well listen . . . I have an interesting proposition for you and your family to hear out. . . First, I want you to go home and pack your belongings."

Sora looked up confused, "Pack . . . My belongings?"

Ozpin nodded, "Just in case, you see Sora I believe one of your skill and passion is what would fit in with my academy. So I would like to invite you to join right away, and as students all across the kingdoms leave tomorrow, I need to talk to your parents right away about it."

"I GET TO GO TO BEACON?!" Sora asked excitedly.

"Indeed, tomorrow you'll just need to go to the station and board the airship to Vacuo, technical difficulties have made it to where you and a few other ships will be picking up students there before heading to Beacon Academy in Vale. It'll be a long trip, so pack your things." He turned to walk away, but looked back before getting too far, "By the way, it's a good thing you wanted to go to my school, any other and I would have kept my mouth shut. Do you need a ride home?

"I can get home just fine."

Ozpin nodded, "Very well, stay safe, Sora." He began to walk off and as soon as he was out of sight, Sora jumped in the air with excitement.

"Oh wow! I'm going to be going to Beacon academy! Oh my god this is so awesome!"

She giggled with joy as she laughed with sheer excitement while running off into the night towards the city, not once ever looking back.