I: A Sun's Fire Dimmed, a Dragon's Spirit Shattered
Beep…
Beep…
Beep…
Once the final item is scanned, the cashier places it in the slightly full plastic bag and then hands it to the blonde woman in front of her. "That'll be 4216 lien."
After paying the proper amount, the woman turns to the exit, not replying to the cashier's 'Have a nice day'. As she leaves, the cashier couldn't help but notice the tied sleeve on her right side, where there should have been an arm. "I'm sorry for your loss."
The woman stops, turning her head to look at the cashier with a lilac eye. Calm and uninterested. However, what worries her is that the eye is dull and void of emotion. After a moment, the woman turns back while saying, "It's no big deal. I'm over it, anyway."
"Are you?" the cashier questions.
She stays quiet, but the cashier doesn't miss her hand gripping the bag handles harder, and she starts worrying if she stepped too far. However, the blonde merely walks away without a word. The cashier couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Outside, the young woman, Yang Xiao-Long, takes a deep breath to calm herself, releasing the tension in her hand. I don't care what other people think. I am over it. She has told herself that many, many times the last few months. By now she should believe it.
Her heart doesn't agree.
Her journey is uneventful, as always, and she soon arrives home. It's a small place, very homey. On the side is a stack of chopped wood, prepped and ready for the upcoming winter. A forest surrounds the clearing, offering some hiding protection from unwanted eyes. Despite the area it lays in, the nearest town is merely a mile through the woods, so travel isn't a problem.
Yes, this home is a good place to raise a family. In fact, Yang has many, many fond memories here.
If only she can jump back to those times. Any time is better than now.
Holding the bag in her mouth, she digs into her pocket for the keys. Once found and the right key picked, she inserts it in the lock when she spots a piece of paper hanging on the door. A note.
Sweetie,
I was called to a mission. Will be gone for a few days. Help yourself to anything! And if you decide to go out anytime, have fun!
Love, Dad
P.S. Don't forget to feed Zwei
Yang crumples the paper in her fist, a hint of anger appearing in her dead eyes. Unlocking the door, she enters and finds the house is empty, proof her father's absence. She huffs, dropping the keys and note on a nearby table. She really hates it when her dad leaves. That would mean she's alone, which would mean she has only her thoughts to occupy her, and those never lead to anything good.
Well, guess she'll have to find something else to distract her. Great.
After she puts the food she bought away, the blonde decides to see what's on TV. She grabs the controller and, once turning the television on, immediately turns to the news. Unfortunately, with the fall of Vale's Cross-Continental Transmit System, news from all over Remnant have been unable to spread as it did in the past. Luckily, they had a fail-safe, so major news is able to spread to all watchers. But only those that are major. Others, some more informational news, have trouble getting on televisions. Plus, communication is still next to impossible between kingdoms. Not all is lost, though.
Unfortunately, it all seems to be common news: slight shortage of Dust; Grimm becoming more active; stuff she heard last month. Too bad. She was hoping to hear something different. She wonders what, though. Perhaps something about her...sister...
Well, since there is nothing on the news channel, Yang starts reaching for the remote, but her hand instead grips something soft and furry. Looking over, she discovers her pet corgi, Zwei, who appeared out of nowhere. "Oh. Hey Zwei," she says, petting his head. The corgi yips at her in return and starts panting, enjoying the sensation. Yang smiles a bit, feeling an old joy from back then return. How Ruby and Weiss would cuddle and fondle over his adorableness, and Blake would try everything to stay away from him, despite Zwei's insistence to befriend her. However, the joy disappears as an old wound opens.
The blonde loses her smile and stops her petting, earning a confused whine from her dog. She starts reaching for the remote behind the corgi, but then Zwei snatches it and quickly jumps out of reach. Yang tries to get the controller again only for the dog to jump back a little more. "Zwei, cut it out."
He yips and hops off the couch before burrowing himself underneath it, taking the remote with him. Yang groans but bends down, looking through the darkness. "C'mon, Zwei; I'm not in the mood to play."
Unknown to the girl, the said-corgi crawled out from the couch and snuck behind her, the controller still in his jaw. He rears back, then bounces on Yang's butt, the force making her crash on the floor.
"Hey! Zwei!" she shouts, her eyes quickly turning crimson as she turns to the playful pup. The dog barks while jumping, not fazed by Yang's rage, before dashing down the hall and disappearing. Growling, the blonde gets up, ready to retrieve the controller back, when something on the TV catches her attention.
"To top off today's broadcast, we have information that the notorious terrorist group, the White Fang, have struck another town. Joining us today to give more on the story is Nichi Botsu, who was kind enough to record the interview and share it with all news channel."
The camera then switches to a young woman with orange hair and a suit with various colors of red, orange, and yellow. Slim glasses sit in front of her dark blue eyes, and a dark blue hat sits on top of her head. "Hello. Nichi Botsu here in the city of Tacyu, Mistral, where just four miles, the village of Ley-Ging was viciously attacked by the White Fang, making this the twelfth attack from the terrorist group since the Fall of Beacon. Unfortunately, we weren't able to properly interview any of the few survivors."
No surprise there, Yang thought bitterly, though she is slightly glad there's something different.
"We were able to interview General James Ironwood, who lead the counterattack and rescue team to Ley-Ging."
The camera zooms out, showing the general to the populace. When the blonde saw him, she almost didn't recognize him. Not including the new suit he now wears, his graying hair seems slightly ruffled, like he hasn't combed it, and he has a five o'clock shadow growing. His eyes also appear sterner and…guilt-ridden? Is she seeing that right?
Nichi asks, "So, General Ironwood, what do you have to say about the attacks? Are they as random as they appear?"
"As far as we know, yes," Ironwood answers. "There doesn't not seem to be any pattern to their attacks. However, that doesn't stop my army and me from heeding the call and coming to aid, to end the White Fang's terror."
"But, you were slightly unsuccessful, were you not?"
The general sighs, "Unfortunately, we were unable to help the city from the brunt of the attack. The White Fang were too deep into the city. We rescued as many as we could, but, I'm afraid there were too many casualties. My condolences to all those who were lost."
After a moment of silence for the dead, the reporter mentions, "I couldn't help but notice that you are still using the android soldiers to patrol the city. Aren't you afraid they'll go rogue again?"
"You do not have to worry. The technological division has taken note of the slight intrusion in our systems, and have taken action accordingly. They has devised a 'kill switch' to the Atlesian knights entrusted only to the general and neighboring higher-ups. If the androids ever show a sign of being meddled, I am to merely push a button, and all the droids will shut down. True, this action will leave the army dwindled, but it will also keep the enemy from using our tech. I know many would rather have us remove them, but we are still a firm believer of removing men from the battlefield. Rest assured, we are prepared."
"Are you prepared? From what I heard, the White Fang has been doing nothing but growing, in both size and technology. Are you sure your army can handle the growing terrorist group?"
"I have full faith in the Altesian army. We will not falter, no matter what our adversaries throw at us. We will not let yesterday's deaths be in vain."
Yang couldn't take any more. She shuts the TV off manually, and Ironwood's face is replaced with a black screen, the woman's angered face reflecting on the surface.
"Stupid fool of a general," she mutters. She starts breathing heavily, feeling some dark thoughts enter her mind. Needing a distraction, the woman decides to start on her chores. Yeah; that'll keep her mind busy.
With that, she opens a closet and grabs a broom.
Alright, just sweep. Sweep.
Tsshh
Sweep.
Tsshh
Sweep.
-(*)-
The sun has set, casting red and orange light to the world of Remnant. By now, Yang has finished her sweeping, gotten the mail, gave Zwei a walk once she found him (she also found the controller), and finished dinner. Now, she washes the dishes. At first, it was tricky with one arm, but she now has the hang of it.
She got done with cleaning a glass cup and was about to set it aside to dry when it slips. She tries to grab it but misses. That's when the nightmares breaks out.
The crashing of glass is replaced with the ring of a blade; the kitchen turns into a black void. Red markings, familiar and fear inducing, appear in the darkness, and Yang gasp in fear. She collapses as her strength disappears, and her breathing gets difficult. She pulls herself up on the counter, wishing for it to stop, to end her suffering. When she gets on her feet again, she clutches her head and closes her eyes, trying to block out the images.
A scream rings in her ear. She doesn't know where. Pain. Pain from that day returns, the searing heat from the blade piercing through her aura, skin, and bone. A man appears, silver mask covering his face. A swing of a red blade. Yang roars in rage and agony, swinging an arm across the counter and knocking all the dishes off.
The clanging of bowls and pots alongside shattering glass snaps the blonde back to reality. Yang takes shaky breaths as the adrenaline from the panic attack dwindles. She looks out the window, where the night is approaching, and she sees a face that shouldn't be familiar. Fear.
She slams a fist and looks away. Three months, she thinks angrily. Three months, and he still haunts me. I should have beat him. I should have won. But I didn't.
She looks at the mess on the floor, all the glass pieces gleaming on the tile and the pots just sitting, completely ignoring her.
I couldn't keep her safe.
She reaches for the nearest pot with both hands, but then looks at the only one she has.
I'm pathetic.
The woman sits on the floor with her back on the cabinet doors as an emptiness swells in her heart. An emptiness she hasn't felt since she was young.
I wasn't strong enough.
Zwei waddles in, a saddened whine escaping at seeing his master sad. He closes the distant and tries to snuggle underneath her arm, but she lifts it up, receiving another whine from the corgi. Yang stares at her hand, closing it to a fist, trying to feel the passion again. That exhilaration from then. She unfurls her fingers, feeling absolutely nothing. Her arm collapses, earning a surprise yelp from the dog.
"I'm not strong enough."
The corgi whines sadly and places his head on Yang's lap. She sighs, seemingly not noticing her pet. Feeling drained, the blonde gets up and walks out the kitchen, forgetting the mess behind her. She walks into her bedroom and collapses onto her bed, wanting to just forget what happened.
By the time night conquers the day, Yang starts closing her eyes as sleep overcomes her mind. All she hopes is that she doesn't see him in dreamland.
-(*)-
It only felt like minutes when she wakes up, but that proves false when she turns her head to her window and the morning sun burns her eyes. Despite the sleep, she doesn't feel any better. She twists around, turning away from the sun, and closes her eyes. She was about to nod off when a rapid knocking echoes around her house, shocking the blonde. She looks around, wondering if she's hearing things now, when the knocking comes back, more hasty now. Almost like panic.
Upon the third rapping, Yang finally gets up, her curiosity peaking. She heads to the front door and finds Zwei sitting in front of it. He turns his head to her, expressing confusion. She reaches for the handle, but her trepidation stops her, slight fears controlling her actions for a moment. However, she takes a calming breath to relieve some stress and then opens the door…
"Ow!"
…only to be rapidly knocked on the head.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!"
"What the hell?" the blonde shouts while rubbing her forehead. She finally takes a glance at the visitor, and she instantly recognizes the long ears on top of auburn hair. "Velvet? What're you doing-?"
"Please, Yang! You have to help us!" the rabbit Faunus cries, tears falling in streams.
"What? What's going on?" The blonde looks behind Velvet and finds the other members of team CFVY, Fox Alistair and Yatsuhashi Daichi. In the big man's arm is the team's leader Coco Adel, who is looking extremely pale and is unconscious.
However, Yang can't stop staring, horrified, at the gaping, bleeding wound across her abdomen.
Oh, geez. How long has it been since I last made a story? For all those fans, I am truly sorry. I did want to continue my stories, but there has been so many ideas in my head and so much happening around me, I couldn't keep a straight head. It doesn't help I have to start thinking like an adult, if you know what I mean.
And to any newcomers, welcome aboard!
Now, I know what you're gonna ask. "Will I update my other stories?" The answer: Not so soon. I will be working on them, but my main focus will be this story. Perhaps focusing on one, despite my other ideas, will get me to actually finish. I will be making one other, in conjunction with this, but I won't work on that one as hard as this one. Mainly because I want to get up to my version of Volume 4 before 5 comes out.
Also, before I take my leave, I do have a few stories up for adoption. So, if interested, check them out.
Again, I sincerely apologize for my long leave. Don't worry. This is one story I will not stop on. And for Fanfiction in general, I'M BACK, BABY! HAHAAA!