"Silver eyes…how pretty."
A shiver runs up my spine causing me to grip my blades tighter. Despite defeating thousands of Grimm in my lifetime, nothing has caused me to feel this much…fear. I thought I was prepared. I thought I was invincible. Cockiness has wounded me terribly.
"I'm looking for a certain someone who has a gift that is dear to me. Perhaps you know this someone?"
Clenching my teeth, I shake my head. My hands were beginning to shake.
"Hmm…that's funny. I was positive you would have the answer!"
Sarcasm dripped from every word. I feel my body become rigid as a giggle follows unexpectedly. I had to get away. I had to get away NOW. Unfortunately she could tell what I was thinking.
"Don't."
I didn't obey. With all my might, I leap towards the ravine that stood to my left. I could make it. Fifty more feet…thirty…twenty…I was almost there -but pain erupts throughout my body. I plummet to the ground with a cry.
"I said 'don't,'" she hisses.
The pain was unending this time. I had never felt anything like it. Tears began to fall along with my hope of getting out of this situation.
"Let's not play anymore games. I know you have a certain talent that would be very helpful to me. Come with me."
"Bite me," I hiss between heavy breaths. Her eyes immediately narrow.
"That wasn't a question."
"Bite…Me…" I hiss again before coughing up blood. The pain was beyond bearable and was only increasing with her rage. I was beginning to see spots.
"Quite the annoyance aren't you?" she sighs as she walks closer to my mangled form.
Words seemed impossible at this point. All I could do is writhe in agony. The spots are becoming darker. I cannot handle much more…
"It seems we are out of time. We will have to settle this in my domain," she says while grabbing my arm. Slowly, I hear faint shouting from the distance. Hope resonates within me. I'm going to be saved!
"NO!" I scream. I kick myself away before screaming again as more pain scores my body. Just hold out a little longer…
"Why you-" she begins to say before a blast cuts her off. Another blast follows suit, which she jumps back to avoid. "How unfortunate…" I hear her mumble under her breath. The pain begins to subside since her attention is drawn elsewhere. More blasts erupt throughout the air causing me to cover my face.
'Who is here to save me?'
The thought quickly escapes my mind as I focus on getting as far away as possible. With the last of my strength, I begin to crawl towards the ravine again. I fall to avoid a few blasts of dust, but before long, my hand is gripping the edge of the cliff. A wave of relief floods my mind. As I glance down to see how far the drop is, I hear a shout come from behind me—
"I SAID DON'T!"
Next thing I know, a blast sends me toppling over the edge. I let out a cry in surprise as I begin to feel the air rushing and whipping around my body. As I fall a hear someone…a man…calling out my name-
"-SAFIR!"
I jump awake, causing me to nearly fall from where I was sitting. Groggily, I rub my eyes to see who has called my name.
"Safir! You were having that nightmare again, weren't you?" a girl with bright blonde hair asks. It was Mudan.
"I guess so," I mumble. A yawn escapes my mouth.
"You should really see someone about that…" she continues.
"I'm fine!," I huff, "It will go away eventually."
"I highly doubt that," Belarra adds. I glare at the ewe faunus sitting next to me.
"Can you guys quit it?" I hiss before crossing my arms.
"Okay, okay!" Mudan says, holding up her arms in defense. She smiles as she sits down on the other side of me.
"So how much further do we have to go?" Belarra hums. She tosses a silver dagger in the air before catching it effortlessly. I pull out my scroll to look. I squint as I search the screen for a listed time. Unfortunately, I still wasn't familiar with these things.
"It looks like we should be there in an hour," I say after a moment.
"YAY! I can't wait to explore Vale!" Mudan squeals while waving her arms in the air.
"It's been a while since we've been to a city," Belarra grunts. I nod in agreement.
The three of us hail from a remote village south of Mistral called Amotus. So few know about it that at times it seems almost secretive. Since the village is so far removed, we grew up knowing little about the modern world. Our only concern was defeating the Grimm that surrounded us. Due to this, everyone in our village became extremely adept at hunting. Even the smallest child could hold their own against an Ursa. Some would become so proficient that dust was not needed as long as they had a basic weapon.
"Are you nervous Belarra?" Mudan asks. Belarra sighs before shaking her head.
"No…I'm not nervous…Just annoyed at what's to come. I still can't believe people can be so prejudice against Faunus."
Amotus was ahead of the modern world in that sense. Everyone relied on each other, so Faunus were never excluded.
"Just ignore it Belarra," I say.
"Yeah…or punch them in the face!" Mudan giggles while punching her fist to add emphasis. This earns a laugh from Belarra.
"We're not here to cause trouble you two."
"Oh come on, Safir! You never even told us why we are taking this huge trip! We find you nearly dead –which is crazy to even believe—and once you were coherent, you suddenly announce that you need to leave for Vale. If Belarra and I didn't hold you back, you would've been trying to get to Vale with a broken arm and leg."
"It's…complicated," I sigh. Mudan huffs at my response.
"Can you at least tell us what we need to do in Vale?" Belarra asks as she places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Pleaaaaaaase," Mudan adds.
"Well…I'm looking for someone."
"That's descriptive…" Mudan quips facetiously.
I look out the window to see passing trees. Another sigh escapes my lips as I realize I should be fair to them. They are my best friends.
"That someone is named Qrow. He's the one that saved me. He told me to come here for…safety reasons."
"Qrow?" Mudan and Belarra simultaneously ask. Their faces come closer to mine in curiosity.
"That's a guy's name right?" Mudan asks. Balarra immediately slaps the back of her head.
"She just said 'He!'"
"Oooooh! …Was he cute?" Another slap resonates within the air.
"Belarra!" Mudan cries while rubbing the back of her head. Meanwhile a blush creeps onto my cheeks. Belarra notices.
"Wait, was he cute?" she asks.
"N-No! He's older!" I stutter. I'm definitely not used to this topic.
"How old?" Mudan asks while pressing her face closer.
"30? I didn't exactly ask for his age when I met him."
Mudan grins devilishly. "That's only 5 years older than youuuuu," she hums.
"So?" I question, pushing her face away from mine.
"Stop Mudan. She's just nervous about the subject. She's not interested in him." Belarra says, pausing to double check my expression. I nod in agreement.
"You really need to get a boyfriend…" Mudan giggles. The blush reappears on my face.
"Shut up you flirt!" I hiss as I push her off the seat. She continues to giggle despite lying awkwardly on the cabin floor.
"Five minutes till our arrival in Vale," a calm voice echoes from the speakers.
"Yay! I guess we got here quicker than usual." Mudan cheers, popping up from the floor like a flower in spring.
I stare out the window to watch the approaching city of Vale.