Hello everyone! This is my first fan fiction that I have published and I can already feel the criticism hehe. This the first story I have written (or typed) since I've gotten out of high school a while ago. If anything this for me to brush up on my English and also a hobby that I might enjoy. Now there is not a lot of dialogue in the beginning and it does feel a bit "bumpy" and later on a lot of from RWBY, so it might feel a bit repetitive. I promise that after the first, long chapter, that more of it will be more (as much as I can make it) original. Criticism is welcome to help better my creativity and English skills. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Exhaustion came over the three warriors as they watched the Soul of Cinder fall in defeat and withered away with the wind as he turned to ash. Not a moment too soon their goal had appeared in front of them, the goal they had stride for, for so long. Countless enemies stood in their way as well as many Lords of Cinder who have linked the first flame before them.

'At last,' Kayne thought to himself. "Time to relink the flame.". He looked over at Anri who removed her helmet so she could catch her breathe. Her long black hair, that reached down to the middle of her back, flowed in the wind. She looked up at him and returned his gaze with deep blue eyes and a smile that could warm hearts of those who were close to giving up on hope.

"Indeed,.." the tired Astoran knight replied trying to steady her breathe "... we have waited for this moment for a long time to come.". She dropped her helmet, arched her back, placed her hands on her knees ready to pass out from their recent battle that had felt like an eternity.

The fire would be linked once more so that life would not fade away anytime soon. However the demons of the darkness would still roam the land but the warriors would be there to fight demons back. To Kayne, he had much to think about of what he will do after the Ashen One relinked the First Flame. He could always return to Farron Keep and watch over the resting soldiers as was his duty as a Watchdog or he could finally tell Anri his feelings towards her as they had grown close after the incident with Horace in the Smoldering Lake and there travels as well. For Kayne was the one who comforted her and watched over to make sure she would never shed another tear.

Kayne, like most of the Watchdogs of Farron, was a wanderer. Never stood in place for too long and tried not to get attached to any people. When he would reach a point he could not advance, he would turn around and head back to the Old Wolf and offer it the blood grass he obtains. He would also patrol the Keep, slaughtering any trespassers that would dare disturb the resting soldiers or harm the Old Wolf, and the demons that have crawled out of the Abyss, to make way for innocent travelers that meant no harm whatsoever. He was well trained with greatswords, specifically the Greatsword of Farron as he could attack swiftly with it. He was a great marksmen with his sniper crossbow as he practiced on the Ghru that would roam the Keep. The grunts were no problem, however, the elder Ghru would just get really…..really upset with the annoyance. He was also a master at pyromancy. In his spare time he would practice on the slugs and the crabs until the bigger ones would charge at him and he would take off faster than a dark spirit walking into an ambush.

Kayne steadily made his way over to Anri's, side removing his Fallen Knight helmet and gave a slight nudge on her right shoulder. His shoulder length black hair also flowed in the wind, with sweat dripping down his face where a scar was displayed from the middle of his left brow to the bottom of his eye in a diagonal position.

She placed her hand on his left shoulder gazing into his silver eyes. Their bodies hurting and sore, they thought they would turn into mush. Kayne took out his flask and Anri did as well. They clanked them together in a 'cheers to our victory' toast and drank down the last of what was left leaving it to fade to a dull green.

"Never in my life, have I ever fought that hard to such a furious opponent." Kayne expressed, huffing and puffing from his exhaustion." By Farron...please no more.

Anri retorted with a slight chuckle " Oh, come on now it was not as bad as the Nameless King and his over-sized pigeon that could cast fire." Kayne nodded in agreement.

"Aye. I take back what I said. Now all that is needed is for him to light the flame and we can leave. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the Champion." Anri frowned at the thought, but she knew what the cost was of keeping the fire lit. For he would have to stay until the cycle repeated.

"Speaking of which," Anri brought up "it has been a tad bit long for him to do so already." They looked in his direction only to see the Champion standing over the bonfire. "Do you think he is unbelieving that we have finally made it?" she asked with a happy and yet slightly nervous tone.

Since Anri has mentioned it, it did worry Kayne that the Champion was taking quite a while to light the fire. He just stood there in Black Hand Outfit with the silver mask resting over his face. The Champion didn't say a word nor did he make any gestures towards them.

Kayne turned towards Anri and motioned her a "wait here" movement with his hand. Anri agreed with a nod. As Kayne was about to make his, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Both of their gazes turned toward the sky. It had changed from an ember warming red to a morbid dark shade of blue that has also changed the eclipse to white.

Kayne shot his look toward the bonfire where the Champion stood, only to notice another figure standing next to him. It did not take long for the watchdog to notice who the second apparition. Rage instantly came over him, and his blood boiled. "YURIA!" he growled at the accursed Darkwraith, reaching for his Greatsword and fitted his other hand with the Demon Fist. She turned her head to look at the enraged warrior and shot him a wicked smile that he could feel a shiver down his spine.

Kayne was ready to smite down this wicked, hallowed woman when Anri called out " BEHIND US!" Kayne snapped back to assess the situation at hand. Coming from their only escape was a company of undead armed to their rotting teeth. Kayne was switching his gazes back and forth between the undead soldiers and the two hollows, contemplating on who to strike down first. As he has just made his choice, the clanking of metal from the suits of armor the hollow troops began to speed up as they were in a full on charge. Kayne and Anri took their stance and prepared for combat.

As the first line of troops approached, Kayne took out his dagger that was paired with the greatsword jumped into action. As he leaped forward the dagger struck the first soldier and then into the ground which acted as his anchor. Low to the ground he began sweeping the hollowed soldiers, killing them in small numbers. He did this twice as he leaped in the air and brought the sword straight down into the mass of them. He then stepped back a few feet before charging back in just to bring the sword back down.

Anri had her shield raised to deflect oncoming strikes. As soon as one soldier made contact with her shield she deflected it sending it tripping over it's stepps in a different direction. The one behind it came at her as she drove her straight sword through its heart. Kicking it off her blade the relentless hollows just kept swarming as two attacked at once but from opposite sides. The one to her left was stopped by her shield while the one to her right, ready to strike, got its hand chopped off dropping it's sword. She then kicked it away and stabbed the other, held by her shield, through it's jugular killing it. She then turned back to the handless one, who was bending over to pick up the sword when she instantly stabbed it in the back.

The swarm was crowding them and fast. They found themselves back to back inside a massive pit. Kaynes sword was on the edge of breaking, his mana running low and his Demon Fist would not be much help in this moment. Anri sword and shield were holding up but not for too much longer. It was bad enough that they had just slayed a formidable enemy but their flasks were dry. Anri looked over her shoulder to speak to Kayne who was loading a bolt into his crossbow. "What do we do?" she asked struggling to keep the hollows way.

"Not a single clue.' he replied with concern in his voice. Then he had one. "Actually…..yes." he tried to explain as he was kicking and bashing them with the butt of his crossbow. "If we can fight our way towards them and if I had a clear shot I could pierce that lying traitor's heart." Anri nodded in agreement, as she knew it was better than nothing at all.

They started their advanced, Anri would kill the close hollows while Kayne would get the ones she could not see. He was a great shot and a quick loader. Kayne shot a soldier in between the eyes and one more followed behind it. He took the butt of the crossbow and hit the other soldier upwards in the chin. It flipped in the air and landed on it's back,which then Kayne delivered a heavy stomp to it's face while simultaneously loading another bolt. Anri flipped a hollow over her with her shield and at the same time cut the legs off two more behind it. The one flipped by the shield was taken out with a fire bolt and then kicked into the crowd away from their new goal. Just a few more feet and couple more of the endless hoard and Kayne would have a clear shot.

Yuria stood next to the Champion, her arm interlocked with his, as if they have been lover for years, watching the two warriors struggle to make their way to them and the fire. Yuri gave out small chuckle "How futile their resistance is. It is qutie pathetic yet amusing. Wouldn't you agree darling?'. The Champion retorted with small nod he to amused with their attempt to put him down.

At last, Kayne had his shot, it was not as clear as he wanted it to be but he had to try. Everything was moving in slow motion, Kayne could feel his heartbeat in his palms as he tightened his grip on his crossbow. He focused on his prey, ignoring the lines of undead soldiers in front of him he brought the scope up to his eye and aimed right at his heart and squeezed the trigger. "AAHH!" Anri yelled out in agonizing pain. This broke Kayne's focus. He snapped back to assess what has happened only to come to see Anri who had been stabbed in the side by a broken straight sword. Kayne, instead of killing the Hollowed Champion, shot the soldier that had stabbed Anri and ran back to aid her. Befor he could run towards her, Kayne felt the back of his leg burn and was brought down to his knee. He then felt another sensation in his back as an axe made it's way into his right shoulder blade. The pain he felt at that moment was nothing compared to what he felt now. He had failed to protect Anri.

Kayne fell stomach down as the hoards of undead soldiers encircled him. 'Is this it?' Kayne thought to himself 'Is this really how it ends for us? What we had fought for, for him to rule a land of darkness?'. He did not move paralyzed by his failure to Anri. He laid there, waiting for his end and shut his eyes.

"Stop!" Yuria yelled out and the undead army stopped in their tracks. "Bring them here." Yuria commanded beckoning them forward. "Our new ruler wishes to speak to them one last time before they perish."

Kayne felt himself being lifted and dragged towards the two. Wondering what could this foul man have to say to him. A moment later Kayne was tossed and landed on his right side. Across from him was Anri who was battered and beaten landed on her left. The two facing each other could only look at each other as they had no intention eyeing the monsters that had encircled them. Kayne heard footsteps coming towards them. A pair of boots stopped in front them and turned to Kayne. The figure knelt down. Kayne did not look, he tried to keep his focus locked onto Anri.

"I can understand why you'd be upset." the Ashen one finally spoke from behind his silver mask. "You see, I needed warriors who would fight with a purpose, if given, and needed to possess great skill in combat and yes the two of you were my best findings. Yes it was a ploy from the start even before I have found the two of you. I am actually amazed at you Kayne.". Kayne narrowed his eyes to the hollowed ruler. "I actually thought would have figured it but you ignored the signs. All the times I have been absent and why we split up at times. I was hoping that you would have met your demise at Aldrich's quarters but your skill and determination to protect this girl after what happened to Hora-.".

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK HIS NAME!" Anri had intervened with rage in her voice, " You have no RIGHT TO!". The hollowed ruler faced and walked to Anri.

" My dear, do not act so rash. Have you ever pondered why Horace was not with you during your expedition through the Catacombs?" Anri Shifted her eyes in thought. "When we have met for the second time in the cathedral and we separated, you with the dog and I with Horace, I could sense the hollow within him." Anri's eyes went wide in shock. "I confronted him and explained my goal to him. He was intrigued to say the least but knew you, me dear, would not stride from your path. The both of you needed to be eliminated. Horace offered to do you my dear sometime after the cathedral, unfortunately the dog got to him before he did you"

The hollowed ruler walked back towards Kayne knelt down in front of him and lifted his head so Kayne would look at him. " I suppose the last thing to say for my being here is…" the hollowed ruler reached for his face, griped his mask and pulled it off showing a pale, deteriorating face. "...thank you.". Giving Kayne a twisted smile looking into eyes with hollowed sockets. He got up and walked away from the two, helpless, warriors. Stops and faces a hollowed undead and says "Finish them."

The hollowed moved in, hungary for blood. Kayne looked over to Anri and she did the same. A dagger was placed on her throat and one on Kayne's temple. In the next moment the dagger went through his head and his vision began to fade. The last thing he saw was a tear that made it's down the side of her cheek.

Kayne was in darkness. He had no light to return to. No fire to defend. He was defeated.

He soon heard a voice reach out to him through the void. It was familiar, a woman's voice, it was warming. It spoke.

"The fire in your world has been extinguished and human life will soon not be nonexistence. However, there is another realm in need of a warrior such as yourself. In need of a protector of light, a protector life." Kayne finally recognized the voice. "I, the Fire Keeper, grant thee a second chance at life to serve and protect those in need.".

Kayne heard wind blowing through his helmet that had somehow found it's way back onto his head. The air smelt pure, not foul unlike the woods of Farron's Keep. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a bright blue sky. Realizing he was alive he shot straight up, through off his helmet and felt his head.

"No wound?" he was puzzled. He then checked the back of his leg and felt for the gash that was supposed to be there, but he and his armor were whole. He then noticed his weapons were there as well. His greatsword on his back, the demon fist on his hip with some throwing knives and kukris. And finally his sniper crossbow with only explosive bolts leftover. Even his weapons were fully repaired and his flask glowed telling him it was full. Kayne checked his inventory, he had five firebombs, ten throwing knives and fifteen kukri.

Kayne thought to himself 'If I'm alive then.' he looked around in hopes that Anri was near. He stood on his feet put his helmet back on and searched. He searched and searched to but to no avail. He slumped up against a tree, and slid down to its base. He removed his helmet once more, placed his hands on his face and began to sob. "Anri, I-I am so sorry. Sorry that I have failed you, failed to protect you.". Tears began to now run down his face. "Ssssorry I could not k-keep my promise. That you would never shed another tear in remorse or tragedy. Please forgive me." he begged.

He sat there for five minutes, thinking what he could had done better, until he was startled by the sound of thunder off in the distance. He looked into the sky.

'Not a storm cloud in sight' he thought to himself.

Hey was about to shrug it off and start moving until the sound was more consecutive. He decided to move towards the chaos and investigate. As he was walking a shadow covered him from above. He ducked into a nearby bush and witnessed what has passed overhead.

"A giant black bird?" he was taken back a bit but then remembered the giant feathered dragon the Nameless King had. "Hope it doesn't breathe fire.". He noticed it was heading in the direction of the thunder and decided to tail it. "I'm curious if Pickle Pee and Pump-a-Rum would grow that size." Kayne chuckled at the image and pressed on. Not long in his journey he started to hear voices, female. Kayne got into a crouch and observed from mid range distance. They a place of ruins and rubble with peculiar looking items.

"Looks like we weren't the first ones here." one pointed out. She was a blonde haired that reached all the way down to her back and wore a very revealing outfit. She also had two yellow bracelets on her wrists and an orange scarf around her neck.

"Well , I guess we should pick one." the black haired on inclined. Her hair was about as long as the blonde one. She wore a black and white blouse and black heeled shoes with black leggings. She carried what appeared to be sword on her back and wore black bow on her head.

Kayne whispered to himself. "For the love of the Farron, why would they wear such revealing clothing. Have they no shame?". Looking through his scope in his crossbow he noticed the black haired one's bow twitch. He was puzzled by this. 'How odd.' he thought. He continued to observe for he still did not know if they were hostile.

The blonde walked over to one of the pieces. "How about a cute little pony?" she asked.

"Sure." the black haired one said with slight amusement in her voice. They walked to one another.

"That wasn't to hard."

"Well it's not like this place is very difficult to find."

Kayne, still hidden in the shadows, was watching the every move, making sure that they would not pose a threat. Suddenly, a high pitched scream echoed from the forest. He noticed the other two heard it as well. Then he thought even the dead would hear it.

"Some girl is in trouble!" the blonde one spoke. The dark haired one was overlooking the forest to find the source then turned her head towards the sky. "Blake did you hear that? What should we do?". The one known as Blake pointed in the sky as additional screaming could be heard.

Kayne changed his gaze to the sky, only to see a young girl falling from the sky. 'Was she the one screaming?' he thought.

"HEEAADSS UUUUUUUUUUP!" she yelled as another figure came from the side, hitting the girl into a nearby tree. Kayne looked up through his scope to make sure she was not injured. She was alive, dazed but alive. So was the boy who had adjusted her fall with him hanging upside down in the tree.

"Did your sister just fall from the sky?" Blake asked the blonde girl.

"I- " was the blonde could get out before more commotion came from in front of them through trees knocking them down in the process.

Kayne looked towards the trees only to see a large black bear with bone white armor and red markings. "By Farron what it that creature!" he whispered in shock. As the beast stood on it's hind legs in a frenzy of rage a pink light illuminated from behind and a another female voice could be heard.

"YEEE HAAA!" the voice shouted. The beast had fallen down in defeat and lied there motionless. "Aw, it's broken." the orange haired girl exclaimed with disappointment. She then zoomed back onto it examining the creature. "Weeeiird.". Just then a boy came out from behind it.

"Nora." the boy in green garb exhausted from what had just happened. "Please….don't ever do that again.". As he looked up the girl had vanished.

"Where did she go?" Kayne asked himself scanning the area for her. He found her at the ruins examining the a piece that looked like a castle. He was amazed at how fast she moved, she there in one moment and then gone the next.

She picked up the piece and started dancing and singing "I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle-" she was then interrupted by the on in green.

"NORA!" he called for her

"Coming Ren!" giving the boy a salute before she zoomed back over to him.

Blake and the blonde stood there dumbfounded as to what the had just witnessed. "Did that girl just ride in on an Ursa?" Blake asked the blonde who could only let out a simple I. Then a screech was heard coming from the woods yet again as the trees began to topple over again.

Kayne looked over and saw the situation. He sighed in annoyance and spoke to himself. "Great they're multiplying.". He watched as he saw another girl with dark red hair, with yet more revealing armor, running from the giant scorpion like creature. He was amazed, yet again, of how she could stay ahead of the creature and dogge its monster pincers.

The girl in the tree got her bearings and rushed down to the others below leaving the blonde boy in the tree.

"Ruby?" the blonde one acknowledged the red hooded girl.

"Yang!" Ruby said happily as she reached out to hug her sister.

"Nora!" the orange haired girl joined in making their moment pass on.

"This is starting to make my head hurt." Kayne said as he watched the bunch. He saw that Yang was getting annoyed as well and was about to lose her temper. "Oh my, she does not at all look happy."

"Did she just run all the way here with a Deathstalker on her tail?" asked Blake.

Yang shouted to the annoyance "I can't take it anymore. Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something crazy happens again?!" literally two seconds went by when Ruby tapped her sister on the arm and motioned her to look up.

Kayne heard shouting from above, looked up and saw yet one more girl hanging on the talon of the giant black bird. "How did she…?". He adjusted his scope so he get a clear enough view and made out the girl's appearance. He was dressed in white with white hair in a ponytail.

"Why did you leave me?" she yelled.

" I said jump." Ruby retorted.

"She gonna fall." Blake pointed out.

"She'll be fine." Ruby reassured.

"She's falling." Ren retorted.

The girl in white was falling at an alarming rate. She would surely die even if she had the Silver Cat ring. Kayne could only watch like the rest as she descended from the heavens to the Abyss. Kayne's attention was turned towards the tree as he saw the blonde boy named Jaune, who he had forgotten in all the chaos, ready to leap into save her. Jaune jumped and caught the white girl. Only did he not realize that they were still falling and he started screaming as well. They hit the ground, at least Jaune hit the ground while the girl landed on his back.

"My hero." she said sarcastically checking her nail.

"My back." Jaune groaned in pain.

The warrior being chased by the giant black scorpion finally made it to the group as she dove head first into them.

"Great, the gang's all here. Now we can die together." Yang announced.

Ruby turned to her sister. "Not if I can help it.". She let out a battle cry and charged towards the six legged giant. Yang tried to stop her but it was too late. She might as been flying to Kayne as she made her way so fast.

She pulled out her weapon and shocked Kayne. "A scythe?!" he yelled to his surprise. "How can she even wield a weapon that size?"

As she came up upon the creature she was ready to strike the beast down it easily deflected her a way. She hit the ground and got back up slowly. "Do-don't worry, totally fine." she reassured the group. She could hear the footsteps of the monster making their way to her. She turned to face the creature. Then she shot something out the tip of her weapon at it and took off towards her comrades.

"Ruby!" Yang yelled as she took off running for her sister. Kayne looked up and saw the giant bird coming in for a strike.

"Damn it all!" Kayne cursed and he took of running to the girl from the shadows of the trees. He ran as fast as his feet could carry him. She was too young die especially by the hand of these beast. The bird let out a screech and reared up pulled back its wings and shot out its feathers while in mid flight. They rained down like the giant's spear like arrows from the Undead Settlement and caught the hooded girl by the edge of her cloak. Yang knew she had to stop before she was skewered and her attempt to save Ruby would be pointless. Ruby tried to pry herself free but to no avail. The Deathstalker was getting close and was about to show no mercy.

Ruby knew she was doomed. She closed her eyes and hands over her head as her life flashed before them. She thought about the good times she and her sister had. All the stories her mom and sister would read to her. Her friends at Signal Academy, even the few she had made here at Beacon. This was it for her. As she waited she heard the sound of metal being struck. She opened one eye slowly to see what made that sound her vision was blurred a bit but she could make out what appeared to be a hooded figure holding a greatsword. Her sight cleared and saw the man who saved her life. His sword was held behind his back holding off the giant stinger. He was wearing a black armor with faded gold engravings and a black helmet that looked like it was from hundred years ago. Over that was a worn down and tattered trench coat with a hood.

Ruby was in awe in how he able to block and hold of the attack like that. The stranger then reached for a second blade. It was a dagger that was shaped almost like a seven. He then used the blade to cut a small piece of the cloak so the girl can be free. "Fly you fool!" he commanded as he struggled to keep the stinger back. Ruby gave a quick nod and headed back towards the group. He then turned to face the vile beast clenching his left hand into a fist, placing it on the back of the sword guarding himself "BACK TO THE ABYSS WITH THEE!".

"Ruby!" Yang called out in relief. "Thank goodness you're okay". Yang squeezed her sister almost crushing her.

"Yang," Ruby gasped "I'm fine you're hurting me." Yang then let go, dropping Ruby on the ground.

"Who is that?" Weiss asked as she was the one ready to go and save Ruby. "Is he a student?" she looked at the man still holding off the beast.

"I don't remember him being on the cliff." Blake added to the mystery.

They watched as they couldn't believe the sight before them. The stranger then took his left hand off the sword, making a claw formation out of it. He reared his arm back and his hand glowed a fiery glow. The girls witnessed the stranger conjure up a large fireball with another flame circling the large orb. He threw the fireball at the scorpion, hitting it in its many eyes, it screeched in agony and staggered away. As the beast backed away, the anonymous warrior took off in a full on sprint towards the girls, putting his sword on his back and bringing up his crossbow loading an explosive round into it.

"Why do you still stand here?" he wondered out loud to them "MOVE!" pointing his finger in a safe direction.

They made their way back to the ruins, where the others stood in waiting. Kayne looked back at the Deathstalker, it was still in pain to notice that the the warriors have gotten away. They reached the others, as the looked at the odd warrior in confusion and concern.

"Who is this?" Pyrrha asked, as she pointed at the hooded man. Before anyone could answer, the sound of the giant black bird flapping it's wings and letting out its ear shattering squawk.

Jaune pointed up. "Uh guys, that thing is circling back. What do we do?"

"Look," Weiss spoke up, "there is no point in dilly dallying and we can figure out who you are after we complete our objective." she exclaimed calmly pointing at the warrior. Kayne snapped his head to Weiss, which had slightly startled her, widening her eyes from the sudden movement.

"She's right." Ruby added, making Weiss smile in approval. "We don't need to fight these them now. We need to grab an artifact and make it back to the cliffs."

"Run and live,that's an idea I can get behind." Jaune summed up. That comment alone made Kayne a little furious, but even he knew the times when he had to retreat from difficult foes.

Kayne spoke up, "I concur, we must retreat for now.".

Ruby and Jaune walked over to the the artifacts. Ruby picked up a golden horse and Jaune did a golden tower. The looked at each other and exchanged small smiles. The Deathstalker let out a roar, and Kanye looked over to it. It's pain has subsided, turned to face the nine warriors and dashed for them. "We must make haste!" he shouted, "The beast cometh for us."

"He's right." Ren agreed, "Time we left.".

"Right, let's go." Ruby ordered as she took off towards the hill. The others followed in her trail.

Kayne waited for the last of the warriors to go ahead, as he watched the creatures make their way towards them. Kayne made his way, bringing up the rear. 'If that crawling beast comes near them,' Kayne thought to himself, 'I will end it.'.

They soon came up to more ruins that had parallel stone catwalks and stone tower ahead of them. The giant bird quickly flew overhead, casting its massive shadow, then landed on the tower. The group took cover in separate directions, their weapons drawn. Kayne took cover behind a pillar, behind Ren and Nora. The bird screeched then took off from the tower towards the scattering teens.

"Nora," Ren shouted, "distract it!". They ran out of cover and Nora drew out her massive weapon, dodging the feathers it launched at her. She fired at the winged beast, making it turned away from the potential danger and allowed the others to advance.

The strange machine intrigued Kayne and was taken back by the sound it made. "By Farron," he said surprised, "what kind of sorcery-". Kayne was cut off by the roar of the Deathstalker and spun around to face it. The massive beast charged as it knocked over the trees, as if they were twigs. He fired his crossbow. The bolt made contact with the creature, it hardly flinched. It was pitiful compared to Nora's. Kayne loaded another round quickly and fired away. It came closer and closer with every step and second. It was about to strike him, he readied himself to roll out of the way when Blake and Ren intercepted the monster. It was obvious to Kayne that the are no strangers to conflict. Weiss jumped at Nora, grabbing her arm and taking off from a strange magical circle. They all took off towards the tower.

They reached the bridge and began to cross, the Deathstalker dangerously closing in. As they were crossing, the bird came back around and rammed itself into the bridge making it collapse, separating the teams. Kayne stopped to face the creature again as he knew he could no longer advance. He threw another massive fireball at it this time hitting its right claw as it protected the many eyes it had. 'So,' Kayne thought, 'the foul beast can learn'. He charged at the beast, taking out his greatsword. The beast struck the ground with its left claw, it missed as Kayne rolled under its belly and began striking its legs. He was not alone in the assault. Ren, Blake and Pyrrha opened fire at the creature but to no avail it showed no sign of pain from the projectiles. Kayne was slashing and dodging at the oversized insect. The beast felt ever strike that was delivered as Kayne took out his dagger, anchored it in the ground and struck low from the ground hitting the legs. Kayne found himself back in front of the bridge when Nora came flying through the air with a giant hammer, striking the beast in its white armor.

If the beast was hurting was showing no sign of it. The scorpion thrusted its stinger at her. Nora was quick enough to evade the attack by launching herself backwards with her weapon. However, as she landed, she ended up sliding into Blake, knocking her off the bridge. Kayne's heart stopped for split second as he witnessed the scene. To Kayne's relief, Blake ended up swinging back up with the use of her weapon landing on the bird slashing at it then jumping off landing near her teammates. Kayne refocused on the Deathstalker, the bridge was teetering and wearing thin. The creature struck the crumbling structure, hoping to send the warriors to their fates.

"We gotta move!" Jaune suggested. As the warriors charged, Kayne switched back to his crossbow with the greatsword on his back. In a mere moment as they grew closer, the beast struck with its right claw and Pyrrha deflected it with her shield then sticking it with her spear sword. In came its left which was blocked by Jaune and Pyrrha struck it once more staggering the beast. Ren ran in with his guns ablazing dodging the stinger, jumping onto it riding it up as the beast tried to shake him off. He then started firing at the stinger which made the beast scream in pain and knocking the stinger lose. Nora fired her weapon but the beast blocked the assault shoving Jaune and Pyrrha back. It eventually gave a wide opening for attacks. Kayne rolled forward, landing in a crouching position, firing the explosive bolts and quickly loaded it as three of the bolts into its eyes. Switching its focus on Kayne, it quickly grabbed him without a chance of escape. Pyrrha threw her spear into another one of its eyes. It screamed more in agony throwing Ren off its tail, sending him flying into a pillar and threw Kayne behind it with him hitting the ground hard, breaking his crossbow.

Kayne stood up and watched the creature as a the stinger was sliced off by a shield, landing on its head and piercing its armor. Nora then jumped at the creature, striking it with her massive hammer on the stinger. The force she fell with sent the stinger in deep causing the bridge to finally fall and the beast along with it. The three victors stood in all their glory and Ren hobbled over to them holding the parts of his body that was in pain, then passed out from exahution. Kayne slumped his way over to them and brought out his flask taking a sip. The four were curious.

"What is that?" Pyrrha asked the strange cloaked man.

Kayne stored the orange glowing flask away and spoke up. "This, my lady," Kayne started "is an Estus Flask. It is filled by the light of the flame and heals me of injuries."

Ren looked up "Can I have a sip? If it's not too much trouble." he asked. Kayne smiled and made his way over to him.

"Of course, brave lad. I believe you've earned it much more than I have.". Kayne knelt down to Ren and sat him up, guiding the flask to Ren's mouth. "Be warned lad, it's a bit warm." Ren took a sip, almost choking as the warm liquid traversed down his throat.

"You okay Ren!?" Nora asked franticly. Ren gave her a nod confirming that he was fine. "Good. How did it taste?".

Kayne helped Ren to his feet. "It was-odd.".

Kayne patted Ren on the back, "You'll get used to it lad." he rebuttled. Kayne walked over to his now destroyed crossbow and cursed. "Accursed beast. Where in this world could I get another?". The group was taken by that last statement.

Before they could ask him what he meant, the roar of the giant black bird caught their attention.

"Can they handle that Nevermore on their own?" Jaune asked with worry.

'Nevermore,' Kayne thought to himself, 'so that is what is known as.'. He snapped out of his thought and watched as the Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang fighting the Nevermore.

Yang was on top of a pillar, casting fireballs from her hands. It came towards her with the intent to kill. Its mouth opened as wanting to eat the girl whole. Yang jumped head first into its mouth holding its jaw open so it would not consume her. She then cast more fireballs down its gullet. She jumped down from the black bird just before it crashed into the side of the cliff.

Yang retreated and Weiss took charge for the Nevermore. The bird decided to flap its wings to take off to the sky once more. Weiss was not going to allow it to do so. She flew to the bird jumped and froze the tip of its tail to the ground. It struggled to flee but could not get free. After completing her task she retreated back to the group as well. Blake threw her weapon to Yang. Its long black rope like fabric, caught by Yang and wrapped it around her pillar as Blake did the same.

Ruby launched herself back with her weapon landing on the rope, pulling it back like the string of a bow. Weiss summoned a magic circle underneath Ruby that held her back building tension on the rope. A few seconds went by before Ruby was launched towards the trapped Nevermore, catching it by the neck with her scythe, pulling it back to the cliff. As Ruby planted her feet on the side of the cliff and Weiss casted more circles underneath Ruby's feet. Ruby started in a full on sprint up the cliff,firing her weapon for more speed, dragging the bird along with her. Just as she reached the top, the head of the bird was severed. The corpse of the headless bird fell and crashed as it was no more.

"Wow." Jaune said in shock and awe.

Kayne, underneath his helmet, was slack jawed as he could not believe that such young warriors pulled off the seemingly impossible. He himself had some difficult trials but these were different times. His knees shaking, he could feel his heart in his throat, as he stared at the rose champion with rose petals fluttering in the wind.

Kayne's attention was drawn to flying object that was descending from the sky. This metal wingless beast made Kayne uneasy as it was unusual to him. It roared a low rumbling roar and made the grass and dirt kick up from the ground. Kayne reached for his sword, gripping the handle, as he prepared for another fight. Pyrrha saw his movement and held out her hand telling him that the metal beast was of no threat. Kayne looked over to the others on the other side of the cavern as they jumped into the metal contraption. After they were aboard the metal monster it head for the group that Kayne had accompanied. The machine, as it did before, landed and opened a large door.

Yang was at the opening motioned to the others to come on board. Jaune and the others ran and climbed on board. Kayne drew close and stopped as he was hesitant to enter. "What are you doing? Get on!" Yang demanded. Kayne swallowed his nervousness and jumped on. The door behind him closed, and he felt the machine began to ascend for the sky.

Weiss approached from the small crowd, she had determination in her walk, lightly pushing Jaune out of the way. "Now," she began, "I believe that it's time that you gave us some answers.

"I agree Ms. Schnee." a voice came from behind her. It was an older man. He had silver hair and wore a black suit with golden buttons and a green scarf. He also wield a cane. Next to him was a middle aged woman with bundled up blonde hair, a black and purple cape and white, revealing, blouse. "Can you please remove your helmet and tell us your name?" the silver haired man asked looking at the medallion with a wolf on the stranger.

Kayne was the now the center of attention as the students moved around him and the man. Kayne reached up and pulled down hood then removed his helmet. His shoulder length black hair flowed out and he looked up at them revealing a scar across his left eye. The older man was a little surprised at what he saw. Kayne opened his eyes revealing his silver eyes. Kayne gave a bow. "I am Kayne, a Watchdog of Farron.".