Disclaimer: This story has been previously published as The Hunters of the Maidens on RWBY Amino. The cover art was done by I3blacksun, who has given me permission to post it here and can be found on RWBY Amino. I do not own anything borrowed from RWBY, such as the Winter Maiden or the concept of semblances. If I did, this wouldn't be 'fanfiction' but a real sideplot.
The Maiden Hunters: Prologue
An old man sat at a bar drinking aged whiskey and listening the group behind him tell stories. He stared at the rickety shelves filled with old bottles and wondered if they had been sitting there the last time he was at the inn. That was very long ago, and the inn had changed nearly as much as he had. Back then, the large room was filled with life: hunters and huntresses, local farmers, and even explorers had filled the hall with drunken laughter and songs. A fire had roared in the fireplace that now stood dark and empty. Waitresses dodging catcalls were replaced by a large, somber bartender quietly polishing the scarred counter with an old ran. The man sighed as he remembered his old companions and a hunt that took place long ago.
"Your stories are terrible," he grumbled, silencing the only group of men sitting in the inn's dusty hall.
"We've been saying that for years!" the youngest man in the group laughed, his blond curls bobbing up and down.
"Well I doubt you could do better," the dark-haired story teller stated indignantly. He crossed his strong arms and looked the old man directly in the eye, challenging him. "I've been telling stories since I learned to talk."
The red-head to his left snickered, "You didn't learn to talk till you were twelve!"
"I think it was more like fourteen!" the fourth man exclaimed, jabbing the red-head with his elbow.
"It don't matter," the dark-haired man replied, his complexion reddening. "I've been telling stories my whole life and I doubt an old man like you could do better. I know every story there is to know."
"Every story?" the old man mused, "Then surely you've heard The Maiden Hunters?"
The story teller was silent as he searched his memory, but he came up with nothing. "I-I don't think I know that one," he mumbled.
"No, I guess you wouldn't," the old man replied, scratching at his long beard.
"Can you tell it?" the blonde asked eagerly, "It's been years since I heard a new one."
The old man nodded. But before he could begin, something on the bar caught his eye. A lone firefly had found its way inside and was crawling over the smooth counter towards him. It reminded him of something, but it took a long time for him to figure out what. He frowned, but the firefly didn't seem to notice. The old man lifted his glass and placed it in the firefly's path, but the little bug continued around the wall of glass. The old man's frown deepened as he took out a long, strange looking knife. He placed the tip in front of his opponent, but the firefly did not coward. The man's frown turned into a smirk. He leaned in close, violently sliced the small creature in half, and chuckled to himself. He left the strange knife notched in the wood, still separating the two halves of its lifeless body, and turned back to the men at the table.
They seemed surprised by the old man's actions, but sat silently waiting to hear the story. "Well, go on," the red-head encouraged after another moment of anticipation.
The old man sat up straight on his stool, cocked his head to one side, and began, "The Maiden Hunters is a tragic tale about pain, desire, blood, and a girl..."
A/N: So...This is my first ever FanFiction. It feels like life comes around full circle sometimes. I first started reading stories here around 10 years ago (jeeze I remember when people just saying that made them seem old), and now I'm back after 7 years of having a profile..WITH MY OWN STORY! I really never thought the day would come. I would love to get some solid feedback as I am very interested in writing another story, so please leave a review! I have pretty thick skin, so don't worry about holding back.
Best, RC