An oath taken, a brotherhood forged.
-X-
It's funny how history can be changed just by a few simple actions. When the web of fate becomes fractured once a tragedy occurs in this world, long ago the people of Remnant have known peace until this tragedy happens. Well, as much peace as the people have experienced in between fighting off the Grimm and staying away from the throats of their neighbors.
Or from their fellow citizens of their kingdoms. Vale, Holnon, Vacuo, Seregost, Mistral, Mantle, each kingdom filled with both humans and faunus.
Though once this cataclysm, that people called the Conjunction of Spheres happened, Remnant has spiraled into disarray.
Holnon and Seregost were the only kingdoms to be lost. Though the other four became crippled once the conjunction happened. All because of what came.
Strange creatures and beasts came forth from the divide. Some people even began turning into monsters, when they died a few even came back as... something else.
The villages farthest away from the kingdoms suffered the most loss, being sacked by bandits, killed for sport by humanoid monsters that call themselves Uruk-Hai, or attacked by either beasts or Grimm. The Huntsmen seemed to only care about defending their kingdoms, sparingly venturing away from their safe havens to protect the settlements in the surrounding territory, usually for payment from villages that hardly had enough to get by.
The people of the wilds needed to be protected from the coming dark. What they truly needed were protectors willing to defend them... as the shields that guard the realms of men. Every man, woman, and child who resides in the wilds had been protected because those willing to defend them banded together.
As their guardians. As those who walk the wilds. Not as Huntsmen who only protect those who pay, but as Rangers.
The scouts who aid the villages in hunts for food, or kill the creatures that hunt them. To ensure they get the supplies they need in order to survive.
Soon that mantle of responsibility will come to me to hold.
I will become a Ranger, a true protector of the wilds.
Because the only way you survive out here is with a quick shot, or a sharp blade.
- Initiate Declan Arnkel
Saber Legion, Anima
Forty seven years before the Great War
-X-
Around fifteen hundred years before the plot, the mountains northeast of Vale.
"I refuse to allow my men to defend those damn... mutts!"A gruff voice boomed from his spot at a large wooden oval table. The man's dented iron helmet resting in front of him, his balled hands slamming into the table as his blue eyes glared at the small group of individuals around him. "Those faunus don't even deserve to be protected!" He spat out to them while angering over half of the group as the rest managed to remain composed.
These men and women all stood within a grand hall of some old keep, hanging among the walls of the hall were multiple banners from unknown factions. The purpose of all the banners hanging within the hall was unknown though a possibility was that the fortress was some kind of headquarters. Although six pyres were lit around the hall keeping it illuminated from the darkness of the night.
"Luther, we've all sworn to defend anyone who resides outside the walls of the kingdoms. And the people you call mutts are part of that oath too." One of the group members argued as he leaned over the table. "So make good on your damn words, Winchester." He said to the man which angered him for a change.
"If you wish to allow yourselves to be killed fighting for animals them be my guest but my men and I won't." The Winchester responded with a scowl while shaking his head in disgust. Though the sound of the grand door behind them all stopped the argument before it could escalate with more of the attending men and women around them joining in.
Standing within the doorway leading into a hard downpour in the dead of night were two cloaked figures, the leader of the two was a woman clad in only black leather and chain mail. The various pockets and belts along her waist and torso allowed her to carry any of the supplies she would need for herself within the wilds, though attached to her shoulders was a midnight black cloak vailed over her head shrouding her hair and eyes. Two long swords were strapped to her back parallel with each other overtop of the black cloak she wore, though the act confused a few of the attendants as the position of the swords indicated they'd both be used by the right hand. All completed with a pair of leather pants leading down to leather boots beginning at her knees, though through her legs a black wolf tail could be seen hanging between them. Around her neck was a silver wolf's head medallion with its jaws open, with rubies for eyes.
The second of the two was a man coloured similarly with his leader though instead of leather and chain mail he wore a trench coat leading down to his knees covered by a breastplate and a pauldron with a wolf's head painted onto it, clad with a deep cloud grey cloak instead of black though just as weathered as his leader's. Instead of a pair of swords on his back only a short sword was strapped onto it along side a bow and quiver of arrows. A belt outfitted with multiple pouches was fastened around his waist with a dagger as well as a couple throwing knives. A pair of loose leather pants ending with leather combat boots starting at the ankles.
Hanging by a ponytail from the hand of the woman was the head of a creature the Huntsmen reported call themselves Uruk-Hai, it's jaw slacked, tongue hanging out, and crimson eyes dead as they starred emotionlessly at the table before them.
"Now... what is this about you and your men refusing to uphold your oaths?" The leader asked to the armoured man.
"As I've told the other dogs my men and I will not die for the animals you call kin. They're nothing but rodents!" The Winchester shouted to the woman before him, who surprisingly kept her composure. Though all around him the other attendants began to become enraged at the man, if them reaching for the various swords, axes, or other weapons they had was any indication of their quarrel with the man.
"So you would refuse to uphold your oath? The oath you have sworn to defend any of the people who reside in the wilds." She asked him as she raised her hand to her hood pushing it back revealing her raven hair with a pair of equally black wolf ears on the top of her head. Though she may had not been as tall as the brute her silver eyes were now lightly glaring into the Winchester's blue ones as he was doing the same just more intently.
"I vowed to defend people not animals like yourself, mutt." He stated angering the man she walked in with. If him walking forward with his fists clenched as his crimson eyes glared at the Winchester from under his hood was any indication.
"Morgan." She said while raising her hand making him stop before he tried to fight the Huntsman. "Luther, if you want to leave then we can't stop you. I can't stop you." The woman told the man who quickly sported a cocky grin among his face.
"Well finally! The animal remembers her place." He responded to the woman. Though what confused the other members of the table was the fact that she wasn't fazed by the comment he made to her, the only response she made was to look around the Winchester to the man standing behind him at his spot of the table. "Time for the Cardinals to return home."
"Oh Luther, I didn't say you could go home." She clarified to the man before nodding to the man she looked to before. "I said you could leave."
As soon a he saw the nod the man drew his long sword from his side. Though as Luther heard the sound of steel drawing out of a sheath he quickly turned behind him only to receive an iron gauntleted hand to glide across his face. Staggering him back as the man before him grabbed his shoulder then thrust his sword into his stomach.
The floor and part of the table were quickly covered in blood as the soldier drew his sword from the Winchester's gut, showing that the blade was now stained crimson from the ordeal.
The reactions of the individuals around the table varied as the Winchester collapsed backwards onto the ground still in shock from being impaled by a sword. "Thank you, Colton." She thanked as the man now known as Colton started to wipe away the crimson staining his blade. After receiving the praise the man nodded to the black haired wolf while starring through the steel helmet hiding his face.
"Was that really necessary, Eerie?" The woman's companion asked with his deep voice as he leaned against the table, his hood pulled back revealing his jet black hair, his arms were folded across his chest.
Her only response was to raise her hand to her comrade with her pointer finger extended and shushing gently.
(For Honour ost: Wolves among sheep)
"Winchester, you should know that this was not personal... yeah that's sort of a lie." She stated to the dying man crouching beside his chest as blood began to flow out from his mouth. His hands trying to stop the flow of blood in vain as he gasped for air unknowing of how little time he had left.
"To be honest those racist comments and insults sort of contributed to this. You using your status as a Huntsmen to mock and torment people without repercussions... disgusting. And now you are refusing to uphold your oath. The one you've sworn, and you forsake it when the people of Remnant. Your people, are in their greatest time of need." She told him while drawing a rag from her pocket to wipe away the blood from his cheeks.
"What really got you killed was your arrogance, your hatred for those who are different, using the people you protect to pay you more out of desperation. To tell you the truth," she revealed before rising to her full height. "Every person in here despises you. The only reason none of them have even tried to kill you is because your 'Cardinals' would only retaliate. Well now we stand together." She said while extending her arm to the group of Huntsmen pointing at each of them, some glared at the dying Winchester as the others only started at him emotionlessly.
"Both you and your men have acted no better than bandits." She finished as Luther's body was now unmoving, his eyes now glassy and around the floor under his body was a pool of crimson. "Ida." She called into the group.
"Yes, Eerie." The person in question said as the individual walked around the table to the wolf. Standing tall in her knee length leather boots. She was a woman clad in a grey and red trench coat used commonly by Valean sailors which was kept closed by two belts. One around her waist with multiple throwing knives attached to it, the other over her chest keeping her long sword to her back. Her chestnut locks framing her face as her sapphire eyes starred at her comrade.
"Would you be a dear and have your men bring Luther's body to his men then tell them to either leave... or die?" The wolf asked as the woman in question raised her hand to her mouth and whistled, soon after a pair of guards entered the hall and walked over to the Winchester's body when she motioned to it. The only sign of Luther Winchester's demise was the pool of blood now leading to the doors of the hall after the corpse was dragged off into the stormy night.
"You know both his men and family won't forget that." The man named Morgan stated to his friend while still leaning against the table. "And his connections in the kingdoms likely won't help us after this." He continued as the man who confronted the Winchester cleared his throat to gain both Morgan and Eerie's attentions.
"Holden... how are you?" Eerie asked the mountain of a man, tall and broad-shouldered, clad in heavy armor which supports the comparison with a mountain even further. Who stood just across the table from her.
"I'm well." He responded in his gruff voice to the wolf faunus, the halberd he wields into battle resting against the grand wooden table. His hands raised upward to his head to remove the old weathered helmet and rested it on the table revealing his shaved dark brown hair, a short stubble on his face, his brown eyes calmly starring at the wolf across from himself. Upon his face were two scars. One on his right eyebrow going toward his temple, the other running horizontally along his cheek. "But Winchester's faction won't take the death of their leader lying down. Sure the only difference between them and bandits was the titles they barred." He stated before taking a deep breath. "But their dealing with the kingdoms was what kept us operating."
Upon hearing that sentence the wolf faunus sported a scowl on her face, "why should we care about the kingdoms?" She asked to the knight as she rested her hands on the table and leaned over it, her eyes starring at him in annoyance. All the while Morgan was now standing beside his companion.
"The kingdoms that abandoned us out here. That force us to fight for their own agendas while leaving the people who truly need to be protected for dead. Why should we fight for the greed and pride of kings while they would never stand for us?" She asked out to any of the people within the hall.
"Because its what we've sworn to do." One of Huntsmen answered from their spot at the table.
"The kingdoms don't care what happens to us!" Eerie shouted out to the others while glaring at each of them. "The ones who truly need our help are those that reside outside the walls of those damned cities." She stated while drawing her blade from her back and placing it on the table then repeating the action with the second sword.
"The people out here have began calling what brought those creatures here the 'Conjunction of Spheres'." The wolf stated before placing the severed head on the table disturbing the other Huntsmen. "During these six short months after that cataclysm occured we've been studying any of those creatures that we find... well it's more like experimentation." She revealed to the group surprising each of them.
"What have you learned so far?" Another member of the group asked starring at the wolf with analytical green eyes, his war axe in one hand while the other held a wet stone sharpening the blade to a razored edge. The mans voice was deep and gravely, his chocolate brown hair braided and shoulder length fashioned in the same way as his beard popular among the mountain tribes around in the region. Though for some reason he only wears leather armour into battle... he really doesn't fear pain.
Thankfully those tribes hold a strong alliance with the Huntsmen factions represented by the leaders standing within this grand hall, and kept a peaceful kinship with any of the villages or settlements they protect. In stark contrast with the Cardinals the men and women under his command as well as himself protect Anyone... regardless of race.
"A multitude of things, Asher." She revealed to the Nordic man while reaching for the Uruk head and raising it from the table. "These Uruk-hai have the tendency to move in packs similar to actual factions. Though each of them hates each other just as much as they hate us."
"Though I've learned that some of the monsters can be reasoned with. Alliances can even be forged with them... friendships even." The reactions of the Huntsmen in the hall varied, some became confused, others hopeful that aid can be given to them in their fight against the creatures that plague their world now, the rest neutral about the situation.
"Aw, Thank you little wolf." A feminine voice thanked the shadows of the hall. Walking from the corner within the hall stood a blonde woman standing composed with her hands behind her back. The black leather coat and boots were the only things she wore and from first glance the woman looked to be unarmed... though looks are sometimes deceiving. "But yes, not all of us are mindless monsters."
"What do you mean by... us?" Holden questioned the woman as she approached the table.
"Well some creatures can appear and disappear to their hearts content. Others stick to their pits or bogs. But things like me... we've found ways to stick to the shadows, some managing to look human... though we can sometimes revert to our more vampire-y forms when riled up." She revealed to them as her icy blue eyes gazed upon the group, a small smile decorating her face.
"You don't exactly loo-" Asher began but stopped when the woman's face began to morph into looking like a bat. The brow sloped down, her ears and nose became pointed, her eyes looking feral, and mouth was now filled with fangs. Claws about a foot long were now sprouted from her fingers.
"We... are vampires." She stated though her name was still shrouded in mystery. "Some vampires are able to change form to look human or faunus, but the ones that can't made due with keeping to the shadows."
"Then who are you?" Asher asked after placing his axe and wet stone on the table, his emerald orbs analyzing the woman's revealed features.
"Names Tizane, And before you ask why I'm here, Eerie here had a little conversation with many of the the Unseen Elders in the regions you all operate in." She said and once the other Huntsmen heard that their gazes all landed on the black haired wolf confused on what she meant by 'Unseen Elders'. "Oh the Unseen Elders are basically higher vampires far older then any of the others. They've claimed pockets of territory all along Remnant. The only ones who can control the vampires... basically if it's not for the Unseen Elders vampires would be wreaking far more chaos then the Uruk-Hai. And little old Eerie here had a few talks with them."
"And what would those conversations include?" A Huntress softly asked from beside Asher. Her ebony black skin in stark contrast with the snow white cloak attached to her shoulders, chocolate brown eyes questioningly boring into the silver eyes of Eerie. Her outfit mirrored her wolven comrade before her though instead of two swords being strapped to her back there was a crossbow, a quiver of arrows alongside a dagger fastened to her waist.
"I'm with Aileen." Holden stated as he folded his arms against his chest.
"Oh, just for the Elders to keep any vampires in there territories in line." She answered as her feature began to look more human once more. "Well the higher vampires like myself, though the lower ones will be driven by their carnal desires."
"What do you mean lower vampires?" Holden questioned.
"That is another thing." Eerie stated before turning to the doors of the grand hall. "Corbin! Grymes!" The wolf called out and hardly a minute after she shouted their names. Though they were dragging a creature in between them with multiple chains binding its arms against its chest. The squeals that sounded out from its mouth filled with two rows of fangs not even concealed due to the fact it had no upper lip. The ears on the sides of its head looking somewhat familiar with horns. The creature looking basically like a bipedal humanoid bat.
"My men have named this subspecies of creature a Fleder." Eerie stated as the soldiers reached the wooded table then forcing it to bend over it. "We've found that most of those monster and beast react to silver... like they're allergic to it." She continued before reaching for one of her swords, though when the other Huntsmen and Huntresses studied the blade from afar they saw the blade was actually made from silver instead of steel.
"We've classified many of the beasts into different categories." The wolf explained before motioning to the Fleder, "Fleders are classified into the vampire category just like Tizane, any creature that survives solely off blood alone are classified into that category. Though the higher vampires like Tizane only need to drink blood out of addiction."
"Another topic that she brought up when she talked with each of the Elders. So the higher vampires don't go around draining humans and faunus like vampiric versions of alcoholics." Tizane stated while raising her hands in assurance. Each of the group members stayed silent as they listened to Eerie talk of the findings of her men and herself.
"Well we've come up with other categories for everything as well. Anything that's died and came back as a ghost; Spectre. Creatures that kill people for food and are willing to feed on rotten corpses, basically scavengers; we've called Necrophages. The things that are basically two animals in one, ex. an eagle and lion equals Griffin; Hybrid. We're still categorizing." She explained to the group as they listen intently. "Any questions?" She asked as Morgan began to throw a knife in the air and catch it.
"Have you been experiencing any changes with the Grimm?" Holden asked while raising his hand in the air.
"We have." Morgan answered for his comrade. "We've been finding newer and more dangerous species of Grimm out in the wilds. Either they've been hiding or hibernating this whole time... hell for all we know some cruel god out there created them after getting inspiration from the creatures we've been fighting off."
"Like what?" Ida asked even though she didn't even want to know the answer.
"We've found a Grimm that's basically a Grimm version of a creature we've dubbed a..." She took a breath then relieved a sigh, "Cockatrice." A soon as she said that the Hunters around the table each began to chuckle. "It's head resembles a rooster, and shrieks like a chicken... and actually flies."
"Back to these new creature that have been introduced to our lovely little world, are there any weaknesses we can use against them?" Asher asked as he slipped his axe onto his belt.
"Yes, my scouts and experts have made these little concoctions or oils that will aid in a fight against the specific creature's category. Like with necrophages they've created an oil using the collective essences like blood, hair,... other things from different creatures in the category." She explained as the fleder began to become restless forcing the soldiers to hold it tighter. "Although silver works best." She stated as she walked over to beside the two soldiers and fleder, grabbing its head forcing it to stand upright. As soon as the vampire was standing to its full height she brought her blade right to its shoulder then dragging it over the monsters right arm.
Each of the Hunters saw that the monster's reaction was one of pain if the shrieks it gave off was any indication, the skin around the cut began to blister.
"As you can see." The black wolf stated before the soldiers dragged the fleder off to the side of the hall while Morgan drew his short sword from his back walking over to the fleder. Soon after he reached the vampire he thrust the blade into the chest of the monster, forcing a dying screech from its multi toothed maw.
After he withdrew his short sword from the creature's chest after nearly a minute of bleeding out the fleder was dead.
"You boys wouldn't mind taking care of the corpse?" Morgan rhetorically asked the pair of soldiers before they began dragging off the body, "and remember to cover it with necrophage oil to keep the corpse feeders away."
"Now That that's out of the way..." Aileen began before leaning over the table, "how do we fight these things? If we continue to fight out here and cut our ties to the kingdoms, they'll stop giving us support." She questioned to the wolf knowing full well that the actions that occurred on this day will have dire repercussions.
"Aileen's got a point. The kingdoms will either paint us as traitors and send their armies after us, or just abandon us altogether." Holden stated with his stern gaze still on Eerie.
"They'll only come after Morgan, and I." She answered to the towering knight. "Outside of this room no one knows Colton killed Luther. By now the Cardinals would have left and are on their way back to Vale. They will think I thrust the blade into Luther, and they'll also go after Morgan because he's my lieutenant." She surmised to the group around her. "You've learned enough to combat these creatures. If you all want you can still go back to the kingdoms, back to your greedy and prideful kings of Vale, or Vacuo, or wherever."
"Fuck the kings!" Asher shouted out as he slammed his fists down onto the table. "My people never depended on them, so why should we need them now?!"
"How elegant." Tizane whispered to herself.
"If we are going to survive against these things then it has to be together!" The Viking announced to the Hunters around him.
"He's right... each of you in here has a choice." The wolf began, "return to the kingdoms and continue fighting for corrupt tyrants as little more than glorified mercenaries, or stay out here as something else. As those who walk the wilds defending anyone regardless of race, gender, or creed. Who don't fight for money but for the safety of the people who reside out here." Once that statement was said the Hunters standing around the table looked to each other trying to decide what should be done. "As Rangers."
"Offer this same choice to each of your factions. If the men want to return home to the cities then allow them to." She concluded before Holden spoke up.
"If we do that then we won't have enough men." He countered to the wolf.
"Then we recruit those within the villages and settlements, the tribes that hold alliances with us." She replied to the knight. "We offer to train these people as well as protect them so they could defend their own just as well as us." She began again, "we find the wolves who can defend their packs. This... will be an age of wolves."
"If you ever need the help of a higher vampire, or vampires... just come find me, or an Unseen Elder for help." Tizan offered to them all while smiling warmly to each of them. "For the night is dark, and full of terrors." She finished slowly.
"Now... who will leave the title of Hunter behind, and take up the mantle of the Rangers?" Eerie asked to the many Hunters, including the unnamed Hunters that somehow weren't talking during this gathering.
"As I said before... fuck the kings." Was Asher's reply with his arms crossed over his chest after placing his war axe onto the table.
"These Uruk-Hai seem far worse than the Grimm around the walls of the cities. I'm with you, Lupine." Holden responded to the wolf while resting his halberd onto the table instead of on the side.
"None of the kings will fight for any of us... so I'm in." Ida stated out loud as she unsheathed her long sword from her back and placed it onto the table as well.
"There might be others in Anima that will join us... Mantle as well. I can reach out to them, after I swear myself into the Rangers." Aileen offered and soon after she received a nod from her wolven comrade. Her actions mirroring the others by putting her crossbow on the table.
"We're gonna need to organize into... something, we can't just be a singular fighting force." Morgan pointed out.
"Then how bout legions?" Eerie asked around to the group. "In time our factions will grow... let us hope they become full of highly trained Rangers."
"Sounds better than just calling yourselves factions." Tizane agreed as more of the unnamed Huntsmen leaders either placed their weapons on the table and pledged to the Rangers, or walked through the doors of the hall and return to the kingdoms. Whichever one they belong to.
On that day a new order was forged. A brotherhood created to defend anyone from whatever dwells outside of the kingdoms. From man, Uruk, beast, or Grimm the Rangers will fight them, as the true protectors of Remnant's people.
The legions that we're created soon spread out onto the other continents. The Iron, Crimson, Talon, Viper, and Lancer legions would go on to protect the large continent of Vytal, their headquarters would eventually be built in the mountains. The Rangers that inhabit it and the surrounding villages and tribes allied with the Rangers would come to call it Kear Morhen.
On Anima the Saber, Forrester, And Manticore legions would rise to their calls to defend and rally at their fortress; Darkwater Refuge.
Once Menagerie was founded the Ghost Legion would eventually be forged to protect its inhabitants from the shadows. In secret a stronghold was built within the desert of the vast island dubbed Banesteppe.
The Frost Legion would become the lone sentinels of Mantle as time flowed by. In the icy wasteland of northern Mantle their fortress was built, Winterfell.
And over the centuries more people would rally to the Ranger's cause, from villagers wanting to defend their homes to outcasts of the kingdoms. The brotherhood of Rangers grew. Though through the ages the Rangers and Huntsmen would become resentful of each other, the kingdoms treating the Rangers as degenerate rogues that deserted their kingdoms in their times of need. Though ironically it was the opposite, the Hunters that would become the Rangers were the ones who were truly abandoned.
And that leads to the present. When a certain Arc is exposed inside one of the Huntsmen academies, left alone and abandoned by his friends and family. Then noticed by the commander of one of the Legions.
-X-
Howdy, welcome to my second fanfic, a multi crossover between Tolkien, Martin, Sapkowski (the writer of the Witcher books which was adapted into the games.) just with the added twist of them all being in Remnant. I'm open to non-hostile criticism. Next chapter will be coming out in the next month... I guess. I've wanted to get this off the ground for the longest time. There may be mutants like the Witchers later on if I can figure out how to write them in. Jaune will be in the same situation as he was in 'Arc of the Guardians', he won't die... just be left an outcast in Beacon academy.
Also take a guess on which Legion Jaune's gonna join, and maybe send in OC's that Pinkpower3612 and I can use in the story.
The Ranger brotherhood basically functions similarly to the minutemen from fallout 4. They're in it for the safety of the wilds... or well the villages at least.
Maybe they'll be another JaunexOc pairing again or he'll be shipped with another cannon character. Not really sure since I'm still deciding. Or should I just write him out to be like Geralt of Rivia, A drifter Ranger That does basically anything?
