Chapter 1 - From Red to Rust
Doctor, help me understand. What exactly makes a soul?
The sound of screaming wavered through the air. Hundreds of different voices shouting out at once. Not just in pain, but in sadness, fearlessness, and even the occasional hint of victory.
She was not one of those voices. She was silent and motionless. Her green eyes flooded as they reflected the dark sky.
She was alone.
There were hundreds of men and women all around her, yet she was alone. A stifled sob left her mouth. She wanted to stop the tears from falling, but that would mean letting go. Her hands wouldn't allow that. The cold metal that clung to them was too captivating to allow for movement. So the tears fell. She could feel them roll down to her cheek and all she could do was watch as they dropped down from the peak of her chin.
It's a bit complicated, sir. It's everything and nothing at the same time.
Her knees began to ache under the weight of the armor. The slight tinge of pain acting as the only thing she felt in what seemed to be hours. She hated the sensation. Not for the irritation, but for bringing her back to reality.
It allowed her to feel the ground shake. It wasn't clear if it came from a step of the giant beast, or the flapping of its wings. All it told was its proximity to her. With each thud, she knew it was coming closer. The screams began to die down. Not because there was any less terror in the battle, but because there simply wasn't enough voices to hold the intensity.
The sudden quiet allowed her to hear. In the haze, it felt like the wind was trying to talk to her. It wasn't just another voice. It was a tingle that touched her hair and whisked around her head. In the cold, it felt like a welcoming warm embrace. It felt like Scarlet.
I'm not following. If it truly is everything and nothing, how can you know it's there?
Another tear fell from her face and onto her friend's bloodstained chest. The gash that ripped straight through her armor left the once beautiful metal twisted and torn. Metal was supposed to be strong. It was supposed to protect those that wore it.
That thing didn't agree.
Scarlet didn't move in her arms. There were no tears. No lost breaths. She simply looked at her friend and smiled. She wore the same smile when they had first met. It brightened up her pale skin by spreading the red of her lips just that much further towards her cheeks. Scarlet really was beautiful. Her glistening silver eyes only added to that. It filled her friend with a warmth that only a loved one's presence could provide in such a cold moment.
Scarlet closed her eyes. She wanted to keep them open, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She just needed rest.
The warmth that she gave only seemed to grow in her partner. It covered her body in a blanket that washed away the bitterness of the world. It comforted her, but also spoke. Not in words, but in feelings. First, there was sadness that was washed away in the same relaxing warm embrace. Next, there was fear that was suddenly halted by a shrill calm. Finally, there was courage that never went away. Instead, it lingered there. On and on. Until the aura Scarlet had surrounded her with slowly drifted away.
It's there because we feel it. It's what continues to drive us forward.
The girl simply laid Scarlet against the brick where she sat. It wasn't a comfortable spot, but it was the only thing she could do. Scarlet wanted her to be brave. She wanted her to have the courage to move. She wanted her to fight. The touch of Scarlet's aura had told her that in a way that words could never accentuate.
She would honor her friends wish. She would use everything that Scarlet had taught her. She would stand against the beast that continued to move ever closer.
It is motivation. It is ideals. It's what makes us all different, but oh so very similar.
Auburn gently removed her friend's sword and shield. They were never going to be enough to win. Only enough to try. The certainty of it all drummed in her chest. She was going to die. There was no fear in that though. If death was inevitable, then she was going to make sure hers would stand for something.
Before she left, she looked over herself. The chain that covered her chest still dripped red. It wouldn't protect her like Scarlet's armor. Against what was coming, cloth would have done just as well. The chainmail was a gift though. Each ring was pieced together by Scarlet. For that, it would stay.
She hoisted Scarlet's shield on her left forearm. It was smaller than most, but the kite shape would still offer whatever protection would be needed leading up to the foe. The bright white sheen only added to the effect of the green and red sword emblem that ran down the middle. It was her idea to make it. One red sword for Scarlet, the green for her. The fact that Scarlet had taken the time to paint in on the metal only added to their friendship.
In her right hand, she gripped Scarlet's sword tightly. It felt strange to hold her weapon, despite it being an exact replica of her own. The only difference was the pommel. Scarlet had taken the time to paint it a vibrant red. It served no purpose other than the individuality that Scarlet demanded all of her equipment have. Auburn gave the sword a light swing to test the weight. It wasn't needed. The blade was the same steel as her own. It had the same average length blade as well. It wasn't a test of the sword though. It was to ensure herself that she was ready.
Once satisfied with herself, Auburn looked over the two helmets that rested on the bloodied grass. Both girls had worn one as a sign of strength. It concealed their beautiful faces to make sure all that stood before them would see a warrior above all else. At this point, it was a fallacy. This battle required an entirely different form of strength. The enemy did not fear steel. It didn't fear anything. So she walked away. She would fight the beast with her true face. She wanted to make sure it saw her eyes before it was over. They weren't silver like Scarlet's, but she wanted to show that emerald could strike just as much fear.
But most importantly, it's what makes us real.
Auburn rounded the brick corner of the hut. Before her, she saw the ruins of their mountain village. Buildings were littered across the dirt roads. They had taken years to build. Now, they were nothing more than shattered stone. Despite the damage, Auburn felt that whoever had been inside them was lucky. Over the remaining buildings, she could see the yellow glow of fire.
It did little to dissuade her. Auburn's path was clear. She continued her pace forward towards the flames. As she walked, her long red hair slowly swayed on her shoulders. It had been kept up in her helmet for so long. It made her feel powerful to have its burning colors out in the open like the wood and grass around her.
Her confidence persisted even as the feelings of dread began to fill the air. It was such a common thing to feel when the Grimm were near. The sensation was typically enough to drive most men and women to run for safety. Yet, she was not a common woman. She was a huntress.
The snarls of the beasts began to grow louder with each step forward. They were simply a distraction. She knew their plan of attack. She was surrounded. Soon there would be no way to move forward without a fight. She gripped Scarlet's sword tightly and felt the warm sensation of her friend's aura along her face once again. Nothing more than a slight caressing of the cheek as if to say 'be careful'. Auburn closed her eyes. The first one was always just a distraction anyway.
The snarl grew into a raging roar as a beowolf jumped through the flames. Its claws reared for her head, but missed as Auburn casually stepped to the side. The beast dug its claws into the dirt as it skidded past her. Most would follow it with attention, but they would miss the second strike. With a quick twist, she raised her shield to stop the incoming attack on her left. The strength from the blow attempted to drive through the metal as if it were a hammer. The dull thud that echoed from the shield proved its failure.
The beast screamed. Cold bits of saliva met her forehead where the shield couldn't cover her face. The Grimm brought up its other arm for a following swipe, but it missed high as it was thrown off balance. The shield had pushed back against the beast's strength and sent it a step backwards. The slight mistake allowed for a flash of steel to swing down and across its leg. The limb severed so cleanly that the following strike to its throat appeared effortless.
The body had already begun evaporating before it hit the ground. Auburn paid it no mind. Instead, she turned to the original foe. It wouldn't be startled by seeing its ally fall. There was no soul in these creatures. Just blind rage and malice. It lunged at her. Its back legs propelled it forward at tremendous speeds. Even then, Auburn had time to think on its actions. Scarlet's sword held firm in front of her body. It didn't need to move anywhere else. The emotionless beast simply crashed into it. All Auburn had to do was wait as it disappeared from the weapon. Even with the blade through its neck she could feel the creature glaring at her.
I still don't think I understand. If it's all of that, then how do you plan to create such a thing?
Auburn remained standing with her sword in the air. With a long breath, she slowly lowered it to her side. The short fight hadn't tired her, but it had reminded her of what was yet to come. The earthshaking movements were getting closer. She knew it would be here soon. In that short moment of reflection, she noticed just how quiet everything had become. There were no more snarls. No more screams. There was only the flickering flames that were slowly engulfing the village, and the slow rattling beat in the ground.
"I'm sorry Scar." The wings of the beast began to curl around the buildings that remained standing. The low drum of its footsteps were quickly becoming a solid boom. "I don't think I'm going to be making it out of here." The creature's spiked tail cracked through its surroundings sending brick, dirt, and solid mortar flying towards the sky. "I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough." The creature's right wing struck down the last remaining building that separated her from its vision. The dust scattered through the village square. Auburn simply held the shield to her face to let the debris fall to her side.
She glared at it. Only in legends had she heard of such a creature. A Grimm so large that it could pass through villages and cities without effort. One so strong that it could break through the very mountains she currently stood on. Yet, here it stood in front of her. Its red eyes bearing down into hers. Letting her know just how small she was, and just what would happen if she were to fight it. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save you."
The Grimm sent out a roar so loud that the building behind Auburn crumbled. The force of the wind that came with it attempted to topple her over, but she braced through it. She wished she hadn't. The musk from the beast's mouth covered the air with the scent of death. It was a warning to her of all the men that it had slain with the simple click of its jaw. Her stomach turned and her body almost fell forward as the force suddenly came to an end.
She began to feel the terror that had seemed to escape her. She was going to die. This thing would be her end. How could she be so foolish that she had decided to fight it? The emotions began to pour from her face. She wanted so badly to strike fear into the Grimm. To be so terrifying that even the emotionless beast could understand the pain that taking her friend's life caused. In that moment, those thoughts felt so weak. So futile to even attempt. Right now, she just wanted her friend back.
The Grimm flared its fangs. Its long neck strained and forced its head down with a terrifying speed. Auburn reared her head and braced her small shield in a worthless attempt to try to stop it. The sound of the bone hit metal. It was the last thing the girl was going to hear before she died.
"I'm so sorry…"
I don't. No man could ever hope to create something as miraculous as a soul.
Death wasn't so bad. There was no pain. Instead, she felt strong. It was as if that small moment of fear had been carried away. All that remained was the warmth that circled around her. She could breathe easy again. All the worries she held had simply gone away. It allowed her to slowly open her eyes once more. She wasn't sure what to expect death to look like. Maybe it was the perfect place to relax for eternity. A place filled with rolling green hills, colorful flowers, and beautiful blue skies. Maybe it would be dark and cold with nothing more than dirt to pave the ways. Maybe it was nothing at all. It didn't matter though. She was ready for it.
Auburn looked down at her figure. Nothing had changed. Her feet were still firmly planted on the dirt streets she remembered so well. Her eyes traced up her arms towards the shield that was now so close to her face. It glowed with a familiar red hue. Its presence filled her with the same warm and calm that it always had. The fangs that had failed to pass through it were simply held in place. They hadn't even scratched the surface of the shields brilliant paint.
She couldn't understand. Where had it come from? How had Scarlet saved her? The answer came in the wonderful tingles on the back of her head. The feelings ran through her body once more reminding Auburn of all the time she had spent together with her friend. Of all the times that they had protected each other, and all the love that they were able to spread because they had each other in their lives.
Auburn closed her eyes. Despite all the courage that Scarlet's aura had tried to make her feel, she couldn't help but let out a tear. In the darkness of her vision, she pictured her friend. Her lovely shining armor. Her beautiful pale skin. Her brightening smile. Her confident silver eyes. The warmth surrounded her once more. The image of her friend gave her a simple smile.
No, what we're attempting is different. We're continuing the life of one that never left in the first place.
"Be safe Auburn."
Auburn felt the red hue on the shield begin to grow into a white light. She could hear the pained roars of the giant Grimm as it tried its best to flee. She didn't understand it though. The light wasn't painful. All Auburn could feel was the wonderful warmth of her friend. As Scarlet's aura expanded out, it raced through her body like a desperate attempt to give one last embrace.
The brilliant white flashed. There was no sound. No pain. Just cold.
Doctor… I think it worked.
Author's Notes
Hello everyone!
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of 'The Other Side of the Coin'! I should mention that this chapter is meant to be the introduction before the introduction. I'm fulling expecting the question of - "So why is this story tagged as 'Penny' and 'Ruby' when you're going to use OCs?" To which I will respond, because we are so far in the past that they don't exist yet! But they will! This entire story is going to be about the background of Penny, so take that information, and this starting chapter, how you will.
I should mention that this story was originally created for FF user Shandromand. This, and the cover art, were part of a gift to them. So I hope I do them proud!
That's not to say I didn't have help! FF user DMenace and I had a chat about aura and how the intermingling of souls would work. They have a wonderful head-canon on auras being able to intertwine and physically effect one another, and his views on the subject are a big part of the inspiration for this story.
Finally, the artist who made the cover art goes by the name of Taylor Scholtens. Her art can be found on her self-titled Insta gram account and on her own (once again) self-titled website.
I suggest you give all of them a view!
In the meantime, I will continue writing this story over time. Future chapters are probably going to end up being much longer than this, and will most likely be updated every few weeks depending on my life schedule. I will still be adding short stories as I go, but this is going to be my new primary story.
As always, thank you so much for reading! Just seeing people take interest in my hobby is more rewarding to me than you could possibly imagine. I hope all of you enjoy!
~Sh1f7er