So you want to know my story, do you? This tale has no end, as it is just another flicker in the eternal struggle between Man and Grim. Why it interests you makes no sense to me, as there are better legends that are a lot more cheerful than my own. Look up the stories of Arc, Nikos, and of Nira, the tales of the greatest Hunters and Huntresses to ever have ever lived. You know the names, the stories you can find in the library under fiction? Or maybe you heard them from your parents before it was time to sleep?

"The heroes of old defending the remaining wisps of Light from the descending onslaught of Grim."

These three stories are what every Hunter and Huntress aspires to be, happy endings… ignore their claims or begging for an honorable death on the battlefield. What we really want is not to die with honor, but to live long enough to see our children prosper. I doubt that the scholars writing this know how terrifying it is to have an enemy fall before you, only to have three Majors replace it. I doubt the teachers for those "safe" schools know the fear of seeing your friends and team fall, not knowing if they were still alive. Hell, some officers do not appreciate the burden it is to have the lives of your friends and love on your shoulder. I don't blame them, the loss of loved ones, seeing a young life cut short, not knowing if you are going to make it home at night… these are things I would NEVER wish on my worst enemies. Do you know why I don't hate civilians and civilian jobs?

It is because I FIGHT, so that they can have that privilege. I BLEED so they don't, and achieve victory so they can smile. If I die the unsung hero, then let the people I died to protect at least see me taking out a dozen Grimmlings with me. Hate me if you want, despise what I do, Ostracize my kin, love me, worship me, aspire to be me. Do whatever it is that you please, but never follow my footsteps. This world needs only one of me, not ten, not a hundred, hell I think one is all this world can take. It wouldn't do to have several hundred thousand Fauna suddenly develop Amnesia. If this does come to pass, I will ensure they actually have Amnesia via blunt force trauma by some one from the Valkyrie Family.

Do you REALLY want to know my story? This tale has no beginning I recall, and if the scholar ends up writing this he can either end up shaking his head in the sheer stupidity of this so called "Legend" or be blushing from ear to ear at how I leave out almost no detail of my personal life. I keep being asked to start at the first thing I remember, in order to dispel the myth and bring forth the truth of my history.

So let us begin The Legend of a Wolfe… beginning with the flaming obvious...

Want to know what sucks more than freezing cold water? Freezing cold water while being trapped in a testing tube.

Breath in… I take in a breath of air tainted with medical scent.

Breath out… I release.

I can't remember how long I did that pattern, it never occurred to me to try to do anything about my bindings. I was perfectly content on simply breathing, never had to eat, never got bored, slept when I wanted to. To my sheltered senses there was not a thing wrong with my world because there WAS no world. There was nothing to smell besides air and my eyes only saw this odd blur when they were open so I simply kept them shut. Living that way was the simplest experience I have ever had; the only time I can remember where I was completely relaxed. There was no Grim invasion, no need to train, no need to worry, no need to stress, no need to do anything since I just WAS. I lived in the purest form of ignorance, and I can give you my word with out any need of hesitation that what they say is true.

"Ignorance is bliss.".

Think about it, anyone who says otherwise has never experienced or even seen someone who has lived in true ignorance. Someone or something raises every sentient and even non-sentient life. Whether that is by some combination of parents, a loving environment, cruel reality or so one, even they cannot experience bliss on this basis since they have actually lived in a life where there are changes. Think on your life, the sun rises, the sun falls, the moons rise to replace it and at the end of the night the sun replaces it. This is a change, a continuous cycle yet it has change nonetheless. I was not given that opportunity in my tube; my only change was my breathing. I lived that life since there was no other life to live. I would continue to live in that god forsaken tank had not life threatening event changed it all…

I ran out of fucking air.

It wasn't immediately terrifying, seeing as I didn't initially know I was drowning. I first noticed it when the gas stopped coming in, at that point the only thought that was on my mind was that it was strange to be without that oddly scented substance. This curiosity increased dramatically when my lungs started to burn, an altogether new experience for me. There was in no way for me to under stand what the bleedin' hells was going on, yet suddenly I thought something that was as if it was not mine. It was an instinctual acknowledgement and understanding on how deep I was in trouble. That bestial part of my mind that both Fauna and Humans share that studied my lack of air and the wetness that surrounded me. It was this part of my mind that came up with the genius inspiring conclusion.

Im drowning.

My first response was my increased curiosity. Before I did not even know the verb 'drown' yet here I was using it in a sentence with complete understanding of what it was. Then and there I learned that 'drowning' was the process that involved slowly dying due to lack of oxygen intake. I studied this fact, I knew to 'drown' I needed to be under water… did this mean that I was under water? If so, how long? This changed spiraled my bliss into eternity to never return. With this no scrap of information I began to question my existence in that location. I began to ask questions, "Who am I? What am I? How did I get here? Where is 'here'? Why am I asking these questions now? What is a 'question'?". I looked at the world in a whole new light due to the fact that something was starving of oxygen. It was then where my instincts became more urgent, egging me on to ask the right questions with more and more desperation. Before long, the uncomfortable burn that began in my lungs went from annoying nuisance to a candle. My instincts and cries from my lungs caused the rational part of my brain to come to the finally conclusion.

You. Fucking. Idiot. If you don't do something in the next thirty seconds you are DEAD!

Death, Dying, Decay, Loss of Life, Life being stolen, the Absence of Life, Aging... Even in my ignorance I understood what the phrase meant. It is difficult to explain the bestial instincts that have no equivalent in any language with complete and absolute accuracy. The best I could explain my comprehension of death would be "The End that Ends it All.". My rational part of my mind could not understand this. I could not understand what the flying hells was going on to me. The fire burning in my lungs persisted and I was getting more and more scared, the flickering candle jumping to an all out inferno of pain. This hurt increased drastically when I opened my eyes in my panic, eyes darting around to find something to do.

I am dying. My mind screamed

By the Dust I am DYING

Instinctually, I felt my body surround itself with my aura in order to protect me from an assailant. In a sound less scream I felt the aura reject the bindings that kept me down, pushing away the strange device that fed me air. Ignoring instinct's cries for air, I fought the urge to breathe. Instead I raised my fist, my aura moving to cover it in preparation for what I was about to do. Gathering all of my fading strength, I struck outward and destroyed the cage that held me from salvation. I realized now that had I done a normal punch in that situation, I would not be here now. In order to escape, I had to completely shatter the door to my prison so that I would not be restricted in my next action. With another soundless roar I surrounded myself with my aura in a split second pushed as hard and fast as I could away with my aura to dispel any water that was near me.

The cold touch that I was made comfortable with was instantly replaced with the inviting warmth of the outside air. I gasped, taking in the air I so desperately needed, breathing in the air so hard that it actually hurt me and sent me in a coughing fit. Feeling light headed and seeing black spots dance in my eyes caused me to promptly collapse onto the ground. The pain was too strong for me to question gravity or the meaning of life, the significance of both I landed on the floor chest first, abusing my already weak lungs.

"Where is it!?" I croaked to myself. "Where is my sword, my shield?". The fear of losing my weapons pushed through my pain and allowed me to focus enough on getting myself to my feet, slowly, carefully as to not teeter over. It was then I realized that I had fallen on something, and that there was a strong stink in the air. The shape of whatever fell was familiar, but all together unwelcome even without the stink involved. Initially I ignored it, opting to instead stretch out my uncomfortable muscles and joints, numerous 'pops' filled the air as carried out my movements. While I stretched I also inspected my surroundings, noting that at the very least my clothing could be found near by. It was then and only then that I looked down and recognize the fact that I had in fact fallen on a corpse of a sentient torn to beyond recognition save for the ID on their chest. I resisted the sudden need to wretch empty insides as I bent down and quickly plucked up the ID.

"Poor bastard…" I said to the fallen scientist. "Sorry, but I have to use this… not like it is going to do you much good." I held the card and reached into another tube for clothing that must have been my own. Thankful for the some what familiar fabric, I slipped on the clothing crested with my family symbol. Before putting on my black shirt, I looked on the back to see the wolf's head design that matched the tattoo on my left shoulder blade. I pulled then pulled on the underwear and black cargo pants, digging around one of the tubes for a pair of socks and shoes. Ideally, I wouldn't rely completely on my Aura to protect me since I normally had some sort of armor to protect me… but I wasn't in an ideal situation. "I wonder if I will ever get the chance to make this sign famous again… If Dad heard me saying that he would say I wasn't trained enough to fight a real grim- ". I cut the rest of what I said off as I realized the implications of my situation, all in the reverse order.

I just fell on a BODY… oh god there are bloodstains EVERYWHERE. I thought as I examined the room for once.

I nearly drowned in that thing… what the hell was that any way? I thought as I looked at the shattered remains of my cell.

Where the hell is this place anyway? I thought as I looked at the corpse.

How long have I been here? My body feels the same, though that could be due to whatever they were making me breathe…

I had to shake my head firmly, like a dog shaking off water, so that I could get my brain on track again.

STOP! Focus! THEN I can think of a way to get me the hell out of … where ever this place is. I thought, my hand reaching for my not present sword. Right… maybe I should find my weapons since they are obviously not here…

I look around the room, noting how the METAL door had been torn almost completely out of its frame. Here is to hoping whatever got in isn't still around, else this will be the most pathetic escape attempt ever…

I looked near my foot and picked up a dagger-sized scrap in my hands. It isn't Excalibur or anything… but at least I won't be fighting Grim with tooth and nail, huh, I wonder what they taste like anyway?

When I stepped out of my prison room, I was completely taken back at the absolute chaos that left not a spot clean. All around I saw the long-dead corpses of what I now saw to be Humans in lab coats. Along with their blood and entrails scattered on the walls and ceiling, forcing me to tread carefully through their remains. I can't tell what is worse, what happened to these poor sods or the fact that they were experimenting on me. I thought to myself, checking my clothes to ensure none of my vomit hadn't contaminated them. Blood? Sure. Corpses? Okay… but this place was an absolute massacre, did the scientists even TRY to put up a fight? At the very least I could give the one who thought it was a good idea to have a completely functioning bathroom near my tube thing, and that no one died while taking a piss.

I shook my head to clear the run away thoughts, "Think positive, and try to ignore the fact that you will be stepping through the intestines of men and women who used you as a lab rat… Seriously, how many puppies did I burn in my past life to deserve this?" I stopped my rant there, gathering my breath for the extremely stupid thing I was about to do. I stared at myself in the reflection as I gathered my Aura to help concentrate on something- anything besides the fact I was about to cross a room with corpses.

Not helping! And with that thought I turned and sprinted down the hall, taking the risk of falling and snapping my neck instead of trying to enjoy the morbid scenery. I hopped from dried bloodstain to another, doing all I could to avoid stepping on either the guts or their respective owners. I tried to move faster than I ever thought I possibly could simply so I could stay out of Hell's Hall way for the least amount of time. If I hadn't vomited earlier, the stench of the decaying would have sent me sprinting back to the bathroom. As it was, I regulated my breathing so that I could continue on before nearly passing out again. I raised my head to see that in half a minute I would crash headlong into a still locked door.

"Please give your Identification." Said a pleasant robotic voice.

You blithering idiot! You should have checked to make sure it was locked!

As I continued to curse to myself, I drop the scrap as I reached back into one of my pockets and tore out the ID I had looted from the first scientists' corpse. As I raised it toward the door, I saw a light that shot out and scanned the ID I held before me. Recognizing the code, the door opened and I barely managed to shoot through them. Seeing that I made it through, I dove and rolled to a stop and landed in the center of the room. I waited there silently, searching for any sirens or the like that did not ring. Seeing that I was safe, I turned to examine the room and sighed in absolute relief for the very first time in my new life. Raising myself to my feet, I walked in the relatively clean room to the altar that lay opposite of my entrance. On the altar lay the-my sword and shield, thankfully with the blade still in tack.

At least they didn't keep them too far away from me, though what tests they were doing on them is beyond me. I thought as I stepped up to the domed altar. As I searched for some sort of latch, I quickly found that the dome had not even a hinge or some sort of indication that it opened at all.

Of course they would try to protect the things… ah well, time for plan B! I thought, finishing with an evil smile. I called upon my aura once more, raising my fist in order to carry out my second plan. Reminding myself that I should take care to avoid striking my weapons, I hit with all I could against the top of the glass, hooking my arm up and down. As my fist made contact with the glass, a siren blasted through my sensitive hearing.

"Intruder! Identify yourself!". I heard a multitude of robotic voices cry. Slowly, I picked up my weapons and put them in my inside pocket. Attempting some sort of smile, I turned toward them and tried to give off an air of confidence.

"No worries! I have the Identification, so don't shoot me!" I say as I show them the ID I had picked up.

"Scientist 001 Is deceased, a woman, and a human being. These parameters have not been met and thus termination will follow if proper Identification is not given.".

"She lent me her card! Come on! I left my card at the front… err, Initiate Code Alpha-1-3-Zeta-9-Omega?" I say desperately, returning the ID card to my pocket.

To my total astonished surprise, the robots froze in their tracks.

"Processing Acquire Code…"

Yeah, forgive me if I don't give you the chance to do that. I thought as I launched myself at the nearest robot.

"Stop! O-" The machine managed to say before I landed on it, smashing its head into the ground. Hearing the machines turn toward me, I flip to the side and closer to another robot. Not a split second after my jump did the machines begin firing at where I used to be.

Thank dust that these are cheap models. I think to myself, landing in a roll that moved me between the legs of another machine. Latching onto its back, I twisted so that the bullets shot at me would hit robot I was riding while the bullets said robot was spraying took down two others. Pushing myself off the riddled machine, I pulled my weapons and extended them to their battle form, holding the shield to protect my crouched form. The machines responded quickly, shooting at a fruitless attempt to break through my shield. I focused on the rattling of the guns in order to estimate their number and their movements.

Looks like ten at most… five at least if they all have two guns… I hear a break in their fire, and before I can take advantage they resume firing. Damn it! So just their armor is weak… Time to do something stupid before they can do something smart…

I thought to myself as I rose to my feet, calling forth my Aura. I kept my shield in front of me, relying on it and my aura to protect me from the combined gunfire. I charged forward, wincing slightly at the rounds that collided with my legs.

"My turn!" I cry out, slamming my shield into a machine to knock it off balance. The blow launched it completely off its feet and into another enemy. I quickly pounced on the pair, landing with my sword point first into the chest of both machines. Noticing I was in the center of the group, I jump toward two machines standing too close together and flick my blade outward to cut their weapons in half. Spinning one final time, I cut both the machines in vital areas just before landing on my feet. Charging toward the group again, I note that only three of the machines remain standing.

They made this a tad too easy…

At half the distance, I threw my shield as hard as I could at the closest machine and with a metallic crunch it cleaved into the machines chest. I leaped onto my shield, and jumped again as I took off the head of the machine that was my platform. Flipping through the air, I landed on the ceiling and kicked off toward one of the last remaining machines. Knocking the machine to the ground, I stab once my sword into its chest once before rolling to my feet to face the final enemy.

"Looks like it's just you and me... feel like giving up?" I say, "Don't worry, I won't even ask for an ID." Unfortunately, the last machine didn't act as if I was worthy of an answer. Instead, I saw its weapon shift into a sword as it leapt toward me. Dodging the humming blade, I dove for my shield and wrenched it out of my fallen foe. I had just placed the shield on my arm when the machine dashed toward me once more with its sword prepared for a stab. Flicking the weapon to the side, my return strike with the shield strikes it in the chest, causing to stagger backward.

Wonderful… this one is made of something else. I growl to myself, circling my enemy. Thankful for the brief respite, I look at the machine and make note of different things, such as the black stripe that went from the top of its chest piece to the bottom. Had I not been in the middle of a battle, I might have let out a sigh at the fact that my enemy had a general lack of weak points.

If I can't find a way, I will make a way... and I said history will never help me in a battle. I think to myself.

I laughed at the machine, "Come on! Just fight me already, Tin Can!" Yeah, lets go out of our way to annoy the thing that doesn't have any emo- I manage to think when it interrupted with a sword swipe.

"Surrender!" it said in its metallic tone.

"We are way past that point now, buddy." I growl, ducking under an attack that would have taken my head off. I attempted to counter with a strike to the chest, but it was deflected with a raised arm. Seeing that it was about to hack at my leg, I jump over the sweep and kick as hard as I could in its chest. Flipping off, I flicked my blade and parried a stab before landing on the ground. I struck out again with my shield, only to have it trip me as it dodged out of my way. Right as I was about to hit the ground, I controlled my fall and leapt to my feet once more. The moment that I rose I was forced to lean backward to avoid the sword that would have cut into my neck.

That's it, enough is enough! I shouted in my mind. I looked up to see the blade about to descend. I growled as I brought my aura to my arms, blocking the blow with my shield. I winced as I felt the ground crack beneath me. I pushed back against the robot, pushing it off balance. As it stumbled backward, I stabbed at its leg and brought it to its knees. After deflecting an attack aimed at my neck, I whipped my blade around and severed my enemy's hand from the wrist. I flicked my blade out and stabbed its head, barely raising my shield in time to block the robot's fist. I growled in frustration as I severed the robot's remaining hand and stabbed it in the chest, twisting and ripping upward for good measure. I kicked the robot's remains away as I shifted my weapons out of their battle forms, making absolutely sure that the thing was dead.

Have to give that thing credit that was an annoying fight. I thought to myself as I turned away, for the first time noticing the terminal in the room. Walking toward the terminal, I brought out the ID card and turned it over in my hand.

"… Damn it!" I swore out loud, for on the very back of the ID card was what looked like a password written in very hasty handwriting.

"I should have noticed this earlier… would have saved me from fighting that pain in the ass." I mumble to myself "… Well, at the very least I got what I came for, now to figure out where the hell this is and what the hell I'm doing here." I say to myself as I close in on the terminal, finally noticing that it had a still smoking bullet hole in the middle of the screen.

Or not.

No sooner had the thought passed through my mind, did I smell a scent, passed the blood and decay that was around me, passed the oil leaking onto the ground. Spinning, I whipped out my sword and faced my new attacker.

"Who are you?" She asked.