Chapter 1: Broken in transit

In a large city with skyscrapers that extend far into the sky two figures walk side by side down the night streets in a mostly deserted part of town. In the distance the night is lit up by lights of the skyline as is normal of a city at night but they are also accompanied by bright lines of color emitted above the buildings. A loud bang is heard seconds after the light streaks across the sky before another goes off. Between bursts the loud sounds of parties can be heard in the distance showing the lack of danger, the lights in the sky fireworks being set off to celebrate a nation's birthday. Contrast to the main part of the city the street the two walk on is mostly dark, everyone going to the party downtown to see the fireworks. The occasional glow in the sky outlines the two figures, for a brief moment revealing their features. The first is a man with short brown spiked hair in a purple t-shirt and jeans, his most notable feature being a horizontal 3 clawed scar on his right cheek. He looks down the dark street they walk glancing at whatever catches his eye but mostly just daydreaming. The second is a women with yellow eyes as bright as the lights she's looking up at in the night sky. A purple ponytail runs down the back of her orange shirt. Another flash of light reveals her sly smile and darker skin compared to the pale man's next to her.

After another boom she breaks the silence of the street with her strong yet beautiful voice. "Not quite as spectacular as the fireworks that were going off earlier really."

The male chuckles. "Well we were a lot closer to the other ones after all and the fact they weren't really planned added some flare." He gives her an accusing glance suggesting she had something to do with said fireworks.

She responds to his glance without even having to see it. "I mean it all worked out in the end didn't it, the ship was going to end up being destroyed anyway."

The man looks up at the sky as well now, remembering the earlier 'fireworks.' "Good thing it wasn't as big as the ones Will Smith and Engineer Dr. Malcom blew up."

She rolls her eyes at the reference. "You know no one but you gets those right?"

He casually shrugs and grins "Well I enjoy them, so…" another series of booms go off as he trails off. "At least bright explosions in the sky are a regular thing around this time. People probably just thought it was part of an early show."

Just then something down a side street catches his eye, causing him to stop. A purple glow begins to build in an otherwise dark alley.

"Well, Yuzuki, looks like our cab's just arrived. Guess with that last battle our job here is done.

Yuzuki looks and sees the familiar shape of one of the portals they travel though, purple energy spiraling around circular edge of the person sized rift. She looks back to Infinity and sighs, she had hoped they would have had a longer time before something else happened. There had been something she wanted to discuss with him later on.

Never knowing what would be on the other side Infinity changes into his standard light armored black and purple outfit with a flick of a button on his watch. A sword materializes horizontally on the back of his belt, the hilt where he could grab it with his left hand. A black cloak falling gently over his shoulders

He looks back at his wife who though with annoyance pressed the button to change back into her own combat outfit.

"Something wrong?" he asked

"No." she responded "was just hoping we'd get a chance to relax before we had to head off again."

"Sorry, you know I don't have control over these things." he said as he rubbed the back of his head with a gauntleted hand

"It's fine, let's just go" she said as she walked up next to him to go through the portal.

They stepped into the rift and were immediately met with the sensation of weightlessness as they began being pulled down the tube of purple light steaks and swirls that made up the walls of the stream between the universe they were just in and wherever they were going next. Used to the feeling after years of travel they both relatedly float as if they were standing as the current pulls them rapidly to their destination. Infinity looks back at Yuzuki who was looking off into space as if there was something on her mind. He was the one of the two that was known more for daydreaming so he didn't know what was up. He was sure shed bring it up with him whatever it was on her own time so he wasn't too worried.

The entrance of the portal they came through was now no longer visible behind them as continued down the highway like stream between dimensions. In a few moments the light of the exit portal can be seen growing bigger ahead of them.

"Any idea where we're going to end up this time?" Yuzuki asked lazily

Infinity could sometimes feel familiar energy if it had been a place he'd been before and once they were actually there his watch would have a readout if it was a place that was logged before.

"Doesn't seem too familiar" Infinity responded as he felt the energy from the approaching exit.

Another wave of energy hits him and something changes. He suddenly feels something not from the portal but from his gut. He clenches his chest as a stab of pain emirates from his core. His calm demeanor changes as his eyes open wide and he begins to gag. Yuzuki notices and snaps out of her daze and is about to ask what's up

Infinity feels a cold presence wash over him from the back of his mind as if somethings right behind him. A familiar distorted voice whispers in his ear "How long did you think you'd be able to keep me contained like this?"

Infinity sensed the black shadowy form of Abyss's head creep up over his shoulder. He could feel the glare of the Red triangular eyes stare into his soul and sharp black teeth forming an evil smile. All of this was just an illusion in Infinity's mind but it may as well been actually happening.

The pain in his gut increases and Infinity muttered under his breath "Why now?..."

In Infinity's mind plane Abyss looks down at him like a bear would look at a fox that just stole its fish, a scowl of disgust present even on his shapeless form of a face.

Infinity begins coughing painfully

"Did you think I'd just decompose in this worthless tomb while you did whatever you liked?

His expression changes to a sly toothed grin. "A cage won't last forever and I've been growing in power waiting for the right time to break free and put my plan into motion."

Yuzuki recognizes the signs of Infinity losing control of Abyss but usually it was only when he lost his temper or was gravely injured. Not like this "you ok?" she asks, concern in her voice

Another wave of pain pierces Infinity's gut, causing him to buckle over in pain as his coughing grows worse.

"Sean! What's wrong?!" Yuzuki screams

Her eyes fill with horror as black ink bursts out from Infinity's gut into the space of the portal. It rips through Infinity's chest armor, jetting towards the direction of the exit.

Infinity loses balance as his eyes become unfocused, his face growing pale, he tumbled head over heels in space unable to keep himself upright, the movement causing his cloak to wrap around front. The abyss ink continues through it, ripping the lower part to shreds, the tattered pieces getting caught in the stream.

Yuzuki goes to grab Infinity to stabilize him but is unsure how to help because nothing had ever happened like this before. Abyss was literally forcing his way through Infinity's gut from the inside out.

Yuzuki then felt something leave her as well, a piece of Abyss that had ended up in her when Infinity had to use his healing factor to save her. Unlike with infinity there wasn't a seal keeping it in so it left without creating any damage, following the other section of Abyss. It still felt weird and uncomfortable though. When the sensation passed Yuzuki was able to focus and went back to Infinity. His eyes were closed and he wasn't moving. She shook him trying to get a response as they continued downstream towards the exit

"Hey. Can you hear me? Are you ok?"

No response.

"Sean. Wake up!"

She catches a glimpse of Abyss exiting the portal, the smaller part of him a few seconds later. Then her vision is engulfed in light as they exited as well.

Yuzuki opened her eyes and she was lying sideways on the ground. Her vision cleared and she saw the green of grass swaying in the breeze. The whole world sideways, the trucks of trees jutting out horizontally. She pulls herself upright and sees she's in the middle of a forest, the portal they just emerged from closing a few seconds later.

Then her heart sank. Infinity was lying face down on the ground next to her, unmoving. She immediately goes to roll him over and check his vitals. She could feel him breathing but just barely, his eyes still shut, his mouth hanging partially open. She looks for damage and gasps, finding Abyss's exit wound, a strange circular rip in his gut that looks plainly obvious that something had forced its way out from the inside. She goes to get a first aid kit from Infinity's backpack when he suddenly begins to stir, his fingers flexing and a painful groan escapes from his mouth

Yuzuki immediately goes to him "Sean. Can you hear me?!"

His eyelids twitch and then painfully open. His vision is blurred but he can make out the familiar face of his wife above him. The words escape from his mouth weakly "you ok?"

The yellow eyes looking down at him begin to fill with tears. "I'm the one that's supposed to be asking you that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" her voice horse and it was evident she was in destress. His vision and memory clears and he tries to force himself up but can barely make it a few inches. Yuzuki then holds him back down not wanting him to hurt himself further. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You literally have a gaping hole in your chest!" her voiced filled with far more concern than actual anger.

Infinity tries to move his head to look around "Where's Abyss" he says with slightly more strength than he had before. While getting the bandages ready Yuzuki looks around, there wasn't another living thing in site.

"Long gone." She says apologetically

Infinity's hands clench into fists and his eyes and mouth close in a frown. He then relaxes allowing his eyes back open. He looks down and the hole Yuzuki was about to treat.

"Remind me not to get the space special next time…"

Yuzuki unintentionally lets out a small grin. "At least your sense of humor's still intact"

"Yeah." Infinity tries to force a smile but can't because of weight of the situation

Yuzuki then begins treating the wound, disinfecting it and then wrapping his torso with advanced gauze. She finishes and starts to put the rest of the supplies away.

"That's about all we can do for now, we'll need to get you to a doctor as soon as possible."

She wished she could do more, could really use someone from Squad 4 right about now. Or someone like that South Lady they had met that can do advanced treatments.

She looks down at battered body of Infinity, without Abyss's healing factor this was going to be a lot harder and take twice as long to heal if not more

"You think you'd be able to stand if you rested for a while here?" she asked

"It's not a matter of if I can move but having to" he immediately stirs and to Yuzuki amazement nearly makes it fully up before she has to prevent him from falling

"Don't push yourself!" she pleads, concerned.

"We can't just sit around when Abyss is out there" the urgency is evident in his voice, his concern for what Abyss could be doing giving him the strength to stand. They begin traveling through the forest in search of anything, Yuzuki holding Infinity's arm over her shoulder to keep him upright. After a few hours they come to a parting in the woods, a dirt road splitting the tree line. They begin following the road and eventually there's a group of four wooden carriages is spotted in the distance. When they get closer Yuzuki waves to get their attention and they stop next to them when they see the injured Infinity.

Yuzuki looks up at the head carriage driver "Do you know where the closest Doctor is? We need to see them as soon as possible." Her expression was strong but pleading

The man driving the cart with a tan moustache and beard looks down with concern in his eyes.

"We're heading to the town of Auburn about a days away. There should be a doctor that can help you there. Climb in back and we can be off."

"Thank you, you're a lifesaver" she bows graciously and carefully gets Infinity into the back of one of the carts. There's about 10 people traveling in the caravan total not counting the newcomers as well as afew dogs.

Later on in the journey the head cart driver that reveals his name to be Tanner notices Infinity's sword that's been tied to Infinity's backpack. "So are you Huntsmen that ended up biting off more than you can chew or what?

"Huntsmen?" Yuzuki asks

"You know, warriors that go out and slay creatures of Grimm. That wound of yours is from a Grimm attack isn't it? Bandits wouldn't do something like that."

Yuzuki was about to answer she didn't know what he meant but Infinity who was resting with his head on her lap suddenly pipes in.

"We've traveled from very far away. We had lived in an isolated area before we had to leave. This land is new to us and we don't know much about it. That thing must have been a Grimm that attacked Me." he lied

Tanner still seems somewhat surprised but believes him. "Yea if it was a big black creature that looked like an animal but was pitch black with while scales and red eyes then it was a Grimm. Don't know of any place that wouldn't have them. They've been around forever but guess there could be isolated places if it's hard to get to."

Infinity's heart skipped a beat at a familiar description besides the white scales. Yuzuki tried to calm him down and convince him it couldn't possibly be Abyss was here that long. She lowers her voice so only Infinity can hear.

"He only made it through the portal a few seconds before us, these creatures couldn't possibly be the same."

"A few seconds could translate into years when it comes to going from one universe to another." He exhales, trying to calm down. "But your right it couldn't be hundreds of years, only a few years at the most." He looks down glumly. "Still too long for him to be roaming free."

Yuzuki tries to console him. "Don't worry, we'll get you healed and then find Abyss and put a stop to him."

"I'm just glad you're at least glad you're ok." Infinity says. He closes his eyes and tries to get some sleep. It was getting late.

Infinity wakes up and he's met by the warmth of soft covers on his chest and a firm mattress beneath him. He attempts to move and is immediately met with aches and pains throughout his body making him stop. He sighs as he remembers the situation he's in, feeling the bandages wrapped around his torso with his hand. He looks to his side and spots Yuzuki asleep in a chair beside his bed. The situation would be a lot worse if she hadn't been with him at the time. He looks around and sees plain wood planked walls and soft light. Looks like he was in a hospital of some sort. After a while Yuzuki begins to stir, immediately wide awake when she sees Infinity's up.

"You slept through the whole journey, made me have to endure their folk tales all by myself."

"Sorry about that." Infinity replies chuckling, conscious to her trying to bring humor to an unfavorable situation.

There's a knock on the door and a man in white coat with thinning hair almost as pale as his wardrobe steps in.

"I see our patient has finally woken up, not surprised you were out so long with an injury like that. I'm Dr. Ivern, I'll be taking care of you during your stay here."

Infinity forces a grin despite the situation he's in "nice to meet you Doctor, I'm sure my wife's introduced me as Sean."

"Yes, Mrs. Murasakino has told me all about your situation, you're a lucky man to have such a capable huntress by your side. Not many survive a Grimm attack such as this."

"Tell me something I don't know." Infinity said, grinning at the women next to him. Like where that name came from he thought.

"Well I can tell you you're going to have to get comfortable where you are, you won't be able to move much for the next few weeks." Dr. Ivern replied.

Infinity sighed, he knew he wasn't going to make any miraculous recovery like he usually did.

"I can always pass the time with reading." He says, considering he has to learn about the world they've ended up in.

The Doctor smiles at the positive attitude. "Ah, yes. There's actually quite the library further in town. It's a huge stone building with tall pillars, you couldn't miss it." He said, more directed towards Yuzuki than Infinity. "Now I have a few other patients that I also need to attend to, but do call if you need anything." He shuts the door, leaving the two alone.

Infinity looks at Yuzuki questionably, obviously wondering about the name the doctor just used

"Ok, listen. Nearly everyone we've met so far has had a color related name, figured it would help us blend in." replying to his gaze.

"It's just usually I'm the one coming up with names." Infinity says, chuckling.

"You take way too long" Yuzuki replies bluntly. "We usually just need something simple buy you overthink everything."

"But going off your hair color seems almost too simple." Say Infinity

"You're the one that wears nothing but purple and black" Yuzuki replies slyly.

"Touché…" Infinity lowers his hand in defeat.

Yuzuki gives a smug grin of victory. "Now Mr. Murasakino I'm going to go take a walk and get you those boring reading materials you always want. Will you be ok here by yourself?" emphasizing his new name.

"Yeah." Infinity replies somewhat solemnly. "And thanks… for everything… I know you put up with more of my bullshit than you should…"

Yuzuki looks back at him from the door, she gives a warm smile. "Hey, I married you for a reason didn't I. I admit I do enjoy your weirdness every once in a while." She chuckles. "We're going to get through this. Together, as always." She blows a kiss and is off.

Infinity smiles and looks back up at the ceiling to get some rest. He really didn't know where he'd be without her.

Yuzuki makes her way further into town, she spots some larger buildings further in, including a clock tower and the building with pillars the doctor had mentioned.

She knew she had to stay positive for Sean, he had enough to worry about with the present situation without also having to worry about her. What she wanted to talk to him about back in the city could wait for a better time.

As she made her way farther into town she started to realize the section she was in looked different from the rest. Yes most of the building in the town were plain because this was the countryside but these looked run down, unkempt and boarded up to keep from falling apart. She looked like she was in some sort of slums. Most of the people she saw had ragged clothes and little belongings. Another thing she notices was most of them had interesting features, different types of antlers, horns, various animal ears or tails. She ran her hand through the side of her hair, suddenly more aware of the cat ears hidden under the tuffs on the side of her head. She wondered if every place was like this or it was just a coincidence these people were also the ones that were poor but she feared the worse. She'd seen plenty of cases in her travels where groups were discriminated against for no good reason. She spots a few children with animal features playing around. It must be hard for them, growing up in these conditions. Maybe it was better that… no. she stopped, removing her hand from her stomach. That wasn't a nice thought. She quickens her pace a little. On the way out she spots a group of kids playing with a blue ball. Both Faunus and human. At least the kids always seem to get it, she thought.

Yuzuki finally made it into the main part of town. The doctor was right the library was huge. At least three stories tall with huge pillars out front. The stone masonry looked like it had been worn down over hundreds of years but had stood the test of time. She walks inside the huge front doors and the inside was just as impressive. Huge stain glass windows shined light on hundreds of shelves of books lining the walls and in neat isles throughout the building, with sections with chairs and tables to read in the middle of the building. It wasn't until then that Yuzuki realized there was a problem. She had no idea where to start! She wondered aimlessly around the building having no idea which isle of books to look and which to skip. Infinity was always the one finding books and doing research, not her. The organization system they used was like none she had seen before, having no idea where to start to decipher the call numbers.

She muttered to herself out of annoyance as she looks through each section trying to find anything useful.

"Damn it, where am I going to find anything about this world, let alone information on Grimm and those huntsmen I keep hearing about."

"Um, do you need help?" Yuzuki heard a small voice say, she looked down and to her side and there was a young girl with yellow eyes looking up at her, carrying a few books. Small pointed cat ears poking out of her jet black hair.

"Actually yea I could if you'd be so kind." Yuzuki admitted, somewhat embarrassed.

"There should be stuff on travel up there on the second floor, huntsmen/huntresses would be in the job section over there and creatures/animals in the corner next to it." The young girl said, obviously familiar with the organization system.

Yuzuki crouched down so she was eye level with the girl and gave a warm smile

"Thank you sweetie that's a big help"

"Yo- you're welcome" the girl replied shyly, not as confident as she had been pointing out the different sections but still happy that she was able to help someone.

Yuzuki went off in the direction of one of the sections the girl and pointed out

A studious cat? She thought, now she had seen everything.

Yuzuki looked through the sections she needed, grabbing more general books, not knowing what to go for specifically. One thing she had found interesting was most of the weapon books she found were on weapon combinations, the prevailing theme being "it's also a gun."

The cat ears perk up on the young Faunus girl, catching noises off in the distance. Her eyes widen in fear as she hears the sounds of things breaking and yells.

Yuzuki looks up from the book shelf, her face now serious. Her own cat ears peeking out from her hair as she hears it as well.

She begins walking towards the exit, placing her stack of books down on the table the girl was sitting at.

"Mind looking after these for me?" she asks the girl, contusing to walk towards the exit

The girl is snapped out of her thoughts and looks at Yuzuki

"Whe- where are you going?" she asks Yuzuki.

Yuzuki looks back at her with serious look but with kind and confident eyes

"It sounds like someone needs help." She replies.

The girl is calmed by this somehow. Something about the way Yuzuki acted like everything would be fine.

The girl watches Yuzuki leave through the main door. Right before the door closes she sees Yuzuki disappear in a flash, surprising her. She looks down at the stack of books Yuzuki left, the top book being about hunters/huntresses.

Yuzuki jumps from rooftop to rooftop, quickly heading in the direction she heard the commotion from. She arrives at the outer part of town to see a battle going on, creatures of Grimm had broken through the wall of the town and were destroying property and attacking anyone they could find. Their description of black bodied with red eyes and bone armor fitting the description Tanner and the books had given. They did somewhat resemble Abyss but it was plainly obvious they were something different. The way they had white masks honestly made them look like the hollows from Yuzuki's own world. From her vantage point on the roof Yuzuki spotted a few people trying to drive off the grim, fighting with combination weapons. The first was a young man wielding a sword that seems to have fan contraptions on it, he slices through Grimm with fierce and decisive strikes. The next was a man with small gazelle horns. He used tonfas that had built in SMG's, twirling the weapons around and shooting everything round him, using his maneuverability to weave between enemies. A gun shot is heard to the side and Yuzuki spots a women with a marksmen rifle shooting from atop a flat roof next to a taller building. A Grimm jumps up behind her and she quickly spins around, the barrel of her rifle extending over the muzzle to become a handle and the butt of it expanded into a blunt club. She smacks the Grimm with great force up the side of its head, the creature flies sideways with her strike, the other side of its head slamming into the wall beside it, crushed between the two objects. The women reverts the weapon back into rifle mode and continues picking off targets below.

The group was doing well but they could use all the help they could get. Yuzuki leaps into the air towards the action. She lands on a Beowulf Grimm's head smashing it into the ground, instantly killing it. This gets the attention of other Grimm nearby, changing their focus to the new combatant. The people fighting notice as well, surprised by her sudden appearance. Yuzuki's expression is unchanged as she senses creatures charge her from all sides. A larger one slams its fists down where she was standing, sending up a cloud of dirt, it expands outward revealing she's long gone. Suddenly she emerges from the cloud to the creature's side, leaping towards the side of its head grabbing it midair and twisting it as she flies, snapping the creature's neck. She lands and two more charge her from either side. She expertly deflects the firsts attack with a glancing block and delivers a powerful punch to its chest, the other one that is now charging behind her she delivers a back kick to the side of its head. This sends both flying in either direction. Yuzuki continues to fight this way alongside the other, using nimble maneuvers to get around the Grimm and attack their weak points or brawling with them outright. Luckily for Yuzuki they didn't act too differently from Hollows so she didn't have to adapt her fighting style much. As the battle drags on more types of Grimm come into play. Yuzuki hears a loud snort behind her and there is large warthog-like Grimm with huge curved tusks. It scraps the ground with its hooves, getting ready to charge. Yuzuki simply calmly turns to face it. It rolls into a ball and rockets forward towards her at blinding speed.

Yuzuki gives her signature smirk, muttering under her breath "Too slow", sidestepping the attack and delivering a roundhouse kick to the beast's side, redirecting its forward momentum sideways and sending it tumbling though the side of a building. This surprises the other combatants, more so the fact she was doing this barehanded than sending enemies through buildings. She smiles at them as she calmly walks towards the hole in the building she just made, always enjoying a good completion. The Boarbatusk lay dazed on its side, unable to move, Yuzuki calmly walks up to it, noticing its unarmored underbelly. Yuzuki precisely jabs it in its exposed throat, killing it.

She walks back out into the street, she smiles and cracks her knuckles, having fun fighting the creatures. "Who's next?" she asks slyly.

Another Grimm starts charging towards her but is stopped in its tracks as a sudden rumbling is felt from the ground. Everyone else stops in their tracks trying perceive what's going on. Yuzuki's cool domineer drops as she starts to get a bad felling.

Suddenly the ground splits where a Grimm is standing, a black oily tendril bursting up from below and grabbing the Grimm, pulling it underground.

More rumbling ensues, stronger than the last.

"Get back!" Yuzuki yells as the ground splits further open, she leaps upwards as a mass of black goop bursts from the opening underground. She lands on a roof and watches as the mass continues to build, becoming the size of a two story building. It then starts to take form, tendrils slithering out of its back and huge clawed arms form out of shoulders. Lastly a head forms at the top, two horns jutting backwards from the back of its head. Two red eyes in the shape of triangles open and a huge mouth gaps open, the inside glowing red and the outside lined with sharp teeth like excursions made of the same black substance. Yuzuki's eyes opened wide, her pupils shrinking. There was no mistaking that form. It was Abyss. A wave of fear aura expanded outward from the beast, making everyone stop in their tracks. This wasn't normal fear, it was some kind of aura that the creature secreted around it. One could literally feel it in the air. Even the bravest of warriors couldn't resist its effects. The fighters grow unfocused, one even lowering their weapon. Some of citizens that had stayed to watch even fall to their knees, taking the worst of it. After years of dealing with Abyss Yuzuki was used to this feeling but could resist its effects entirely, a bead of sweat falling down her face. She notices the effects on the other fighters. She calls out to them. "You have to fight it! Don't let the fear take hold." They snap out of it, readying weapons, their fighting instincts helping to resist it.

The creature suddenly stirs, taking notice of Yuzuki's outburst and turning towards her. Yuzuki's heart skips a beat as its glowing eyes turn to stare into her soul, at the same height as Yuzuki on the top of a two story roof the ends of its mouth turning up in a smile, as if it recognizes her. This wasn't good.

The creature thrusts its head back and snaps open its mouth, letting out a ghastly screech that shatters windows and breaks moral. Its fear aura expands as far as the roar can be heard.

Infinity eye's fling open, sensing something horrendous

Yuzuki tries to hold her own against the wave of aura, every fiber of her being telling her to run but she holds her ground.

The beast's arm lurches forward, huge claws slashing towards Yuzuki.

She snaps out of the trance and charges forward on the roof towards Abyss. Normal attacks weren't going to work on it, she'd have to use her more powerful technique. She leaps upwards to take Abyss head on, bring up her arms to strike. "Shunk-" she yells but is cut off as she doesn't feel the usual energy that flows onto her shoulders and arms. Something was wrong. She couldn't draw upon her usual power, there must be something she has to learn in this world to use it. But it was too late to think of that now. Abyss's palm connects with Yuzuki midair, sending her flying into a nearby window.

This snaps the other warriors out of the aura's effects. They take aim at Abyss, letting out a fury of gunfire and sword slashes but to no effect, the bullets were absorbed, the slashes passing right through.

The female rifleman continues to fire despite this, taking aim at Abyss' head and eyes.

It turns toward her swing its arm horizontal towards her in an arc. She dives through the window of the building beside her but the arm continues through the wall, following her. She desperately runs from one room to the next seen through the windows, Abyss's arm simply continues sideways, smashing through wall, window, door and anything else that's in its way. The women dives out of the other side of the building, the blow forcing her to fall to the ground. As Abyss's arm exits the other side of the building that side of the top half of the building crashes downwards, caving in. the warriors retreat, trying to avoid the falling building and having no way to fight the creature. Abyss lets out another roar, pleased at the destruction it's caused. It then towards something low to the ground. Two kids playing with a blue ball. Easy prey… its huge arm crashes downwards, intending to crush the children frozen in fear. All they can do is look up in despair

Suddenly a huge thump is heard, the arm that had just been descending towards its victims falling short and flopping to the ground, its seethered end halfway up the upper arm burning with a form of purple energy. The kids look up and they're shadowed by a cloaked figure with a tattered cape over his back. The creature buckles back in pain, the shoulder where the arm had been flailing. The huntsmen that had been retreating stop and look in awe. The figure is earing damaged purple armor, circular hole ripped through the gut area of the outfit, fabric ripped outward. Revealing medical bandages underneath. He holds a black and purple katana in his left hand, the edge of the blade glowing with purple energy. Without looking at them the figure tells the kids "get to safety" they snap out of the aura and run father into town. After they're gone the figure buckles over in pain, he stabs his sword into the ground to keep himself from falling forward

The creatures looks down at the one that was able to wound it, its mouth hanging slightly open in a neutral manner, almost in awe.

Infinity looks up at the creature with a deathly serious stare, his usual brown eyes glowing a dark purple. Not even an ounce of fear is seen in them

"That's right. I'm the one you're after" he says

A trickle of blood runs down the side of his mouth.

The creature snaps out of its daze letting out a roar and slashes downward with its other arm

Infinity doesn't move. He can barely stand…

The black arm connects with the ground, smashing the spot to pieces.

A blur of orange appears in a flash next to the huntsmen, purple locks falling down its back

Yuzuki holds Infinity in her arms, who has gone slack

"You idiot!" she yells, tears starting to form in her eyes

Infinity's eyes open weakly, the purple in them fading

"What were you thinking?!" Yuzuki yells, more anger than sadness as tears swell up in them.

Infinity's mouth opens weakly. "This is my responsibility, I couldn't lay around and do nothing."

"You could barely stand, let alone fight!" Yuzuki screams, her voice growing horse

The huntsmen gather around the wounded Infinity, unsure how he was able to hurt the seeming untouchable creature or even move in his condition.

"How did you even hurt it?" the young swordsmen asks

Infinity turns his head weakly "physical attacks don't work on it, you have it hit it with some kind of energy based attack to do any damage."

A deep strong voice is suddenly heard behind the group

"I guess that's where I come in then, yes?"

They turn and a bear of a man is striding towards them. A huge beard of grey flows down his chest, partially covering up a heavy duty apron. Protective goggles sit on the top of his brow, covered in soot. All this together gives him the appearance of a blacksmith but the glowing metal armor on his legs screams warrior. A huge metal box that has the appearance of a furnace hangs on his back, a metal tube running down to connect to a giant rectangular cylinder object carried in tree truck arms. It and the backpack glows with scolding hot metal, but the man is unphased, heavy clothes such as protective gloves shielding him. A pilot light on the end of the weapon gives it the appearance of a flamethrower. But it would be more accurate to call it a flame cannon. Each heavy step the man takes is complimented with metal clanking of the armor covering his legs. The huge man smiles, a cigar shifting in the corner of his mouth.

"Why didn't anyone tell me there was such excitement about? How can I expect to work in the forge when there's glory to be won?!"

He steps past the group of other huntsmen and immediately pulls the lever on his molten powered weapon, a volley of flames rocket into the lower part of Abyss, burning away the outer layers of his shapeless form.

"Join me in slaying this foul beast!" he yells to the huntsmen.

Abyss roars in anger from the sudden attack, sending out tendrils of shadow out of his back to strike instead of reforming his seethered arm.

The other huntsmen charge forward, now having somewhat of an idea on how to defeat the strange beast.

The young swordsmen clenches his hands around the hilt of his sword, concentrating energy into the blade in the form of his aura.

"I haven't learned this technique very well yet, but it's better than nothing." He says, the glow of his aura now covering the sword. He swings and a wave of air is sent out, his semblance complimenting with his aura powered strikes. His attacks connect with incoming tendrils, cutting them to pieces.

The female sharpshooter begins letting loose incendiary grenades from her rifle's under barreled grenade launcher. They're usually only used to ward off Grimm but she figures she'll use the few she has.

The gazelle Faunus charges his tonfas with aura darting in and out of Abyss's attacks to get in quick strikes.

Yuzuki watches this from the sidelines. This aura they were using must be what she had to learn about to be able to use her deadly Shunko attack, she thought. But she was mostly focused on keeping Infinity out of harm's way than observing how they did it.

Abyss's attention falls to large man spraying him with fire who was doing the most damage. He slashes down with his one good arm, wanting to get rid of the annoyance.

The attack hits but is stopped dead instead of continuing through him. The man grins from behind the giant metal hammer in his arms, the flamethrower had changed form into the blunt weapon almost as large as the man's gut, molten material seeping through from within the creases of the hard outer shell.

"Now this is a fight worthy of the great Volcanus!"

He shatters the clawed hand to pieces with an explosion of lava from his hammer. He swinging wildly with his great hammer, obliterating anything in his path. As he charges forward the metal armor on his legs begins emitting the same molten glow as his weapon. He leaps upwards with a volcanic eruption at his feet sending him into the sky. He comes down with his hammer to the top of Abyss's head, smashing down with his feet with another eruption that combines with his hammer strike in a fantastic wave of flames that covers all of Abyss, knowing him onto his back. Standing on Abyss's belly Volcanus reverts his hammer to a flame cannon and fires point blank into Abyss's face. Laughing as he does. He continues firing until his fuel runs out. Long after Abyss is nothing but a black puddle on the ground. He steps away from his defeated foe, brandishing his hammer above his head and yelling "We are victorious my friends!"

But as he says this the puddle behind him stirs, small tendrils extending upward. It suddenly jumps into the air towards Volcanus's back

"No!" a voice yells out. A purple katana stabs through the blob forcing it to the ground before it can reach its target. Infinity sends a void energy wave surging into the ground, purple energy cracks forming through the dirt as the attack burns what's left of Abyss to ash.

Infinity falls to his knees exhausted, barely able to make the jump out of Yuzuki arms to deliver the blow.

The towering bearded man looks behind him surprised. A huge grin bigger than the last one he had forms as he chuckles heartedly.

"Quite the furious strike for such a tiny man. I thank you for not letting that blindsiding me" he goes to slap Infinity appreciatively on the back but stops short when he sees how injured the man is. "Especially in that condition…" he says complimentively

Yuzuki doesn't pull her punch

Infinity topples to the ground, a huge bruise forming on his jaw where the blow connected.

"YOU FUCKING MOREON! Yuzuki yells, glaring at Infinity on the ground with death in her eyes.

Volcanus involuntary takes a step back from the raging Women in front of him.

"YOU SURE SEEM PRETTY BRAIN DEAD FOR SOMEONE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE BRAIN BASED POWERS!"

Infinity remains unmoving on the ground but Yuzuki continues on her rant

"…AND DON'T YOU EVEN START ABOUT THE WHOLE 'it being your responsibility' bullshit!

What would happen to your 'responsibility' if something were to happen to you?! What would I do… if anything happened to you?" she falls to her knees in a puddle of tears, obvious more upset than actually angry or meaning anything she said.

Volcanus walks over to the two on the ground crouching down and gesturing towards Infinity

"I take it you're his wife." He says calmly towards Yuzuki

She stands up, trying to collect herself, wiping tears from her eyes and nodding slightly

"Alright, then that makes sense" Volcanus says, gently picking up Infinity in his muscular arms. He begins walking back into town, already spotting the worried Doctor running towards the scene. Having found the window in Infinity's room open wide, the patient gone he rushed out to look for him. He meets the burley blacksmith halfway, checking Infinity's vitals and checking for any new wounds. Yuzuki follows silently behind, her face to the ground, ashamed. Volcanus carries Infinity back to the medical building, mentioning to the doctor to tell Infinity to come see him at his forge when he's well, mentioning how he hated to see such a fine warrior's armor be in such a state.

After Dr. Ivern stabilizes Infinity Yuzuki leaves to get the books she had left at the library. She finds them alone, the young girl gone, unsurprising as the library was mostly deserted along with much of the town, people seeking shelter from the sudden appearance of a giant monster. She never saw the girl in town again, she must have been part of one of the groups that went from town to town like the one they had arrived with. Though at the time Yuzuki hardly even notices, simply picking up the books on autopilot as she's alone with her thoughts on the whole situation. She immediately returns to the medical center, setting the books down next to her chair, right before her face falls into her hands on her lap, and covering up her tears.

Infinity wakes up later. He finds Yuzuki asleep beside him. Not wanting to disturb her he simply starts reading the books she brought him. He went to work trying to piece things together. From first reading about the Grimm he's able to figure out that the reason Abyss was able to escape when he did because of a reaction to the Grimm's energy through the portal. The two's energy signatures were close enough that it could happen. Though it was still Infinity's own weakness that allowed Abyss to escape. Abyss had grown so powerful that he was now able to survive without a host, the creature they had fought earlier being a small part of him, far too. He had started to create himself an army.

While in the middle of thought Infinity is suddenly met by a warm hug from Yuzuki, catching him off guard. She had woken up.

Yuzuki looks away, feeling guilty.

"How much did you hear of that earlier?" she asks solemnly

"How much of what?" Infinity replies truthfully

"Honestly I don't remember anything. But I can infer what most of it was probably about." he says solemnly.

"I know I was being an idiot back there… I acted on instinct like I always do and failed to take your feelings into account. I'm sorry."

Yuzuki looked at him, flabbergasted. "Wait! I'm the one that should be apologizing. Not you. I'm the one that hit you after all."

'When she hit me?' he thought, not surprised but he didn't remember anything. He had been totally out after that last strike against the Abyssite.

"This whole situations been effecting me a lot more than I've been leading on. I didn't want to worry you but keeping it all in just backfired on me. When something involving Abyss comes up how can I not expect you to rush in to deal with it? Even if it was only part of Abyss." Yuzuki replies apologetically. It had dawned on her after the battle that the creature they fought was not Abyss himself. She had faced Abyss many times before and it was far too weak in comparison.

"No I shouldn't have overreacted like I did when it was only part of Abyss." Infinity said, trying to take the blame.

"I got too caught up in wanting to make amends for letting Abyss escape I wasn't paying attention to you."

His eyes widened, something dawning on him as he made a connection

"Oh dear god how could I have not even asked you about the part of Abyss inside you?! It's gone isn't it? Did it leave a wound like mine?!

"No…" Yuzuki replies solemnly

"It didn't hurt but it's not the only thing that's gone…"

"What do you mean?" Infinity asks worriedly

"The thing is…" Yuzuki stopped.

There was something I wanted to tell you back in the city. But I wanted to wait for the right time to explain that…

I was pregnant."

Infinity's heart skips a beat.

"And after my part of abyss left and we ended up here I realized the baby was gone."

Infinity's pupils shrink in horror at the realization of the full extent of what his weakness in allowing Abyss to escape caused.

But don't you dare put that on yourself!" Yuzuki yelled

"You couldn't have possibly known about Abyss, what was going on with me or what would happen to the baby!

I should have told you sooner… I was wondering if I was even cut out to be a mom. But now our baby's gone because of me!" her head falls into her hands and she starts crying.

Infinity's pupils go back to normal as he suddenly makes another realization.

"Wait, Yuzuki! That might not be the case."

"What?" Yuzuki says looking up

"Yuzuki, if when abyssite left the baby disappeared as well then that means Abyss might have it or it could have ended up somewhere else on this planet like we did"

He grabs Yuzuki by the shoulders and shakes her out of her daze.

"Our kid could be out there, we just have to find them!"

Yuzuki calms down a little but isn't quite convinced

"But how can we be sure they're ok, this world seems to have had plenty of monsters of its own even before Abyss showed up." she says

Infinity looks at her with full confidence in his eyes.

"They're the child of an interdimensional traveler and a Shinigami who have both kept Abyss under control for hundreds of years. We both know there's going to be a lot more to them than a normal kid, nor are they going to give into Abyss that easily.
Once I get out of here we'll find our kid and put a stop to Abyss. No matter what"

He looks at her with eyes of determination and a face of pure seriousness. The one he has when convinced he'll get something done however long it took and without fail. A look Yuzuki had seen him use in countless dire situations before. It was unique to him and made her want to believe him with full confidence.

"I know we will" Yuzuki says, her sadness and doubt replaced with certainty.