(The next day)
'The fear... Has yet... To fade.'
Now, the great thoughts of the old Grimm had become clearer.
The great Grimm was confused, though. Why generate so much terror, then choose not to capitalize on it? IT MADE NO SENSE. No fool of a dustling would cause this terror without some goal in mind. Yet the ancient one felt no hidden thoughts beneath the fear. Through time, he had learned to find human emotions, sense a well hidden motive for a grand scheme, but here? There was nothing.
'Why make so much fear, when one does not...'
Then the Grimm sensed something. It was fear, as was before, but now, it was mixed... With... Anger. Rage. Paranoia. Malice. And, most surprisingly, satisfaction.
'... Oh ,' thought the ancient one,' this is what that fear was for. It was to provide a beacon for us.'
The ancient sensed its kin massing to attack Vale. With this, it realized that this was the reason for all of the fear. A dustling had wanted the Grimm to come. Why, though? Didn't these humans care about their own? They always seemed to band together when faced with hordes of the Grimm. True, individuals would try to sell out their allies in the (false) hope that the tide of black and white would spare them, but by and large most humans stood together. So why cause all of this carnage and divide people?
'Whatever the reason one of the dustlings had tried to shatter the others, it matters now. Now, they will all fall..' (Scene change)
In Atlas, the reactions to the next tournament match were... Interesting, to say the least.
'... That's two accidents in this tournament. Something is up.'
Then came the speech. Sweet heavens, the speech. There, the speaker decried the academies, militaries and governments for their actions, which were, rather obviously, sowing the seeds of discontent across the world.
'I can't help but feel that that woman has a point. But I'm also very sure she caused this mess.'
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"The board has just requested that we... Well, do something to help Vale."
"Why?" He asked, confused. It wasn't like them to act this early. After all, they usually waited until after a disaster happened before stepping in.
'No doubt to line their own pockets,' thought the man. While he was just as guilty of doing so as his compatriots, he did feel a little bad doing so.
Not that he knew why.
"They are worried that the Grimm will attack at any moment and are suggesting we ready for potential refugees."
"...Alright, do it. How about food and blankets for all the potential refugees, plus toys for kids?"
"That is acceptable."
'And expensive' he thought. Though, strangely, that didn't bother him.
"Anything else?"
"Something strong to drink.
"Alright, I'll head to the coups first and then to your wine collection."
"Remind me to thank the guy who forced me to train carrier pigeons for the unlikely chance the CCT failed"
"Will do"
(Scene change, in Mistral)
"So, this is what yesterday was leading up to... Well, I like it. I have GOT to meet the person who set this up."
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(In Vacuo)
'Oh crap, this is way beyond bad. Now what can we do.'
(In Vale) "
"Those hunters will need a miracle now."
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AN: Read and review. This is Flameal15k, signing off.