Back with more! I would like to warn you guy this chapter gets a bit dark and has profanity –Gasps-. Also got really carried away with the length, twice as long as had intended it to be.

What's a guy to do?

Cut it in half and give you two chapters that's what.

"What's happening to the village!?"

"Something or someone has attacked the village." Axel replied.

"I can see that, I'm asking why? Our village has never been a target before, why now?" Geist eyes widened as if remembering something of extreme importance. "Alice and Colter are still at home we have to save them!" he shouted at the old Hunter.

"I fully intend to, I will protect all of my children! Axel spoke in a tone and with an expression on his face that his young son had never seen nor heard before in the whole year they had lived together. His eyes held a glare sharper than the sword in his hands. His tone cold as ice and determined, as if what he said was already history set in stone.

A Hunter who's family in danger was truly a force to be reckoned with.

"I don't know why the village was attacked Geist, but I can tell you what will happen next. The village will panic, that will attract Grimm and the whole village will be destroyed and its people all dead by morning.

Those words were like a cold slap in the face for Geist. "S-so we're too late." Face beginning to go pale as he spoke.

"Who said it was too late?" Looking at his son as he spoke trying to calm the boy. "I said that we have till morning, that about twelve hours to save our village and rescue friends and family. We just need a plan first before we charge off into an unknown situation, and I think I have one."

"Alright then what is this plan of yours?" Geist spoke trying to calm down after being told not all hope was not lost… yet.

"I am going to charge into the village, cutting down any opposition that stands in my way. You are going to stay right behind me as I run, once we reach the village we will find the rest of our family."

Geist waited for the Hunter to finish his plan only to be met with silence. "That's it that's your brilliant pain!?"

"Never said it was brilliant, but I will make it work. Get ready to go drop anything that will slow you down."

Geist dropped the bag of fish he had been clenching in his tinny fist onto the pile of other bags his father had dropped shortly before him.

Axel begin to speak again "This is how it will go. I will run you will stay right behind me, when I stop you stop and don't follow again until I signal for you, understand?"

"Yes." Geist nodding his head.

Axel gave his adopted son one last good look, before turning around facing the down the forest past that lead into town.

"Ready?"

"Ready!" the Faunus replied.

Geist and Axel had reached the edge of the village in record time. Bursting pass the last sets on trees in to the village. The sun had just set down pass the horizon, but small shacks most of which were homes of villagers were on fire, lighting up the village. Enough to make up the small community stick out in the usually dark night.

This would ensure two things, the first was Grimm they would be here it was only a matter of time. The second was at least beneficial to the Hunters, they would be able to see the enemy in dark night, that at least was a plus.

Geist could only think about his brother and sister fearing the worst.

"Over here I found someone!" Axel hollered.

Geist ran over just in time to watch his father stick his sword into the ground next to him as he crouch down beside a man who was lying face down on the ground in a puddle of blood, unmoving. Axel move held his fingers to the neck of the man checking for a pulse, before frowning and shaking his hand. Then Axel rolled the man over onto his back and begin to examine his wounds.

The sight made the young Faunus close his eye and look away. The villager had been disemboweled a fine sharp slash ran across the man's mid-section leaving his entrails nowhere to go but… out. However it was the scent that made Geist want to vomit. He brought his hand up and pinch his nose shut to stop the assault of odors. This was the smell of death, urine, feces, and blood all mix together in a vile cocktail, which smelt even worst to Geist thanks to his Faunus heritage.

"I won't tell you that you have to look at this son but only more of this," Axel motioned to the body in front of them, "will greet us in the village.

"I can handle it!" Geist lied as he attempted to keep his stomach contents where it belonged. "Who killed him?"

"No Grimm did this the cut is too clean, this wound was caused by a blade a very sharp one. This is a bandit's work." Axel spoke before reaching forward grabbing the dead man's arm before continuing to speak. "His body is cold, he has been dead for a while now that means that the Grimm should be here soon." Axel stood up and pulled his blade from the ground.

"But we have never had bandits attack the village before, have we?"

"No, but there's a first for everything son."

"Why?" Geist spoke in a quiet voice, unsure how to process this new information.

"Normally bandits attack when they need something, food, water, lien, but when they find what their looking for they leave. Looking at how bad off the village is I'd say that they didn't find what they were looking f-." Axel paused, wide eyed as a look of worry flashed across his face. "We ne-"

"Arggrrgah" a roar interrupted Axel and made Geist jump and spin to face the direction of the sound. That was when he saw it for the first time. A creature of Grimm, it lumbered out from the edge of the forest in to the opening. It was Huge, taller than Axel and that was with the creature still on all four legs. It looked like some kind of… armored bear, white spikes stuck off its back and all four of its appendages had some kind of bone plate protecting them. There were some small gaps between its boney armor, but you have to be a master swords man to even have a shot at striking that small gap. A wise man would aim for its unguarded neck or chest and an even wiser man would have simply ran away.

"Looks like an Ursa Major, that I don't have time for. Let's make this quick!" Axel spoke calmly and loudly as to draw the Grimm's attention. The Ursa released another roar at Axel before standing up on its hind legs now standing almost twice as tall as before.

Geist's legs we shaking threating to give way and leave the boy sitting on the ground in fear, but instead he fought passed the fear forcing his legs to remain still.

"Stand back Geist this is what I was trained for." Axel spoke as he calmly walked at the Ursa both hands griped his weapon on the holding down by his side blade pointed back behind him. A stance that was just as quick to block as it was to strike. "Hope I'm not too rusty." Axel Hummed as moved to engage his enemy.

Geist stood in shock he didn't even know his old man could move so fast. In three quick steps Axel had closed the distance to the Ursa and the fight was on.

The Ursa raised and swung its massive paw down aiming to crush the Huntsman's head with a single blow. Axel was quick to defend holding his sword in both hands above his head horizontally, as if to block an attack from another weapon. The Ursa had put its entire weight behind the attack, a mistake for the Grimm. As soon as the Ursa's forearm made contact with the sharp edge of the longsword, Axel shifted the angel of his blade pointing the tip towards the ground now holding it in a diagonal angle. Under the momentum of its own weight the Ursa's arm slid down the full length of the blade, severing the limb in the process.

Axel had already disarmed the Ursa and he hadn't even swung his sword yet, this was power of a Hunter Geist thought to himself in awe.

Axel move to counter before the Ursa could recover its balance, delivering a powerful forward kick to the Ursa leg disrupting its balance even farther. Between the heavy kick and losing its arm the large Grimm lost its balance completely and fell forward towards the Hunter, instead of letting the Ursa fall on him he step off to the side just out of the path of the falling Grimm. Letting the large Grimm impact with the ground before driving the point of his sword into the Ursa's head killing it intensely.

"Looks like this old man still has his edge." Axel spoke grinning ear to ear, he walked towards his son as he sheathed his sword.

Geist smiled. Tail wagging happily that his father was safe, now they could go rescue his sibling. His happy demeanor fell in a mere instance as a pack of black blurs with red streaks bolted out from the forest, so much faster than the last Grimm that Geist couldn't warn his father in time before the first Beowolf lunged at Axels back.

Lucky for them both Axel was no push over, noticing the sudden change in his son's demeanor he was able determine the danger that was encroaching on him. Axel threw himself to the ground just in the nick of time as the creature missed its mark, flying overhead before crashing and rolling several feet. The Hunter scrambled back to his feet facing the others in the pack of at least a half-dozen strong; he tore his weapon from his sheath ready for another fight taking a defensive stance.

A close call for the Hunter no doubt any later with the dodge would have left him in trouble. Thankfully he had a son with an expressive appendage that had abruptly stopped wagging at the sight of danger, giving him the hint he needed to cheat death. That was when the realization hit him, his son. Axel looked back over his shoulder confirming his fears, the Beowolf from early had rolled a far distance from the Hunter. Now the Beowolf was closer to Geist than himself. All was not lost the creature was getting back on its feet but it hadn't noticed the boy… yet.

Axel dodged a swipe from a Beowolf in the pack that had surrounded him, dispatching it quickly with a quick trust of his sword to the creature's throat. Then he began striking the metal sheath on his back with the flat of his blade. Creating a loud noise attempting to keep the attention of the Grimm closest to his son. "Over here! Your pals look like they need your help," lashing out at the Beowolf nearest to him, beheading it. Which caused even more noise. "They keep dying for some reason." Axel taunted in an icy tone.

This is going to work. All he had to do was kill off Grimm as he closed the distance to his son and all his son had to do was back away slowly and quietly. Crisis averted.

Geist had his eye locked on the Beowolf's form as he slowly back away, he would be okay his father had it distracted. All he had to do was stay out of sight.

That was when it happened, in a single misstep Geist watching the Grimm instead of where he was going tripped. He fell back on his rear onto the gravel. Time froze. Cyan orbs full of fear met red orbs full of blood lust. The Grimm had seen him, and did what any predictable creature ruled by the laws of natural selection would do. It went after the easier kill.

Axel's heart dropped at the sight of the Beowolf changing targets, he had to stop it but there was no way he could close the distance in time. He did what came natural to him as a Hunter, this had never proved him wrong before, so why should it now?

The Hunter heaved his sword over his head and with a powerful swing he loosened his grip, throwing the longsword at the Beowolf that was charging at his son. This would work simply because it had to, the Hunter had left no more room for error in saving his sons life.

The blade soared end over end and struck true piercing the Grimm through the back and its heart, it fell to the side dead. Now the race was on between Axel and the rest of the pack. Axel sprinted at his son with the Beowolfs close on his heels. As he closed the distance he glanced from his sword which was still imbedded in the dead Grimm on the ground to his son who sat eyes clenched shut in fear, this time Axel would do what came naturally to him as a father.

Geist has closed his eyes, it was over for him the Grimm would reach him before his father would. Eyes still shut he heard the sound for something hit the ground near him, a few more seconds passed when something else had jumped atop him.

He felt something warm drip onto his face, he opened his eyes to find his father leaning over top of him bloody and shielding him from the Beowolfs as they tore into his back, his aura not enough to protect the old Hunter.

Axel was down but not out he couldn't die not until his children were safe. Ignoring the pain that assaulted his back he held his hand up flat palmed, then he curled all his fingers at the second joint in towards his palm. Summoning what was left of his aura to activate his semblance, he then slammed his hand down on to the ground. For a moment all that happened was the ground shaking like an earthquake, but weaker. Then all at once it happened, spikes made of stone abruptly shot up in a seemingly random order skewering some Beowolfs and missing others but driving them back all the same.

Axel rolled off Geist onto his back with a hiss of pain. "You okay?" He asked wheezing an indication that one of his lungs had been punctured.

"W-why did you do that?" Geist asked as tears began pool in his eyes.

"Because we're family, because you're my son." Axel coughed spiting up blood onto his lips which he wiped on the back of his hand.

Tears began to stream down Geist's face "You can't die!" he spoke in sobs as he raped his arms around his father in a hug. His father smiled a sad smile retuning the hug then whispered in his son's ear. "Don't cry for me pup I'm not dead yet, you have to be strong now. You have to go find you brother and sister and when you do head north to the town called Patch it's not too far from here, ask around for a man named Taiyang once you find him tell him who you are and he will help you kids. You will be safe with him there is no one else on the whole island that I trust more."

"I…I can't not without you!" the boy sobbed.

Axel gave the boy a good shake. "Snap out of it Geist you have to do this or I will have done this for nothing, your brother and sister will die but you can save them. You have to go!" He pointed to where he had left a gap in the spike field leading strait in to the center of the village where their house was. "I didn't kill all of the Grimm the survivors will be here soon I will hold them off while you escape. Can you do that?"

Geist wiped his tears from his eyes finding resolve. "I can, I will find Alice and Colter and take them to Patch!"

Axel rubbed the top the top of his son's head for what would most likely be the last time. "I am so proud of you son, I always will be and I will always love you."

"I love you too dad, this last year of my life has been the best one ever." Geist spoke as tears still fell from his eyes. Then before his resolve fell apart he turned around and ran, as fast as he could towards his sibling.

Axel watch as his youngest son ran away from him of into the distance towards safety. His son would live another day. The dying man struggled to his feet then to pull his weapon from the still decomposing Grimm he had left it in. He turned and looked at the last two Beowolfs that had survived.

"Well, come on then you basterds I don't have all day!" he shouted his battle cry before charging in to battle for the last time.

I am sorry Amber, looks like I couldn't keep my promise after all. I miss you.

Geist wanted to scream. He wanted to howl in sorrow for his father, but doing so would only draw attention to him. He would not let his father's sacrifice be in vain. He couldn't cry, he couldn't fight, so he did what he could. He ran. Not stopping for anything or anyone, not that the dead could stop him.

The bandits that attacked the village were merciless. They had slaughtered men, women,… children, everyone. All the villagers Geist had loved and disliked were now dead. They lay on the ground or were slouched against walls, all in a crimson puddles of their own life force. Some were stabbed others had large slashes all over their bodies', a slow painful death. A few gunshot victims they were the lucky ones, if you consider a fast death lucky.

It was horrible, the smell alone brought tears to his eyes. So far there was a silver lining in all of this; he hadn't seen any bodies resembling his siblings. Alice was resourceful she was training to be a Huntress after all. If she caught wind of this danger she would seek safety for her brother, hopefully they were far out of town by now. He had to hurry, pumping his legs faster running in the direction of his house.

Geist finally stood outside his family's gasping for breath, the full moon had now risen in to the night sky casting a soft glow. A two story log cabin with a small yard and white picket fence that lined the perimeter of the yard. The house wasn't on fire. That was a plus.

The worried boy steps though the picket gate on to the stone walk way that lead to the front door, he had walked half way towards the door when it opened. Geist froze in his tracks, synapsis fired off in his brain warning him that something was very wrong. His fears confirmed when a man stepped out from inside the house and shut the door behind him, a man who was obviously not ether of his sibling.

The man was large and very muscular, hair a blonde buzz cut. His attire Geist had noticed consisted of a pair of black combat boots equipped with a sheathed knife on the side of one boot. Camo army pants with holstered revolver on his hip. A sleeveless vest the same color left his arms exposed, no doubt the intent as to show of the man's tattoos. Both arms covered in a tribal art sleeve extending from his shoulders all the way down to his wrist.

The intruder dug into his pockets and removed a pack of cigarettes and a flip lighter. Removing a cigarette from the pack and placing it in his mouth, only noticing the boy in front of him when he looked up to light it. He paused for a moment when he saw Geist then he reached back in to his pocket as he lit his cigarette. Removing now a folded photo and looked back and forth at Geist and the picture, before exhaling a cloud of smoke. Dropping the photo to the ground and re-opening the door half way before speaking loudly. "Rev! I found the little shit, get out here!"

A few moments past before another man step out of the house. This man was thin and tall and wore a black slacks and tie with a red silk dress shirt, having his long black hair tied back in a ponytail, holding a sheathed katana.

"You get really lucky sometimes Sam, the Boss was not happy with you." Rev hummed in a concerned tone.

"I told you both that I hadn't killed any Faunus tailed little fucks tonight. I'm not some mindless Grimm, I remember the faces of the those I kill." Sam spoke evenly with bored expression on his face.

"Good thing we found that picture, that little blonde girl is tougher than she looks so was her bother. Didn't tell you anything and on top of the even spat in your face." Speaking the words with a friendly smile.

His muscular partner replied "Tough has nothing to do with it, they can't answer questions they don't know the answer to." Taking another drag off his cigarette before continuing. "And trust me after what the boss and me put them though, they just didn't know." Ending his comment with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Well, let hope this one proves more useful." Rev stepped onto the stone walk way, taking a few steps towards Geist, black ponytail swaying in the breeze as he walked. Stopping just a few feet from the boy, he held his hand out and offers a sweet smile. This thin man was pretty, having a pale completion and an extremely feminine face. If Geist hadn't heard him speak earlier he would have thought him a woman.

"Come on little guy, come with me." His voice full of sugar when he spoke.

Geist took a step back from the man. "Where are my brother and sister!?" he shouted at the man who stood before him.

"Their inside little one, come with me and I'll take you to them." Still smiling a pretty white simile as he spoke.

This man was a liar, a very good one his body language and facial expressions all seamed genuine. Geist could see past his mask, or rather smelt past it. Both men reeked of blood, so much so that is made Geist sick to his stomach just stand in the vicinity of them.

Geist's instincts were forcing the flight or fight syndrome onto the boy, and so far flight was the more preferable option. These men were dangerous, but Geist knew he couldn't abandon his family. He had already left his father to an uncertain fate. He would not make the same mistake again. What could he do though? He was just an unarmed little kid with no real life or death combat experience.

No. He wouldn't accept that, he couldn't. Geist was more than the normal six year old boy he was a Faunus that came with a few perks of its own. It was dark out and he could see better than them, he also knew he was faster than most boys his age, thanks again to his canine blood. Like his father had taught him all he needed was a plan, if he could draw the muscular man away from the door then maybe he would have a chance.

If Geist could manage to get around both men and into the house he could shut and lock the door, hopefully giving him enough time to find his sibling and retreat via the back door. All he had to worry about was their boss inside, but at least if he had to fight the boss it would be one on one. Better odds than the two men he faced now at least.

"Come on boy we don't have all night now do we?" The black hair man asked with much colder tone, most likely growing impatient with the frightened child.

Geist closed his eyes ignoring the man as he steeled his nerves.

"Look ki-" Rev's word were interrupted when Geist suddenly opened his eyes broke in the fastest sprint of his life heading straight for the taller man.

Revs eyes went wide in surprise, and responded by widening his stance before swing his still sheathed sword in a horizontal arc aiming for the child's head. Lucky for Geist that he was not attacking the man but merely taking the shortest distance to his goal. The sheathed blade grazing the hair on Geist's head as the he dived in between the taller man legs, quickly rolling to his feet as he made a sprint for the side of the house. Making look like he was heading for the back door. The larger blonde man by the front made a b-line dash across the front of the house looking to head off the Faunus. As soon as the man had made it three steps from the door Geist changed his direction. Now running directly at the muscular man who now held his large arms out his sides as if to grab Geist in a bear hug. The large man's attempt was better than his partner's, most who would wanted to dodge that would have to lean so far over to avoid his huge arm span that they would lose their balance and falter. Geist was not most people he had something they did not, a tail. Again barley missing Geist by a hair as he lean so far over that he should have fallen, managing to stay on his feet by using his tail at a counter balance. He slipped just past the second man throwing the door open and stepping inside his house. That was the moment his plan fell apart, his resolved crushed at the sight before him.

On to the next!