Disclaimer: I do not own any of the music, references, or elements used in this story. They are owned by their respective companies and creators.
Begin Chapter…
Beacon Academy, Emerald Forest…
Play An Die Freude - Catherine OST
If I was just an normal high school student, I'd probably saying things like 'Ahh, what great weather today!' in a really cheesy way or I would be lounging around somewhere with other normal students my age, talking about the latest game systems and games or something alike.
"Jaune! Grab on!"
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on whose perspective, I'm not normal.
"Faith! Help!"
My left arm fought against the fierce winds, trying to reach my blonde friend, Jaune Arc. I was only a few feet away from him, yet because of the way he's thrown, his body was sprawling awkwardly enough for me to unable to grab him.
"Tch..!'
Guess I have to use Enkidu... With this thought, I pulled back my arm and unsheathed the guardless hilt. Gripping it loosely, I leaned my body back to stabilize myself and to gather strength to throw the heavy handle at him. Focusing on Jaune's flopping form, my arm flung Enkidu at him with a black ribbon-like chain connected to it. Just as my weapon was about entangle the blonde, a red and gold spear came from the east side of us, hitting his jacket before he diverted his predicted trajectory. I recalled Enkidu and searched for the spearmen.
A loud thunk, indicating that the spear hit the wood before Jaune called out.
"Thank you!"
"I'm sorry!"
A female voice yelled out from where the spear originated, and I turned to see a long red-haired girl perched up on a tree branch. Nodding to her in gratitude, I looked forward again to continue my descent.
My eyes flitted across the clearing I landed in, mindful of the whooshing trees. Okay, I need to get to an elevated position so that I can track the progress of everyone and everything. With my course of action selected, I looked back up to the trees. One of these trees seemed to be over a hundred meters, perfect for a sniping point.
I stepped to the direction of the tree, and was then alerted via twigs snapping behind me. A loud groan from my right resounded throughout the clearing. My abyss-colored orbs snapped to the origin of those sounds and widened before I leaped out of the way. The spot where I once was, is now a crater because of a grotesque mutated red arm that covered the small patch of earth. Its 'face' and body was nothing but black, only a white mask and ominous red eyes was on its chest.
"Ghouls.."
Humanoid Grimm with no special abilities or advantages like its brethren except numbers and adaptability. Though there were special cases such as this one with the pulsating red right arm. These types could be considered the higher-in-command of their kind. Nevertheless, even without those irregularities, Ghouls could match or even defeat other Grimm given enough numbers and depending their lifespan.
Unholstering my right pistol, I kept my eyes on the Ghoul in front of me while extending my other senses to search for more enemies, ignoring the sting I felt on my side. If this Grimm is here, then most likely a pack is nearby. More groans and twigs snapping confirmed my thought as more Ghouls came of the bushes from behind me, confirming my assumption. I turned my head slightly, and counted a total of eight of them plus the one in front. The odds are never in my favor, are they?
I grabbed two explosive dirks from my bag and hurled them at the group of eight before they could attack. A bright flash and heat was released as the monsters were blown to pieces, black blood being evaporated while some splashed against the woods. The moment the dirks landed on the creatures, I was already sprinting towards them, prepared to get through the opening I made. During my run, I planted several more explosive and flash dirks near me to distract them. Hearing the thunderous booms, my improvisation worked and I'll be able to take a breather once I get to my location.
After a few minutes of silent running, I reached another clearing and stopped. I suppressed my ragged breathing, careful to not signal any Grimm of my presence. Deeming the site clear of enemies, I slowly walked to a nearby tree and leaned on it.
I heard rustling in the bushes across from me and I promptly lifted my pistol towards the direction. The swishing got louder and louder as the visual of green leaves visibly shaking increases. I held my breath as I aimed downed the ironsight, ready to pull the trigger. Slowly, I unsheathed Enkidu and brought to my sling pack to one of the slots, an inaudible click was all I needed to know that the hilt's been connected to a frame. Steadily, my arm was brought up to my chest, ready to block any surprise assaults on my person.
Narrowing my eyes, I lowered myself so that I wouldn't be spotted too easily.
Five seconds left.
At the end of those five seconds, will decide if I have to kill or not.
Four.
I gripped tightly onto Enkidu, flicking it to release a folded black sickle.
Three.
I released the safety lock of my pistol.
Two.
The bushes were now shaking ferociously and I cleared my head of everything to concentrate on one point.
One.
My vision slowed as the 'thing' was revealed to be-
"Blake?"
"Faith?"
Play Lightning's Theme - Final Fantasy XIII
-Blake Belladonna, my friend and a former member of the White Fang. My arms slacked to the sides and my frame slumped down in relief, leaning on the tree as Blake quickened her pace to my slouching form. Opening my eyes, I noticed another person behind her, the cheerful blonde girl who was with Miss Rose yesterday. She scanned around our surroundings until her eyes settled on me, a smirk creeping on her lips. I shivered slightly. I have bad feeling about this...
"You okay?"
Blake asked worriedly, checking my form for any signs of damage. I nodded, my ragged breathing returned in full force.
"Yeah, just exhausted right now."
I grinned at her while she stared back unconvinced.
"You know you have low stamina," She chided, "Don't push yourself so hard." Anxiousness easily heard in her tone as she gently grabbed my left arm and bringing it over her shoulder.
"... Sorry."
I awkwardly apologized, letting her do as she pleases, but warily attempted to cover my right side with my arm. Blake, noticing my odd action, looked over to the source of my discomfort. I quickly turned my body slightly so it wouldn't be visible to her. She narrowed her eyes, though seemingly chose to ignore it when Blake 'accidently' pushed my wounded side to the tree.
"Gah..!"
I grunted, lifting my arm to distance myself from the wood before I realized my mistake. Blake, seeing the opportunity, seized it by quickly going over to my wounded side, examining it. The blood poured, staining my jacket and Blake's hand with red. Ahh, and here I thought I would be able to hide it…
"Faith…" Hardened ambered-orbs stared at me, "You were going to tell me about this, right?" Blake whispered, her expression darkening every second I don't answer...
"..."
I didn't respond. How could I? If I said anything, Blake will be even more furious with me. There was a rule back in the White Fang HQ; when Blake gets mad, you better pray that you'll be out of her reach. Even Red didn't want to get on her bad side...
"Damn it, Faith!" Blake cursed, "You always do this!" Despite the harsh tone, my friend gingerly settled my body down to address the wound.
"It's nothing to worry about. Just a graze, I should be fine, now come on, we need to go."
I said casually albeit with some effort, pushing my hands off the ground to stand, but Blake stopped me by shoving my being back down.
"Sit still. We have time, right, Yang?"
The black-haired girl commanded then asked her partner.
"Yeah, plenty."
Said girl bobbed her head, continuing to guard us from any unsuspecting attacks, though she glanced at us every now and then. Nodding in acceptance, Blake started taking off my sling pack and afterwards my jacket, she then lifted my black short-sleeved shirt to see how severe my injury is.
"How bad is it?"
The wild blonde asked, her lilac eyes scanning the foliage attentively. Blake shook her head, despite her partner not seeing it.
"Worse than I thought…" She muttered quietly before taking out a first-aid kit from my bag after searching inside, "It's good to see this didn't change."
"First-aid kit?" The blonde called Yang, murmured in contemplation, "You can't heal yourself with Aura?" She asked and I didn't say anything for a moment, "Ah, sorry, it must be personal, right?"
"Err… No, it's not that, But I-"
I said assuredly and opened my mouth again to answer, but I grunted in pain via alcohol applied on my wound, leading Blake to explain.
"-Faith… can't use his Aura."
"Eh?" After hearing the admission of my inability to use Aura, Yang made a sound in confusion, "What do you mean? Does he have Circuits?"
"He has Aura Circuits, it's just that he can't use it for some reason."
"He did open them, right?"
She inquired to Blake since I can't answer due to clenching my teeth in pain as my old teammate spread ointment around the now clean cut.
"Yes, he did," She glanced at me to make certain that I did do the procedure, I nodded, "It's open, but the Circuits won't follow his commands…" Blake mumbled, finally finished with administering disinfectants on my injury as she wrapped my waist with gauze.
"Hmm…"
Play You and I, Unfulfilled Feelings (Piano) - Gundam Seed Destiny OST
"Thank you," I murmured tiredly and the black-haired girl nodded mutely, probably still incensed about my lying to her, "I'm sorry..." I said sincerely, Blake stared down at me for a moment before sighing, squatting to my level and lifted my arm to pick me back up again.
"Do that to me again, and there'll be severe consequences, got it?"
Blake left the threat hanging in the air as she frowned, bringing the limb over her shoulder. In contrast to Blake's perturbed pout, Yang herself had a mischievous grin. The shivering I felt earlier came back, stronger and colder.
"The way you say those things, Blake," Her grin grew if that was even possible as the blonde's playful tone filled my being with wariness, "Makes it sound like you two are together." Yang leaned forward with her left hand under her chin supported by her right arm under it, curiosity easily visible on the wild blonde's face.
"That's-"
"-It's not like that at all."
I answered calmly and swiftly cutting my friend off from her own, Blake's grip on me tightened before it relaxed. I took a glimpse of her to see that my friend's frown deepened, then nodding to my reply.
"Faith and I've known each other for years. We're just friends…"
Blake monotonously supplied an excuse, not making any eye-contact with either of us. Although the somewhat emotionless tone should of been a hint, Yang either didn't notice or did and chose to ignore it as she continued her teasing.
"Ah, old friends, huh?" She said musingly before Yang grinned again when her purple eyes landed on me, "That means he's free, right?" Blake's grip on my person tightened once more in surprise as the golden-haired girl started leering at me.
At this point, we were already walking at the direction where the abandoned temple should be, all the while trying to ignore the mischievous taunts Blake's partner made.
"All I'm saying is that your friend's cute, nothing more, nothing less," Yang casually said, defending herself for asking the question to Blake, "No, need to get so jealous, partner!"
"Jealo-"
Play Emiya (Time Alter) - Fate/Zero OST
Blake stopped mid-sentence as we halted, observing the woods around us. The lighthearted mood dropped in favor for a more sombre one when twigs snapping was heard. Carefully, I freed myself from Blake while she swiftly pulled out her weapon. Yang followed in unison with us, her yellow bracelets slowly covering her bare arms and gloved hands.
"How many?" I whispered to Blake, unholstering my pistol and Enkidu. She shook her head, "That many, huh?" As soon as I said that, dozens of groans and growls responded. They're persistent, I'll give them that…
"Ghouls..?"
Yang asked, her arms directed on one direction, back facing ours, creating a triangular formation.
"Yeah, they were probably following me."
I answered in a remorseful tone, eyes tracking one of the monsters out in the foliage, its red eyes stared back at my own, glowing hungerly for destruction and death.
"I was itching for a fight anyways."
The blonde said, eager to start the onslaught and it seemed they did as well, because at that second, one of the Ghouls dashed out of their hiding spots, aiming for Yang in particular. This was the signal for the others to attack as many more ran towards us, arms upraised to claw out our intestines.
Aiming for the head of one of the leading Ghouls, my shot went true as Blake and Yang dashed forward. Two Human-Type Grimm surrounded Blake from both sides, hoping to hinder her movements. It would've worked if she hadn't thrown her morphed katana to the right, stabbing the chest as the gun attached to the blade fired, ripping the fragile Ghoul apart, the dark blood spilling out. The momentum spun the sickle to the other side and stuck into the arm. Blake pulled the blade, bringing along the Ghoul's appendage as I aimed with my gun, the head blown back from the impact.
Shotgun blasts was heard from afar while I was reloading my handgun, slicing a charging Ghoul behind me at the same time and saw Yang dealing with a few more Grimm. The blonde punched into the chest of the incoming Ghoul, a bright flash before its whole chest was gone as she turned to kick the neck of another inbounding monster, the force behind her boot caused the Ghoul to collide into multiple trees.
Deeming the blonde okay alone, I started towards a pack of Grimm, sheathing Enkidu onto my bag and bringing out the second pistol from my left thigh. One, two… I counted up to five Grimm that was currently battling with Blake. Correction, four was left because the Cat-Type Faunus leaped into the air, swinging down her sickle directly into the white skull from its back before it fired again, lifting the groaning Grimm up as it crashed into its brethren with its chest split. The ooze dripping from its body signaled its death as I fired onto the paralyzed Ghouls...
While discharging the 9mm bullets at the four disabled white skulls, I didn't noticed several more coming behind me. I didn't have to, because when I whirled around to pull the trigger, a certain black-haired girl had already taken care of the problem, twirling her katana with a cheshire smirk on her face. Smiling in return, I fired with my right pistol near her, and she calmly albeit somewhat annoyed turned back to see a hidden Ghoul falling forward, its red claw stretched out for an attack. A slight narrow of eyes from her told me what she thought.
I knew it was there…
Shrugging slightly, I didn't say anything to disagree with her statement, though I had a smirk that said the opposite.
Sure…
A faint pout before she moved to meet her partner now that all the Ghouls were eliminated. I sighed and glanced down to my sidearms, pulling the hair trigger, all I heard was clicks.
"Shit, out of ammo…"
I clicked my tongue in irritation then reholstering my two pistols. I need something more reliable… Maybe a new frame… I started thinking of the materials needed to make it, staring at a carcass of a Ghoul while Blake and Yang checked their supplies. Now, all I have left is my sniper rifle, about ten daggers left, four explosives, six duds, Enkidu, and frames one through three...
Although, two and three were still in the experimental stage… I thought, bringing out a dagger to examine.
"You're a Contractor, aren't you?"
Blinking, I turned to Yang, who looked curiously at my attire. First, I wore black boots that was covered by slim dark grey cargo pants that had a belt strapped to each ankle with a pistol holster fastened on both thighs. Lastly, I was topped in a dirtied black short-sleeved shirt with white patterns underneath a blood-stained white, fur hoodie jacket and a black sling pack backpack.
"What gave it away?"
I toyed with a dagger via tossing it up and down. During our staredown, Blake looked between two of us nervously.
"You don't have a stance," She mimicked my battle stance, which was just a bent of legs and arms raised to the chest, "You waited for them to make the first move, then retaliating with your pistol or sickle, targeting either the head, neck, and if not possible, at least incapacitating them via cutting their limbs..."
"So, what will you do?"
Resignation was in my tone as I sighed. Well, someone was bound to notice anyways if they saw me fight…
"Nothing," Even when dealing with a delicate situation like this, Yang shrugged aloofly, "As long as it doesn't hurt my sister, I don't really care," She bluntly declared, looking at me with an intense expression, "Does it?"
"No, the opposite actually," I shook my head, unfazed from her threatening visage. No point to keep it hidden now that she knows what I am, "Qrow hired me."
"Tch.. What a pain." Yang muttered, arms crossed under her bust in thought, "Seriously? Hiring a Contractor of all things?" The blonde asked aloud to no one, "So, that means you're that Faith Uruk, huh?" Lilac eyes lit in recognition when she asked me.
"You know me?"
"Of you. That old man mentioned he adopted a young boy eight years ago," She clarified, still staring at me, "Didn't think it was you, though. Small world, huh?" Amazement in her voice of finally meeting Qrow's son.
"It's nice to meet you, cousin."
Tugging away my knife, I walk up to her, hand raised to shake with hers. Instead, once I was within arms' length, Yang pulled me into a hug.
"Call me Big Sis!"
She squeezed even tighter, making it more tougher to breathe.
"H-help.."
I called out to Blake who watched from the sidelines. The black-haired girl just stood there, arms crossed, staring disinterestedly of the commotion. Amdered-orbs looked into my own black ones and I thought she would lend a hand before Blake smiled sweetly, enjoying the sight of my torture.
S-she's still mad…
"Sorry about that."
Yang sheepishly apologized to me while I was on my knees, taking gulps of air. Sweet, sweet air…
"... I'm okay," I pushed off the ground, and stood uneasily before regaining my balance. Blake grabbed my arm for assurance, "I promise." I said, smiling slightly to ease her worry. It worked as she nodded mutely, letting go of my limb to walk ahead of us.
"... Are you absolutely sure you guys aren't together?" Yang asked dubiously, after seeing the interactions between me and Blake, "Cause you two sure as Hell act like it."
"Positive.." I muttered, taking swift and quiet steps to follow Blake, "Besides, what in the world would she see in a monster like me?"
"Actually, I think I might know," Yang piped up behind me as we strolled through the Grimm forest, "I don't know if you or Blake noticed, but during our battle with those Ghouls, you two were in-sync with each other," The blonde paused, thinking of a way to explain what she meant, "Like, when you start attacking, Blake covers you from all sides and vice versa, you support her by shooting any Grimm that she wasn't aware of or couldn't reach with her weapon. You're always watching out for her, making sure she's safe."
Play Memories of The Garden - Persona 3 OST
"That's... because we used to fight together."
Yang pouted childishly after hearing my weak excuse, "Honestly, it makes me a little jealous," She murmured, "Being able to fight so well together requires a lot of time, trust and patience to reach that kind of level of corporation."
"You can reach it," I stated confidently, "If it's you and Blake then you can do it for sure."
"How are you so certain?"
She asked skeptically, my passionate tone and my words of promise setting her off.
"Well, you aren't the type to back down from a little display of teamwork, right?" A rhetorical question came out of my mouth as I cocked an eyebrow at her, "In fact, you would rip the concept apart and create an even greater one, wouldn't you? It's also hard not to trust someone so honest and straightforward like you, you know?" Absolute certainty was in my voice because I truly thought they can be one of the greatest teams.
We didn't say anything further after that, however, when we just at the limit of Blake's hearing, Yang spoke quietly to herself.
"... Yeah, I think understand what she sees in you.."
I glance to her, but she was as cheerful as ever, walking ahead to catch up to Blake who stopped in front of another clearing, hiding behind a tree. Wordlessly, I sped up my pace after them, ignoring what Yang whispered.
Just as I hit the edge of the open space, I saw another person in the middle. A young girl with long, straight black-hair and red eyes studied the field around her. We observed her silence, careful not to alert the girl.
She had a light complexion and a well-endowed athletic-type build comparable with Blake and Yang. The teen donned a white bodice that went from her neck then the waist but left uncovered on her shoulders. Pieces of black cloth connected the bodice to her white fingerless gloves from mid-arm. Black boots was accompanied by black leggings lined in white. The bodice also had some-sort of long half skirt in white. Her skirt was colored in black and clasped down with straps onto a pair of biker shorts. Various parts of armor covered the girl as well, such as her chest, knees, and elbows.
"Hey, Faith," Blake started softly, as we continue to watch the red-eyed girl check her supplies as well as her weapon which was a two-handed greatsword that seemed to glow brightly without any sort of light directed to it, "Isn't she-"
"-Yeah."
I quickly cut-off what my old partner was going to say. Glancing to her, Blake frowned slightly, reaching for my hand to grab it. Just as she was about to touch my palm, a roar boomed from our left, which was directly in front of the swordswoman. Suddenly, an Ursa burst forward, destroying the trees and greenery in its path before charging again towards her. Behind the monster was three more Ursi following up from a distance.
"Aria!"
"Wait, Faith!"
My body moved on its own, ignoring Blake's plea in favor of leaping to the red-eyed girl while I pulled Enkidu and flicking it to release the black sickle. Throwing the sickle at the incoming Grimm, hitting its back and unsheathing the second hilt from my right sleeve, I brought it to my pack. An additional sickle was on my hand as I tugged back the chain of the first that clung on the monster's back, pulling my being towards it. During the short period of time I flew to the black monster, I saw Aria drawing out Excalibur from its sheathe.
I landed on the beast, removing the curved blade and chopping off the creature's upraised arm while Aria swung, slicing the head. The black blood splurged out of its wounds as it fell forward. I jumped away from it towards the other beasts, Aria following in suit, not saying a word. From my peripheral, I noticed Blake also darting to the Grimm, hidden from the foliage with Yang. Inclining my head towards the Bear-Type Grimm, the book enthusiast wordlessly returned the gesture, understanding the command.
Aria and I were only a few meters away from the three Ursi, weapons at the ready, however I was tiring out quickly. Finish this fast… With this thought, I pumped even more strength into my legs. Within seconds, we arrived a few feet from meeting the white-masked monsters and just as blades versus claws clashed, two of the Grimm collapsed, their head and chest gone. Behind the two now dead Ursi, was Blake and Yang, weapons out showing that they killed them. With only one left, we clashed, I blocked its incoming claw then Aria came with an overhead strike, bisecting the monster in half. The black liquid suddenly sprayed in a constant torrent before it finally settled with only a stream flowing out of the corpse.
"Hah…"
I exhaled heavily, flicking Enkidu's sickles into its frames again. Pure exhaustion almost overtook me as I put some distance between the rotting remains and myself. Leaning against a tree, I tiredly reach over my bag, seeking for my water pouch. Blake, noticing my struggle, went over my side to get it.
"Here."
A soft and sweet melodious feminine voice came in front of me. Eyes fluttering for a brief second, I focused on the palm-sized water bottle held by a white-gloved hand. Following the hand to its owner, I saw crimson-orbs gazing directly at me in worry.
"... Thanks."
I whispered in gratitude, lifting my hand to receive the container. After slowly drinking all the contents in the bottle, mindful to the atmosphere that laid upon us, I sighed in relief before pushing off the wood.
"It's been a while, Aria.."
"A long while, Faith."
The black-haired girl smirked triumphantly and I couldn't help but return the expression.
"Umm," Yang started, unsure of what to say, "How about some introductions, first?" She grinned brightly, "Name's Yang, yours?"
Aria blinked briefly then turned to the energetic blonde to address herself, bowing slightly.
"Aria Pendragon."
A thin golden eyebrow was raised, her mouth opening for an additional question.
"Pendragon.. as in the Pendragon Mining Company?" Aria nodded, "The one rivalling the Schnee Dust Company?" Another affirmation, "You know Weiss Schnee is here, right?" Yang asked, not bothered by the fact that a second Dust company's heiress is here, but rather the inevitable meeting of Schnee and Pendragon.
Immediately, after hearing her rival heiress being in Beacon, Aria's smiling visage changed into a fierce sneer.
"Yes, I've heard," She crossed her arms, cruel smirk still in place at the thought of Miss Schnee, "Regardless of whether or not she's here, there's a reason that I'm here." Aria explained, stance relaxing as she glanced at me.
Don't tell me..
"And that reason is?"
Blake inquired next with a frosty tone, Aria's vermillion-eyes snapping to her bright hazel orbs. The swordswoman frowned at my old partner, remembering who she is.
"I was told that a specific person would be in Beacon and if I enrolled here then I would be able to see him..."
Was that why Ozpin was smirking earlier? He set me up to meet her? No, more importantly, why would he want Aria, successor to the Pendragon Company, to came to Beacon? I mean sure, she's skilled in combat, par to most experienced fighters, but that can't be the only reason..
"At any rate, we need to get going."
I said, moving forward to what we believed to be the direction of the temple.
"Mm.."
"Right!"
"Okay."
Various agreements responded to my statement and they motioned to follow. Aria happily ambling along my left side while Blake swiftly treading my other, a strange expression on her as she glanced to us every now and then with Yang to her right, oblivious to the mood around us.
I guess they still don't get along…
Beacon Academy, Abandoned Ruins…
"Chess pieces?"
Blake murmured next to me, as I held a black knight piece with one hand and the other under my chin in deliberation. Is there another meaning to this? I looked around the podiums that held the similar pieces. There were only two of the same kind of item on the platforms, and only one pair needs to get one to succeed this mission. If a pair took a chess piece like a black rook and another took the same then…
I see.
My musings stopped when Yang called out to Blake behind me, holding a white knight piece.
"How about a cute little pony?"
"Sure..."
Blake quietly agreed as the two walked to the center of the temple. Pocketing the chess piece, I turned to meet them.
"With this, our job is done, yes?"
Aria asked for confirmation, hands behind her as she moved closer to my being.
"Should be," My line of sight panned across the forest for moment before dipping my head to assent my approval, "Yeah, let's go."
Play After School - Persona 3 OST
"Wait, do you guys hear that? "
Whirling around, I saw the energetic blonde staring deeply into the forest while Blake was facing upwards towards the sky. Curious, I also looked up and blinked.
"Heads uuuu..!"
Eh?
A person in a black gothic dress and red cloak was free-falling…
Miss Rose was free-falling from the sky...
She was free-falling towards us... Specifically, towards Yang…
However, before the collision between the red-cloak and the blonde happened, a black and blue with a smidge of yellow blur suddenly hit the dark red-haired girl, veering them off course into the one of the trees.
"That... was your sister, wasn't it?"
Blake asked, pointing at the direction where they landed, head tilted in a confused manner.
"I-"
"-Yeee-Haaaw!"
The fist-fighter was interrupted from her sentence by an excited shriek coming out of the forest. Eyes going to the direction of the scream, I saw the orange-haired girl earlier riding an Ursa before it collapsed onto the green ground, not responding even when the eccentric girl climbed on its neck.
"Aww.. It broke."
She moaned in dismay as another person came out of the foliage, exhaustion visible in his form, panting out a request.
"Nora… please.. don't ever do that again," She didn't respond, because when he stood back up, the hyper teen wasn't even there. Blinking, I glanced behind me to see that she was dancing with a white rook on her head, smiling happily to the tune only she can hear, "Nora!"
The girl, Nora, smiled sheepishly as she saluted with the chess piece sliding off her head to hand then skipping back to her friend, "Coming, Ren!"
"She rode on an Ursa, right?"
"I-"
Again, Something interjected her, cutting-off what Yang was going to say. All heads moved to see a red-haired armored girl burst out of the forest followed by a Death Stalker closing in on her.
"-Jaune!"
"Pyrrha!"
The armored-girl called out to the swordsmen while dodging from side-to-side of the Grimm's tail.
"Did she run with that Death Stalker chasing her?"
Blake asked aloud for anyone to answer if they're seeing the same things she was, her sanity slipping further and further from the events that just transpired. Quietly, my left palm slipped into her right and gave a reassuring squeeze. She looked down then directly into my eyes and I winked with a smirk. Clutching my hand in return, Blake smiled as well and I motioned to let go, yet she firmly held on to it. Glancing to her, Blake subtlely shook her head and I sighed, nevertheless complying with her wish.
"Can everyone calm down for two seconds?!"
An intense heat was made in front of us as Yang yelled out for some peace. She breathed in then out and repeated the process while we granted her silence for two seconds until Miss Rose addressed her sister, jerking the blonde's arm sleeve.
"Umm… Yang?"
Her index finger aimed upwards and we followed the directed digit to see Miss Schnee clinging onto a Nevermore.
"How could you leave me?!"
The Schnee heiress cried out from above, hanging for her life.
"I said 'jump'!"
Miss Rose shouted to her, the white-haired girl gradually losing her grip on the Bird-Type Grimm.
"She's gonna fall…"
Blake pointed out with her left hand as all of us continued to stare overhead, ignoring the sprinting ironclad red-head.
"Let her."
A frosty tone muttered, and I turned to see Aria frowning with narrowed eyes. Before anyone can question or refuse that suggestion, a multiple loud groans and a shriek resonated within the forest. A second later, two people, one person carrying the other over their shoulder popped out of the bushes. One was male and the second was a female.
The male had an athletic-type frame whose height dwarfing even Jaune's and a light borderline pale complexion. His dark-blue hair was spiked and had a short tail tied with emerald green eyes widened in fear as he ran. The running male a various pieces of silver armor attached to his body such as both of his shoulders with the left wrapped in iron and white fur, his knees, waist and feet also pieced in silver. Underneath the armor was some sort of tunic in blue and lined in bronze covering a black bodysuit. On his back was two spears in a parallel position, one in red and the other yellow.
The lady who's being carried, struggling with all her might to be let down was wearing a black and white cap that covered her brown hair that's tied into a short tail as well. She had brown eyes, a light-skinned exterior and a fragile-looking body hidden in a simple shirt and shorts. Her shirt was colored in a dark shade of grey with three yellow hearts on the center and turquoise shorts. What's dangling on her waist was a pair of golden one-edged swords.
After studying the two, I heard a calm male voice speak up near me.
"She's falling…"
Knowing what he meant, my eyes moved up to see that Miss Schnee lost her grip and started to fall with hands out, instinctively trying to slow her descent. Just a few meters away from hitting the ground, a yellow-mop of hair jumped out, arms stretched to receive the flailing girl.
"Just.. dropping in?"
"..."
Miss Schnee didn't respond to Jaune's smile and line as she continued to stare down below, a wide-eyed expression of fear written on her face. Curious, Jaune followed Miss Schnee's line of sight and also gained the same face. They clung to each other as their fall continued. Wordlessly, I unsheathed Enkidu from my right sleeve as my other hand was occupied and threw the frameless hilt towards them, entangling the two via black cloth before pulling them to us. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Aria's frown deepened a bit. Of course, she didn't want her rival to be saved… My musings stopped as the pair was about to collide with us. However, Yang and Ruby came in front to catch the duo.
"Hah.. Safe."
Jaune muttered tiredly, sitting down to regain his breathing. The redhead landed in front with the other pair behind her, panting in exhaustion.
"Grimm…" The kneeling girl panted once she was let down, "A freakin' army!" The brunette exclaimed.
"It..." The resting man said, breathing just as heavily as the girl, "Was only… two packs of Ursi…" He corrected her.
"Who cares," She sighed, "That's still too many for us to handle."
"Great… Let's all die together then."
Yang said sarcastically, hands on her waist as she watched the plowing Death Stalker.
"Not if I can help it!"
"Ruby!"
A sudden cry and I turned to see Ruby running at the scorpion, a red and black scythe at her side as she prepared to swing.
"You two," I muttered emotionlessly to the kneeling pair, "Get your piece and be ready to move, got it?" I issued my commands and the duo nodded in compliance before standing to walk inside the temple.
This isn't good. First, a Death Stalker is right in front of us, eager to slaughter us. Second, is the Nevermore above us, providing air support for the scorpion… I noted watching from the sidelines of Ruby being cornered by the barrage of feathers. And lastly, the news of two groups of Ursi whose slowly closing in to this location…
The odds aren't bleak, nor is it promising. My eyes panned from the Grimm then the green fields, and finally to the ruins behind us. A multitude of large stone pillars encircled the cliff where we should be at. The elevation is acceptable and if I can just make it to the cliff…
"Guys, more Grimm!"
Jaune pointed at the trees where the packs of Ursi was emerging from. I sighed quietly as everyone banded together, weapons on hand. I looked at everyone around me; Blake, Aria, Yang, Miss Rose, Miss Schnee, the gold-armored redhead, the hyperactive orange-haired girl, the man with the magenta streak in his black hair, the dual-spearman and swordswoman tensing up for the upcoming battle...
Play End of My Journey - John Dreamer
I sighed again.
If I was just an normal high school student, I'd probably saying things like 'Ahh, what great weather today!' in a really cheesy way or I would be lounging around somewhere with other normal students my age, talking about the latest game systems and games or something alike.
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on whose perspective, I'm not normal…
I felt my hand being squeezed and turned to see Blake merely nodding her head, smirking challengingly. My lips turned upwards, returning the gesture before I unsheathed Enkidu from within my sleeves. Connecting to one of my frames and flicking it open to reveal the black sickle as I prepared myself to fight.
"Ready.."
Someone asked among us as our bodies tensed ready to move.
However-
"Go...!"
-I don't hate nor regret living this life. Not one bit.
A/N: What's up, my fellow writers and readers? Anyways, this chapter may be a bit crappy compared to the rest, but I've done my best on describing some of the scenes and hopefully it'll satisfy you, but if not, oh well, right?
In this chapter I've introduced some more OC's, revealed Faith's weapon incase you were wondering about it and just the concept of Aura in this story. I lost some inspiration at the end here, so you'll see it's a bit half-assed and all.
Anywho, there's not much to say except thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Review what you think and give me some tips on how to improve! Laters!