They're coming. Ignis ran through the forest, keeping an eye on his pursuers. I should be getting close. Where is it? Looking for the mark he left behind, Ignis ran, making sure to leave some distance between him and the Grimm. There it is! Recognizing the mark he left in the tree, Ignis went to a specific spot in the forest, and waited. They'll get here soon enough.
Keeping an eye on all directions, Ignis held his hand at the ready. Now, the only variable is the direction you come from. Not that it'll matter that much. Hearing a growl from behind him, Ignis prepared himself. Come on. Several growls began to fill the forest, coming in from seemingly every direction. Bring it in fellas, I got plenty for ya.
Seeing that Ignis wasn't making the first move, one of the Grimm charged. Approaching Ignis from behind, the Grimm ran towards Ignis, practically clawing at the ground to get to him. When the Grimm got 3 meters away from Ignis, he raised his left hand, and snapped his fingers. Beneath the Grimm's claws, a symbol appeared on the ground. Starting off dark and cold, it changed, turning red and burning hot. All in the span of a second, the marked area of the ground detonated, sending the Grimm flying in pieces.
Beowolves, I believe you were called. That book was right. You aren't all that. Seeing what unfolded, the rest of the Beowolves attacked. One by one they charged at Ignis, and one by one they fell to him. Each successive snap came with a whimper from the Beowolf it fell. Once the dust settled, Ignis looked around. How disappointing. I didn't even use them all.
Ignis, surrounded by silence, looked up to the sky. It's a cloudy day. I hope it doesn't rain. I have some reading to do. Ignis brushed the dust off his black jacket. Finding a nearby tree, Ignis sat, trying to get the perfect amount of comfort. Ignis looked back to where he set the traps. Should probably stick close to these for a while until I decide to move on. Now, which book was I on? Once more checking the surrounding forest, Ignis could see no Grimm. Good. Now, I think I was reading about the Great War.
As Ignis read, he uneasily kept an eye on his environment. Hmm. I guess our worlds aren't so different after all. Why, swap a few words out for others, I might mistake this for a history book on Earth. Ignis's thoughts were interrupted by a crack of lightning. Shoot, I didn't realize it was storming. Rushing to put the book away, Ignis stood and realized there was no rain. What? That's odd. Looking in the sky, Ignis waited for another strike. Hearing the strike, Ignis saw no flash in the sky.
I take it back. Now it's odd. Lightning always flashes, so why is it not happening here? Ignis waited for one more strike, this time waiting for the direction the sound was coming from. If my suspicion is correct, this isn't a result of weather, but rather, it's dust. Another crack came, and Ignis turned. This way. I should be able to find someone if I go this way.
How far away was that sound? I've been walking for a few minutes, but I still can't see the source. It didn't help that Ignis was walking pretty slowly. Ignis eyed his surroundings, preparing for any sudden attacks. The Grimm can come from anywhere, but I haven't seen them for a while. This day is just getting weirder and weirder. Maybe...is there a reason they're steering clear of this area? In any case, I think, just for a bit, I can throw caution to the wind. Picking up the pace and no longer looking to his surroundings, Ignis hurried to the source of the sound he heard.
But I'm not careless. Pulling a card out of his bag, Ignis took a peek at it. Three of spades. Sorry, but you're the next one. Pouring his aura into the card, Ignis held it, ready to throw it at any approaching Grimm. Now, to find whoever's using the dust. Although. Ignis looked at his card, and the source of the sound. If nothing else, this does give me a pretty good idea.
Soon coming across a clearing, Ignis could see the dust being used. Lightning struck the ground as one woman fought against two other women and a man. Two women and a man were fighting another woman. One woman was dressed in brown, and had mint green hair. Another donned a red dress. The man wore a gray jacket, and torn brown pants, revealing robotic legs underneath. The last woman, who the previous three were fighting, was dressed in white and brown.
Looking among the three, Ignis immediately spotted the leader. A woman in red, huh? She does have a certain aura about her. Looking to the other two, Ignis was less impressed. Well, they are the henchmen for a reason. Even so, I shouldn't meddle. This situation is a bit too...dicey for me.
Ignis turned away, and started to walk. It's none of my business anyway. What's the worst that can happen? The end of the world? Ignis let out a bit of a chuckle, until he heard one last, resounding crack of lightning, followed by an intense wind. Turning back around, the lone woman was floating. I don't remember dust being able to do that. Either I need to read that book again, or… Ignis shook his head. No, no, ignore it. You can't win against three people without the proper preparations anyway. Even if they've already fought. Aura is a thing, after all.
Ignis turned away once more, only to find himself looking back at the fight. The lone woman was losing, badly. Ignis shook his head. He watched the lone woman fall to the ground as she was shot in the back with an arrow. It's over anyways. She's probably gonna bleed out. They're certainly not gonna stop her death. Although, with only a little bit of aura, I could probably cauterize her wounds. Ignis stopped in his tracks, and let out a deep sigh. "Damn it." It would leave a bad taste in my mouth if I did nothing. Why do I have to be so human?
Ignis walked closer, still staying on the edge of the forest, not making himself known. An opening. I just need to find an opening to get close without being seen. Ignis waited. Soon, the two henchmen were holding the lone woman in place, while the woman in red approached. Well, I suppose it's now or never. As Ignis prepared himself to fight, he heard the sound of a chain unravelling, and he saw a man being launched at the group. From the distance he was at, the only thing he could see about him was his blonde hair and blue clothes. The new challenger kicked the woman in red away, and swiped at the henchmen. Roll with it, better his neck than mine. Ignis gripped his card.
The four were at a standstill, but Ignis knew what was happening. They're waiting for him to reveal a weakness. Granted, he probably never stood a chance to begin with. The way he frantically threw himself in there, it was likely a spur of the moment thing. I'd bet even he doesn't know his next move. After a few moments of nothing, Ignis noticed one of the three talk. They're having a conversation? Are they that confident in their victory? Ignis noticed the two henchmen move over next to the woman in red. Well, thanks for setting up the pins.
Ignis waited, slowly putting aura into the card. I'll likely only have a single surprise attack, I should make it count. Now, I've just gotta time it right. Ignis kept his eyes on the three. He figured the lone man wouldn't be in any hurry to start fighting again. As soon as I see them make a move...no, before they make a move. I strike, then I run. That should be enough for him.
As if on cue, the green-haired woman reached for her weapons. Now! Ignis flung his card, letting it fly towards the group of three. Waiting for the card to reach them, Ignis held his hand ready. Any second now. As the card got close, the silver haired man looked at the card, and plucked it out of thin air. No, if he tears up the card...I have to detonate! The silver haired man turned to his allies, showing the card to them. One of them shouted, but Ignis wasn't paying attention to it. He was too focused on pressing the switch. This is it!
A large explosion covered the three, and the lone man took advantage of it. Ignis watched as he took the lone woman, and practically flew across the clearing with the use of his weapon. So, that's a mecha-shifting weapon. Interesting to see one in person. But for now, I'll withdraw. Don't want them to find me, now do I? Ignis walked through the forest, not sticking to a specific path.
Ay, new chapter! This one took a bit longer than the others because of exams. Hooray! Now, hopefully this chapter lives up to the expectations I set last week. In any case, it's late and I'm tired. Until next time.
Review responses:
DownSmashJon - Thanks for all the advice, glad you're liking it.
JustThoseGuys - Yep, first and only faunus of the main six. And where we are in canon, Blake is in Vale, so no meeting her yet.
Reven228 - Thanks, glad you liked it.
Alright, next chapter we meet the last character, Isaac.