*Looks at date* Soooooooooo… blame Destiny 2 and my first year of college (Almost in the swing of things)…

Update Shout-Out: I have a special/unique one for any of you Skyrim/Naruto lovers. Hell, even those of you who don't watch or like Naruto will possibly like this one. It's called Hinata The Dragonborn by Dark and Chaotic. Anyone who reads a crossover fanfic, no matter from what movie/show/game/book, knows that the vast majority of them has either just the main character from one of the two worlds jump over, or has both universes clash. The few that focus on the smaller side characters are ones that I personally enjoy the hell out of, and this one is high on my list. We get to see the ever-so-adorable and shy Hinata Hyuga fight her way from Helgen and beyond as the fabled Dovahkiin. Though take into account that the story is still young (With only seven chapters and 39,017 words). Still, go check out this story, it's awesome…

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Once the airship was underway, I sat down with my arms on my knees and mentally ran through what equipment I brought with me. My armor was in better shape than it had been ever since arriving due to Lady Masa's kindness. As for weapons, Bloodlust's blade was honed to such sharpness that it would make a shard of glass green with envy. I also had a dozen of both regular and poison throwing knives, as well as the tightly wrapped, narrow bundle that never left my back unless I was resting, but I daren't use it. A plethora of healing herbs, as well as three divine blessings in case I got badly injured. And finally, an assortment of random odds and ends including alluring skulls completed my arsenal.

Coming to the end of my mental checklist, I instinctively reached to the back right of my belt but had to stop my hand from grabbing at the flask that wasn't there, though I did have its counterpart with me. Before leaving, the Firekeeper said she would look into replenishing, or at least speeding up, the Estus flasks. Normally I wouldn't even consider going anywhere without the most important piece of equipment I have, but besides the fact that Lord Ozpin needed the main road cleared tonight, I was growing rather restless. Thought that's not to say I was going to be throwing caution to the winds, I wouldn't come back this time after all.

Hearing the surrounding conversation slightly increase in volume, I glanced left to find several people looking out the window. Feeling curious and with nothing better to do until we landed, I rose to my feet and quietly walked over to a mostly empty window across from me. Peering outside, I watch in wonderment as the last rays of the setting sun disappeared behind the horizon, allowing the Kingdom of Vale to glow in the darkness. Most lights were unmoving and varied in color. Others were slowly weaving their way through the city, disappearing and reappearing in random patterns. And above it all was Amity Colosseum.

This was the first time I had seen the gigantic structure in any great detail, and it truly was a wonder. From where we were, the Colosseum blocked the part of the moon that was shattered, making it appear whole once more. Running along its sides at even intervals were more lights. And below, the great white crystal gave off a soft glow. Not enough to light up Vale, but enough to make Amity appear ethereal.

"Attention passengers, we are about five minutes from landing. Please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark." Glancing up at the speaker over my head, I held my spot at the window and enjoyed the view for as long as it lasted before making my way to the door. Once off the airship, I quickly found one of the main roads heading into the heart of Vale and start walking in the opposite direction towards the main gate.

As I walked, I looked about myself and observed the nightlife of Vale. Young couples walking to and fro. Children holding hands with their parents, giggling at who knows what. Groups of friends bumping into each other and laughing as they walked in and out of varied types of buildings ranging from places that seemed to serve food, to large buildings that had loud, thumping music coming from within.

As my journey carried me further and further away from the heart of the city, the joyfulness and life of Vale seemed to drain away with each step. Upon reaching the gate that led out into the wilderness, most people chose to stay inside their homes, several heavy duty locks visible on the doors. Those that were outside either walked with hurried steps, often glancing over their shoulder towards dark alleyways and the towering wall that loomed over us all. Those that weren't hurrying about stood menacingly in the shadows, eyeing those that walked by with poorly hid greed.

Walking up to the guard that stood in front of the gate, he motioned for the man operating the door controls to open them up. He then turned towards me with concern, "You the Huntsman Headmaster Ozpin said would be coming, right?" I nod, allowing him to continue, "You watch yourself out there, the further you get from the wall, the more dangerous the Grimm become." I nodded my head in thanks, even though I planned on finding those dangerous Grimm, as the large gate slide open with the deafening screech of metal upon metal. "Good luck." Was the final thing the guard said to me as I stepped past the threshold and out onto the dirt road, and with another deafening screech, the gate closed once more, effectively cutting the sound of the city down to something I had to strain my ears to hear.

Turning my gaze forward once more, I took in the moonlit path leading away from Vale. I took in the trees that surrounded me, or rather, the shadows and danger within. I took in the sounds of the night, seemingly undisturbed by the Grimm infesting their home. And with all that, I could only think one thing…

…Finally

Allowing myself some theatrics, I grasped the hilt of Bloodlust firmly in my right hand and pulled the sword free, allowing the scrape of metal upon scabbard to ring clearly. Extending my arm out in front of me, I look down the keen edge of the blade and then flip it over and let the jagged teeth glint in the moonlight. Feeling the left side of my mouth twitch into an ever-so-slight grin, I then took off jogging in the forest. Ready to let Bloodlust earn its title once more.

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The first Grimm I came across were a pair of Beowolfs that didn't have time to yelp. The first lycanthrope's head was removed from its shoulders as he and its pack-mate passed by the tree I was standing behind. The second turned its head in a snarl and was rewarded with Bloodlust into its open mouth which drove through the spine, and out the back of its neck. Pulling the sword free, I don't bother wiping away the blood and just let the blade absorb it as it always has as I look about myself and listen. After twenty or so seconds of nothing but nightlife, it seems as if nothing heard out scuffle.

Well, that wouldn't do. Shattering an alluring skull at my feet, it wasn't long before several more Beowolfs and Creeps made themselves known. And I let the slaughter continue.

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Dawn was only an hour or two off by the time I'd made a sweep in the surrounding forest near the road. While I have cleared most, if not all of the Beowolfs and Creeps, I still have yet to see stinger nor fang of the Deathstalker or King Taijitu that Lord Ozpin said would be near. Travelers would be hitting the road soon, and I didn't want their deaths to be caused by the fact that the Grimm decided I wasn't worth their time. I may not be a proud person, but I refuse to be ignored by some overgrown bug or grass snake, I thought bitterly.

After a bit of backtracking, I found a clearing I had seen earlier that was about eighty feet in diameter with knee-high grass. Standing in the center of it, I clutch the three final alluring skull within my pouch and smashed all three at my feet. First to arrive was a lone Boarbatusk, who snorted and huffed upon seeing me. Rolling itself into a ball, the boar then shot towards me at a somewhat fast speed. Just as it reached me, I sidestepped and stabbed, effectively stopping the boar in its tracks and causing it to squeal out in pain. A quick withdraw and slice at the neck finished off the squirming beast.

Next was a pair of Ursa, both the size of a metal carriage with claws big enough to rival the lycanthrope's in The Road Of Sacrifices, and a temper to match. Not taking any chances, I withdrew two poison knives and flicked them at the nearest Ursa. Both struck true, burying hilt-deep into the base of the Grimm's neck and causing it to rear back onto its hind legs and roar in pain. The second Ursa continued on, more concerned with the supposed prey before it.

As the second Ursa reached me, I rolled under its first swing, set my feet, then jumped upon its back and drove Bloodlust through the back of its head, killing it instantly. By now, the first had reached it's now dead brother and I, and was determined to maul me with its claws. This, unfortunately, didn't leave me any time to pull the same trick as with the second Ursa, because as soon as I dodge behind it, the Ursa was already swinging its oak-like paws my way. But as the seconds ticked past, the Ursa started noticeably slowing down as the potent poison quickly work its way through the Ursa's body. Not long after, the Grimm overextended its paw, allowing me the precious fraction of a second to duck underneath and drive my blade through the armpit and straight into the heart.

I didn't have any time to revel in my victory because I heard several loud pants and a dozen or so footfalls quickly getting nearer. Spinning around, I quickly threw up my arm, allowing the leading Beowolf to bite down on it instead of my neck, earning myself what is more than likely new scars. Swinging my sword, I catch my attacker in the ribs which causes it to drop my arm and howl in pain. I wasn't able to finish it off, however, as I was forced to dodge another Beowulf. Coming out of my role, I swung my sword and cut the leg off a third, dodged and stabbed, killing a fourth, dodge a fifth and finally the sixth.

Now a bit more wary, the remaining four that could still fight circled around me, looking for an opening while the one I had cut the leg off of crawled away, slowly dying from blood loss. Not allowing them to make the first move, I quickly withdrew two non-poisoned throwing knives and chucked them into the throats of two of the Beowolf's, leaving the first Beowolf I had wounded and another that was still fine. I glanced between the remaining two who had positioned themselves on either side of me as I pull my shield from my back and readied myself. With some unheard signal, both Grimm attacked at the same time. The one on my right lunging at my right leg while the one on my left jumped for my throat with its teeth. Spinning on my heel, I thrust Bloodlust through the chest of the second Beowolf while simultaneously driving the sharpened point on the bottom of my shield through the skull of the first.

Standing tall once again while drawing air deeply into my lungs, it was only now that I became aware of the Grimm hiding among the shrubbery bordering the clearing. Four Creeps, five Beowolfs, two more Ursa, and behind them was a King Taijitu. Though while it wasn't extremely large, standing only about two feet in height if it were slithering along the ground, the fangs and strength it possessed was still more than enough to make me cautious. Clearly the alluring skull worked a bit better than I had anticipated. Quickly shouldering my shield, I ran my flame down the length of Bloodlust, causing crackling fire to engulf the blade.

This apparently set the Grimm off, because at the hissing roar of the King Taijitu, the rest charged. It was if time slowed to a crawl. The roar of the beasts surrounding me, the adrenaline in my veins, the blood on my blade. It made me think of a story, and not only a story, but one told by a blind storyteller.

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I sat alone on the bridge between the two towers above Firelink in silence. My soul was heavy. Heavy with sadness, regret, and longing for what could never have lasted. Until I had happened upon them, my road had been a lonely one. And now that they were both gone, I had to finish my duty alone. I knew in my mind that this was how it was supposed to be, but my soul had ignored all warnings and continued on anyway. It's not to say that I regret my actions, but that does not mean I had to like them either.

Hearing the crunch of foot upon loose stone, my gaze shot up to my right to find Irina leaning against the door-frame. Alarmed, I was quick to my feet, steadying the blind storyteller before she fell to her death on the ill-conditioned bridge.

When she felt my hand upon her arm and shoulder, she smiled up at me kindly, "Thank-you Ashen One. May you wish to enjoy the sunrise together?"

Wordlessly, I led Irina back to where I had been previously resting and we both sat crossed-legged. Once again, in silence. It was only now that I let my gaze actually look around and process what it could see A low, thick fog had covered the land during the night hours, so thick that it even hid Firelink's main structure from my view, making it feel as if we were resting upon a floating bridge far above the earth. Breathing in deep, I could tell that it wouldn't lift anytime soon. Turning my eyes outward once again, I watched as the sun broke the horizon, turning the sky and fog orange and gold in such as way that is was impossible to tell where one ended and the next began.

It was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, but it was wasted on my current mood. Though I was confused as to why Irina was up here at all. She was blind, unable to enjoy the view. Not the colors, fog, nor rising sun.

"I was wondering where you had disappeared to since your recent arrival," Irina suddenly said, as if she knew my thoughts. "You have been gone for quite some time, but when Lord Andre told me of your return, I was admittedly disappointed when you did not stop by to hear a tale or two like you usually do upon the morning of your return to Firelink."

The fact that it was early morning, the time I usually went to sit with Irina, only just completely registered in my mind. I had sat up here all night and early hours thinking. Wondering if I could have done something different. And all that thinking made me miss out on my evening practice with Karla, late night study with Orbeck and Cornyx, and my early dawn-light miracle with Irina. And with this revelation came a small twinge of guilt for my friends and companions.

"Did I ever tell you of how close to losing myself I was Ashen One? As I wasted away into nothing in that cell?" The blind-storyteller asked quietly, as if she was afraid the sad conversation would break the spell that made the morning so peaceful.

I could do nothing but stare. She didn't seem upset with my neglect of her and the others, but why would she bring that up? It was a difficult time for her. I did not then, and still do not completely understand what she had meant when she said the dark had surrounded her, nibbling at her flesh. Was it the abyss reaching out to her, or some dark spell?

Unbothered by my silence, Irina folded her hands in her lap and continued to stare out across the fog and clouds with blind eyes, somehow seeming to enjoy the view more than I ever could. "I was near, oh so near. In the end, the only things keeping me sane was the small amount of company Eygon gave when he brought me food. That and my miracles. The stories I've learned, word for word by heart. Would you like to hear my favorite tale?"

I pulled my helmet from the head and set it to the side, allowing the cool breeze to dance through my hair and audibly turned to face her. A sign for her to continue.

"Do you know of Gertrude, the Heavenly Daughter?" I nodded my head, (Briefly forgetting her blindness) I had heard mention of her in my travels and came across her name in scribbles on scrolls and the like. "Not much is known of her anymore, nearly all mentions of her and her Angelic faith were wiped out in the aftermath of the civil war that plagued Lothric Castle and the surrounding land. The only sure thing remaining is the story the Angel gave her that started it all."

I leaned forward in interest as my blind friend delved into the story with a serene passion. "She was a sorrowful, but pure soul. Betrayed by her land, her people, her family.

- -][- -

First to reach me was an eager young Beowolf whose over-eagerness earned him a searing thrust through his chest. As it fell dead, I sharply withdrew the sword and elbowed another Beowolf in the face, visibly cracking its bone mask. My quick retaliation caused the remaining Beowolf's, Creep's, and the two Ursa to stop their charge and circle me with hungry eyes.

- -][- -

All she had left was her faithful knight, a man who had protected her since they both were children. He had not forsaken her, never would he forsake her. One day, the darkness in man's heart closed in upon them, wanting nothing more than to extinguish her light.

- -][- -

Eyeing the Grimm surrounding me, I slid Bloodlust back into its sheath and slung the shield onto my back. I'd need both hands free for this.

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Standing over her with sword and shield, the loyal knight looked about himself, and found no means of escape. No means for her escape.

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Grasping my chime, I then held my arms out wide and turned my gaze to the heavens with closed eyes. Searching, but not for fire, something purer.

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Tearing her terrified gaze from the darkness, she looked up at her knight and felt tears fill her vision. Not from fear or pain, but gratitude, sadness, and a realization. He didn't need, no, WASN'T going to sacrifice anything more, not for her. He gave up his freedom, his right to own, his heart. Just for her, and without a moments hesitation. She wouldn't let him give anything more.

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Feeling it in the heavens, I used the small spark inside of me to ask for something pure, for it to do its duty.

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Getting to her feet and pressing her brow against his backplate, she gave her knight one final hug as she closed her eyes, grasping the pure light within herself.

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Feeling the offer, I accepted. Accepted and asked. Asked for light.

- -][- -

Feeling her soul untangle, she held on to him for as long as she could. He would blame himself, she knew that, but she refused. He will not sacrifice his life for her as well. She refused, and the last thing she saw was her knight, her closest friend, her everything, turn towards her disappearing form with wide, confused eyes.

- -][- -

The Creeps and Beowolfs were all but upon me as I opened my eyes.

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As the darkness set upon them, she gave one final, tearful smile, and closed her eyes for the final time.

- -][- -

And light rained from the heavens

- -][- -

The clearing was deathly silent as I lowered my arms. Casting my gaze about myself, all I found in a rough thirty-foot radius was the dissipating corpses of the Beowolfs, Creeps, and Ursa that had tried to rend me limb from limb. Each and every one with fist-sized holes that ate away at their dark flesh. But the corpse of the King Taijitu was not among them. Bringing my gaze back up to the clearing before me, I scowled at the empty shrubbery and drew Bloodlust. It wasn't gone, I could tell by the deathly sweet odor that still hung heavily upon the air, instead of being carried away by the breeze.

I slowly began turning, carefully scanning the trees. But even though I was using my eyes to their full potential, I was listening. Listening to the creaking of wood, to the swishing grass, the dancing breeze. There! Among all the night time forest sounds was one that was out of place. An ever so slight rustling of grass and ever-growing odor were the only warnings I got before the snake struck.

Dodging right, I barely missed finding my entire head in the venomous mouth of the black half of the King Taijitu by half a second. But instead of standing to fight, I rolled again, aware of the fact that while I could see one head, the second would strike if its other half failed. My prediction proved true as the white half got a mouthful of dirt instead of flesh like it expected.

Coming out of my second role, I was forced to dodge again, and again, and again, unable to find any significant opening long enough for me to exploit. I suddenly found myself backing straight into a tree, an opportunity the white half of the King Taijitu didn't waste. Pulling its head back, the snake struck forward and sunk venomous fangs as big as daggers into my left shoulder.

Crying out in pain, I swiftly attempted to drive Bloodlust through my attackers head, but missed due to the snake rapidly withdrawing itself. Both halves of the King Taijitu then reared their scaly heads back and just waited, weaving their heads back and forth while staring down with their hypnotic eyes. For what, I quickly figured out. Underneath the agony of the bite, I felt a burning within my shoulder steadily grow and spread throughout my body, quickly overtaking the previous pain.

Unfortunately for the King Taijitu, dealing with poison wasn't something new to me, and neither was dealing with its effects during combat. Pretending to fall to my knees, I cupped my hand against my chest, already casting the spell. Upon seeing me fall to my knees, both heads hissed and bared their teeth as they struck simultaneously. Instead of giving their target another dose of their deadly venom like they intended, both heads hissed in pain as their fangs struck what felt like solid iron instead of flesh.

Not giving them time to recover, I lunged forward with Bloodlust. This time, my blade found it mark hilt deep within the head of the white snake who gave one final hiss before falling limp. As I tried to remove the blade, I quickly found it to be stuck, and even quicker found myself being strangled to death in the coils of the enraged black snake. Instantly preparing a black flame, my concentration was ruined in a rather spectacular fashion.

As the black snake reared its head back to deliver its final strike, a large blade seemed to sprout from its open mouth, the point stopping a mere two inches from my face. Eyes clouding over and coils going slack, the black snake fell to my left, spearing the blade into the ground. Ignoring the approaching footsteps, I calmly reached into my pouch and pulled forth a clump of purple moss. Lifting my helmet enough to drop the herb into my mouth, and quickly chewed it to paste before swallowing. Instantly, the burning pain from the venom within my veins began to abate, and within a couple more seconds, was gone.

Hearing the sound of a blade being removed from flesh and then another, I looked over and saw a scruffy looking man with pale red eyes and a tattered cloak holding Bloodlust towards me handle first. Accepting the proffered blade, I slid Bloodlust back home within its sheath, never breaking eye contact with the stranger. Then we just stood there, silently sizing each other up.

"Ozpin send you to clear the Grimm for the travelers?" The man suddenly asked in a gravelly voice. I simply nodded. "He send you out alone?" Another nod. This apparently amused him if the chuckle was anything to go by, "Well, after the show you just put on, I can see why." He then turned serious and nodded towards my shoulder which was red with blood, "How bad is it?" I pulled a Divine Blessing out from my pouch and crush it in my hands, causing the golden light to briefly engulf my form, and then give a shrug. "Huh, better be," he grunted, "don't want to haul your metal ass all the way back to Vale in you collapse.

I smirked behind my helmet. The day someone had to haul me anywhere is the day I'm a corpse. Looking out above the treetops, I can see that the sky is now a light gray, quickly turning red and gold as the sun rose.

The man then turned back towards the road and motioned for me to follow, "Well come on then, the bar callen', and then we'll report back to Oz." As we walked under the cover of the trees, the man grunted out one last thing. "The name's Qrow…"

And we come to the close of chapter 9 everybody. I hope you all think it was a good one :)

- I know you find Pillars of Light in the cage above Lothric Castle, but I just wanted Irina to be the one to teach the Ashen One all the miracles.

- With that said, I hope you guys don't mind if I put my own stories to the miracles. I will keep the lore of each miracle as true as I can.

- Anyway, I'm not too sure about my ability to properly portray fighting in words, so let me know how I did, and tell me if you have any suggestions.

Thanks for reading everyone! Please feel free to leave a review, or PM me with any comments, questions, or concerns (No promise I'll answer all questions though, gotta keep some things close to my chest ;D) …

… Archangel Out