Note: I don't own any of the characters mentioned, just my own OC. Credit for the GrimmFall Universe goes to Lord Maximus. :3 Enjoy! :)

Opening Files: Rite of Passage

Not much is known about this strange ritual of the Fallen. All that is known is that when a newborn Fallen is evolving to the next stage, they will be tossed into an arena or pit and left to try and gain control of their instincts. Sometimes they will succeed... other times they will fail.

Close File

"A rite of passage is something that tends to happen to mark the coming of age of a youth in a particular culture. Oftentimes it involves a special day, an event, or just a ceremony," TOM lectured as he closed the Rite of Passage file. "And these rites can sometimes take the form of quests or missions in other universes. So, if you've ever tried to come up with such an event, what makes the culture's coming of age unique? Does it involve a quest, a mission, or just a simple acknowledgement of adulthood? That is what defines a society to some degree, but other times it's just something to mark the passage of time." He pressed a button on the arm rest of his chair and leaned back in his seat.

GRIMMFALL: DRAGON'S RISING

Arc II: Stirring Winds

The Fallen smirked as he watched his new recruit straining against the massive Grimm.

The dark side of the Gundam Project was proving to be a formidable adversary indeed. Already he had slain three massive Grimm with just his bare servos, and his abilities were truly astounding.

Especially as he had the ability to generate a literal army from his very chassis.

That was an ability that he was not about to overlook.

As he said, he never wasted any potential. And he was bound to have some use for this one in particular.

He cast his red gaze over to where others were observing and watching, taking note of the recruit's raw strength and power.

A voice reached out to him from the crowd. "How long has he gone for?"

"Three weeks, and then some," the red-haired Fallen remarked with a grin. "He is indeed a true marvel, regardless of his origins."

"Yes. But what if he turns against us?" the speaker asked, narrowing their eyes.

"Trust me. He is not going to; not since we have promised him the chance to exact vengeance on his old friend," the Fallen smirked.

"And of Matthews? Last I heard he has retreated from that miserable island of happiness... and that the Witch of the Lagoon has failed..." The speaker's voice held a dark undertone to it, but the Fallen was not deterred.

"But she escaped, did she not? She will get her chance at vengeance. After all, she has returned to her beloved homeland to regroup and gather her strength... knowing her of course," the Fallen remarked simply. "After all, no one can really harm her once she is on her native soil."

The speaker snorted. "True..."

A grunt caught their attention and both redirected their gaze back to the pit as the recruit drove a metallic fist into the wall, leaving a dent behind. The Fallen let out a purr of amusement as be summoned forth a new Grimm to test his recruit's endurance.

"If he can survive a few more weeks... he will be prepared for the next test," the Fallen hummed.

"Test?" The speaker inclined their head.

"Yes. A simple one. To defeat the Gundam he is the antithesis of." That was all the Fallen said as he folded his arms.

"Sounds simple... but is very dangerous..." the speaker mused. "I somehow doubt your... recruit... will hold his own against the Gundam. He is far more powerful, and only gets stronger with each battle against us and the Grimm."

"Ah. But that will be his downfall. As he has never faced this kind of entity before," the Fallen remarked, examining one hand briefly. "A Gundam... like himself, but not. One made from artificial means and the Dark Substance."

"..." The speaker was silent as they examined the Gundam as he clashed with the Grimm. Their two fists met, delivering a shockwave that rocked the arena.

"While he may call himself a Gundam, he is far from one. He is a Fallen, in heart, in mind, and in spirit," the Fallen sneered.

"...Sammael... you're one cunning son of a bitch," the speaker sneered back. Then a look of seriousness flooded their eyes. "But do not get overconfident."

"I am far from it... Beast..." Sammael remarked. "I'm always planning ahead. And if he does fail, then it will only prove that he needs more training. If he lives and retreats... then it will showcase the potential for more of his breed..." His small sneer turned into a grin. "I see potential in many things, so... do not underestimate me."

Then his red eyes flashed. "Unless you want me to make a careless move..."

The speaker snorted. "Hardly. Do as you wish. I will make my move when you command... or I deem fit."

Sammael rolled his eyes before turning back to the Fallen Gundam.

"Soon indeed..." he sneered. "Joseph Matthews... you shall meet your opposite, indeed..."