Deserters Redemption Chapter 2, a Dark Souls + RWBY Crossover fanfic

Deserter`s Redemption

A/N: Hello boys and girls! Welcome welcome! Now before we get started with the chapter. There are a couple of things that I`m sure you would like to know.

1. The timeline of this story starts in the time around when Summer died. Or rather not too long ago since then. And shall be following the cannon story, with some changes of course.

2. Hawkwoods currently in the body of an eight-year-old! Meaning he is eight years old in the body! NOT THE MIND! He still has his memories of when he was an Abyss watcher and unkindled. You get it now! Good.

3. Grims don`t bleed... Huh! I didn`t know that. A special thank you to joecola00 for pointing that out for me as well as most of my mistakes. I really do appreciate all the help I could get. But I think I will keep the blood factor for the Grims. I feel like it adds more... I don`t know. More color for the story, better visual pictures... Gore?

I don`t know really. I just want them to bleed I guess... I`m not sick or anything I swear.

Anyhow. Thank you everyone for supporting this story with your reviews, favorites, and comments! As well as taking the time of your day to read the crap that I write. And I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 2.

Meeting some interesting people.

Hawkwood`s lungs burned as he ran through the forest. Sliding, jumping, or sidestepping any fallen tree, branches, or logs that found themselves in his way. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath and looked around in order to find any of those creatures he encountered earlier.

"HELP!" A sudden cry for help made his head turned towards the left. Tightening the grip on his greatsword, Hawkwood ran towards the spot and jumped through the two bushes that blocked his path.

In front of him standing with its back turned to him and on hide, legs was the slightly bigger monster than the first one he put down. However this time its attention was on something else... Or rather something else.

He saw it slowly approaching an eight-year-old girl. With long blonde hair that was tied in two poney tails, black short pants, brown shoes with orange socks, and a sleeveless gray shirt. She was backed up against a cart and was trembling in fear. Her body shook as her bright lilac eyes were wide in fear.

Those eyes did catch Hawkwoods attention for a moment. Making him wonder how one`s eyes turn out with the color like that. But he quickly dispelled his curiosity and focused on the main reason why he was here.

Using the element of suprise to his advantage he charged forward, ripping his Farron greatsword from its leather prison and with some difficulty slashed at the beast`s left ankle. The sharp blade cut through the limb with ease and severed it from its owner, making the beast fall to his left side while it roared out in pain. The girl`s eyes widen in suprise at Hawkwood`s sudden appearance, who did not let up on the advantage he had earned. He draws his sword up onto his shoulder and slashed down at the beast's right side.

However, he got backhanded by the beast`s right arm and sent flying backward, dropping his sword in a process. He groaned in pain when he landed on the hard ground but rolled backwards in order to use the momentum to get back on his feet.

The monster roared at him while it tried to stand back to its feet but couldn`t with its left ankle severed. Bleeding from the said decapitated limb, the beast chooses to find its balance by going down to all fours. Or three in this case.

Hawkwood responded to the roar with a growl as he pulled the curved dagger from his belt and flipped it over in his hand. Holding the blade backwords.

"Come on! You wretched creature!" He yelled at it with anger in his voice as the beast roared at him before charging. Stumbling a few times due to its crippled state.

The deserter matched its charge and rolled under the swipe when he got close. He slashed at its right back leg, drawing a blade when he cut its upper thigh. The beast tried to hit him with another claw swipe when it spun around to face him, but the Hawkwood stepped back from it and slashed at its front leg/arm after it missed.

For the next course of six minutes or so, this was how he withered it down. Roll under its attack. Cut! Get out. Wait for it to miss his attack, get a hit in if he could, and back out. The same way a wolf would wear down its prey. The same way his brothers and sister`s fought their opponents.

The same way the wolf knight fought.

However, this didn`t mean he wasn`t getting tired quickly. Due to his young body, his stamina and endurance weren`t much to go by. Making him stop whenever he dodged an attack in order to catch his breath.

He was running out of time at this rate, soon his body will grow tired while the beast was showing no signs of slowing down. No matter how many cuts he managed to land on it.

"HEY! HERO!" A shout from behind made him turn his head towards it. He saw the blonde girl hold his great sword with both hands and was having trouble trying to get it up. He managed to also get a quick glance at the head of a much younger girl with black and red hair, that was hiding in the cart.

"Catch!" The blonde said while spinning the sword a little bit and tossing it in his direction. Although the throw was pitiful it did bring the sword closer to him. Making it so that he needs to take at least three steps in order to grab it.

A whooshing sound was heard, making Hawkwood`s eyes widen. He looked back towards the monster just in time to see its left clawed hand come towards him. He quickstepped back words in order to avoid the attack but was a little late, making it so that the front two claws dug into his right shoulder.

"AAGH!" He cried out as a burning feeling of pain came from his shoulder, making him lose his balance and fall on his ass. He gripped his hurting shoulder while gritting his teeth, seeing blood coming from the cut. He heard the gasps of horror come from the girls but ignored them.

His eyes focused on the cut up and bleeding monster which bends down low and got into a pouncing position. Panicking he looked towards where his sword was, it was within his reach however he couldn`t lift it with only one hand. Which meant he had to act quickly.

Grabbing it quickly around the hilt with his left hand and quickly joined his right alongside it. Fighting through the pain in his shoulder all the way. He heard the beast make a movement, making him pull the swords towards him and lift it up straight. Just in time for the monster to impale itself on it.

The greatsword pushed straight through the beast`s collar bone on its right side and out through his back. Making its right arm useless. However, the beast didn`t seem to care as it pushed its head down and opened its mouth wide. Intending to bite Hawkwood`s face off.

Hawkwood seeing this bearly dodged the bit by moving his head to his right. Quickly picking the dagger and stabbing it into the beast`s neck. It cried out in pain but continued to try and munch at his face. Forcing Hawkwood to try and push it back with his free hand.

His greatsword`s hilt was getting buried into the ground slowly from the weight of the beast. Bringing it closer to him.

"Damn it! JUST DIE ALREADY YOU FINDE!" Hawkwood thought in panic as he begins to stab rapidly at its neck while trying to keep it away from eating his face. However, being already tired and exhausted, he soon couldn`t keep it at bay any longer and his hand slipped from its bone mask.

"Oh fuck me..." He thought as the monster`s head came closer and closer towards his face. He closed his eyes and waited for a painful bite to rip his face off.

However, the only thing he felt was something warm, liquidy, and nasty fall onto his face. He opened his eyes but quickly closed them when a spray of blood hit him in the face. He recoiled back from the sudden action and started to wipe his face while spitting out any of it that got in his mouth.

"Ups! Sorry kid! Didn`t mean to get ya all red over there." The sound of a grown man`s voice reached Hawkwoods ear`s. He wiped whatever blood was left in his eyes and looked towards where the voice came from.

A middle-aged man stood there with a big sword in his hand. He had black hair, red eyes, a flask on his belt, one piece of gray top, and pants. He stood by the beast`s body whose head was missing. Making Hawkwood believe that the man beheaded it.

Soon the body started to decay just like the one he had killed. All its limbs, muscles, and blood started to vanish. Even the one on Hawkwood himself. The man who saved him was looking at him with watchful eyes from up to bottom.

"So... What`s your story kid?" Hawkwood didn`t answer him at first and tried to get back to his feet but fall back on his ass when another wave of burning pain came from his shoulder. The man quickly came over to him when he saw him fall back down.

"Easy kid. Let me see." The man checked over the wound and pulled out bandages and some rubbing alcohol. "You got luck kid. The wound isn`t deep, in about two weeks you should be able to use it again.

"Uncle Qrow!" Was heard from the sidelines making the man and the former Abyss watcher turn towards it. And one of them got his leg tackled by a red blur with enough force that almost made him fall over.

"Whoa, there squirt! It`s okay now. I`m here." The man now known as Qrow said softly while banding down in order to pat the small girl's head. Her blonde sister wasn`t too far behind and joined in.

Hawkwood from his spot narrowed his brows at the display of affection and tried to stand up again. Only for a strong hand to push him back down. "Hey! I told you to take it easy. Moving it too much will only make things worse for you."

This made both the girls release their hugs and look over to the boy and then back up to their uncle. "Will he be alright uncle Qrow?" The smaller girl asked in a worried tone.

"If you two let me patch him up. He will." After the two did as requested and let Qrow patch their savior up. After he was done. He helped the boy stand and watched him look at his bandaged shoulder. He tried to move it but hissed in pain after moving it slightly.

"Ugh... You really don`t listen do ya..." Qrow said in annoyance. Hawkwood ignored him and moved past the three of them in order to get his weapons but was stopped by Qrow`s hand.

"Whoa there! Where do you think you`re going, little man?" Hawkwood looked up at Qrow before slapping his hand away.

"That doesn't concern you. I appreciate your assistance in taking down that wretched monster. But now I must find my way back" Qrow and the girls rose their eyebrows at that. And the youngest of the three asked next.

"Back to where?" Hawkwood`s paused at that question. Where was he going exactly? Where was he even going back to? Back to Farron`s keep? No... To fire link?

...

He gave no answer and went to once again retrieve his weapons. However, he was once again stopped by Qrow who stepped in front of him with his hands on his hips.

"Look, kid. I don`t know who you are nor what you were doing in Grim-infested woods. But you saved my nieces. Something I am really thankful for. So in return, I want to help you. We wanna help you." The man said as he placed a soft hand on Hawkwood`s uninjured shoulder. He looked up into the man`s eyes and tried to find any ill intentions in them. But only saw gratefulness. He looked back at the two girls and saw them look at him with the same look with a bit of pleading in them.

He let out a sigh after a while and spoke his wishes. "Take me to the nearest town. And we`ll see where I go from there."

Qrow narrowed his eyes in wonder at the boy's choice of words but nodded and went towards the cart that the red/black-haired girl was hiding in. He brought it close to them and called them over. "Come on you brats! Let`s get out of here before more Grim shows up."

There it was. That word again. Grim. Was that what they were called? His thoughts were interrupted by a pair of two hands grabbing him under his armpits and placing him inside the cart. He blinked at the sudden action and was about to say something when Qrow picked the handles of the cart and got ready to move.

"Better sit down kid. It`s going to be a bumpy ride." Qrow said as he started to pull the cart. Making Hawkwood sit down when he started to lose his balance inside it. He noticed that both his weapons were inside the cart as well. Qrow must have put it in for him.

He heard shuffling from his left and saw the two girls have moved to sit closer to him. Their eyes looking at him with curiosity.

"So. What`s your name hero?" The golden one asked Hawkwood who cringed at his nickname. The girl had no idea how wrong she was, but never the less he answered.

"Hawkwood..." He said in a tired voice. His body finally letting the exhaustion fully sink in.

"Hawkwood? Hawkwood... No last name?" She first tested the name out. Feeling it around before asking another question.

"Never had one. I was abandoned by my parents when I was born." He said simply. He felt them stop moving as well as all eyes on him. Before any of them could start showering him in pity. He said. "Don`t feel sorry for me. There is no need for it now... Not after everything that has happened... Hehehe..." He finished with a sad and little dark chuckle. The same chuckle he always gave to ashen one whenever he spoke to him.

His gaze moved to the ground in his usually crestfallen fashion he got used to over the years. His forearms resting on his knees and his face adopting a sorrowful look. His mind going back over the past events that lead him to the fire link shrine.

His train of thoughts however was broken when he felt four pairs of arms wrap around on each side of him and two pairs of heads came to rest on him. The golden-haired girl wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him from behind. His head coming to rest on her chest while she rested her`s on top of his head.

The younger one had hugged him from his right side and had her head rested on his right peck. All the while Hawkwood sat there in both shock and confusion. He looked back and forth between the two girls. His mind was unable to register what was happening right now.

"Wha... What are you both doing?" He asked, not getting why they were hugging him.

"We are hugging you silly." The youngest said like it was an obvious answer.

"But... Why..." He didn`t deserve it. Not after everything he had done in his past.

"Because you look really sad. And the hugs always help me feel better when I`m sad." The innocent girl`s words reached Hawkwoods ear`s but he still did not understand. But this feeling... This warm, welcoming feeling of another living being's warmth. Oh how he missed it, how long has it been since the last time he felt this.

A smile crossed his lips as he welcomed the feeling. Closing his eyes to enjoy it more, he felt them start moving again. Soon he felt them let go and sit back near him.

"Thank you... It`s been a long time... Since I had someone hug me." He said softly this time which made the two girls smile at him.

"No problem Hero. Sorry for making you remember bad things about your past." The golden one said lightly punching his arm in order to get his spirit up but had a sad smile on her face. The younger girl`s gaze turned sad as well.

Hawkwood always considered himself as a good person reader. Judging from the sad expressions as well as the way they showed sympathy towards him. He would have guessed they have lost someone close to them, and it looked like it was fairly recent. Hmm... A pet or a friend maybe?

He quickly dismissed the feeling and decided since they will be traveling together for now. Might as well learn about them and this new realm. "So... What're your names?"

"I`m Yang! Yang Xiao Long. And this is my little sister Ruby Rose." The golden girl now known as Yang said while first pointing at herself then to Ruby with a smile. Hawkwood nodded his head in understanding as he felt his eyes grow heavier the more he tried to stay awake.

"Does it have a name?" Ruby asked him suddenly which made Hawkwood look at her with raised eyebrows.

"Pardon?" Ruby also rose an eyebrow at the strange choice of words from the boy.

"You`re sword. Does it have a name?" She asked while looking at the Farron`s great sword. Hawkwood followed her gaze and thought about his answer. He didn`t really have a reason to call his weapons anything else, apart from what they were already called. So...

"Farron`s greatsword." Ruby`s and Yang`s faces as well Qrow`s, even though they couldn`t see it. Made a confused and wondering look on their faces.

"Who`s Farron?" Yang asked which made Hawkwood`s eye narrow. The memories of the times when Farron used to be rich with green grass, powerful scholars who taught the watchdogs of Farron various spells and miracles. A land where the sun would always shine the brightest and would constantly remind people of the once great fallen kingdom.

The kingdom of Oolacile.

"It wasn`t a person. It was a place... A beautiful one... It was a place where some thought miracles were born from the very ground they stood upon... A really joyful place really..." He let a smile spread across his lips as he remembered the stories he read about Farron before the curse took its hold on it. However, it quickly disappeared as he recalled how the curse affected it.

"But just like the kingdom it was inspired by... It was run down... Overtaken by that terrible curse... A place... So beautiful... Destroyed in a just a few short moments... By those (growl...) disgusting monsters." He said in spite with narrowed eyes.

"A curse?" Ruby asked with a shocked look. Hawkwood nodded his head and was about to continue when they suddenly stopped making everyone look at Qrow who put the handles down.

"We`re here kiddos." He announced before walking over in order to help them out of the cart. They stopped in front of a two-story log cabin with a sheet metal roof in dull red. The interior of the house was made from wooden walls. Hawkwood gazed up at it with interest, admiring the wooden craftsmanship that was built upon. The front doors of the house swung open and out of it came another adult which was followed by a small black, gray, and white corgi dog who was making a beeline towards the group.

The man who Hawkwood assumed was the owner. Was a lightly tanned man with short blonde hair, with a small stubble of facial hair on his jawline. He had blue eyes and was wearing brown cargo shorts with a dark brown belt, black shoes, a red bandana on his left arm, and a brown leather vest over a ten-dress shirt with its right sleeve ripped off. Exposing a tattoo that resembled a heart. He was also quite muscular, making Hawkwood believe he was either a worker or a blacksmith.

"Yang! Ruby!" The man shouted out with relief and worry.

"Dad!" Both the girls cried out as they sprinted towards him. Ruby picked the dog along the way to bring them all into a loving family hug.

Hawkwood`s eyes narrowed once again at the warm sigh of a family reunion. He felt something similar to envy at them. For he never had someone to care for him. Such was the way of the legion. You`re either chosen and made a warrior. Or you are left behind for the wolves.

He went over to the cart in order to retrieve his weapons but Qrow beat him to it and pulled both of them out with ease. Qrow handed him back the dagger but kept the sword in his hand. Something that made Hawkwood glare at him.

"Oi. What`s the stink face for kid?"

"I would like to have my weapon back," Hawkwood said

"Sorry kid. With that shoulder, I doubt you`ll be able to even lift it. Even if it`s pretty light." Qrow said while spinning the greatsword in his hand.

Hawkwood growled at the huntsman. However, their discussion was cut short when the blonde man walked over to them with girls by his side.

"Qrow. Thank you." He said at which the Qrow shook his head.

"Don`t thank me Tai. This one here." He ruffled Hawkwoods hair as he spoke which was quickly swiped away by the former Abyss Watcher. "Is the one who did most of the work. I was just in time to make a grand entrance." He finished while pulling his flask up to his lips.

The dad of Ruby and Yang now know as Tai. Looked down at Hawkwood with shock and surprise before crouching down to his level and took his hand in both of his. Shaking it gently.

"If what Qrow says is true. Thank thank you... Young man. If it weren`t for you... I... I don`t want to imagine what I would do if I..." He didn`t dare to finish for tears filled his eyes at the mere thought of losing his two girls. This made both of his daughters hug their dad again with the dog rubbing its head against his leg for comfort.

Hawkwood feeling a sense of pity wash over him for the man. Hesitantly pulled his hand back before taking a step back, not used to people thanking him. "There is no need for gratitude sir... I simply did what... Anyone would." He said in a calm voice. Knowing that he was lying straight through his teeth, for he was no hero. Only someone who would abandon others for his own sake.

"Don`t put yourself down, kid. You did something I had never seen kid your age do. You deserve every praise you get from this family." Qrow said with a smirk on his face.

Hawkwood once again felt that warm feeling stir up inside him. The more he looked at the happy and grateful smiles of the family in front of him. The more it grew.

"Anyways Tai. I need to talk to you about something. Let`s go inside. It`s almost time for dinner right?" Qrow said to which Tai wiped his tears away and nodded before standing up. They all begin to walk towards the house before Qrow felt a pull on his pants, making him turn towards Hawkwood who was holding him by them.

"What now kid? I already told you I`m not giving you, your sword back." Qrow said, his voice making everyone stop and look at the two.

"Sorry but I`m not going anywhere without my weapon. So please would you kindly return it so I can be on my way." He said almost in an impatient tone.

"And where will you go kid? Ha! Do you live with anyone that we can call to come and get you?" Qrow asked with a raised eyebrow. Hawkwood visibly shook at the question. But still answered him in a calm voice.

"No... But that never stopped me from going down my accursed path and it won`t stop me now." His answer shocked the entire family while the dog only tilted his head in confusion.

"Just... How long have you been like this?" Qrow asked softly almost in a sorrowful voice.

"Longer than you could possibly imagine. Now, please... Give me my sword back so that I can get out of your hair." His words made Tai walk back over to him and crouch down again. Placing a comforting hand on his uninjured shoulder.

"Son... I don`t know who you are or what happened to you. But going out there all alone in the world... You will only get yourself hurt. Even killed." Tai said in a soft voice making Hawkwood narrow his eyes at the older man.

"That had never stopped me befo-"

"Which doesn't mean it won`t now. I know you`re probably confused and scared from all of this. But please. You helped my daughters return back to me safely. Let us now help you." Tai finished with pleading blue eyes.

Hawkwood glanced over at the two girls and saw them giving him the same look. He then glanced up at Qrow who had a stoic look on his face and seemed to be deep in thought. Feeling a sense of defeat was over him, he looked back at the older man and nodded.

"Alright... I will allow it. But just until my wound is mended." Tai`s eyes then widen at that and they fell on his shoulders.

"Don`t worry about it Tai. I patched him up before coming here. Though he`ll have to change bandages any now and then." Qrow said, easing the other man`s worries. Tai stood back up and laid a gentle hand on the younger boy's back. Lightly pushing him towards his home. Yang and Ruby both joined them along and proceeded to ask Hawkwood various question`s to which he would answer.

Qrow stayed in his place. Looking at the boy`s back with suspicious eyes. He ran back everything he heard the boy say while they were coming here. Most of the stuff he spoke about was not making sense to Qrow. The name... Farron... A place where miracles were born ha?

Ozpin would want to hear this...

A/N: And there we go. Sorry if the chapter is a little out of place, but I really didn`t have any better idea of how to write Hawkwood`s meeting with Rose/Xiao Long family. I hope it`s not too bad for you guys.

Also if characters are not really how they're supposed to be. Then I`m sorry for the OOC but again. My knowledge of RWBY is limited from fanfics. Add that with poor writing and I might just be burying this story sooner than it had begun. But maybe somewhere along the path, it will turn out good who knows.

Tai might be the hardest to write however since he is not really shown in a lot of fanfics. So I'm just guessing with his personality is like. But I think I will get the overprotective part right when we get to that.

Qrow is like this. Zero fucks given about anyone except his family and friends. I like that about him.

And Zwei... Well, he is Zwei! He`ll get his time to shine as well don`t worry.