Once again I return. Let's keep this going!

Beta: CrowSkull

The Blind Huntsman

Chapter 109

Volume 4, Episode 9

Retrospect

Thin branches and leaves crunched underneath the boots of Oscar Pine as he walked on a paved path through the woods of the outskirts of Mistral. He had left his home and his aunt to answer the call of the soul which now shared his body and mind. After a long train ride and weeks of travel, he was almost to the heartland of the region of Anima. It had occurred to Oscar that he had never been to Mistral before, but Ozpin, or Ozma, has. Several times - hundreds of times. The memories that he was slowly remembering over time constantly reminded and concerned him. Never letting him forget how different his life had become in just a manner of weeks. Oscar's back felt sticky and hot with sweat and his clothes stuck to his body like uncomfortable glue. His feet felt as though the skin was being peeled away, though Ozpin had been eager to let him know that it was just the callous beginning to settle in. He'd need those callous, apparently, as they'd make his skin tougher and harder to bruise and cut. Of course, he agreed, but he was a farmhand before he went on this insane quest Ozpin had implanted into his head. He already had a wide arrangement of callous' on his hands and feet, he just didn't know that he could get even more as time went on. What was even the goal anymore? Get to Mistral, go to some bar Ozpin kept telling him about, and then what?

"You will know when we get there," Ozpin told him. Again, Oscar forgot that the man was able to read and hear his every thought. "Time is of the essence. I apologize for keeping secrets from you, Oscar, but right now it is for your own good that most of my knowledge remains unavailable for you to share an opinion on."

"That doesn't make me feel better about being ignorant." Oscar groaned. "It makes it worse, honestly. I already left my home and everything I knew for you, so you could at least tell me what I'm supposed to do when I get to Mistral and find this guy you keep going on about."

"Again, I am sorry. This is not trying to be rude or inconsiderate. I have… personal rules that I swore to uphold whenever I reincarnate into a new body. I want you to live as long as possible, Oscar, I can't do that if I let you know everything I know immediately." Ozpin explained.

"Yeah, you said that before." Oscar sighed. "I'm eventually going to be absorbed… and I won't exist anymore… this is all so crazy, I…"

"If I were able to choose, I would never have chosen a child," Ozpin said. "If it is any comfort, even if ever so small, I reincarnate into those who are most like-minded to myself. This means that out of everyone on this planet, you, Oscar, have the most potential to become powerful than all the others."

"Heh, do you say that to all your vessels when you reincarnate into them?" Oscar asked with a bitter chuckle.

"Not all of them…" Ozpin admitted "Some are more accepting than others, some are much more stubborn."

"And then there's me," Oscar said. "The kid who lived with a voice in his head for just a couple days, that's all it took to convince him to travel across the continent to a city I've never been to before."

"That, I'd like to think is what makes you special."

"Why, because I am incredibly naivé?"

"No. It is because you accept reality and logic. Compared to the day I first reincarnated into you, your maturity has aged considerably. A temperate trait such as that is rare." Ozpin explained.

"Wow…" Oscar looked down as he walked, feeling a smile creep up his face. "Thank you, that actually does make me feel a little better about all this. Listen… Sorry if I've been rude lately, I'm just…"

"I understand, there are no apologies required." Ozpin happily replied. "I would not blame any soul for being suddenly intertwined with my own. Much less a fourteen year old boy such as yourself."

"I just wish I could get stronger faster," Oscar said. "If I have to get stronger like you said, then I should train more, right? I know you said before that I'd pick up on your skill the more I train. But I just end up feeling sore and tired… if it wasn't for you I'd probably still be sleeping from this morning."

"Training and getting in shape is a slow process," Ozpin explained. "Even for newly acquired vessels I reincarnate into. You will attain my muscle memory in time, though that would do little if you do not have the muscle mass and durability required in order to endure the maneuvers you'd need to make in order to be even an average-tier huntsman. Trust me, you will get your body in shape in time, you must simply stick to the regime and diet plan I have for you."

"You think of everything, do you?" Oscar asked. "There hasn't been a single thing I asked you that you don't have ten answers for."

"I have lived a long time, Oscar. A very long time. Although I wish I could say I knew the answer to everything… Knowledge is not everything, it cannot win battles and it certainly does not guarantee victory. I learned that the hard way in my past life-" Ozpin suddenly stopped speaking, Oscar wondered what happened and came to a physical stop himself. When Ozpin felt concerned and uneasy, he did as well. "There are footprints ahead of us."

"There are?" Oscar asked, looking down at the ground and indeed spotting three pairs of footprints in the ground, walking further ahead of them. "Unless we've been missing these for the past hour, I don't think this was here before."

"It wasn't," Ozpin confirmed. "They come from the woods to the left, and then continue down the trail."

"It might just be other travelers." Oscar optimistically suggested. "It's probably nothing to worry about, it definitely doesn't look like a Grimm's footprints."

"Even if its the smallest chance in the world that it is Salem herself or a child with a kitchen knife, I don't want to take risks while we are in this current state," Ozpin said. "If I may, I think I'd be more comfortable if I was the one in control at the moment."

Oscar cringed at the idea. "Are you sure? It's just footprints… it might not be anything at all."

"Still, if it were something I'd rather not have to take control in the middle of troubling events. If it is truly nothing, I shall relinquish control back to you immediately."

"Well… okay, I guess," Oscar said, taking a deep breath and awaiting that weird sensation of not being able to feel his own body move and react. "As long as you promise…"

"I promise." Ozpin immediately replied. The body of Oscar Pine trembled ever so slightly, and his eyes flashed a yellow-green color as control over the body was handed to the ancient wizard-knight. Ozpin opened his eyes and took in a deep breath. While not in control, he couldn't feel this body breathing. Doing so now was a relief, no matter how short or long he's not been able to.

Now in control, Ozpin followed the trail while staying close to the side of the paved pass, staying close to trees and bushes to use as cover just in case something or someone jumped at them suddenly. He didn't have a weapon, but he still had his magical abilities along with the aura to protect his body. Thankfully, Cinder's siphoning ability didn't leave him completely powerless even after his death and reincarnation. That ability was troublesome to battle before, but he may have been able to overcome it if he had realized what was happening sooner. Now, however, he would be completely vulnerable to her for at least several years. So someone else would have to beat her in his stead. He had an inkling who that person to defeat her would be already. But that was a thought to continue thinking on later. Right now, he had to make sure it was safe for Oscar, and soon Ozpin was sure that he would want to keep control for at least a few hours longer.

"Oh god…" Oscar gasped within their mind. "Is that…?"

"A body," Ozpin said, slowly moving closer toward the puddle of dried blood and the pale body that remained in the center of it. As Ozpin cautiously made his way closer to the body, he inspected the damage that had been done to it. A split arm, a lost hand, and several, several stab wounds. At least two dozen, but it was likely more. "Whoever killed this man was very angry at them," Ozpin said as he stood over the body, looking down at it with narrowed eyes. The man's mouth was open and his eyes still showed the fear and agony he felt as he died.

"Did a Grimm do this?" Oscar asked.

"No, a Grimm would have been far messier," Ozpin replied. "This was done by another person, and I am afraid that I recognize who this man is. He was a former student of mine several years ago… a former teammate of the father of the young man I told you about before."

"The Kai guy?" Oscar asked.

"One in the same," Ozpin sighed as he crouched down on one knee. "It is truly unfortunate that we are meeting like this again, old friend. I am sorry that your life has led you to this point. But I must wonder… Why are you even here? Last I checked, you lived in Argus…"

"Wait, this guy was a huntsman, right?" Oscar asked. "If that's true, then why does it look like he barely put up a fight?"

"I was just thinking the same," Ozpin said. "A battle to the death between two huntsmen level opponents is usually one that is destructive to their surroundings. Yet here it appears as though Aiden was slaughtered without much issue. There are very few men and women I have known who have been able to kill someone so strong so easily… and Aiden was a strong huntsman… and here in Mistral, there are only so many options."

Ozpin peered deeper into the chest of the man. In the center of all the stab wounds, there was one that was far deeper, wider, and cut across the chest and out of the shoulder. Which was likely the cause of so much blood being splattered everywhere like it was now. But there was something about it that reminded him of something. The way the gash was shaped rang a bell in his mind, though he couldn't quite confirm how with so little evidence. There was no point in concluding, but in one of his past lives, he felt the very same attack be done unto him. Perhaps that was why he felt so suspicious.

"It must be a coincidence…" Ozpin said to himself quietly. He looked ahead and saw two sets of footprints travel closely together further along the path, and a third in the opposite direction. So, it was most likely an ambush that got Aiden killed. Unfortunately, aura was only so helpful when one's guard was up, and there was little aura could do for an instant fatal wound, like a dismembered limb, for example. "Oscar. We will be taking a detour for now. It will make our trip to Mistral slightly longer, but I do not want to potentially meet the ones who killed this man so easily."

"I get it, you can keep control for a while longer."

"Thank you." Ozpin stepped away from the body and traveled through the woods. Hoping that he wouldn't run into the ones responsible for Aiden's death.

Qrow Branwen was on a mission. Though for once, this mission didn't require him to get into any potential life-endangering battles or scouting reconnaissance. His job was fairly simple. He needed to go into Mistral and speak with some of the huntsmen and huntresses who were helping train up the new soldiers of the Mistralian Military. There was not a formal name for it just yet, but a title was worthless if the military didn't end up becoming anything. The MPF, or the Mistralian Police Force, has also been helping train regular young men and women and turning them into protectors. It would be impossible to make them as strong as huntsmen in just four to five months, but at the very least they could get them in the best shape of their lives and discipline them to learn the life of a soldier. Qrow himself had never worked with a military outside of Atlas. Though to be fair, Atlas has been the only kingdom to have its own military for a very long time since the Great War. Another military force would also lift some of the weight off of the shoulders of huntsmen and huntresses on Anima, as they wouldn't only just have each other to rely on for once.

The fort that he was visiting was currently the most active fort when training up recruits. It was called Fort Sanctum, as it was formerly a training academy for the younger children aspiring to become a destroyer of monsters. The headmaster of said training academy had happily been willing to step down and allow the council to commandeer his school and transform it temporarily. Qrow wasn't here to speak with him however, as like his former boss Albedo, the headmaster of Sanctum was always busy and couldn't spend even a minute talking to some random man he had never met before, much less agree to anything he had to say.

"Hopefully I find better luck here," Qrow said as he scrolled through a list of names of huntsmen and huntresses Lionheart had given him for this task. He had already tried to go to the ones he already knew and were familiar with, but unfortunately a lot of them had died in duty, and the ones that weren't had other things to worry about. Another consequence of keeping too many secrets - their inner circle had been too tight. Besides the ones within it, there were no other allies they could call upon, and Qrow couldn't just go around telling people about magic, maiden's, and Salem in the hope of getting them on board with him. "This would be a lot easier if Ozpin were here." He whispered to himself, shaking his head after recognizing that such a thought was irrational. "Nah, I can't put that on him. He'll be back soon anyway. Once a morning and afternoon," he recited to himself. "At the bar where we first met here in Mistral before you became headmaster of Beacon. Heh, can't ever forget that date."

After flashing his huntsman ID and stating his purpose to the recruits on guard duty doing their jobs, he was let into Fort Sanctum without issue. Seeing the former training academy turned into a military base was a strange thing to see. He couldn't help but imagine this happening to Signal as well. It wasn't something he'd particularly like, but if it had to be done, he'd understand. The place hardly looked like a school anymore. There were several tents meters tall and new mobile buildings all over the place. Recruits as young as sixteen and as old as forty were all training together as equals and one of the drill instructors was a huntress. A retired one, if he remembered correctly. Though not without loss of any of her prime strength. She must've come out of retirement just for this, and he respected her for it. Honestly, he wished he could help as well. With his upbringing, he never thought he would ever become a soldier, but he was experienced in training people up from nothing with Ruby, Yang, and the students from Signal. He couldn't though, he was here for a reason, and unfortunately it was not so he could help. As Ozpin would put it, he had bigger things to worry about, and right now training Orchid, Yang, and the other kids took priority over a job that already had hundreds of people working on it.

"Zach Noir…" Qrow read the name on his list out loud. "That's who I'm looking for here… I recognize the name a little. Sounds like a guy who likes to push his students." He offhandedly commented as he looked around the fort, looking around for anyone that might look like a Noir. He assumed that the man would be wearing black per his namesake, but looking for him based on that alone was useless. Every drill instructor wore a traditional black uniform trimmed with white. With that idea out of the window, Qrow figured that he'd have to ask around.

"Hey, you," Qrow stopped a passing recruit. Instinctively, the young girl raised her hand up to her forehead and saluted him.

"Sir! What need do you have for me?" She asked.

"Woah, calm down, I'm not a DI," Qrow said, holding his hands up. "Uh… At ease?"

"You're… not a DI?" The girl asked.

"Nope," Qrow confirmed. "I just need help finding someone who is a DI, an old friend of mine. You hear the name Zach Noir anywhere?"

"Have I heard the name?" the girl huffed. "You're in luck because he's my Drill Instructor. If you know him you can follow me and I'll take you to him. Just… please don't tell him that I did anything wrong."

Qrow shrugged. "Perfect straight A's in my book."

The recruit beckoned him to follow and he did so. It seemed as though his semblance had been kind to him on this front. The trip through the fort was a short yet confusing one, though the recruit seemed to know her way around by now. Qrow never asked for her name and figured he'd never be able to as she hastily told him that Noir was around the corner and he could go see him before scampering away to whatever it was she was doing before. He didn't pay it any mind, it was probably better for her that way anyway. He rounded the corner and came across a scene that looked like it was ripped from a movie. There were dozens of recruits lined up doing pushups and they already looked like they wanted to fall and die. But they weren't allowed to, and the Drill Instructor made sure to keep pushing those who were beginning to slow down. The man looked young but looks could be deceiving. He sounded older and his voice definitely made that suspicion stronger. Watching everything play on drew a chuckle out of him, but he quickly went on to business and walked up to the instructor.

"You Zach Noir?

"And who might you be?" Noir asked, looking him up and down before dropping the act and turning away from his recruits. "You're a huntsman by the looks of you. Do you have business with me?"

"Yeah, I do." Qrow extended his hand, shaking it with Noir and gesturing for them to get a little farther from the recruits. "I was told that you owe a small favor to a friend of mine. Long story short, Leo's calling on you to answer for it right now."

"Really? Does that cowardly bastard dare to call me up on that favor now? Figures he wouldn't even come to me himself on top of that." Noir spat to the side. "I see you back there! Don't you dare stop until my conversation with this man is over!" He shouted back to a particular recruit in the back. Qrow wondered why that girl who was supposedly training under this man wasn't here, but that was probably why she didn't want him to know his name, and why she asked her to not say anything bad about her in the meantime. Oh well, no skin off his back, he'd let her play hooky for now if she really wanted to.

"Listen, I don't know what he expects of me, but as you can see I'm a bit busy at the moment," Noir said, gesturing to the platoon he was training. "I can't spare any time to answer any stupid favor I promised twenty years ago. I never forgot it, but there's a time and a place. I owe Lionheart, but I don't owe him enough to give this up."

Qrow felt disappointed. It was almost like Zach's mind was made up long before he ever got close to him. "Is that so…? I understand, really, I do, but we could really use someone like you. I heard that you were skilled and your semblance-"

"I'm old," Noir said, cutting him off. "I may still have all my skill and power, but my body can't keep up with most of my old stunts. I'm not half the huntsman I used to be. I'm better off here, helping these kids train and become strong enough to defend their kingdom." He explained. "If Lionheart wants to bitch about it, let him. I have better things to worry about than kiss his ass anymore. Now, if you have nothing else to say, I should let my recruits rest before they end up actually dying."

Qrow simply nodded his head in reply. Accepting the outright dismissal of everything he said and asked for. He even bullshitted a little to try and butter him up, but it just wasn't enough. He watched Noir walk back to his recruits and watched as they all dropped to the ground exhausted utterly. It made him wonder, progress was really being made here. It was being made like this as well. Was it really that bad to not have many full-fledged huntsmen back at Haven? It's not like that helped Beacon or Vale any. The last Vytal Festival was held when the most huntsmen were in the same place at once, and they still lost to the Grimm. As strong as they were, ironically there were just too few of them. But if they had another army alongside Atlas', then perhaps something could be arranged.

Mistral had already been attacked once and they were anticipating a second after the fall of Vale. The relic of knowledge was locked away safely in its vault and the spring maiden was safely hidden behind the walls of Haven. It was a small comfort realizing that maybe, just maybe, they just didn't need as much help as they needed for Vale.

"If only Vale kept it's military active… that was another mistake you made, Oz," Qrow relented. "Just because kingdoms have armies doesn't mean they are guaranteed to war with each other. Definitely not when we have Jimmy in our pocket." Sighing, Qrow went off and left Fort Sanctum, making his way to the nearest bar to let loose for a little while. Things felt calm, too calm, and it was almost like they were overpreparing. But he wanted to know better, Cinder Fall planned the fall of Vale and she was likely planning that fall of Mistral at that moment as well. It was only a matter of time until she enacted something again.

That time wasn't now, however, and right now Qrow wanted a drink. He's been wondering how his sister has been doing after everything, and he's been wanting to chat with her lately anyway. Perhaps now was a good time to at least get something off his personal to-do list.

Kai couldn't stop moving after that moment he had with Malienna. He sensed her thoughts, her location. She was close, a lot closer than he originally thought she'd be. He could go find her, he knew that he could. It may not even be difficult, which only fueled his desire to go after her even more. Thankfully, Neo supported him in that regard. Malienna was his last remaining blood-related family member, and family was the most important concept to him over every other little thing he believed. She knew what it was like to be without any family, and so wanted to make sure that Kai wouldn't have to deal with the same pain himself.

The two of them started moving the minute they woke up the next day, walking so fast it may as well be considered a jog. The events of what happened with Aiden were behind them, and all Kai cared about was getting to his sister. Despite Aiden's disgusting betrayal of them, he was still useful in the way of telling them where nearby villages and towns were. There was a town near Lake Matsu - the name of the lake sparking just a bit of amusement from him - that was going to be their last spot. They still had a decent amount of food, but they had no money. So Kai decided that he would do one last bounty or task in order to get that money, so that he may be able to take care of his little sister when he found her. At least water was beginning to get slightly scarce, so at least there was another real reason to get to this village.

The village was named similarly to the lake it resided next to. Matsumura. For the sake of not having to answer any stupid questions like if he was somehow related to a body of water, Kai decided to keep his surname secret for now. The village was closed off and surrounded by walls a couple of meters high. Kai made sure to show his hands were unarmed before getting closer to the gate, Neo casting her semblance on herself to look more innocent and vulnerable to do the same. They both came to a stop when one of the guards called out to them.

"What is your purpose here, kids?" Kid? He hadn't been called that in some time.

"My friend and I here were attacked recently," Kai explained. It wasn't that far from a lie, Aiden did attempt to get them killed the other day. "We're just looking for a place to lay low for a little while. Not even a full day, a handful of hours at the most. I'd be willing to work and carry my own weight around if that spices up the deal here."

"What happened?" The guard captain asked. "You two don't look that hurt, yet you say you were attacked?"

"I'm a huntsman," Kai revealed, flashing the license Ozpin gave him on his barely working scroll. "Needless to say, I was able to handle it."

"I see…" The captain started to relax upon seeing his license but was still wary of him. "That explains the blood on you. Wait out here, I'll inform the town leader and they'll send me back with an answer on whether or not we can let you in. What's your name?"

"Kai," he replied simply. Hoping that a random guard so far out in the middle of nowhere wouldn't recognize him from what he was framed for in Vale.

The guard went off and Kai and Neo waited for several minutes. They were allowed to put their hands down and stretch, but they couldn't get any closer. He really hoped that they'd be allowed in. It would suck to have to let Neo sneak in and steal money and supplies. He really didn't want to have to do that, but it was better than running in there and flashing his power around, demanding food and supplies. That was a line he didn't want to cross. It wouldn't be the first time he relented and let Neo have her fun running around invisible with her semblance, and he hoped every time would be the last. Thankfully, he didn't have to. When the guard came back, he came back with good news.

"Alright, our mayor has decided that as long as you keep your license on you for proof of your occupation, I can let you in." He explained.

Kai let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"I just have one more question." Of course, he did, Kai cursed in his mind. "That girl behind you, why hasn't she spoken yet?"

"She's mute," Kai replied. "Related to a Grimm attack. Let's leave it at that."

"Oh, I'm sorry." The guard awkwardly said. "Very well, let them in boys!"

The gate was pushed open from the inside and Kai grabbed Neo's hand and walked into the town. It was always a nice breath of fresh air getting to a town in the outskirts that wasn't destroyed by the Grimm or raided by bandits and outlaws. The demographic was different compared to Vale, clearly. People were looser and heavier clothings, their culture was diverse, mixed with faunus and humans alike. That was good to realize, it meant that he didn't have to hide his tail and leave it wrapped around his waist like he usually did. If Kai wasn't searching for his sister, then he might have liked to stay there for a few days just to relax and wind down after such a long journey from his old home in Vacuo all the way to a village in Mistral. He was sure Neo felt the same way, but for some reason, she felt a little anxious. She gripped his hand tighter, and even in the way she moved and allowed him to practically drag her along made her seem more submissive to what he wanted. She was probably just nervous, being in such a relatively happy place must have been a rare occurrence for her.

"The mayor would like to speak to you about that work you said you were willing to do." The captain who had followed them explained. "He's at the big building on the north side of the village. Can't miss it, just about the only thing here built out of bricks."

"I'll find it." Kai said with an internet sigh. Right back to business, it seemed. Neo stayed close to him as they made their way to the town hall. The people thought they were strange, which wasn't too out of the ordinary at all. They were the strangers, outsiders to their home. He especially must have not looked all too appealing because Neo tried and failed to clean out of his shirt because of the dried blood. In time the color would fade, and since his shirt was black, it may fade even faster.

Easily enough, he was able to get himself to the town hall, where he was let in more another pair of guards who brought him and Neo to their mayor. It was a middle-aged woman from his immediate first impression. He assumed that she was wearing similar clothing, as he couldn't see what she was wearing to make her stand out from everyone else.

"I hear you are a huntsman, yes?" The mayor asked them immediately. Straight to business with her as well. Alright.

"I am," Kai said. "Is there something you need a huntsman to do for you?"

"Indeed there is. You see, this lovely town's walls aren't quite completed yet. We are still vulnerable to the Grimm, but ironically, we are more at danger to bandits and the like." She explained. "With the capital stretched thin as it is, we can't rely on them for support. Which is why I believe it is a blessing that you have come to us now."

"I see," Kai replied. "So, you want me to take care of these bandits for you?"

"Of course, I've heard that you've already dealt with some. That's good, it means that you are capable. The Branwen tribe have always been a rowdy group that cause problems for every village that live near them, but you have the-"

"Wait," Kai raised a hand, leaning in suddenly with interest. "Did you say Branwen? As in Raven Branwen, the leader of the very same tribe?"

"Why, yes. I see the bandits you faced are as mouthy as the ones we have to deal with." The mayor said. "We have one of them taken prisoner, and he keeps going on about how his brothers and sisters are going to come to rescue them. Hmph, drivel, isn't it?"

Kai wasn't listening. He was too busy clicking things together in his head. How could he have never thought of it? There was no way Malienna would have been able to get out of Vale on her own, much less get all the way to Mistral on top of that. Only one person in the world knew how to travel from one continent to the other in literal seconds. Raven Branwen, and her semblance to create portals bound by emotional bonds.

That's where my sister is. Kai thought to himself. Raven must have been keeping her safe this entire time… but if that's true, then why hasn't she made a portal for me to get to her yet? It would have saved me so many months of my life traveling so far… I guess that's a question I'll ask her once I get there.

He hadn't thought about the bandit tribe in such a long time. But he used to be a regular there. Everyone once in a while he would get away from everything in Vale and Patch after the original attack on Mistral and spend time training with her there. The inquiry of why Raven hasn't used her semblance to reunite him with said tribe has been a mystery he'd been content to let go for a long time. But now? She has something that belongs to him. His sister. He didn't know why she had her, but he was going to demand answers soon enough.

"Take me to the prisoner. I want to interrogate him."

"Oh? Are you sure about that?" The mayor asked. "My men haven't been able to get anything out of him so far, what makes you think you can?"

"Trust me." Kai's eyes flashed for a moment. Uncovered by his blindfold, it caught the attention of the mayor. "I think I'll be able to scare some answers out of him."

A shorter chapter this time around. Sorry about that, it's been a busy week. But we are headed towards the end of Volume 4 soon. I was considering the idea of whether or not to just merge Volume 4 and 5 since at this point Volume 4 in canon is like… nonexistent, save for Ruby and Blake's little arc maybe. I'll consult with my Beta, maybe he can inspire me with another idea or two.