With mournful hearts the flight returns. Carrying two lost souls eager to burn. A beast is found the deal is made. The Knights raise their swords ready to lay claim.
I actually managed to finish this chapter ahead of schedule for once instead of finishing the editing on Saturday night so I feel pretty good right now. Also I've realized that trying to keep my writing between 2500-4000 words isn't going to happen so I've changed it to 2500+ words guaranteed from here on out instead.
Something I've noticed while writing this is that some readers have concerns about how the story will progress and how Dunstan will be portrayed. I actually enjoy reading these messages and sending back replies to address their concerns, heck I've even taken a few suggestions from 6thKazekage about how to work blood vials into the story. So feel free to message me, I will get back to you within 12 hours.
Disclaimer I do not own RWBY or Bloodborne both pieces are owned by their respective publishers.
As they flew away from the field they watched their scrolls as Blake's aura continued to decrease until it seemed to nearly completely vanish indicating an unconscious team member. Their hearts sank when after a few minutes the bar changed to the reading 'No Aura Signature Detected' the same reading that sat under Ruby's picture. They had hoped that Ruby had simply knocked the scroll off her belt, now they knew their leader's fate along with Blake's.
The flight back to Beacon was longer than either Weiss or Yang remembered perhaps it was due to how empty the bullhead felt. They could see the sun fall behind the horizon and with it any hope of Blake surviving the oncoming darkness. The silence held between the two was only broken once they leveled out signaling the start of an hour long flight.
"Yang I'm sorry about what happened back there. No one should have to experience losing a sibling especially a younger one." Her voice was strained and Yang could tell that the Heiress was trying to hold her emotions in.
All Yang could see though was Ruby's best friend in pain from the sudden loss of her partner. Deciding to make the first move Yang wrapped her arms around Weiss' small frame and brought her into a hug. The occasion sob degenerated into Weiss crying into the brawler's chest while occasionally muttering the phrase, "I'm sorry," over and over. Yang brushed her back trying to calm Weiss down with the end result being the Heiress clinging to her until they touched down. Once the doors opened she separated from the hug and patted down her outfit trying to remove any wrinkles it may have gained from the interaction. Stepping out of the bullhead they were immediately greeted by Headmaster Ozpin standing just outside the docks.
"I'm sorry to ask you of this so soon, but I need to see you two in my office for the mission debriefing." Instead of waiting for a response he started to walk away towards the elevator with Yang and Weiss following lifelessly behind him. Arriving in the office Ozpin grabbed his seat at the table placing his cane next to desk before gesturing for the others to sit. "I understand that losing a team member is never easy."
He was immediately cut off by Yang, "Do you understand?" her eyes burning a bright crimson. "I lost my sister in that damned forest, along with my partner, what could you possibly know of that."
Sighing Ozpin readjusted his glasses and continued, "Miss Xiao Long I know every student who ever passed through this academy and have to keep a file one how they're doing. Do you know how many of those files end with K.I.A as the last entry imputed?" The fire in Yang's eyes instantly vanished at the mention of the dead.
"Professor the reason you brought us up here, if you would." Weiss said trying to end the entire meeting as quickly as possible.
"Right, I need to see one of your scrolls and earpieces. In the event of a team members death or vanishing all information on them will be stored within Beacon's archives for future reference. If you want you may leave you can. I will be going over there last video recordings and would understand you not wanting to see them." When neither made any indication of moving he pulled up the Ruby's last recording.
The video started with the view of a bush and the camera pressing though it along with the sound of Beowolves yelping in pain in the background. The scene in front of them was surreal with the Beowolf bleeding from a stab to the chest and blood running down the man's attire. Weiss had a face of disgust with the sight of blood sickening her to the stomach and Yang's anger reignited burning the man's appearance into her mind. Ozpin simply sat not showing any emotion on his face yet clearly trying to pull anything of value from the scene.
The camera suddenly turned to face away from the fight and right at a Beowolf corpse that landed right next to Ruby. The next thing of interest shown was them getting a look at more of their targets face. It may only be his nose but with more to go on they could possibly narrow down their search through facial recognition. He appeared to sniff at the air about him and peer out through the forest before speaking.
"I don't remember there being a strawberry patch around here." He pulled his collar back up and began to carve an indicator into the tree before vanishing into the woods.
Weiss and Yang felt like they had rocks rolling around in their stomachs knowing that what ever happened to Ruby would soon occur. The calm lasted for about three minutes when a sudden flash of light appeared behind Ruby with the camera lurching forward. It began to fall when it was caught and lifted upwards. Whatever attacked Ruby lifted her up before the camera jerked another time this time ending with Ruby being thrown to the ground the blow causing the camera to fall out and catch Ruby's face in the frame. Ruby was clearly in pain and couldn't even stand up after what happened when the man spoke again.
"Sorry Kid thought you were something else, but you're a tough one taking all that." Ruby's body relaxed as she lost consciousness. The next image they saw was their leader getting carried off into the forest hanging off the man's shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
"I still have to go over Miss Belladonna's video are you sure you're capable of seeing another member's fate?" Weiss had visibly paled at the notion and Yang simply nodded in response to Ozpin. With some hesitation he started the next video.
They saw the man talking to Blake trying to get her to possibly slip or perhaps he was enjoying the conversation as they tried dancing around each other's words. The cane by his side was what most likely got Ruby from behind with a solid tip built into it for thrusting attacks.
"Alright, you just have to pull her out of the coffin then." Those words are what hurt Yang and Weiss the most. With those words they lost all hope that the man had spared Ruby. He was joking over her death like it was some sick game.
At the start of the fight Blake seemed to have him on the defensive even managing to cut him once across the chest. However whatever edge she had was immediately lost when he somehow managed to follow her every move avoiding her attacks and returning a few in kind. The worst part to watch was when he apparently started to take the fight seriously. Dropping the weapon he had been previously using to destroy their teammate and instead pulling out a black short sword.
They could hear Blake talking to them telling them to not come back for here. To instead get help from Ozpin along with the call abruptly cutting off the message as one of the blades came towards Blake's head before the feed cut out. Yang's knuckles were turning white as she tightly gripped her own knees a few tears falling onto her lap.
"I want the both of you to know that you still have a home in Beacon should you wish to continue your education here and that I wouldn't think any less of you for leaving. This wouldn't be the first time a student decided to drop out of Beacon after experiencing such a tragic event and I doubt you would be the last to do so."
"Professor we'll need some time to sort through our thoughts it's a lot to take in" Weiss said.
"Of course, you'll be excused from your courses this week to receive any aid you may think you require, should it be a school counselor or possibly therapist. The choice is fully up to you however I will need your decision by the end of the week."
"We understand and thank you for all the help you've given us." With those parting words Weiss walked to the elevator along with Yang. The two of them descended from the tower and back into Beacon heading towards their dorm.
When Yang pulled out her scroll to open the dorm the red headed Valkyrie of team JNPR walked out of her dorm room spotting the two of them. "Guys Team RWBY is back." Nora yelled in excitement to the rest of the Team.
"Great, I've been meaning to talk to Ruby about team attack names. Mine never seem to come out right compared to hers." Jaune said stepping out into the hall followed by Pyrrha and Ren. "Are Ruby and Blake already in bed?" The seemingly innocent question was enough to make Weiss break down into tears in the middle of the hallway. "Was it something I said, I'm sorry please stop crying," he asked pleadingly.
Knowing Weiss wasn't likely to stop Yang walked over to her picking her up bridal style and walking into their dorm room. "You might want to come in for this." With some worry team JNPR walked into Yang and Weiss' dorm room finding it strangely empty of the other two members.
"What is this about Yang?" Pyrrha asked, with thoughts of the worst case scenario rushing to the front of her mind.
Placing Weiss into her bed Yang turned around to face the others, "Ruby and Blake didn't make it back from the mission."
"Well they should be fine. I mean Blake does have survival training." Jaune said as he rubbed the side of his head.
"Jaune, Ruby and Blake aren't coming back, they ran into someone much stronger than them and couldn't get away." The words seemed to cut through team JNPR like a knife. Sure Huntsman knew the dangers of the job, but they never actually expected any of their friends to die.
"Yang are you ok?" The question was likely to be asked countless times in the future so Yang decided to vent while giving an answer.
"No Jaune I'm not ok, my sister is dead along with my partner because I wasn't there to help them. Weiss is having a mental breakdown, god knows I'm going to look out for her since Ruby would have wanted me to, and Team RWBY is done for. I'm not even sure I can be Huntress anymore after everything it's taken from me!" Yang's rant increased in volume with each word until she was nearly yelling at Jaune.
"Yang calm down this isn't your fault and yelling at Jaune isn't going to make it any better." Pyrrha said trying to diffuse the situation.
"Pyrrha it's ok, Yang I want you to hit me." Jaune said tapping his chest.
"I'm not going to hit you Jaune. I may be mad but I won't take it out on you." Yang said as she bumped her fist into his chest causing him to stumble backwards, "Thanks for the offer though."
"No problem, come on let's give them some space they must be tired." Jaune exited the room with his team following behind him.
"So Weiss are you still awake?" The question seemed pointless when Yang saw the Heiress turn over in bed to face her.
"Did you mean it when you said you'd look after me?"
"Yeah, unfortunately it's not a task I'll be able to perform after tomorrow." Yang said as she peered out into the distance through the window.
"You plan on going somewhere?"
"Yep, and I doubt I'll survive to come back, but hey I have a death wish now so I have that going for me." The gallows humor didn't fit Yang and Weiss could see the spark gone from her eyes. The eyes she saw belonged to someone who has given up on life.
"Well that makes two of us then. So how idiotic is this plan of yours?"
"Probably one of the stupidest ideas I've ever had, you want to tag along?"
"I have the sneaking suspicion you'll need me for one of your plans steps otherwise you'd crash the moment you got of Beacon's cliff."
"All right then, we can get our last good night of sleep then head out early in the morning. Hopefully when this is over we can put all of it behind us and move on." With those words Yang flipped the light switch and went to bed. Unbeknownst to them the blonde leader was sat outside the door listening and thinking of a promise once made.
"O Flora, of the moon, of the dream. O little ones, O fleeting will of the ancients." The prayer rang through Ruby's head gently opening her eyes to see an expansive sky covered completely in clouds. Sitting up to look around she found herself lying down in a field of white flowers with some tombstones around the edges. She recognized the place as the cemetery next to the church but it was different, there was an iron fence around the edges and beyond that a vast expansion of nothingness. Looking over the edge she say a layer of clouds a few miles down and several stone pillars reaching out into the cloud line above.
"Let the hunter be safe, let him find comfort. And let this dream, his captor…" Walking around the edge of the fence Ruby found the gate leading out. Taking another glance over the edge Ruby guessed that they must be on top of a pillar similar to the ones in the distance.
"Foretell a pleasant awakening..." The voice was getting louder as she approached what she could only guess was the front of the church. She found the source of the song a pale woman with white hair, standing at the foot of the church wearing a frilly dress. Ruby felt a doll like quality to the cloths and took immediate notice of the segmented fingers reminding her of the prosthetics that some people had to get after an accident.
"Be, one day, a fond, distant memory." With the prayer ending Ruby decided to finally talk to the woman.
"Um, hello there, do you know where we are? I'm kind of lost at the moment." The woman's eyes focused on Ruby and as she finally took notice of the little girl in red standing before her.
"I'm sorry little hunter, it's odd for someone to talk to me during their first visit to the workshop. You must have seen something interesting before coming here."
"You could say that," Ruby said while rubbing her head awkwardly. "So where exactly are we?"
"Welcome to the Hunters Workshop, where all Hunters go when they dream."
"Wow," The excitement was clearly shown through Ruby's eyes as she thought about the possibilities around her. "But I'm a Huntress, should I be here?"
"It appears that the title has changed then, are all Hunters called Huntress now?"
"Not exactly, females are usually referred to as Huntress and males as Huntsman, though some people preferred to be called one over the other."
"Thank you Huntress, now is there anything you require assistance with?"
"Is there a way out of here? My fiends might get worried if I'm gone for so long."
"Simply find the Tombstone that calls to you and it will take you back, before you go though please take a gift." The doll held out a small rock with a carving in it, when she dropped it into Ruby's hand it passed right through it only to clatter upon the ground. "It seems your body is still in the waking world, may I give a blessing instead little Huntress?" she asked while reaching out her hand.
"Sure," Ruby readily placed her hand in the woman's who then placed her other hand on top cupping Ruby's hand between them.
"For it is in death that you awaken anew, through blood you become a hunter of beasts and mankind in search of ancient echoes. Swift in speed and tainted by blood, I drown your soul, and by my word, unleash thee." Ruby felt a cold sensation rinse over her like being held under freezing water before her senses returned to normal, looking up at the Woman Ruby saw a smile on her face.
"Thanks for the help. I never did catch your name."
"You can call me Doll, Huntress."
"Alright Miss Doll, I'll see you later." With those words Ruby brushed her hand against a lit tombstone and began to dissipate. As her world began to vanish Ruby heard Doll say a phrase as she vanished.
"Farewell, good Huntress. May you find your worth in the waking world."
Waking up Ruby felt constrained by her bed she couldn't roll over and felt something tightly gripping her wrists and ankles. Opening her eyes she saw the underside of a wooden roof that made up whatever building she was in. Turning her head slightly Ruby noticed that she was resting in a coffin with cuffs around her wrists and a realization dawned on her causing her to yell.
"I don't want to be a vampire, there's so much I haven't done in my life yet. I haven't gotten to go to the beach with everyone or try sunbathing." She began to cry by this point, "I'll never be another family photo, and everyone will say 'There's the picture of the Xiao Long family and their set of creepy floating cloths,' I didn't want to die young and come back undead."
Dunstan could only take so much before he decided to walk over to the coffin and into Ruby's view. "Would you please be quite? The incense I have burning may keep the beats away but they can only do so much to starve their curiosity."
"Ah!" Ruby screamed. "Stay away Vampire," She brought her fingers together to create a small cross to keep the man away.
"I'm not a dammed vampire, I'm a Hunter. Now. Be. Quite." The last three words were heavily emphasized and seemed to get the point across since it silenced Ruby. "Good, now do you have any questions for me?"
"Why did you attack me?" The words flew from Ruby's mouth before she even realized she had said them.
"In my line of work anything stalking you is usually an enemy. I am sorry about attacking you though I even applied a salve to the bruise I left on your back should be gone in a day or two."
"Alright, so where is my weapon and scroll?"
"If you mean that red metallic contraption strapped to your back it's somewhere safe along with those rectangles that were on your belts."
"Third question, why am I in a coffin and cuffed." She shook her hands letting the chains clink against each other to emphasis the point.
"Technically two questions, but whatever, I won't argue. The coffin is more comfortable then the floor so that's my hospitality."
"Not feeling very welcomed in these cuffs."
"Those are because your friend attacked me when I tried giving you back to her, so blame her for making me not the most trusting person right now." He gestured to the coffin next to Ruby turning around she saw Blake sleeping soundly in the wooden frame.
"Is Blake ok!?" Ruby immediately went back into panic mode for her injured friend and teammate.
"She should be fine, I bandaged all her wounds and they seemed to be healing sporadically in some locations, is that normal?"
"She just has aura exhaustion she should be fine with a nights rest."
"That's good to hear, I'd hate to have killed a child over this." He walked towards an altar that stood at the end of the building, an ominous blue glow emanating from behind the pedestal. Picking something up he walked back to her. "Here have some chicken," offering her a bit Ruby shied away from his hand. "Come on, I don't want your friends to think I was starving you when they show up to get you."
Taking a bite Ruby found it delicious and gladly took the rest devouring it in no time. Looking up at him she found her vision start to blur and her eyes become heavy. "What, what's happening?" The words came slowly as her world began to spin.
"Just a sedative, when you wake up your friends would have hopefully already retrieved you and I can be done with this nonsense."
"No fair." Was all she could get out as she felt her eyes close, when they closed though she saw a strange symbol in her mind, a long line with two pincers coming off of it and a dot at the bottom. Trying to focus on the image she felt her body lighten and ease wash over her before vanishing.
Dunstan was stood over where Ruby was awe struck over what had just happened, the little girl had used a Hunter's Mark and vanished to god knows where. Something only Hunters should be capable of using. After a moment of waiting he heard a something hit the ground behind him turning around he saw Ruby asleep next to the lamp. Picking her up he put her back in the coffin and walked over to the window to try and figure out what had just occurred. With no explanation coming to mind his thoughts turned to Yharnam and he remembered what one of his mentors told him after he undertook her burden so she could rest in peace.
"This too is hunters' work, but bears no honor. A burden you may choose to carry"
"Eileen is this truly my duty as a Hunter?" He asked, as he ran his fingers across metal badge crafted to look like a crow spreading its wings.
When morning came Yang and Weiss were already awake and cleaning their weapon in the dorm room, Yang packing extra shells into her pouch and Weiss grabbing a few extra Dust vials. Once stocked they walked towards Beacon's docks the school was nearly empty this early in the morning and they only passed a handful of students before their goal was in sight. Before they could clear the courtyard though Jaune walked in front of them stopping their approach.
"Did you know I promised Ruby that I'd look after you should anything happen to her? She wanted to make sure her team stayed safe even without her nearby and now you're going to throw your life away trying to get revenge."
"Jaune, we are getting on that bullhead so either get out of our way or we go through you." Weiss said while menacingly pointing her rapier Myrtenaster at him.
"I guess there's no stopping you then," Pulling out his scroll he held it to his head as Yang cocked her gauntlets, "Pyrrha can you get everyone to the docks armored and armed? OK then, see you soon."
"What, you plan on having your team back you up Vomit Boy. We'll be long gone before they arrive." Yang said getting ready to start the fight at a moment's notice.
"Nope, you're going to wait patiently for my team to arrive and then we're going to see who wants to join us on this trip to the Emerald Forest," The words stunned Yang. Jaune Arc was willing to put aside his chances to attend Beacon to join a suicide mission. Waiting for a few minutes the rest of team JNPR arrived clothed in their battle attire and armed.
"What do you need broken Jaune?" Nora asked while playfully twirling her war hammer Magnhild.
"Guys I'm about to ask you for something really stupid and I'd understand if you wanted no part in it. I'm going with Yang and Weiss after whoever killed Ruby and Blake. If we lose we'll be dead and if we win we can't return to Beacon. I'm sorry but I'm no longer fit to be your leader." Jaune was clearly hurt saying those words to his team, knowing that he was abandoning them to keep a promise he made.
Pyrrha was the first to place a hand on his shoulder, "Jaune you're my partner, I could never abandon you."
"You'd lose everything you've worked for, all those tournaments you won and training you went through would amount to nothing if we went rogue like this." Jaune said trying to keep his partner from throwing away her life's work just for him.
"Jaune this is my choice, besides we can always be farmers or something after this." Pyrrha said with a grin.
"Come on Jaune, turn that frown upside down, after all you have me and Ren to watch your back." Nora said enthusiastically as she pulled Ren along next to her.
"Guys, you have no Idea how happy I am I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to have friends like you."
"I wouldn't call us lucky Jaune after all we are jumping into the mouth of the beast."
"Yeah but we're doing it together, so let's go get a bullhead." Looking over the docks they spotted one lone aircraft sitting on its platform.
The pilot turned around when he heard the compartment door open only to hear the words, "Sorry," before he was knocked out with a blow to the head. Laying him down on the ground everyone boarded the Bullhead as Weiss went through the start-up sequence for the engines.
"Sure you can fly this thing Princess?"
"You just worry about what we do when we arrive I never really perfected my landing skills for vertical takeoff vehicles." The Bullhead lifted off the platform and headed for the Emerald forest making a beeline for their destination.
An alarm went off in Ozpin's office alerting him to an unscheduled take off. Going through the camera feed he immediately realized what had happened and where his students we're flying to. Pressing a button on his scroll he started his call.
"Glynda, do we have Bullheads currently stationed in our docks?"
"We should only have one currently parked at the docks and it should be leaving in 2 hours with team CFVY on board for their next mission. Why are you asking?"
"Please contact Vale and get two bullheads sent Beacon as quickly as possible, I have to go retrieve some of our students."
"It will arrive at the docks in about 10 minutes do you want me to accompany you?"
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble I'd appreciate it. What about your classes?"
"The students will simply have to make do without combat class today I'm afraid."
"I simply hope that we don't arrive too late." Ozpin finished grabbing his cane and scroll as he walked into the elevator. As the doors closed the video file of Miss Belladonna fighting the man could be seen paused on his scroll, the image was Blake's one successful strike against the man drawing blood from the attack. With a sigh he closed the scroll and got ready for what would likely be a long day.
I really enjoyed making that little prayer the Plain Doll uses when blessing Ruby, I tried to model it after how Pyrrha unlocks Jaune's aura and I feel that it came out pretty well. As most of you probably figured out after the second chapter, Ruby is on her way to becoming a Hunter. Since Ozpin and Glynda are about 10 minutes behind team JNPR and WY you can expect a fight scene next chapter, so tune in next Sunday for the next installment of Hunter to Huntsman.
Edit notes: Grammar and Punctuation. Starting to wonder if the rhymes at the top are to on the nose about some chapters though I could be thinking that since I've written these stories and know what each stanza a reference to explicitly. Don't expect a rewrite.