Breaking Remnant: Bound by Shadows

Rating: T/M

Series: RWBY

Volume 5: Revelation

Summary: Aganju came to Beacon wanting to be treated as equal. Pyrrha wanted to be viewed as a normal girl. Neither of them expected to be that fate would have them meet. Now, they navigate the academy grounds and beyond, with secrets and danger awaiting them at every corner. The alternate timeline takes place just before the start of RWBY volume 1 and AU in the Breaking Remnant series.

(Rewrite of RWBY: Shadows of Destiny)

Author's Note:

I won't bore you all with the details, but, I would like to say that it's good to be back after a long absence. We're a few months removed from the conclusion of Volume 8 and I must say that I was a bundle of emotions and anticipation for what's to come. I won't spoil specifics but, I would like to say that after careful consideration, I can finally say that Bound by Shadows is officially back.

After careful consideration, I will only be glossing over certain moments of the volume moving forward. I love the possibility of Wonderland being the central location for volume 9 and will be using that as the beginning for the next volume here. However, I will also be merging the stories of 'Faith in the Sword' and 'Shield of Ouroboros'.

I will keep the original drafts up for those who enjoy them but, I will do some editing and rewrites in order to coincide with the direction I have. Picking up from the events of volume 7 (canon and the previous chapter), I hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to RWBY... that honor belongs to Rooster Teeth. I do own the rights to my OCs.

Chapter 28

My dear boy, you will survive this...

You will survive all of the pain and torment you endured before our meeting. You have been damaged by a world that deemed you as insignificant, but I will change that. I will care for you. I will protect you until you can defend yourself. I will teach you where they failed you. You are not worthless; I deem you worthy. You are not a slave; freedom is yours to take. I will train and nurture you for you as you embark on your journey toward your destiny. You had no name when we first met, so I shall bestow upon you.

Welcome to the first day of your life, my dear Aganju.

I can't wait to watch you burn this world away.

Such a soothing voice caused the fox's ear to twitch. He didn't recognize it at first, but, Aganju sensed a familiarity that he couldn't deny. If nothing else, it had enough of an impact to halt his steps as he scoured the dimly lit forest. Had he imagined the voice entirely? A silent shrug put an end to the mental debate as he continued down the lone path.

He had to keep moving if he was to reach his destination; it wasn't safe for a faunus to be wandering around Anima when there were so many perils for his kind. Still, he pressed on. Each step would bring him closer to safety, that he was certain, though, he found little joy in the idea now. It was as if something was missing, gnawing at his brain like a mosquito.

Those violet eyes closed for a moment followed by deep breaths. It was the only comfort he could hope for as he felt his pulse hastening. Despite the coolness of the dawn's breeze, sweat began to form on his brow.

Do you remember?

The pain and suffering you endured before I saved you?

Aganju's sight would plunge him in darkness.

It wasn't night yet he knew that he was somewhere devoid of light upon raising his lids. He knew this place all too well; His surroundings were the same every day as a faunus as he was used to the abyss. How long had it been since he'd seen the sun? He could clearly make out the layout of his unfortunate surroundings, a hollow metallic box.

He was a prisoner, more specifically a slave in isolation.

This was the same routine he'd grown accustomed to ever since he was thrown into this hell. Mind-numbing silence was his only companion outside of the few times he'd hear footsteps from outside his 'room'. A random scream of terror or brief muffled conversation was a change of pace, but, it was merely a reminder of his current circumstances.

The small fox was in solitary confinement.

He was a problem, always looking to escape if given the opportunity.

Emptiness.

Lack of social interaction.

No food.

Freezing cold conditions.

It was all just his captors' pathetic way of trying to break him. It wouldn't work but, he had to admit it was a new way of doing things given what he was used to. Instinctively, his eyes peered down at his left arm, studying old cuts and markings from his past dealings with their kind. He was deemed 'feral' by the humans who raided his home.

Home...

That's right, he had a home; a family. By now, his memories of them were hazy but he recalled the love and affection afforded to him by caring parents, an equine mother, and a feline father. He loved them and they loved him to the point of laying their lives in a fruitless attempt to spare him of such a fate. His heart ached at their loss, but the fire they ignited in him still burned as hot as the day he watched their blood be spilled.

At only the tender age of 12, the boy had clearly been through a lot since the war began a decade ago.

That damn war.

Aganju wasn't old enough to actually fight but, that mattered little after finding out the new policies established by the humans. Now, they were nothing more than property to be used at those monster's beck and call.

His stomach rumbled weakly, reminding him of his current woes. He was starving at this point but he fought through the pain, distracting him with the scars that adorned his limbs. When that didn't work, he occupied himself with the images of his kin.

His mother's loving warmth.

Father's proud smile.

He leaned against the cold steel, a constant the reality was a cruel mistress as the bright violet eyes soon lost their shine. The broad grin and giggle he so desperately missed soon contorted into a wide-eyed horror. Blood-spattered tears fell, streaking her face as more of the sanguine liquid splattered from her forehead, noting him of her unfavorable fate.

There was no sound after that, only a silent cry felt in his throat that seemed to never fully arise. It was purgatory; A nightmare gripping his heart, plaguing his soul and mind while refusing to let him go.

"Wake up, animal!" A gruff roar abruptly uprooted him from his internal anguish. The young man recoiled slightly, silently thanking the disgruntled male for his 'assistance'. Still, this meant that he was back in the real world and that could only mean one thing.

"Huh...?" he groaned, rubbing his heavy lids.

"Get your worthless ass up, mutt!" The male spat, venom coating that last word. The teen obliged, turning around to face the wall as the door opened.

From what he could make out from the shadows appearing behind him, there were two of them. This was confirmed when one grabbed his tail while the other proceeded to twist his arm behind him, binding his wrists in the process.

"Let's go!" the one who interrupted his 'rest' barked, dragging him out of the cramped box.

He was fiercely led down several corridors, the artificial lighting making him wish he could shield his now sensitive vision.

This continued until he found himself surrounded by others like him; faunus. Very few gave him so much of a glance. Why would they? They had enough problems of their own to worry about the outcome of a single person. Many of them were lined up, being inspected by many other men and women, humans, who were calculating their worth based on what special trait they had. Interestingly, he wasn't placed in any of these lines. After being led out of the large room, vulpine ears twitched slightly as the sounds of whimpers and pleas soon faded, giving way to several voices in a heated debate with one another.

What's going on? he pondered.

If he wasn't being placed in the auction lines, was his fate something far worse?

His question would be met by the scent of rainfall; a torrential downpour. The cold drops stung his exposed skin as he was led out of the slaver's compound. Before he could thoroughly process the sensation, two pairs of hands shoved him into the back of a truck. Landing awkwardly, the young faunus couldn't think straight as a swirling pain was all he could focus on.

His ankles were bound snugly before a cloth wrapped around his eyes, plunging him into uncertain darkness. Whatever was about to happen, it was a guarantee that he wouldn't be prepared to face it until it was practically upon him. He heard the slamming of doors as he tried desperately to get into a seated position. It did little good as soon he felt the firm surface begin to shift under him... wait... it was HIM moving!

The sounds of an engine roaring filled his ears as he struggled to keep from rolling wildly around as the vehicle made several random turns. His heart began racing as fear began to creep into his core for the first time since his capture. Unable to see, he was at the mercy of who or whatever awaited him. This made him wonder if he was on his way to be tortured or worse... But, that didn't make any sense.

If he was going to be beaten or killed, those damn slavers would've done it by now. They would've ended his misery and tossed him into a hole or river without a care in the world.

So... where was he going?

For the first time since his capture, panic began to slither around in the boy's stomach. He lightly chewed his bottom lip as his form shifted around against his will. Thoughts of fates worse than being a servant in Anima began to circulate in his mind. One such idea made his blood run cold. Was he going to be a slave of the SDC?

He'd heard terrible rumors of those who were sent to that hell-hole. This only made his stomach drop even more as his mouth suddenly grew dry at the thought of having to toil away for the rest of his life in that damn frozen hell. He would rather welcome death's cold embrace than have to endure such a future.

Suddenly, the vehicle came to a halt after what felt like ages, only the rainfall being heard now. This did little to comfort the young faunus as he managed to achieve a seated position along the wall of the holding cabin. He held his breath, not wanting to show the trepidation that'd built up inside him. Though he couldn't see who it was that suddenly opened the door, the canine faunus could feel their presence as they stepped inside and approached him.

Preparing himself for the very worst, he was surprised to find the dirty rag being removed, revealing a woman with crimson eyes staring back at him with concern. His anxiety soon gave way to confusion as he watched her inspect his body for a moment before assisting him to his feet.

"Are you hurt?"

Unsure of how to respond, he just stared at her with both curiosity and caution. Upon closer inspection, he began to notice that she was devoid of any faunus features. She was a human, one who appeared to care about his health, most likely to determine his value on the market. Slowly he shifted away from her, though she didn't seem to take offense to this.

"You're freezing..." she murmured, her gentle tone holding strong. "We should get you somewhere warm."

Soon, she proceeded to undo the ropes that held his ankles together.

"Do you have a name, child?"

"My name's not 'child', lady!" he fired back defensively, expecting her to slap him.

"I figured. That's why I asked for your name," she calmly replied while trying to work on the knot. She finally managed to get the infernal restraint loose enough to remove it. "Whoever tied this really didn't want you getting loose."

How can she find humor in this? Why is she untying me anyway?

"..." he grunted, watching closely as the lady eliminated the final cord, ultimately releasing him. Even more surprising was the warm cloak she draped around his shoulders. Caution gave way to confusion as she signaled him to follow her.

The fox boy hesitantly obeyed as the woman pulled her hood on, concealing her gray hair, and hopped off the transport.

When he mirrored her actions, the reason for her urgency became apparent as multiple bodies laid, motionless, and devoid of life. He cared little for their fates. They were a waste of life if one were to ask him; Seeing so much bloodshed was common to him after all.

He chose to focus his attention back on his hooded liberator who motioned for him to follow her. Was she the one who killed them? If so, how did she succeed in such a task by herself? ...Without a weapon, no doubt? It was all a mystery to him.

Despite everything in him telling him to run, the vulpine youth found himself drawn to the woman's appeal. Her sweet smile reminded him of his departed mother and yet the veiled fierceness behind her eyes was enough to remind him of his father's strength.

"...name?"

"Huh?" he shook his head as they wandered deep into the wooded area, far from the scene of her crime.

"I asked for your name. Will you give me that honor, at least?"

This time, fear and trepidation were nowhere to be found, only a ghost of a grin visible on his features. If this human would save him from whatever fate that was to befall him, he could at least spare her his name.

"...Aganju..."

Her lips stretched into a brilliant smile before leading him to a cave. However, their progress was hampered slightly when a soft thud caught her ear. The boy had passed out, his unmoving form prompting her to scoop him up as she wiped away the mud that now coated his face.

"D-Don't take me! P-Please...!" he sobbed, his body naturally curling up into her shoulder.

Seems the warrior must submit to the child... She silently mused, feeling his unsteady breathing. Even more interesting was the strange glow around his form; his aura. Somehow, he'd awakened it at such a young age.

Her natural instincts took full control at this point as she lightly shushed him.

She gently placed her hand on his back, feeling him tense and shiver as a result.

She wouldn't pull away, gently caressing the delicate soul, watching as his convulsions steadily decreased under her touch. His ears splayed. His tail went limp. A few sniffles were the final remains of the outburst as the violet glow soon disappeared from around his frame.

As he lied still, the woman couldn't resist the smile that tugged at her lips.

He looked so peaceful now.

She chose that moment to finally moving again. "There, there. It's okay, child..." she murmured in his ear affectionately.

He responded by unconsciously curling closer to her bosom, a tiny yawn escaping his lips. He was clearly exhausted, no doubt in need of food and water to replenish his strength.

Her inner musing concluded when a black beast stood before her, its sickly yellow eyes staring at the woman with curiosity as she stood before it. Normally, any sane person would've run or prepared to fight. The woman simply lifted her hand to remove the mantle that hid her features. A few clouds happened to part, allowing the moon's beams to grace the earth, highlighting her ghostly white surface.

Matching white hair was worn in a half up-done bun style, with a small, simple bun on the top, and the remainder of her long, straight hair hanging at the bottom. Most of her bangs were tied back, barring several large locks that framed her face to her left. Jet black sclerae in her eyes and glowing crimson irises shined bright but for a moment at the brazen act by the monster.

"Do you not recognize your ruler?" she tilted her head with a challenging tone. As foreseen, the wolf-like creature bowed its head conceding to her dominance. She responded not in a scolding demeanor but, with a light pet to its bone-covered head as it shuddered in delight. "Very good. Stay vigilant and protect this passage at all costs, understand? If anyone comes, you drive them away." It growled in arbitration.

Heading past it, the woman entered a dim cave, waving her hand loosely as the opening soon disappeared behind her.

"Sleep well my dear, Aganju. Let your dreams take wing..." she sang softly. "...one day when you're big and strong, you'll shed the blood of kings."

Once more, violet orbs opened to reveal a heavily shaded forest. Gone was the path he'd been wandering down as Aganju stretched from underneath a large tree. He checked his surroundings before realizing his plight.

"Dammit... I did it again." he pinched the bridge of his nose.

He wouldn't spend too much time focused on his sleepwalking, grabbing his bag, and setting off again. By now, he could see rays from the sun peeking through the thick leaves above, revealing that it was at least late morning, if not midday entirely.

"Now which way am I supposed to go again?"

Aganju still pressed onward, eager to reach his destination.

Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes kept a close eye on the departing fox from a nearby branch. Mere seconds passed before a wide, nearly psychotic smile appeared as well with no other features to be found. Their delight nearly exploded into full fledge glee as they followed quietly, keeping an eye on their target.

Which way, indeed...