' : thoughts from the person being talked about
BOLD TEXT : ?
THUNK/CRASH/KABOOM : Sound effects explosions animal calls roars etc
'Normal italic text is for things like text messages computers and stuff'
Powerful , beautiful and royal.
The words snapped into Rurik's mind as he looked up at his saviour time crawled forth as he turned to face her.
Her hand was moving towards him a few thin golden bands wrapped around light brown fingers any of them could pay for his home or even him.
Her hands were covered in swirling lines that loosely traced her veins they led up to a short red sequin dotted blouse which had had its midriff cut out.
She was raising her spear to a standing position similar to that of a sentry , the spear itself was surprisingly lacklustre.
It was without a doubt a very good spear but by this point Rurik was expecting a Diamond tip.
Her lips started moving and he locked onto her eyes he felt like he had never seen more clearly , he could see the detail in her irises small strips of orange laced like mountains breaking through deep blue oceans.
The hand that was extending to him clenched the thumb and middle finger met.
SNAP
"Oi I am gonna need your help here" a surprisingly rough voice that sounded a little winded.
Despite his own internal protests demanding that he keep staring Rurik woke back up.
Time resumed in its ferocity the noise made by the trees and his own breathing came back to him.
"Oh come on get the fuck up and protect thy fucking Damsel !"
Rurik was heaved up he caught another glimpse at her tar black hair that was actually styled and not left into a pony tail or cut short to keep cool while working in a mine.
"Are you listening to ... fuck"
Rurik finally listened and followed her eyes he had nearly died to 3 Beowolves.
And there were 30 as well as two of what he believed were called Ursai.
THREAT TAKE WEAPON
He obeyed grabbing his axe and gripping it in both hands.
"You got a name"
"Rurik"
"Maya Varash Sing of house Sing all that shite which isn't going to un-fuck us"
The Grimm faced them in every direction there weren't any natural barriers to run to or off , there were no rocks or trees to climb up on.
STAND FOR HER LIVE FOR US
They began to move closer one step at a time Rurik noticed how strangely they moved in pairs.
FIGHT TO EDGE OF WOODS RUN HOME CLIMB ROOF
"We need to break through them my hut is that way if we run fast enough we can get there"
"Better tha_"
She was cut off by the largest Beowolf it closed the distance between them in split second leaping up and raising its right paw to swipe at her.
Rurik had begun to turn but she spun and lunged forward placing her spear beneath its falling neck.
The beast crashed down onto the head of her spear dying instantly as its brain was eviscerated.
She couldn't remove it.
The shaft had been shoved into the ground by its falling weight , she couldn't spin towards the second beast.
But Rurik found himself between her and it before he could truly understand it , it was more natural then flinching.
PROTECT HER SHE IS THE ONE
Brun threw himself towards it his axe embedding and splitting open the skull of the monster its weight and momentum was cancelled out by his own and Rurik was able to land on his feet.
He looked back finding her face in awe as she turned to face another coming at her from their goal.
He dashed over to her intercepting a smaller Beowolf that lunged for her right side he cut through it with that foreign strength he now possessed.
ROLL FORWARD
He did as it said , a Beowolf just missed its chance to chomp on his thighs he recovered quickly swinging his axe like a golf club into the head of a smaller one to his left.
CUT BEHIND
He threw his whole weight into the swing the blade came crashing down into the head of another killing it while preventing it from bowling him over.
Another rushed Maya but she was able to stun it with the butt of her spear Rurik cut off its head.
They kept fighting guiding the horde towards the edge of the forest more and more Grimm arrived
Ruriks chest heaved as he yanked his axe from an Ursai's leg stepping back again to avoid a lunging Beowolf.
Maya had taken some hits mainly glancing blows and cuts to her clothing but she had aura and Rurik had nothing.
His arms bled his back had been lightly scratched bruises from earlier had begun to surface.
Another one lunged for him he stepped back again knocking into Maya's back.
"Now or never run"
Maya thrusted he spear into the throat of the Ursai that stood between them and the Forest while Rurik threw his axe with both hands.
The blade sunk into the center of its chest it reeled back from the pain and like that they were past him.
They sprinted as hard as they could Rurik didn't even grab his axe he just pumped his legs as fast as he could manage.
Maya was able to match his speed despite being shorter and carrying a spear. The two of them didn't even try to talk Rurik would simply turn when necessary and she would follow.
It took them about ten minutes to reach his hut they hadn't gained too much distance from the Grimm.
"What now?" Maya huffed as she scanned their surroundings.
"We can try and run back to the village that'll take us at least 10 minutes or we stay here lock the doors and wait them out"
"I can't run anymore" her chest heaved
"The guards can't see me"
"Get in" Rurik pointed to his hut while grabbing a small stool and following her inside.
The shack was one of the few things that Rurik was actually proud of he was not a craftsman but he did save the life of a craftsman's son who did his best.
The shack was not built from sawn logs but from whole chest wide trees that had been cut into smaller and smaller trunks.
These trunks were then buried half their length into the ground their ends resting in small stones to attempt to give a strong foundation for when the fall rains came.
The height of the shack was only about 7ft the roof was made out of yet more logs that were laid over one side creating a slanted roof.
The door was heavily reinforced and had external and internal latches that were thicker than his own arms.
They both hurried inside Rurik barred the doors collapsed onto the stool while Maya sat down on his pelt covered bed resting her spear against the wall.
There were no windows the main sources of light came from small gaps in the sides of the shack and underneath the door frame which was perfectly acceptable for faunus vision.
A black shape emerged from the treeline and the drumbeat of paws moved through the clearing.
Rurik could hear them breathe steadily a sign that they weren't actively stalking or pursuing them he had heard it before when he remained in his shack.
He had spent quite a few nights falling asleep to the sound of Grimm.
He put a single finger to his lips and looked at Maya who was trying to control her breathing.
They made eye contact he raised his thumb and she mirrored the action her eyes widening when she looked back over him.
Rurik looked down at his arms finding a dozen of what would have been superficial cuts if there weren't so many of them.
He looked at his tattered shirt that had a few clear claw marks that he could now feel.
He grit his teeth and tried to steady his breathing.
The breathing got closer he could hear the paws spread across the ground just in front of the door.
BANG
"Mount'n run boys we got GRIMM!" a rural Valean accent yelled out.
The Grimm huffed and ran towards the noise leaving Maya and Rurik alone.
'Fuck I am tired is this what bloodloss is? or is this more the adrenaline wearing off his breathing became heavily labored.
He ripped at his shirt as though it was trying to choke him it didn't exactly hold up the shirt split into two pieces.
"Just lay down I got you"
He found Maya's hands grabing his shoulder blades in an attempt to get him to lay down.
He collapsed off the stool he would have landed hard on his knees if it weren't for Maya supporting him.
"Shit just get on your back"
He obeyed dragging himself forward and down onto his bed the roll unfortunately made his sides twist which caused him a ludicrous amount of pain.
The wound to his left hip was much deeper than the others it wasn't a simple cut but was life a chunk had been torn from his side.
Maya placed her right hand on it making him hiss and grind his teeth.
" I know it hurts just let me ty something"
TRUST HER
Rurik ignored the pain and tried to divert his attention by staring at her she inhaled deeply and as she exhaled he felt something.
It was completely foreign like a wave of power and warmth flooding through his skin and to his bones.
"The bonds we share and protect define the meaning of our kind. We the people of remnant shall endure for we share our common burdens as one. You were once a child but now you shall act as a protector of your people a hero to those you hold dear.
Your soul shall be your guide as you do all you can to defend those you love"
The light of a soul filled the hut and forever changed his destiny.
A few minutes later Alex was sitting in a chair within a room he didn't recognise.
He woke up with a start wincing at his bruises and squinting heavily due to the brightness of the room.
"Ah you're awake"
Alex looked ahead finding that same woman he identified as the headmistress of the prep school.
'Ok act as natural as you can'
"Where am I?" Alex groaned out while rubbing his temples with one hand.
The headmistress waited for a moment looking Alex over and fixing a smile before dropping it almost immediately.
'I shouldn't fake a head injury I want him expelled and I need to keep a clear argument if that is going to happen. If I act delirious then I won't be able to stop him from lying and If I were to recover then no real harm done'
"You're in my office waiting for you and your...opponents parents" while pushing her glasses up her nose
Alex looked to his left finding Darren sitting next to him with a fierce scowl etched on his bruised face.
"How long have I been passed out?"
'Probably not long my parents would collect me anyway and I would have heard their grand entrance by now'
"About ten minutes but while we have this precious little time before all the screaming and politics I want both of you to tell me what happened"
"I."
"Wh."
"Nah Darren go first"
'Alright this is where the decision is made not in the brawl but afterwards'
'Letting Darren go first makes me seem like a gentleman and his explanation will no doubt have flaws'
'This buys me time to get my own story straight and time to play on my injuries while Darren is to undermine his story and prop up my own'
— 5 minutes later —
"So Mr Winchester what your saying is that Alex antagonised you and as a result you decided to grab a couple of your friends and attempt to beat him up?"
"Miss , Bear-boy wanted to fight me I brought them with me to back-up my story I just wanted to talk" Darren stated as though it was obvious.
"Mr Winchester please refrain from what many would call racial slurs in my office" Darren didn't seem to care but still acknowledged her gaze again shifted to Alex who sat holding his now bleeding nose her expression softened.
"Yes Ma'm"
"Now what is your version of events"
'Stick to the plan emphasise the racism and take no shots at Darren'
"Darren has been consistently bullying me since he was moved down to our year"
'I need to relate this to a long series of smaller incidents , I know some have complained about him the teachers clearly hate him'
"Darren tries to make me do his homework for him he bullies and mocks me and my few faunus friends "
'Undeniably the truth and this should match up with what my class teacher should say '
Alex maintained eye contact.
"Did you start the fight?"
"Darren threw the first punch and I defended myself"
"... he's lying"
'okay now to show maturity'
"Do I look like I threw the first punch , do I look like I am stupid enough to do that?" Alex threw his hands to his sides but winced the pain was actually real this time his shoulders had been hit a lot and his arms were sore.
"At what point did Darren's companions join in?"
"The second time Darren was knocked down I tried to get away and run but then they both pounced on me"
'That actually is the truth , I did want to run at that point'
'Using the word 'was' is also important I don't want to seem like I was viciously beating him the impression I want to give is that of someone trying to disengage who got pounced on and fought for their life.
"Why did they intervene Darren?"
"Because Bea...He was trying to take my eyes out"
"And how exactly would I have done that you are taller than me , stronger than me and have actually been trained for combat" Alex turned to Miss Goodwitch
"Miss Goodwitch I clearly am not stupid enough to believe that I could overpower Darren in front of his brother and friends without them intervening. I was trying to knock him down long enough for me to make a run for it he is taller than me and I would need a good head start"
She seemed to accept that.
"Were any of you armed?"
"No"
'I might be able to show her some more bruising'
Alex pulled up his shirt to wipe his bloody nose he didn't know what his abdomen looked like but it felt like he had been scratched by a cat.
The headmistress kept her mouth in a thin line but her eyes did narrow on his abdomen.
"Miss this needs to stop , he loves being in this year I am not the only kid he picks on he likes the power and the fact that he can get me to do his work for him"
"Why haven't you talked to your class teacher about this"
"Most have been too scared to speak up and when I did she didn't listen to me they just looked uninterested"
"I don't know if it's because of these" pointing to his extra ears
"Or if its because she has to give me extra work but no action has been taken"
SCREECH
'aaaah shit that's probably Dad'
The argument between two heavily armed huntsmen was... tense Darrens father was also a huntsman but he was easily 10 years older than Brun riddled with scars and shared the same facial structure as Darren.
Miss Goodwitch obviously separated them from the arguing that soon descended into crashing and screaming neither of them really wanting to talk.
Alex ended up waiting for an hour before it was resolved with the two of them storming off and taking their kids home.
The look of fear on Darren's face after seeing his own fathers made all the pain worth it.
The car ride home was awkward it was one of those awkward father son silences where both knew that some serious shit was going to be addressed but both were waiting for the right time to speak.
"I am proud of you"
"That wasn't the reaction that I was expecting"
"I will never punish you for standing up for yourself , obviously part of me wants to scream at you for not coming to me first but I get why you didn't I did the same thing when I was your age" Brun smiled thinking of simpler times when the only worries were what was in front of him and not the fucking mortgage he had to pay.
"You stood up for yourself now obviously you don't do it if it'll get you killed but its something I was worried you wouldn't do. I thought that you getting hurt by that Grimm would...break you but you are still my son"
"No dad I'm your daughter , of course I am still me I mean between the two of you raising me I don't think I could ever turn out weak willed"
"Yep you are still the same smartass" Brun ruffled Alex's hair.
"Now do you have any ideas on how we can calm your mother down?"
'Fuck... we are 3 hours later than usual , I am covered in blood and bruises we have both had talks with the headmistress wow there is nothing to be calm about here'
"Shit"
"Shit indeed my son , shit indeed"
—-walk scene—
A week later
'Man bruises sting when they come out'
Honestly not much had changed at school one the first day everyone even a lot of the human kids talked to him about his cuts and bruises.
It was quite nice having people who previously were afraid to talk to you rush up and ask you questions the boys playfully poked at him while girls were of course more sympathetic except for Katia.
That slap still stung Samsen was clearly feeling conflicted he clearly wasn't afraid of a fight and felt that he had failed one of his precious few friends.
'I didn't need their help but at least it shows that they care... wait a minute why did she actually slap me ? everyone else was able to move on positively but she seemed so angry that I got myself hurt'
'Like she might care about me...'
...
...
...
I am going to shelve that thought for another time'
Leaves crunched as he walked along the forest path leading up to his home.
The first signs of winter were coming in the form of a gentle frost and weaker winds.
Toby by this point was really beginning to grow into his full size he still acted like a boisterous puppy attempting to pull Alex along any which way which Alex found amusing and oddly comforting.
He looked down at his Lead the green strap marked with FRIENDLY in big capital letters leading up to a similar collar.
'I know I've seen this before'
That was a rather obvious statement he saw it when they got it yesterday evening ,he saw it when he put it on the dog.
But whenever he took a long look at his dog he just felt this sense of longing , which frustrated him further as clearly the dog was right fucking there.
'Maybe its guilt for putting him in that situation with that Grimm he was in as much danger as me and we ended up leaving him on his own at the house.'
More Grimm could have easily come in and Alex shuddered at the thought of losing him.
A louder crunch Alex looked down noting that it came from in front of him and not behind as a result of his mother catching back up with him.
One of his parents had always followed him whenever he had gone for a walk , patrols had been increased in the local area and him being attacked had made the local papers.
It was being taken seriously and that was surprisingly reassuring.
He looked forwards seeing a lithe black limbed creature the red markings etched into its skull barely glowed in the early evening.
It wasn't a Beowolf it was too thin and more resembled a jackal or a spiny cat.
The memories flooded back to him his hand began to twitch and throb in a phantom pain he crouched and completely forgot about Toby.
Who was now barking at the Grimm which replied by pulling itself low to the ground as though ready to lunge.
SCREAM GET HER ATTTENTION
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP" Alex yelled at the top of his lungs while pulling back Toby who continued to bark and growl.
The Grimm began its sprint towards him the markings on its face began to prompt more memories of Grimm the pain he endured the fear he caused his mother to feel.
The panic overwhelmed him there was no rational lizard like voice to calm any part of him to moderate any of his actions he was a scared child.
Alex fumbled with the lead ripping it off his hand while trying to snap Toby out of his state.
RUN
Alex let the lead go turned on the spot and ran as fast as he could back up the track he could hear Toby's barking cut off as he was attacked by the Grimm the sound of a struggle and horribly panicked barks from Toby.
His mother was already running towards him gun in one hand knife in the other.
"Are you alright?" she said as she began to approach him.
"Toby's still back there!"
"Stay behind me"
Saya jogged further ahead keeping her gun raised and trying to keep some attention on Alex who followed closely.
Alex couldn't hear anything as his father described the adrenaline and his rapid heartbeat massively inhibited his hearing.
But he could still smell.
'That's his blood isn't it'
Alex pointed to right following the coppery scent he trembled all over knowing what he allowed to happen.
"One hand on my back"
Alex got a good grip of her shirt as she approached a large tree.
"Get your shirt off stop any bleeding then pick him up I'll protect you"
'How did she know about...oh fuck'
He hadn't even noticed the leaves stained with blood the small black hairs caught on some of the low down shrubs.
And there behind the tree was his pet who had been with him for nearly half his life.
Missing a leg
Crunch Crunch
Gravel shifted as he jogged his trainers rather annoyingly squeaking with every other footfall , no other sound seemed to occur as he ran.
Faunus hearing had so much more depth than a normal humans and yet he heard nothing else no creaking trees blowing wind or any wildlife sounds at all.
As he ran he felt his breathing pick up more the light fading showing only the small strip of infinite gravel in front of him , with the loss of light came anxiety and with anxiety came fear.
He ran harder from what he was running he didn't know but as the light faded he felt a presence that had his hairs standing up on end his instincts screaming at him to run harder and faster.
He ran and ran darkness creeping in at the edges of his vision only to recede when his vision locked onto that area.
It felt as though his peripheral vision was getting worse was that due to how hard he was running perhaps due to how little he was breathing?.
His ears were twitching like mad desperately searching for any noise to run to or away from.
The darkness now didn't respond to his frightened glare constantly growing and moving to cover his path.
He ran harder , harder than he ever thought he could muscles screaming at him for rest while his mind screamed at him to keep going and just as he began to pick up the pace , just as he began to pull away from the darkness it leapt onto him.
He tripped his right foot catching on something soft and warm his exhausted body tumbling over and crashing to the ground cuts forming on his arms and legs blood poured from his forehead as he turned to look at what he had tripped over.
Toby black fur matted with blood and his back left leg missing.
Alex's breathing hitched as he climbed over to him arms violently shaking as this visible darkness began to tint red or perhaps that was just the blood blurring his vision.
Toby was whimpering looking up at Alex who tried to hold on to the violently bleeding wound voice trembling.
"I.. I'm sorry"
He looked up over Toby finding the source of heavy footfalls red eyes glared hatefully back at him.
"I..Im sor.."
The claws cut him off.
He woke up panting with sweat covering his forehead and pajamas his breathing unsteady as his blood continued to roar in his ears.
"...fuck"
Pushing the covers off finding himself and the bed to be thoroughly soaked he looked near his left leg which refused to move from under something.
He found Toby looking up at him with those big soft eyes paws in front of him , Alex looked down the dogs body finding the bald patch from the surgery his eyes locked on it for a few seconds before shaking his head and giving Toby a pat.
Tears welled up in his eye shame pooled in his gut he wanted run from all of those feelings but running had made Toby suffer.
'Damned if I do , damned if I don't at least until I get stronger' A part of him at that realisation felt warm.
"Sorry bud" he said
Looking over at his alarm clock
02:07
'might as well get another session in Dad's leaving in the morning so I won't be worked until I collapse tomorrow'
He hopped off of the bed taking off his pyjamas and putting on his training tracksuit trousers taking a last look at his bed seeing Toby looking back at him.
"I.. I'm sorry"
He then stepped towards his window his heartrate picking up again as he remembered his first attempt at leaving while it was dark.
He pushed on berating himself for his hesitation , for being stupid , for jumping at shadows when he should be better than that.
He cracked open the window pulling himself up and over the edge landing quietly on the newly tiled porch roof staring out into his family's yard and the hedgerow from which the Beowolf came.
'You do this every day Alex come on it's just the yard you're faster now'
He couldn't move his legs there was no struggle like he was pushing against himself his legs just didn't respond like there was nothing attached to him past his hips.
'Come on just a quick workout'
He still couldn't move , his hands clenching teeth grinding he put his arm on the side of the house and jerked himself forward he ended up rolling forwards over the edge of the roof.
'Why now is it just because of that nightmare?'
'I thought I was over this past the first month'
Frankly the first month after his second encounter by a Beowolf had been a waking nightmare he jumped at every shadow he constantly scanned the room , everyone who crossed his path seemed to just know that he had been traumatised.
There was also the guilt he felt over losing Toby his left leg. The guilt left him a scared crying mess who would wake up three times or more every night and could only really sleep with someone near him another thing breathing to reassure him that he was safe.
Toby filled that role once he had learned to walk without his leg and without his support harness.
After that things seemed to calm down Alex still often had nightmares but he was able to go out in the day.
But at night it was always a struggle but his determination to prevent this from happening again trumped his own fear of it happening again.
He walked through the yard finding a good spot that was fairly flat before beginning his own training.
He imagined squaring off against Darren again the large boy towering over him with a cocky grin who opened up with a straight kick , Alex sidestepped thrusting two quick jabs forward then using his left arm to block his opponents strong right using his right arm to backhand Darren and swiftly moving to catch Darren's fist.
'okay so from this point how do I disengage without grappling him as its safe to assume he would still be stronger than me. I guess I could counter with my own straight kick for the groin'
The scene played out in his head where he could easily lose balance and be either tripped or shoved to the ground
'What if I let go of his fist and went around behind him , that way I can get to the back of his knees or neck'
He let go of Darren's fist slipping left behind Darren's body getting a couple quick jabs towards his back before quickly kicking the back of his left knee making Darrens elbow jab fall on Alex's thigh and allowing Alex a shot at Darren's neck.
'okay that seems to work now to practice'
After about ten minutes of practice he felt like he had it down and continued with his normal workout.
More punches squats side kicks , high kicks , dodge rolls , side to side steps , jumping jacks before finishing off with 5 laps of the clearing.
To say the least he was worn out , his joints aching , feet sore ,arms hanging fairly limply at his sides sweat covered his forehead he was just beginning to climb up.
'I guess she's a heavier sleeper than I thought' Brun mused as his axe fell into his hand with a rather satisfying thud as he walked down the stairs into their living room.
Tossing it over in his hand the old blade had stood the test of time very well for how old it was , what was once a simple woodsman's axe traded hands 4 times each generation improving it in their own way.
It was now a fine weapon one that despite its crude nature had gotten its fair share of offers from those wanting something to put over a fireplace.
But no this was a warrior's weapon the moment his great grandfather used it to take out a horde of Beowolves attacking his own hamlet (which later became a minor town).
From then on his axe was a family heirloom each generation moulding it to their own needs improving what was once a simple cutting axe into a mighty instrument of war.
"with a little luck my changes will be the last" running the blade between his thumbs as he walked heading to what was once 'his' grandfathers home.
Life for a huntsman was more complex than one would originally think or was told , despite the obvious propaganda that everyone in the cities just seemed to absorb it wasn't in his opinion a 'noble' profession.
Although fighting against the ever increasing horde of Grimm is definitely helping society in modern times what with Atlas's giant fleet and ever improving technology wouldn't it be better to leave these things to a mightier and more organised force?
Some would say that by letting the military replace huntsmen that people would lose out on their individual freedoms and that the overall quality of help received wouldn't improve.
Brun disagreed , he had seen what the public believed to be 'ideal' or true huntsmen and he did not like what it had become , society seemed to become obsessed more and more with impressive feats and tournaments than saving lives.
Corruption occurred often in huntsman clan's and in huntsmen themselves as many once they were trained would flock to the criminal underworld or become bandit queens and kings in the outer wilds of mistral.
"Never did find that Raven only a couple of her lousy bandits" he had been on several contracts to find and eliminate huntsmen gone rogue but the problem often occurred that huntsmen knew how their kin thought and thus could rather easily avoid them blending into crowds even without unusual semblances.
Brun truly believed that generals , inventors and brilliant teachers would not win battles but would contribute more to winning humanity's war against the Grimm a single good lecture could make a 1% difference to a hundred huntsmen and between them they would do so much more good as a result even compared to the most talented tournament level huntsmen.
Generals can save hundreds of lives through just plain good decision making and inventors even for the most insignificant and mundane things make differences he would argue are greater than any huntsman.
That's why he allowed Alex to go to 'Arran's school for gifted children' it was the only real option to maximise Alex's potential without sending him away to live on his own or to one of Atlas's 'free' academies.
A faunus 'free' in Atlas he would have to see it to believe it whenever he visited for any particularly long term hunts the experience had always been mothers pulling their children aside in the street giving hateful glares.
Children throwing rocks then running away grown ass adults with lives families and likely some faunus co-workers slurring and cursing, they dare not attack for they were too weak and Brun was truly an intimidating man without the axe.
Sending his child off to one of those academies would never be an option so longs as he and Saya drew breath their child growing up and serving that 'society' was honestly one of his worst nightmares.
His son wouldn't be a huntsman be he sure as shit wouldn't head into Atlas either.
'Not unless the whitefang actually make some progress'
It was a difficult balance to maintain giving Alex the best tools to become someone brilliant without becoming a huntsman while attending a school that in his view was basically for huntsmen to train in.
Yeah it wasn't a great plan but they couldn't afford to do anything else being a Faunus huntsman didn't usually pay that well and Saya spent a lot on helping out the militia so they really didn't have any other options.
Brun hated himself for what he put his kid through both mentally and physically in order to 'dissuade' him from going down that path , he knew what he was doing was right he promised his own father not to let him go to treasure every moment.
'But with all that has happened around him the violence the Gr
He heard two heartbeats.
On instinct he whirled around keeping his axe close to his chest ready to cleave.
"Oh hi Dad" Alex waved awkwardly wiping sweat from his brow
"What are you doing out here?" Brun asked
"What are you doing out here?"
"You first"
"I am...was training because you are going tomorrow"
"Yeah but why out here? aren't you afraid of... " He pointed to the undergrowth that surrounded their home.
"Of course I am but I am more afraid of not being ready than I am of it happening again"
"You are already doing more than enough"
"I couldn't protect Toby"
"You are eight , you're not going to kill a Grimm on your own"
"I saved Mom"
"Yes you saved her , you killed it while it was distracted and you and I both now how lucky you got"
"Which is why I want to 'make my own luck' so to speak"
"Follow me"
Alex had never noticed this path it was well worn but thin and clearly had been overrun by new trees and shrubbery but it remained there.
It was about a 10 minute walk through a newly planted forest they came upon a small clearing that was dotted with shattered stones and large gashes in the ground.
A modest shed made of hard timber logs and wreathed in heavy moss its door was the only non ancient-thing within the area.
Brun walked forward taking a deep breath as he opened the door he bent over grabbed 4 Journals and shut the door again.
"I know I cannot convince you to stop learning how to defend yourself , I won't even try"
He handed Alex the Journals the thick musty leather books were surprisingly heavy.
"But this is what happens to people who spend their whole lives trying to defend those they love, this is what happens to those who sacrifice everything for others"
"What is this"
"The story of the Butcher of the Faunus wars...Its the story of your great Grandfather Rurik"
I want to qualify that this isn't THE miss G from rwby this is one of her sisters who just looks like her hence Alex wasn't flooded with memories and her semblance is a little different.
I would like to thank my homie my main man Brenck for helping me write this as well as Shan who gave me some proof reading.