Authors Note: This is a revised version of Chapter 1, so, as a warning to anyone reading this for the first time, some chapters coming after this will not reflect the same writing. I have gotten complaints that I write too much in single paragraphs, which I did, but I've fixed that; however, since that review was a little later, chapters after this one up until Chapter 18 are not written like this one, and all of the Vacuo Saga hasn't been spellchecked to the best of my ability. Basically, don't expect chapters directly after this to be written as well. Even if it makes people not want to read further, I feel being honest is the best thing I can do. With that, I recommend that you have watched at least Volume 3 of RWBY, as the first line has a spoiler. Other than that, let's begin the story!
In a house found in the middle of nowhere, 33 years before the Fall of Beacon, there lived a Vacuoan family who had managed to survive the harsh desert landscape. However, a skilled Huntsman seems to always be the reason for their safety. Oraculi, an intimidating man, had killed many Grimm in his young life while keeping his skills in older age. His deep red hair had made him stick out like a sore thumb in crowds, if not covered by a cloth hat, and his great-sword would put fear into the most skilled of warriors. He covered himself in desert cloth and hid armor under it to keep some form of camouflage.
Even Grimm had feared the wise Huntsman, but not for his skill. The one thing all Grimm would recognize are the glinting silver color coming from his eyes. However, he never told anyone about his gift, as his father before him had taught him to hide this from the world. Many warriors with this gift were hunted by an unknown threat and, although he was confident in himself, he listened to his father. Oraculi had more to protect than himself now, though. He had a beautiful wife, Angelus, who's long blue hair had allured many in her settlement, but she had met Oraculi and fallen in love. He had no clue what made her like him, but he was happy that he could be with her.
Oraculi and Angelus had found themselves moving into the wasteland after Oraculi's father had died. The estate had been a gift in the family and handed down for generations. The only time it had been thought to be destroyed was during the Great War. Some years after they moved, the two had a child. June is what they named her. It was obvious she took after her mother, as her blue hair was apparent the second she was born. Although the new parents had wanted a child, they were concerned with where they would have to raise her. June would have no friends her age and they would have to protect her.
Once the young girl had reached 5 and had heard many stories, her wanting and pestering to see a new place had grown. Oraculi had wanted to keep his family safe, so he was persistent and had patience to spare. Angelus, however, had wanted her June to see some other place. Although Oraculi had done his best to keep them there, Angelus was able to plan a way around him.
There had been a settlement that had set up camp only an hours walk away. Oraculi would also be leaving for a day or two to get supplies for the next month. Once this day had come, he had said goodbye to his wife and child and went off on a camel. After about ten minutes of waiting, Angelus had started to get herself ready for a day trip. She was then interrupted by the curious child.
"What are you doing, mommy," June had asked her from behind. Angelus had finished putting on her desert cloth outfit and crouched down in front of the girl to tell her.
"We're going to see a settlement, so you have to get ready to," Angelus had said this, but before June went to get ready her eyes lit up and she got extremely excited.
"However, do not tell your father about this, OK," Angelus had added and had gotten a head nod from the young girl. Crossing the desert would still be dangerous, even with the planning Angelus had done. This involved asking Oraculi where Grimm seemed to be most of the time. It would've looked suspicious if not for the fact that Angelus had always asked Oraculi about his day.
She wasn't completely reckless, as living in Vacuo had taught her how to defend herself, although not as good as a trained Hunter. She had a dust revolver with a knife at the end and she would bring it with her. Once she had packed enough dust, June had come out in gear and told her she was ready. Because Oraculi had taken the camel, they would have to walk, so it would awhile until they got there.
However, the trip would prove to be a failure.
The pair had started their walk across the tan wasteland. June was an active girl and always wanted to play in the heat, so she was adjusted to the extreme temperatures of the desert. After about thirty minutes of walking and a couple encounters with Beowolves, they found themselves encountering a pack of Beowolves.
This wasn't good, as Angelus could only take on so many. She was worried for June, but the young girl was brave and was able to keep to herself any fear she had. It was scary, though, so June had tried to hide behind her mother. The wolves were persistent and highly aggressive, much more than their counterparts in any other environment, as the desert had hardened them extensively. Angelus' revolver was powerful enough to kill one with a shot to the head, however, so she had held off the pack for the time being.
In the end, though, there were too many of them. After running out of ammo, the wolves had charged the mother and daughter. Angelus had no time to reload, so she crouched and shielded June while she tried to reload the weapon faster. Even with her faster speed and loading less, she was too late. A wolf had reached out its claw and had come within inches of striking Angelus. In that time, June realized what was happening, and was overwhelmed with a feeling of protecting her mother from the grimm threat...