A blistering wind howled outside the cabin, kept at bay by steel that groaned and protested. Their bullhead rocketed through the sky, a streak of silver through endless blue. The surrounding forest whipped past beneath them, an ocean of green, mottled with the first orange flecks of the coming autumn.
Nicholas Arc stood near the door, eyes set on the enormous plume of grey and black ash rising in the distance. He'd received a distress signal whilst in the middle of a routine mission. Among those closest to the town currently on the brink of destruction, he and the rest of his patchwork team had assembled as quickly as possible to combat the grimm. Hunters young and old were in attendance, though Nicholas was certainly the most seasoned among them.
A red light blinked to life on the console, alerting them to another transmission being sent. The pilot flicked a switch, opening comms so that the voice could be patched through into the cabin. Faint screams were the first sounds that greeted their ears, followed by the intermittent howls of grimm.
"BH402, this is Tower 3! Do you read me!?," the operator shouted hurriedly, more screams erupting in the background. The tearing of metal followed in its wake.
'Oh Gods, they're in!'
'Hold them back, just a little longer!'
'I can't! There's too many!'
"Four-zero-two, do you read me!?" the operator repeated.
The pilot came back to himself with a shake and flipped another switch on his console, "We hear you, Tower 3! We're two minutes out, what's your status?"
"Two minutes...?" the operator gasped loudly. More muffled screams pierced out from behind, momentarily drowning out his rattling, unsteady breathing.
"Tower 3, what's your status!?"
"Our status is… code Grave, Four-zero-two… We're completely overrun. A-Advise you to fall back and regroup. You won't make it in time…"
The cabin stilled, each of the hunters in the back sharing a mixture of emotions. Nicholas's eyes narrowed, and he turned to face the large plume of smoke. 'Code Grave' was the highest status that could be assigned to an emergency. 'Only the dead await you'.
The pilot stared at the console, hands tightening into fists against the controls. He spoke solemnly, "Copy that, Tower 3…"
"Four-zero-two? If I might make one request...?" the voice trembled, distant screams having cut off entirely. Only a steady growl remained, growing louder by the moment. A rumble so deep the hairs on their arms stood on end.
"Anything, Tower 3…"
"...Bury what's left of me with my fami-"
The voice was interrupted by a loud snarl and a heavy thud. Words quickly turned into a scream, the tearing of flesh and bone alike carrying from so close to the microphone. The overwhelming rumble of a beowolf drowned them out as it used both teeth and claws to rend.
The pilot quickly flipped the switch, cutting off the gruesome noise. It was too late for some, as the co-pilot and one of the younger hunters both retched uncontrollably. Nicholas only grit his teeth and moved to stand closer to the cockpit.
"Keep going."
The pilot glanced back in surprise, hands already on the bullhead's controls to slow their approach. He shared a look with his co-pilot before looking to Nicholas again, "Listen, I don't know if you're aware, but-"
"I heard him," Nicholas interrupted. He stared past at the steadily approaching plume of smoke. A few adult nevermores could be seen, circling the town from on high. "I'm still going in. You can all fall back if you wish."
"That's a death sentence!" A tall blonde huntress argued from behind him, striding forward to stand with a hand on her hip. "Don't foolishly throw your life away."
"I have to try," Nicholas growled out. Thoughts of his own family drifted through his mind, of what he would do if it had been their own town that was attacked. "Even if I can only save one."
The woman's stance slackened, noticing the intensity in his eyes. She flicked her own past, glancing out the window as they drew closer to the town. One hand reached down, grasping the odd weapon at her hip, if he could even call it that.
"Then I'm going with you."
Nicholas took only a moment to measure her resolve. She returned his gaze steadily, no doubts to be seen in the sharp green of her eyes, only partially obscured by her thin-rimmed glasses. Nicholas nodded, offering out his hand. "What's your name?"
The woman accepted it readily, giving his hand a firm shake. "Glynda Goodwitch."
There were a few murmurs amongst the other younger hunters in the cabin. Nicholas recognized her as well, a teacher from Beacon that had recently taken over the roll as Battle Instructor. He grinned, "Nicholas. Nicholas Arc."
Glynda smirked, "I know."
The mutterings heightened behind her, several now shrugging weapons higher on their shoulders in preparation. The name 'Arc' was well known, at least among those with even an iota of experience under their belt. Nicholas eyed them all, measuring each the same as he had Glynda.
"If you're coming with me, know that I can't protect all of you. Fight smart, and depend on the hunter at your side. Do that, and you just might survive to see another day."
They shared glances nervously, but ultimately remained firm. Hands dropped to swords, or raised to retrieve weapons strapped to backs. Nicholas watched them for a few moments longer before the pilot spoke up.
"You're all crazy..."
Despite his misgivings, his hands hadn't pulled back on the throttle. Their bullhead still shook as it rocketed towards the town, now less than a minute left in their approach. "I can give you some time to look for survivors. Even longer if someone takes care of those nevermores hanging around, otherwise I'll be wasting too much fuel in my maneuvers."
"They won't be an issue," Glynda spoke up.
"Good! That's what I wanted to hear," the pilot flicked a switch and gestured over his shoulder with a thumb, now speaking over the cabin's intercoms. "There's flare guns beneath the seats. Anyone finds a survivor, send up a signal and I'll be there as quick as I can."
Several nodded in response, moving to retrieve the flare guns and distribute them out among the rest. Nicholas accepted one for himself and tucked it into a pocket. Glynda waved a hand dismissively, apparently requiring no flares.
She brushed a strand of golden hair out of her face, tucking it back behind her ear. "Do you really think we'll find anyone?"
"I don't know, but I sure as hell won't risk leaving someone behind. Our duty is to protect the people."
"My duty is to my students…"
Nicholas laughed, "Who knows. Maybe someone down there will be, in time?" He sombered, reminded of his own past. "Nothing better than a seething hatred for the grimm to keep you going…"
Glynda's lip twitched, "There are alternatives…"
Both watched as the nevermores began to dip away from their listless circling of the town. They angled towards the bullhead, having finally noticed them in their approach. Nicholas glanced at Glynda, inspecting her weapon once more.
"You sure you'll be fine handling them?"
Glynda's hand raised, pulling out what seemed to be… what he could now see was, a riding crop. She slapped it against her opposite palm with a smirk, then waved it behind herself without looking.
Wind tore through the cabin as the bullhead doors opened. The metal screamed in protest and the ship itself shook violently. Several of the hunters scrambled to hold down hats, cloaks or skirts, steadying themselves despite the sudden gusts buffeting them from every direction.
Glynda poked his chest with the crop, a small smile gracing her lips. "You just take care of the town. Don't worry about the nevermores."
The ship careened as it maneuvered to evade the giant, flying grimm. Nicholas reached out to support himself against the wall. Glynda appeared completely relaxed, arms now crossed while awaiting their imminent arrival.
"I'll get you as close as I can!" the pilot shouted over the comms. The bullhead itself dipped, whipping past the canopy below them with only feet to spare. The town walls drew into sight, more rubble than defense as Nicholas could already spot grimm still clawing their way inside.
As terror-inducing as it was, he took that as a good sign. Grimm were drawn to life. If there was someone still alive inside, still survivors that were pulling the grimm in…
Nicholas flexed. He activated his aura, thick, corded muscles rippling as he rolled his shoulders to prepare for what came next. One hand reached down, pulling Crocea Mors from its sheath and expanding the shield in the next instant. The symbol of the Arcs appeared, dual yellow crescents across a field of white.
Several hunters stepped up next to him, others gathering at the opposite door with Glynda. He shared a glance with them and nodded, encouraged by the resolve he could see in their eyes.
"Let's move."
The bullhead came to a sudden and jarring halt over the center of the town. Grimm gnawed and clawed at corpses beneath them, while others raised their heads to stare at the mortal intruders. Nicholas only tensed for a moment before stepping out and plummeting towards the ground, sword and shield in hand.
He fell like a meteor, with no semblance or fancy tech to slow his descent. Grimm ran to intercept, baring fangs and armored bodies while awaiting their meal. Wind whipped through his clothes while Nicholas focused, summoning more of his aura and extending it out into his shield. He braced for impact with the grimm.
Black flesh and sludge-like ichor exploded outwards on impact, the grimm beneath instantly obliterated by the force of his expelled aura. Nicholas hit the ground with a booming eruption of dust. The pavement itself cracked under his weight, splintering in every direction and staggering the grimm yet to arrive.
The air was filled with the sound of gunshots as the others controlled their own descent, landing on the street amongst the rubble and grimm around him. A piercing cry followed in their wake, the nevermores swooping in to attack the bullhead while it hovered immobile above them.
Nicholas tensed, watching as the bullhead struggled to pull away. Talons opened and wings collapsed, the nevermores diving in the hopes of tearing the ship to pieces.
Eyes widened and hunters gasped in surprise as the nevermores came to a screeching halt. Frozen in midair, they shrieked in outrage while struggling against some invisible force. Nicholas scanned the hunters gathered, and spotted a glint of golden hair. Glynda stood atop one of the nearby buildings, her riding crop raised to point into the sky.
Even as they watched, the nevermore's shrieks grew more desperate. Their bodies began to collapse in on themselves, bones twisting and contorting as the invisible force crushed them mercilessly. Black blood flowed from mouths and eyes, until with a final, resounding snap, they were allowed to fall. Ash drifted off their bodies, dead before they'd had a chance to even hit the ground.
Nicholas turned back to the other grimm that had started to charge. 'Note taken. Don't fuck with Glynda Goodwitch.'
The first grimm were stopped dead in their tracks, fellow hunters recovering from the brutal display to begin firing off weapons. Nicholas charged, crossing the distance to meet the foul beasts head on. Sword and shield alike tore through them with ease, aura intensifying his already ridiculous strength.
It took them only a minute to massacre their way through the first wave, black ash climbing into the sky while foul ichor coated the weapons of those brave enough to enter the fray. A few stragglers remained, easily picked off by those nearest.
'Just one.'
Nicholas continued on, ignoring the smoke coating his lungs and stinging his eyes to delve deeper into the town. All the while, he searched for survivors. His fellow hunters joined him, a small group staying within a safe proximity in case anyone needed assistance. Fear and revulsion twisted the faces of the younger hunters, incapable of keeping their eyes on the mutilated corpses that lined their path. Men, women, and children. None had been spared from the grimm's wrath.
From street to street, building to building, they searched. Nicholas's voice grew hoarse from shouting, only the air thick with smoke and ash available to sooth his aching lungs. The only other smell that lingered was that of death itself, human and grimm blood alike mixing into a foul stench that clung to everything around them.
As the sun began to lower and the grimm began to thin, Nicholas's hopes died in his chest. They had found no one. Only corpses remained, a morbid mockery of what the town had once been. His voice had long since gone out, aura doing nothing to protect against gases that were inhaled. It could only slowly repair, incapable of keeping up with the constant damage being done.
Nicholas stopped in the middle of the street, breathing raggedly. His muscles were sore from hours of fighting, and his retinue had dwindled down to only a spare few hunters. The rest had been forced to regroup in the town square, recovering from wounds or just plain exhaustion. Ammo was in short supply, and he had yet to see any flares be fired into the sky.
A lone beowolf could be seen in the distance, sniffing the ground without yet noticing them. Nicholas kept an eye on it, but sighed as the three younger hunters joined him. "Perhaps it's time we headed back. I doubt anyone could have survived this long."
The trio nodded somberly, similarly tired from the day's hardships.
Nicholas collapsed his shield, and sheathed the sword on his hip. He began to turn away, but froze as a piercing scream tore through the approaching night. Spinning on his heel, Nicholas stared into the distance, seeing the beowolf coiling its legs as if to pounce.
"No!" The shout rasped out of ragged lungs, Nicholas already moving in a dead sprint towards the beowolf. The scream continued, carrying on while the beowolf stalked closer. In one gut-wrenching instant, Nicholas watched it leap past the corner and into the alleyway, a ferocious snarl accompanying it as it disappeared from sight.
The screams of fear turned into shrieks of pain. Nicholas poured every last ounce of strength he could into his legs, willing himself to move faster, to get there in time. 'Please, just one!' he begged the Gods, already knowing from the sounds alone that he wouldn't arrive in time.
The screams cut out as he rounded the corner, leaving only the continued snarling of the beowolf to greet his ears. In a blinding fury, Nicholas charged. He didn't both pulling Crocea Mors free, but set upon the grimm with his bare hands instead.
Reaching out, the tendons of one hand flexed like corded steel. He grabbed the beowolf around the throat and pulled it off the woman's corpse, then rotated on his heel. With some effort, he managed to spin and slam it into the wall of the alley. The grimm yelped in surprise, and clawed futilely against the impenetrable wall that was his aura.
"You. Disgusting. Monster!" Nicholas snarled in return. He caught the beowolf by its upper and lower jaw as it furiously snapped at him. Fingers and muscles like iron, Nicholas held the grimm in place as it thrashed. He pulled with all his strength, widening the beowolf's mouth until bone and flesh began to tear. With one final, sickening crack, he ripped it's bottom jaw free from it's head.
The beowolf struggled only a moment longer before going limp. It slid down the wall as he released it, blood pouring from its wound. Black ash rose, confirming its demise. Nicholas grimaced, panting heavily, and tossed the fang-filled jaw to the ground. He slumped as well, holding himself up against the now vacated wall.
'So close… we were so close!' Nicholas silently cried out, breathing heavily after the previous exertion. His muscles trembled, pushed past their limit after already being worn out.
The other three hunters arrived in a rush. Their eyes widened upon seeing what he'd done, and for the woman they'd failed to save. One stepped forward as if to console him, but they all froze in place as a quiet sound greeted their ears.
'Im-impossible…' Nicholas hurried to the woman as her body shifted. Long gashes crossed her back in every direction, flesh cut to ribbons by the beowolf's claws. Even so, he lowered down to place his hands against the body, entirely bewildered.
A small hand caught his eye.
In a surge of surprise, Nicholas heaved the woman's body to the side, revealing the small girl beneath that she had died to protect. His sudden wash of relief was replaced by a cold emptiness the next moment. As soon as they were free to move, those small hands raised to a gurgling throat, agony clear on the young girl's face.
The beowolf had succeeded in its gruesome task. While the girl was still alive, her throat had been torn open. Tears fell down Nicholas's face, matching the child's as she stared blankly into the sky. A dwindling terror twisted her features, blood pooling beneath and soaking into the brown and pink of her long hair. Judging by the glossiness of her eyes, she was slowly losing consciousness.
'...No…'
Nicholas refused. The grimm, the Gods… they could all go to Hell.
Nicholas gathered what remained of his aura and lowered his hands, placing them across the young girl's chest. It began to flow through him and into her, sparking against her soul and pulling it up from the bottomless depths. The white of his aura mixed with the pink of hers, now brought to the forefront as he began the process of unlocking her aura.
"Wait, if you do that…" one of the hunters whispered.
Nicholas ignored him. He knew what this would entail. With a wound so deep, and the girl so close to death's door… he couldn't settle for imparting only a fraction of his soul.
"For it is by my hand that you reclaim life. Let it be joyous, and filled with splendor. Infinite in potential, and unbound by the evils of this world. I release your soul, and by my honor… protect thee."
Nicholas felt his aura begin to drain, surging down from his hands and into the body of the girl before him. Not only his aura, but a portion of his own soul as well. Pain beyond belief flared through his entire being, an unseen tearing of life as he gave everything he could to the ritual. Despite the pain, he continued. A fraction wasn't enough.
'Just one…'
The pink aura on the girl's body mixed with the brilliant white of his own. They coursed and clashed in waves, surging from head to toe while attempting to heal what damage had been done. The flow of blood stagnated, and Nicholas could see the light returning to her eyes. Brown and pink flickered open weakly to stare into blue, her gaze only maintained for a few moments before her eyes lidded shut.
Nicholas gasped in exhaustion, thankful when two of the hunters rushed to support him as his body threatened to collapse. A loud pop echoed out immediately after, a bright red flare ascending into the sky. Nicholas stared, watching as the wound began to stitch itself back together. Even with his desire to save her, there hadn't been much aura left for him to give. Feeling out tentatively towards his own soul, his body shook upon finding the frayed remains. Not much was left.
Fortunately, the Arcs were blessed with incredibly immense aura reserves. While only a piece of his own soul remained, it would be more than enough to carry on living. 'But not as a hunter…'
Considering all that he'd seen that day, maybe it was for the best. Retirement sounded nice right about then. To stay at home and raise his family. Nicholas's eyes began to cloud over as he stared at the young girl.
'She'll need a new home…'
It was his final thought before his mind drifted into unconsciousness.
/
/
Posting this up now to gauge interest. If you'd like to read a fic where Jaune is a doting brother and Neo is a hopeless lesbian, go ahead and give it a follow or comment. Before anyone asks, her injury will still leave her as a mute.
Just as a warning, I will likely try to keep this fic shorter than my others. I'm aiming to end it around the fall of Beacon. However long that takes is up to how much I enjoy writing for it. But, like I said, trying to keep it short (and sweet).
I have some fun plans in mind, and if you're already familiar with current Black Lotus, just know that this fic will at least be up to the same standards. The majority of the fic will be from Neo's point of view, occasionally dipping into others' for context and story elements.
Thanks for reading, I hope to finish this in a reasonable amount of time.
Sybaen
And P.S. - Don't worry about Black Lotus. It will always retain the majority of my attention. Getting this first chapter out should help with my motivation to write more on the side. I've been mulling this fic over for a while, and finally decided that I needed to start getting it out of my head.