Chapter 2: Your Favorite Fairy Tale
It was dark when Ruby awoke, and she was having trouble remembering the last thing that happened. She looked around to see that Qrow, who was now bandaged up, with Ren, Nora, Jaune and herself now all in a forest near a path. They were all sitting next to a campfire. And that's when it came back to her. She saw the pale man on the other side of the path, arms crossed, and leaning on a tree. She reached for Crescent Rose when Qrow grabbed her arm from fully extending. "Calm down, he's not gonna hurt us." He said, easing the grip on her weapon, but she still remained skeptical. "So. You're uhhh, Death. That's uhh…" Jaune thought that this man was either trying too hard to be cool or was insane, but his appearance and skill sure backed him up. "We have a lot of catching up to do, especially with the Reaper over there." Qrow stated. "Well, where do we start?" Nora asked. "What's your favorite fairy tale?" Was his response.
"So yeah, there's that." Qrow said, concluding his explanation. "'Her' you mean Salem?" Ruby replied after a long pause. "That's right. Not much is known about her, and quite frankly that's not what matters. What matters right now is that she wants the Relics. If she gets them, it's not going to end well." Qrow confirmed. "So, a woman named after a Jewish influenced town is looking for means of great power through the form of artifacts. Good to see things never changes." With a sarcastic tone said the man in the back, who had remained silent up till this point. "I'm sorry what are doing here? I'm pretty sure you know that the people you pummeled aren't exactly going to have a good impression on you." Jaune said still in an aggressive tone. Still on edge after obtaining this knew information.
"Watch that tongue of yours boy." Death replied, slightly elevating his voice. "Wait. You said something about Salem being named after a religious town." Qrow said still stunned that the pale man recognized the name of their big bad. "Just who exactly are you 'Death'?" He questioned the Reaper. There was a pause. "Okay right then. That's what I'll do. I will tell you a story." Was his response.
"Before time was born, bright kingdom was created for the angels, a dark realm for the demons. And a world for mankind. These two brothers aren't entirely who they say they are. From the sound of it, these siblings are what this Ozpin used as stand ins for the Creator an Destroyer. The Creator formed man, and gave them the gift of free will. And ever since the Destroyer and his spawn have been tainting them, and when the End War comes, kill them. Not only that, but the two were never blood related. That's where Ozpin was wrong. Salem is a Jewish influenced town, and is heavily associated with Jerusalem. A city of the Creators prophets." "So why haven't we ever heard of these cities?" Asked Ren. "Because this is no longer Earth, or at least no anymore." He had narrowed it down. Whatever this world is now, it was the aftermath of the End War. Explaining why it was so similar to Earth, as well as housing humans and grimm. It also explains the close detail and human religious customs.
"What do you mean 'Earth'?" Qrow asked, having a bad feeling about what he was going to say next. "Eden, also referred to as 'Earth' was the world gifted to humanity by the Creator. The End War was to be the battlefield for Heaven and Hell, but humanity had to be prepared. That was my task, as well as my brethren's." The group had an idea what he was going to say next, and to an extent, they all felt a little sick. "I had missed the bringing of the apocalypse, for it was brought early. My brother War had wrongfully ben accused, and was sentenced to rot in oblivion. In an effort to spare him, I had set out to rebirth humanity. This," Death approached the group, getting closer to the fire. "is the result." It was a lot to take in for the group. It was then Ruby spoke. "You said you had a Brother, and brethren. So, if you're not human, what are you?" Ruby asked, still wondering where he fits in with all of this.
Death loathed bringing up such a painful memory, especially just after everything he went through with Absalom. But they had to know, if he ever wanted to get back to his time. "My kind, were known as the Nephilim, a race born out of the essence of Angels and Demons. We were meant to be the perfect warriors. We were to take Eden from humanity, but the Charred Council, a force in charge of keeping the balance between all living things, deemed the Nephilim as a threat. From then me, my two younger brothers and sister were sought by the council. We were gifted incredible power, and were set to prepare humanity for the End War. But before we were granted this power, we must first exterminate the rest of my kind. That day we rode, and from the beginning I knew this would weigh on the minds of my brothers and sister. So, from there on I led the slaughter alone. I killed them, every last one." Death gave the group around the fire a few moments to let the story sink in. Everyone there remembered Pyrrha's death, and how devastated they all were. Especially Ruby. The young rose remembered watching the arrow fly into the red heads chest, and how she felt. She couldn't even begin to fathom what this man has been through.
After seeing that the group has taken in the information, Death decided to continue with his story. "I annihilated their flesh, but I stored their souls in an amulet. I had given it to a man who would safeguard it from the worlds above. But he couldn't handle the tormenting voices, and betrayed me, engraving fragments of their souls in my chest. From there I sought out the Well of souls, where I would restore humanity. But to do so, would require a sacrifice. In exchange for your souls I surrendered the Nephilim's and my own, as I dove into the Well. Following my choice, I was sent here to Remnant, and was greeted by the likes of you all. That, is my story." "So, if it weren't for you, we'd all be dead right now. Kind of ironic ain't? Death being our savior and all." Qrow said, trying to lighten the mood. He could tell, the team was a little rattled from Death's story, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't too.
Death turned away from the group, and began walking. "Where are you going?" Nora asked, still wrapping her head around everything. "To pass the time. As I can imagine you still have questions, but don't look at me. Last I checked your uncle still has some explaining to do." He didn't plan on sleeping, but didn't want to stand around and wait for the group to wake up. Although he hasn't seen a grimm yet, he planned on finding out. He didn't too far away when he heard a crow or a raven caw, and thought it to be Dust. When he turned to look at it, it wasn't the familiar bird he expected. Instead it had red eyes and was much smaller than Dust. He could tell that whatever it was it was smart, and not too unlike his navigator. After getting out of hearing range, he called upon his own crow, and it appeared with a sudden burst of green light. "Keep an eye on it." He said. Dust understood immediately, and went to a branch of its own to watch the smaller black bird.
Morning had come, and Death had just gotten to know what he was up against. And quite honestly, wasn't impressed. He arrived in time to see Ruby leaning over her uncle as he mumbled something, and immediately passed out. He saw his wound was bleeding a purple solution, and had coughed some up on his hand. He approached the young rose and took a quick look at the man, he needs a medic, and fast. "Okay, now we really need to get going." Nora said in a worried tone. The group packed up, and started on the trail.
The team had split up, and Death had decided to accompany Ruby, Jaune, and Qrow. He branched off from the three in Kuroyuri to find medicine or an infirmary. He wasn't having much luck, when he heard an agonizing screech, and it was close. Close enough to be in town. He rushed back to find the others, and thought about summoning Despair. Where he was now he couldn't, the paths were too narrow for his steed. When he reached the source of the screech, he found the team engaging in combat with it, as expected. Ren and Nora seemed to find their way here as well. What they were combating was a grimm, one that looked a lot more challenging than the ones he had fought back in the forest. Its lower half was that of a horse, and where a rider would be stood a torso with a large, horned head, with long lanky arms.
It was in a clearing, just large enough to use Despair. Death began to pick up speed, when a burst of green flames erupted from underneath him, and a pale horse with rotting flesh, and with a mane and tail glowed a bright green flame, appeared underneath him. Despair charged forward, and Death raised his now full scythe in the air, and brought it down on the chest of the grimm. It cried out in agony, but it had somehow healed from its wound near instantly. Everyone in the group looked shocked at how Death summoned a half decomposed flaming horse out of nowhere, but they knew now wasn't the time for questions.
Death pulled back on the reigns and brought Despair to a stop. He looked at the grimm dead in the eyes, as it did the same. Despair charged at the grimm, as it did the same. Picking up speed rapidly, the two propelled forward. Death knew now that timing was going to be everything. Just before the grimm got within 6 meters and the grimm was lifting up its arm for am attack, Despair was swiftly banished, and Death brought his scythe forward, horizontally slicing through the right half of the horse's body. Luckily this wound didn't heal like the attempt before it, scarring the beast
He summoned Despair again, and was about to go for another run, but planned on trying a different attack. Before he could pick up speed, he saw Ren charging at the monstrosity, with seemingly no plan. He could tell something was wrong with him. "Ren! Knock it off!" Jaune shouted. Death has been around long enough to understand what that look in Ren's eye was. Pure unadulterated rage. It wasn't from just this fight alone, that much was obvious. Ren and whatever this specific grimm was, he had a history with it. And not a very good one at that. He knew Ren had to finish it off himself, so he tried supporting him by firing of Redemption at the large grimm. As could be expected Ren's senseless attack only got him hurt and thrown back to where he was before. He saw the grimm about to charge at Ren, and saw that he just stood there, thinking that he'll accomplish something. Death slammed down on the reigns as Despair charged at Ren to get him out of the way. Despair and the grimm raced forwards, but before either could reach Ren, Nora tackled him under a building. Seeing no reason for this race to go on, Death shot a point-blank round from Redemption into the grimm's horned head. While it was stunned for a few spare moments, Death headed back in the direction of Ruby and Jaune, shooting at it with Redemption as it began to follow him.
While Ren and Nora seemed to be having a conversation underneath the building, Ruby, Jaune, and Death pressed on against the grimm. The group looked to see Ren and Nora emerging from underneath the house, and almost instinctively thy grouped up next to them. "Ren," Ruby spoke up. "Jaune and I can take care of its arms." "I'll take care of the horse." Nora Followed up. "An I'll take care of the rest." Ren said, finishing off their plan. Ruby turned to look at the Pale Rider atop his steed. "Death," she said, still feeling uncomfortable saying his name "give it Hell." She said. Death nodded his head, and snapped back Despair's reigns, carrying through with the plan. Ruby maneuvered around the rooftops, and baited out one of the grimm's arms, subsequently pinning it down. Jaune and Ren did a similar move, effectively disabling its other arm. "Nora!" Ren shouted. Nora plummeted from atop a bell tower, and rammed her hammer onto the horse's head. Death charged forward, and used his Death Grip on the grimm's face, from there he leaped off of Despair, who dissipated into a green mist, and landed atop the grimm's back. He slammed his foot onto the grimm's back, and took a tight hold on its two horns, pulling back its head to look Ren directly in the eye as it wailed.
Ren took out the dagger he left in the grimm's side, and held it up. Ren swiftly disposed of the creature's left arm. Not long after he made quick do with its right arm. He followed it up with a swipe at its chest. "For myself." Ren uttered, and finally decapitated the grimm, leaving its dead head in the arms of Death. Almost immediately it dissipated into a black cloud. Nora at blistering speed leaped onto Ren, embracing him with a hug. Ruby meanwhile rushed to see how her uncle was doing.
"Guys! I think I hear something!" Jaune shouted out getting the attention of the rest of the group. Two air ships had arrived, and two people got Qrow onto a proper stretcher, and into one of the ships. "How did you find us out here?" "We were on patrol and we saw the smoke. No one's been out here for years. Thought something might be wrong. Who's your friend?" asked the guy looking at the back of the ship at Death. "Long story, not worth explaining." Jaune replied. "What if we don't make it in time?" Ruby asked, worried for her uncle's well-being. "Ruby." Jaune said in response. She looked up to see the kingdom of Mistral, and felt like it was a sight to behold. "We made it Uncle Qrow." She said, feeling relief wash over her.
They all arrived at a motel, and got Qrow stabilized. Ruby walked in to see he was lying on one bed, and Death was sitting on the other looking up with his eyes closed, lost in thought. Ruby carefully placed Crescent Rose on the bed Death was sitting on, trying not to disturb him. She went over to a desk, and began to write a letter. A ways through she heard Qrow mumble, and walked over to check on him. "Hey, aren't I normally the one saving you?" He said in a tired, yet comedic fashion. Ruby was tearing up, but whipped them away. Out of the corner of her eye she saw slight movement. The pale man looked over at her, and for a few moments she and Death made eye contact. And without a word he turned his head back, closed his eyes, and continued his thoughts.