Chapter 7 The Grimm reaper and the Hangman
I kept my eyes steady on the road ahead, the leather of the reigns cut into my hands each time I tightened my grip, I kept my mouth shut as Maria told us about a day in her youth, more importantly the day she lost her silver eyes.
I didn't let the tale get to me much as Grimmgash galloped beside Yang, my burns had healed well thanks to Cole having a bottle of aloe Vera on hand. My heart was racing in my chest knowing full well that I would be bombarded with questions as soon as they had finished with Maria.
I looked back at my team, Ice gave me a reassuring nod, Naniele was leaning over the edge of the carriage listening intently to Maria, Neo was watching the trees go by, I felt my mouth go dry upon thinking of when I'd bring the box out for her.
"But I wasn't... I went into hiding soon after." Maria sighed to herself, her story coming to an end.
"I can't believe it. You... You're the Grimm Reaper, you were a legend! And then you disappeared..." Qrow said shocked at the revelation.
"How exactly does a legend just disappear?" Oscar asked.
"You never used your name, never showed your face. Lots of us thought you were just layin' low. Eventually, we just came to accept that you were probably dead. But the stories about you, I based my weapon off of yours. I wanted to be as good as the Grimm Reaper." Qrow explained.
"Well, I'm nothing but a disappointment, so you're well on your way." Maria told him.
"How can you say that?" Blake told her.
"Child, a Huntress is supposed to protect others to the bitter end. But after I lost my eyes, I only ever looked after myself. Even after my surgery, I was too afraid to fight. Afraid someone would find me again, finish what the others started. You shouldn't aspire to be like me, especially when some of you are clearly stronger already." Maria explained to them I felt my heart drop.
"It's... comforting, seeing that your generation seems up to the task of inheriting this world. I'm just sorry I didn't do more to leave it in better shape." She continued.
"Well, maybe you can do something now. Teach me to use my powers the way you did." Ruby smiled.
"Yang stop." I said suddenly.
"Uh... okay?" She said as we both slowed to a halt.
"Back in Vale, there was word of a vigilante known as The Hangman, they didn't bother with Grimm and decided to instead deal with criminals, terrorists and even petty thieves without mercy. Only those deranged enough continued to commit crimes while the Hangman's influence was so strong, then during the fall, people expected the Hangman to appear and deal with the ones who started this, but they didn't... as if they never even existed." I explained my story hopping down and walking around the carriage.
"And do you know what the worst part about it was?" I said.
"What?" Ruby piped up.
"They did try to save Vale, they did try to stop the ones responsible, and they failed, they got burnt up and turned into a monster, and guess who that unlucky bastard was." I sighed squeezing my eyes shut at the memories of that scorching pain while my hands absentmindedly tied a hangman's knot. I then hung it around Grimmgash's neck tangling the rest of the length up in his antlers for another day.
"I had a short reign but hey, I made it a good one, I could make a noose out of anything you gave me, rope, chains, a lead pipe, hell my favourite material was their small intestines." I smiled going back to my seat. Sitting on the wooden bench I pulled a box of cigarettes out of my coat and quickly lit one for myself.
"Any questions?" All was silent, I could feel their eyes on me, I took a long drag to help take the edge off, I then checked the box and saw that it was empty.
We all turned at the sound of Ruby's gasp.
"It's Sky!" She cried in excitement.
"How?" Weiss asked.
"Who cares answer!" I called.
"Uh... Hello?" She started.
"Ruby! Oh, thank you! I've been checking my Scroll for your signal since we made it to the city!" Sky cried from the loudspeaker.
"The city? Wait..." we looked ahead and from the sound of Yang's bike revving I cracked the reigns and we charged up the hill and across the horizon there it stood.
Argus
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Argus." Yang smiled.
When we arrived Yang and I locked up our flatbed carriages and what towed them in a garage I began to repeat the code in my head but ended up writing it on my forearm.
As we walked through the city taking in the surroundings, I kept rubbing the velvet box not really paying attention.
"RUBY!" Sky yelled running up to hug her weapon nut friend.
"Are you guys okay?" Jet smiled as he and Ice shook hands.
"Yeah, we're fine, nothing to worry about." I told them.
"It was a bit of a rough trip though." Yang smiled.
"That's a bit of an understatement." Weiss said I sighed.
"Who are your new friends?" Sky smiled.
"You guys are going to love this place, though it might be a bit crowded for Silver's liking." Sky smiled as we all moved in a group.
"I'll be fine, it's not that bad." I smiled as I squeezed Neo's hand a little.
We decided on hopping on a trolley that would get us closer to where ever they were staying.
"It's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be." Yang said.
"It's actually one of the largest non-capital cities in all of Remnant." Sky told her.
"No way! But wait, wouldn't it be harder to settle something this big away from the main Kingdom?" Ruby asked.
"Well, it was, until Mantle showed up. Early settlement attempts by Mistral didn't go well. But colonists from Mantle were able to help them brave the cold climate and return for goods that Solitas couldn't provide." Jet explained.
"The two nations worked together to create a hybrid city. While it falls under Mistral domain, Atlas keeps a military presence here to help keep the people safe and keep trade between the two nations steady." Sky continued, they really had been reading up about this place.
"Well, until recently..." Ray sighed as we came to our stop and hopped off.
"We should probably start looking for a ship." Blake suggested.
"So, where have you guys been staying?" Oscar asked Jet.
"Well I met this stranger who bought a few pieces from me and gave us a place to stay, there's a tonne of space and even a gym." Jet explained pulling a key out of his pocket and leading us to a warehouse.
"She converted it into a huge house, she said she'll swing by every now and again to check on us, bring some extra supplies, things like that." He smiled opening the door for us. Walking in we couldn't help but marvel at the size of the room.
However, my eyes soon fell on the black and white ball of fluff sleeping on the sofa, his front paws held out with some Lien in between them and a note.
"Heathen." I called, the cat raised his head, he let go of the Lien and ran over to rub around my ankles.
"Hey buddy. I've missed you too." I chuckled picking him up to give him a cuddle.
"Huh, she must have been and noticed we were out so left us some money for takeout." Sky smiled going over to pick up the mess.
"So, who was this mysterious stranger helping you three out?" Maria asked.
"She didn't give us her real name and she always wore a mask, told us the name she went by was Fenrir." Jet told us I froze feeling a shiver run down my spine at that name.
"Hey Silver, I'm guessing this fell out of your pocket." Ruby said picking up the velvet box. Neo looked over and I sighed.
"Well, better now than never." I said taking the box, I turned to Neo and went down on one knee, everyone gasped at what was about to happen.
"Neo, we've been through a lot of shit, hell I tried to kill you at one point and yet, no matter what you were always there for me, the day I nearly died at Beacon, you stayed right by my side... And I'm droning on again, sorry I'm so nervous." I chuckled opening the box to show her they pure silver ring with two aquamarine stones and a single rose quartz jewel embedded in the top.
"Will you marry me?" I chuckled Neo looked on the verge of tears and practically jumped onto me in joy.
Everyone laughed at this as Neo slipped the ring on.
"Ice take notes." I joked as he and Naniele applauded us.
Jet, Sky and Ray were catching us up with what had happened and Cole and I haven't told the others that we're related so we're just keeping with the story that he was with Maria in the back carriage with Bumblebee and Grimmgash.
Neo sat on the sofa and had cuddled up to me the group were still surprised at how I had managed to afford the ring let alone the fact that it was a custom ring.
After we had all caught up and explanations had been given another pressing matter came to mind as we began talking about the person who was letting the trio live in this converted warehouse for free.
"What is a Grimm Shifter anyways? I've never heard of them before." Weiss asked as we fell into silence upon choosing what takeout to get.
"Stories go that Grimm Shifters have the ability to hide amongst humans and Faunus but transform into a Grimm once the sun goes down. Or at least that's what Uncle Qrow would tell us." Yang replied, I felt eyes bore into me.
"Well you're not wrong, Grimm Shifters are people who can change into a Grimm, however the origin is a bit more well... If you have a burning hatred for anything, as in so much so that you would show glee in destroying it then as time goes on, you will just get worse and eventually your body corrupts itself to be more Grimm like." I started.
"I lost the ability to make aura at age 10 I believe, I kept my right arm hidden for so long and still do just in case, all because I was scared that someone would try and kill me. I didn't even have to meet Salem to unlock it, we were at the Vytal tournament the first time it had happened, team rounds I got pulled aside by Ozpin and Ironwood after the match. I don't use it much but it does allow me to sneak through Grimm since I now smell like them."
"Wait does that mean I-" Ruby began.
"Yes, your silver eyes work on me." I interrupted she gasped upon realising that she was the one responsible for the condition they had found me in after defeating Hades.
"What do you turn into?" Blake asked.
"An Alpha Beowolf though I would have preferred something that could fly, started building my own pack and everything, then the fall happened, I was used to craft Hades a Grimm soldier who was tasked with capturing Ruby and dragging her back to Salem... Didn't end well for me each time I tried."
"Can we see it?"
"Oh no, not again, not after the first time." Ray yelled.
"For once, I'm with Ray, after Ruby and Qrow killed that Sphynx Grimm I've been feeling kinda weird." I told them.
"Maybe once we've eaten but don't get your hopes up. I'm gonna go change, been in these clothes for too long." I growled getting up.
"Sure, you and Neo are in the fourth room on your left." Jet called pointing down a corridor, I nodded and along with Neo left to get into our sleep wear.
When we returned, I got a sudden pain, almost as if I had been shot in the gut with fire dust. With a hand on my chest I began to cough as the pain spread along my veins. I remember this sensation, this was what happened the first time. The ringing in my ears made it near impossible to hear the others. My vision blurred and I slipped into the back of my own mind.
Perspective change (Neo)
Silver clenched her teeth to avoid screaming, we all watched in fear as Silver's body stretched out, her skin tearing to reveal the muscle beneath as her body changed. The skin on her face peeled and retreated to reveal her skull as that too began to grow into the tell-tale snout of a Beowolf.
Silver's Beowolf form once easily stood seven feet tall but now she looked taller even if she was crouched. A thick heavy looking pelt of black fur covered the now grey skin, long sharp claws, ivory vambraces the left covered in spike the right with a large curved blade attached.
We all seemed to hide on the sofa as if it would be out greatest protector. Large spikes shot from her shoulders and extra growing around her usual spines going along her back, thick bone grew on her legs as armour.
Burning red eyes opened filling the once empty eye sockets with light. Silver gave off a soft sigh as the red light turned bright blue her black fur returning to her usual silver coat. I heard many gasps at just how majestic Silver looked.
"Silver..." Weiss began as team RWBY got up to get a closer look.
Silver's claws clicked against the floor as she stepped up to RWBY their hands soon dug into the fur, they began to admire their friend Silver only yawned and lowered herself down onto all fours the blade of her right vambrace retracting so not to harm them.
Silver now laid between all of us getting a lot of attention about her fluffy form. She hadn't turned back since her pyjamas laid torn to shreds on the floor. I'd have to go and get her some more.
"Just like a giant puppy!" Ruby smiled scratching behind Silver's ear. Ray was hiding behind Sky who was busy trying to hold the wagging tail still to brush it. It was funny to watch everyone throw all training out the window when their friend turned into a monster they've trained to kill.
Maria was cautious but soon came around to the giant Grimm when the food came and the delivery guy got scared off seeing Silver so we got free food that night. We left some slices for Fenrir for when they got back, whenever that would be.
New Perspective (Fenrir)
It was about 2AM when I returned from work, these long shifts will be the death of me.
Looking around the room I noticed that there was a pizza box left on the sofa, I of course looked inside and saw that the kids had saved me six slices of pizza, it was still warm surprisingly.
I moved the box to the kitchen counter and went to go check the rooms, first were the rooms that Sky and Jet were using, I liked the two engineers they knew when to stop talking, not like that blonde egomaniac. I sighed softly seeing that both of them were in their beds, for once I wouldn't have to sneak around their room to drag them into bed.
I checked on Ray –who was in the same room as Sky- seeing that she was still breathing was enough for me. I then looked in another room and scowled to myself seeing two girls one with black and red hair and another with white, what was this girl doing with a Schnee? Another room yielded another pair of girls, one with long black hair and cat ears, the other had a thick blonde mane.
Nodding to myself realising that this was the team RWBY Sky had spoken fondly about, a team that had survived the fall of Beacon. The next room I saw a boy, about two years younger than the others I spotted a cane leaning against the wall, I quickly left the room to think him over.
I then found a boy with a tanned complexion, icy blue hair and stripes on his face cuddling a girl with pink hair I nodded softly to myself when I saw their weapons against the end of their bed. An older man with black slick back hair and a thick scent of alcohol was in another room, in another bed pushed to the other side of the room I saw him, a young man with short black hair, a broad sword laid close to his bed. There were only two rooms left not counting mine.
In one was an elderly woman, her cane looked familiar to me.
The last room I saw a girl with pink, brown and white hair, she looked cute. But her current cuddling partner had me concerned. Short silver hair and a torn wolf ear, I took a deep breath to try and catch their scents, my eyes widened and I quickly but quietly left.
I entered my room and changed from my black coat, dark grey jeans and boots into my sleep wear which was just a pair of loose fluffy trousers and a tank top.
I kept my mask in hand in case one of them woke up.
Walking back through the long corridor of my home back into my kitchen/living space. On the counter laying on the box containing my share of the pizza laid the black and white cat I had become very acquainted to.
Heathen purred as I ran my fingers through his thick soft fur.
"I have to admit, I never thought I'd be a cat person, ironically." I chucked to him as he moved to sit in front of me. I took out a slice and began to make myself a drink. He only purred in response.
"I don' know the story behind your missing leg but I'm sure I'll get that story tomorrow before I go to work." I began to chuckle to myself.
"What am I doing? I'm stood here eating barely warm pizza and talking to a giant cat." I smiled finishing the slice, my own ear flicked around catching the sound of light footsteps, I quickly pulled on my mask and sighed to myself adding milk to my tea.
"What are you doing up?" I asked not turning to the newcomer.
"Can't sleep." It was a male voice.
"So, it would seem. What's your name?"
"Ice Skyark." He replied.
"What team and academy?" I said as I finish my drink with a couple of teaspoons of sugar.
"SINN and Beacon, anything else?" He asked.
"Just the name of your leader and what a large group of "Beacon Students" are doing here in Argus." I said turning to face him, my eyes locked onto his tail first, a blue tiger Faunus, his eyes seemed to be a cobalt blue but in this low lightning I could be completely wrong.
"You're not making this easy, Silver is the leader and there are several teams here, we are on a trip attempting to get to Atlas" He told me.
"Sure... With what happened to your school, I know there is more to the story, but instead why don't you tell me about your team, I've learned a lot about your friends in RWBY but the three don't seem to like to talk about your team in detail."
"There's a reason why we don't, I won't just tell anyone, even if they know about the others." He told me, smart boy.
"I'll admit, you're smart, military smart, Beacon didn't teach their students like that, meaning you've got some first-hand real-life experience, I respect that. Drink?" I offered smiling under my mask.
"Uhhh... Right... Sure as long as it's not alcohol." He replied coming up to the counter and petting Heathen.
"Don't worry, I don't drink, especially not before bed, these long hours of huntress patrolling keep me from enjoying some proper ale, is tea alright?" I told him setting the kettle to boil again.
"That's fine thank you." He smiled as I filled another mug.
"The only details I got about your team relationships is that you and your leader are quite close, almost like siblings. So, what's the story behind your team? A group of teenaged criminals taken pity upon by the now deceased Ozpin? Outcasts looking for a place to belong?" I chuckled to myself as I recalled the stories, I had heard during my own days at a Huntsman academy.
"If you want to hear the whole story, you'll have to stick around more than a cup of tea, maybe meeting us is better." He told me.
"Maybe, but with my schedule for patrol, I'll be surprised if I can even send a carrier hawk to Ironwood, let alone sit down and hear the story of you and your teammates." I sighed handing him his drink. "Here's the milk, sugar and sweeteners are kept in these jars." I told him sliding the carton and jars over to him along with a clean spoon.
"I see... Thanks." He said adding a few sweeteners to his tea.
"Who knows maybe I can get some free time this weekend... if another Huntsman shows up... Which I doubt. Can you keep a secret? I can't wear this mask for too long, gets right stuffy after a bit." I sighed pulling the mask away to let fresh air in while still having my face still slightly covered.
"I can, I keep many secrets that I must not tell." He told me, I only chuckled and removed my mask, I couldn't help but notice how oddly he stared at me, it was as if he had seen a ghost.
"Y-You are-!"