Chapter 4: Panic at the disco
Gale groaned as he heard knocking on the door. He slowly opened his eyes and sat straight up. He saw Hoji sitting on a nearby chair tinkering with the sword.
"What are you doing?" Gale asked confused. Hoji looked up but the looked back at the sword as he continued.
"Remember I told you I felt a strange energy? Well that was aura. I'm trying to crack the code so we can cut right through it!" Hoji said proudly.
"Shit... Me not able to cut through it really hurt your ego huh?" Gale asked smirking.
"I am the master weaponsmith of course! If you think I'm going to let some bullshit force field taint that you're wrong!" Hoji said in an indignant tone. Gale chuckled and put his gloves on the scars of yesterday still not healed.
"Who could be knocking at this time?" Gale asked as he opened the door a red blur tackled him to the ground. Hoji quickly vanishing leaving the blade on the table.
"We were so worried!" Said Ruby hugging him tightly.
"Ruby... Oxigen... Please!" Gale said as Yang pulled her off him. Gale blinked quickly as he looked at the curious scene. He saw the worried faces of those he met yesterday all looking through the door. But what was more eye catching were the uniforms. Uniforms Gale really digged.
'I'm in thigh heaven aren't I?' Gale though.
'Keep it in your pants' Hoji scolded.
"So... Guys... How are you?" Gale asked playing it cool.
"You owe us an explanation. Although Ruby already gave us a rundown." Weiss said, Gale turned his head towards Ruby as she hid behind Yang.
"Well that saves part of the explanation... As you might now know I'm a demon hunter or daemon hunter really up to you. I wield a blade made to kill them and they fucking hate my guts."
"We want the full story." Pyrrha simply stated. Gale let a sigh of defeat and told them the story.
"And basically that's it. That's my story" Gale said finishing as they all watched with attention.
"Oh my Gods that's so cool!" Nora said excitedly.
"Cool? I mean yeah. But that isn't what I was expecting."
"So you're stuck here?" Weiss asked.
"Yup. At least for now I am. But I'm not worried. Demonic incursions aren't anything new. The militaries around the world are always prepared for this. I'm just a relic of a time when demon-hunting was less... Practiced you could say." Gale explained. "Still we are needed... A man can be taught how to use a gun and strategy but is his mental fortitude enough to face a demon? Most cases it's a no."
"Wait are you going to train us!?" Nora asked excitedly.
"Fuck no" he said turning sharply.
"B-but what if we have to face demons?" Ruby asked surprised at his sharp turn in demeanor.
"Killing foot soldiers is easy enough do what you do best. Anything that seems to be more than that you call me."
"But we can help!" Ruby countered.
"No you can't. You all haven't trained your minds. Bodies yeah but the mind is one of the weak points of humanity." Gale explained. "You can all say you would never fall for any temptations. You might even truly believe it. But I've seen the most pure-hearted people fall to corruption" he said darkly.
"Guys I think you are overreacting I mean how many of them could be in Remnant?" Yang asked cutting through the tension.
"Dunno, all I know is I seem to be early so its all okay." Gale said chuckling.
"But what if-"
"No. Look, this is something me and the professors will deal with. As you know no one can know of the existence of demons. So let's keep it quiet ok?" Gale pulled out his phone and his eyes widened. "Fuck it's already 12 why did no one wake me up!?"
"We tried but professor Goodwitch said we should let you rest." Pyrrha said.
"Well then I have an excuse for missing classes! Well then what classes do I have next?" He checked his scroll. "Professor Port?"
"Oh my gods we are all together next class!" Ruby squeaked." Gale quickly got ready and was dragged by Ruby and Nora to class. But as they did he noticed Weiss' anger or resentment towards Ruby. He frowned as he put two and two together. As he was told Ruby had been chosen as team leader a clear blow to Weiss' ego. He could kinda see why Ozpin would choose that but it was clear that she didn't care regardless.
In other news Jaune was somehow chosen as team leader too. Something that seemed laughable at best, cruel at worse. It was almost as if Ozpin was trying to handicap Pyrrha. Then again first impressions tend to deceive.
The class with professor Port was a drag. Gale felt like dying at that point. His only consolation was Hoji seemed to be in the same boat.
'Oh fuck me this will get annoying fast' Hoji grumbled.
'Living off old glories how... Reminds me of a certain someone' Gale said sarcastically.
'Fuck you my best days are clearly ahead of me'
'Sure thing Hoji' he looked over at where team RWBY was sitting and it was clear that Weiss was about to snap. Could he blame her? Kind of... To be honest while the innocence Ruby held could be indearing it could probably get annoying. Not everything works out and sometimes you have to give something up to save someone.
'Nothing is without its consequences' Hoji lectured.
'I know. That's why I sympathize with her plight she needs to grow up.'
"Does anyone here believe they embody these qualities?" Professor Port asked.
"Me!" Weiss said standing up. The fight was about what one would expect. What he didn't expect how clueless Ruby really was. This was Weiss' moment to actually let some anger out and maybe think with a cold head but she actually made it impossible.
Gale waited for the class to end and saw the backlash. Of course Weiss would be furious. But to give credit where credit was due Gale saw a lot of talent in Ruby. Much of it raw and untamed but it would be an issue of time but not more than that.
"Let me speak with Weiss." Yang said as she stomped out. Gale quickly caught her out of class.
"Don't."
"Who does she think she is!?"
"Look I understand the anger but Weiss has her reasons."
"You're siding with her!?" She asked even angrier.
"No what I'm saying is I see where she is coming from. Having you try to talk to her will look biased. Let me do it."
"If she doesn't apologize..."
"Yeah I get it Goldilocks" Gale said sarcastically.
"Goldilocks?"
"It fits doesn't it?" He asked getting a small smile from the blonde girl. Gale found Weiss sitting on a small bench. He heard her grumble something as he slowly approached.
"This seat taken?" Gale asked sarcastically.
"Are you here to chastise me?" She asked bitterly.
"Not really. I'm just here to hear your side of the story."
"My side of the story?" She asked incredulously.
"So you're telling me you're just a brat who wanted to be team leader?" He asked.
"What!? No!"
"Then tell me what the issue is."
"It's her! Ruby why would she be picked as team leader!? She's so childish." She complained.
"She is..." Gale conceded.
"See!? I should be team leader! Or even Blake!" She said.
"Well.. I'm not sure about that" Gale said chuckling.
"What do you mean?"
"Well Ruby is childish yes, but she has a lot of raw potential."
"Potential doesn't make a good leader."
"It doesn't but she has something that is very rare. She is the type of person to never give up. Never surrender. She is hopelessly optimistic."
"You don't seem to like that" she said.
"I just see it as pointless. But she is the type to lead and give hope."
"But why not me?"
"You look like the type of person who got everything they wanted."
"Hey that's not true!"
"It isn't?"
"Well... Not entirely true."
"See? Look Weiss you seem like a nice person. But you're too much of a tsundere to be a leader" Gale said jokingly as she looked at him quizzically.
"What?"
"Oh you know the rude girl who is a total softie inside. Like 'its not like I like you or anything' type of person." He inmidiatly got slapped by Weiss.
"Hey I'm not like that!" She protested.
"You totally are a tsundere"
"No I'm not! I'm not a tsundere!"
"You totally are! You're even blushing!" He said laughing. She stammered a bit before looking down.
"Thank you..."
"For what?"
"Well talking to me... You gave me some perspective."
"You're welcome Weiss. I just suggest you are the anchor that keeps Ruby grounded. And maybe you know teach her a bit."
"Speaking of teaching... You don't know much about remnant do you?"
"Nope! Got the gist of it though" Gale said smiling.
"Well... Considering you don't know much I could maybe help you catch up with your studies?"
"Cute and smart. You are the whole package huh?" He asked grinning before being pushed off the bench.
"Y-you are making me regret my offer!"
"I'm sorry! I'm kidding. Of course I would appreciate the help" he said chuckling looking at how red she had gotten.
'You are enjoying this aren't you?' Hoji asked amused.
'Damn right I am!'
"So... My envy... Would that be something they would exploit?" Weiss asked surprising Gale. He sat back next to her and nodded.
"They promise power, glory, luxury. Everything beyond your wildest dreams. Of course it all comes at a prize." Gale explained to her.
"What prize?"
"Depends on who you pledge yourself to. Which eternal you pledge to. Khaine? Then you must be in a perpetual war. Blood must be spilled to satisfy him war must be waged. Weaver? You must be her plaything. She loves manipulating fate and loves to see the results of it. Even though she might already know them."
"Eternals?"
"They are the rulers of the underworld."
"How do you even fight that?"
"With unwavering commitment. I went through a beating to get to where I am."
"Can you really fight them alone?"
"Mostly alone yeah I can. Of course I can't stop a full on incursion by their forces but if they were to do that the celestials would definitely step in."
"Celestials?"
"Basically angels. The forces of good."
"Why don't they help us?"
"Because they have a hands off approach. They only step in when all hope is gone. Which I know is bullshit."
Their talk went on for a few more hours. With clases over they talked about multiple things. Weiss had taken special interest in his world and its culture. He promised her to show her some movies he had on his phone and let her listen to some music.
They headed back to the dorms. Once they arrived he saw professor Goodwitch waiting for him. He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes.
"Talk with you later miss Schnee" he said sarcastically.
"Please don't call me that call me Weiss."
"Okay... Snow Angel" he said grinning.
"I-um... Don't ever call me that!" She said blushing.
"Nope that's your nickname now!" He said as he approached Glynda. "Let me guess Oz wants to talk?"
"Yes. Headmaster Ozpin would like to speak with you" she said. "Also please use the appropriate title."
"I can think of more creative ways to call him" he muttered as he followed Glynda. "So Glynda thank you for letting me rest." Gale said smiling.
"Don't think much about it. You went through more than you should have during the initiation. And you also have almost no knowledge of this world. To make you try to catch up with no help would be rather cruel."
"Aww you care!"
"Of course I care you're one of my students."
"Wait what do you mean without no help?"
"Well considering your... Exceptional circumstances professor Ozpin saw it fit for you to have individualized classes until you can get up to speed."
"Wait what about combat class? I hear you have one."
"Indeed we have combat class. That would be the only one you would actually attend with your classmates." They arrived at the office and Hoji materialized sitting on the desk. He seemed rather annoyed at the whole ordeal.
"So what do you need Oz?" Gale asked sitting on the couch next to Qrow. The man glanced at the teen and kept drinking.
"I would like more about the Eternals." He simply stated.
"Which one?" Hoji asked. "Our family is surprisingly big."
"How does the hierarchy work?"
"There's no such thing. Everyone is out for their own desires. They just kinda follow whoever imposes themselves. Which would be my limpdick brother."
"Are there any Eternals that might aid us?" Ozpin asked surprising Gale. Was he really going there?"
"Weaver might if there is a real threat of the complete extermination of humanity."
"Why?"
"Because she represents change, she alters fates. There is no change when everything is dead." Hoji explained sarcastically. "So she might turn sides. That doesn't mean I don't want her dead mind you."
"Kuro... She is definitely in Khaine's camp." Gale added stretching.
"Yeah my sister represents death and stagnation. A true end to all things. You can see why even I am surprised her and Weaver are playing nice" Hoji said.
"Any others?"
"Shiro probably is trying to somehow help. In her own weird way..." Hoji said a he shuddered.
"She's the Eternal that represents, lust, excess and emotion. She probably doesn't want humanity gone cause she finds us amusing" Gale explained.
"So we are playthings for them?" Qrow asked frowning.
"Of course you are. You're all fighting things you can't fathom" Hoji said. "Humanity has always been fighting against forces they don't understand."
"Yeah... The things I've seen are pretty fucked up. Trust me. Better to just have enough information than too much of it." Gale said remembering the sights he saw in the underworld in one of his many trips.
"What threat do these creatures pose to the common populace?" Glynda asked a bit uncertain.
"A big one. People are too easy to manipulate. Even now there is probably some sort of manipulation going on." Gale explained.
"How do we stop it?"
"You can't. Most people in my world are aware to not fuck with demons. Those who do get executed." Gale explained as he saw the look of surprise in Qrow's face and the look of horror in Glynda's.
"Can't they be arrested?" Glynda asked.
"Locking them up doesn't stop them from pledging themselves to these... Ruinous powers." Ozpin deducted.
"Right on the money!" Hoji exclaimed. "Once someone goes down that path it's over. No going back. Killing them is a mercy if it makes you feel any better."
"So if you want us to do our job I'm going to need to patrol the streets. And have the permission to kill if necessary." Gale explained to them calmly. Certainly a bit to calmly.
"You are asking the headmaster to approve extrajudicial killings?" Glynda asked outraged.
"No I'm sending them to the farm" Gale said sarcastically. "Yes that's what I'm asking. Also what's the problem? Catching up on your history you people have killed for less!" Gale said referring to the great war Remnant had endured. "A literal race war. Now that's fucking sad if you ask me." Gale said laughing.
"Very well do what you must" Ozpin said. Gale saw Glynda's horrified face at the turn of events and let out a sigh.
"Glynda if it makes you feel better. Unlike some psychos I don't take pleasure in my job and I try to end it as quickly as possible" Gale said a bit sympathetically.
"How... This is horrible."
"It is what must be done. And don't worry cops won't be able to pin it on me. I'm very meticulous." Gale said.
"Anyways... We should probably head out and check the city" Hoji said standing up.
"Very well... Please keep us up to date" Ozpin said as Gale bid farewell. A silence invaded the room as Gale left.
"I don't know what to make of the kid and the demon" Qrow said finally breaking it.
"A kid carrying out cullings... What world does he come from?" Glynda muttered.
"From what I've heard from the staff Mr Greene behaves rather well and seems to be getting along with his classmates. Although his lack of attention in class might be an issue I see no reason to separate him from the rest of students."
"You seem awfully calm of sending a kid to murder innocents" Qrow said a bit suspiciously.
"As Mr Greene and Mr Hoji left clear people who fall down that path are anything but innocent. And I trust their judgment. Now that Salem has joined forces with evils most can't fathom we must do whatever we must to stop them" Ozpin said taking a sip of his coffee.
Gale had wandered around the city and its... Less than ideal parts looking for any sign of corruption. But so far no luck. No hidden symbols in the streets no one acting strange it all seemed so peaceful. So calm...
'You do realize people won't out themselves this early on?' Hoji said sarcastically.
'I know... Pain in the ass if you ask me.'
'So... You actually care about how people see you here huh?'
'What do you mean Hoji?'
'Don't play dumb. I can see your memories and how you feel. When you talked with them you were thinking about how people would react if they found out.'
'I... Well they wouldn't take it well.'
'Specially that Ruby girl. She seems to think you're some goddamn superhero.'
'Yup. And I'm just a demon hunter...' They arrived at a pretty popular club. Gale had heard from Yang that this was the place to go for some fun.
Once he walked in he saw the club was rather lively today. He walked around blending with the people until he saw a girl looking at him quizzically. Well he assumed she was a girl but when he got a better look at her it became clear she was a young woman.
Her eyes pink and brown. That white outfits, those curves and those thighs! Gale's poker face almost broke as she smirked at him. He walked towards her she was sitting on a stool next to the bar.
"Sup" Gale said nonchalantly. The woman didn't respond instead nodding as if to acknowledge him.
"Well what is a such a pretty flower as yourself doing here? Just watching people dance?" Gale asked. She shrugged as she looked onto the dance floor.
"Wow cold treatment. I see how it is." Gale said sarcastically.
"She's mute" the bartender responded. "Haven't seen you around."
"Just made it to Vale. Looking for work."
"What kind of work?" The bartender asked.
"Anything that pays well." He responded. He saw the woman's interest peak Gale had quickly noticed this woman seemed dangerous. Her body language gave away she was ready for a fight. That and her umbrella having a fucking blade attached to it.
"Hmm... I'll see what I can find..." The bartender said.
"So wanna dance?" Gale asked. He heard the bartender cough loudly as he shook his head almost as if warning him to not do it.
The woman grinned as she dragged him to the dance floor. How bad could it really be?
It wasn't bad. It was horrifying. Gale was no professional dancer but this girl was something else. She had stomped on him multiple times, accidentally elbowed him and much more. She seemed to be having the time of her life. Gale on the other hand felt fear.
'Are we going to get done in by dancing?' Hoji asked.
'M-maybe... How can you be so bad and be so oblivious of it?' Gale asked as she stomped on him once more. He felt the dirty glances people through at them.
After half an hour of torture the sat. Gale saw the bartender pass him a drink.
"This one is on the house" he said sympathetically. Gale gulped it all down. He wanted to go back to his room and never coms out but he saw she had a lot of fun.
"So... Never got your name" Gale said in a strained voice. She pondered for a second before pulling out her scroll.
'Name's Neo' she typed.
"Neo huh? Cute name... Name's Gale."
'Gale? I had fun today. Let's do this again' she typed making Gale go pale. 'Anyway.. Gotta go, partner wants to see me. Also about your work, I might have something for you.'
"Sounds good... Well ill see you around Neo" he said as the woman left.
"You tangled with the devil there" the bartender said jokingly.
"Sure as fuck felt like it" Gale groaned.
"You're the first person who lasted more than ten minutes" he said. Gale groaned even louder. What the hell had he gotten himself into?
And cut! Another chapter! I hope you are enjoying the story! So we had one vote for Pyrrha but as it stands right now Weiss is the winning pairing. Keep voting while there is time. As always feedback is always welcomed!