A/N ~ Hey everyone it's me, the author, King Kazzma(or just K.K). Just want to express gratitude to everyone who took the time to read my RWBY AU. Special thanks to those who followed. Seriously, thank you! Sorry for the very late new chapter, I've had to adjust to a new job schedule irl and other life things. Now, moving forward the story will shift between POV of characters. Which will be indicated at the start of the chapter. Since Allucia is our MC most of the story will be from her perspective. Indications of POV change will be stated if we shift the POV from or back to her. The POV will be 3rd person close. Still, this my first time really exploring 3rd person close. If you have any tips for writing dialogue with it, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks and stay tuned for more chapters of Remnant: Path of Huntsman Now back to the story!
"Is that really you!?" Allucia exclaimed. She was looking at Renok, barely able to conceal her bewilderment, having already taken a half-step back.
" Yep, the one and only." Renok responded. He had just walked up to her and in his hands just so happened to be two Brulan Berry Muffins.
" First off, what are you doing here? Second, you were in the shoppe? I didn't even see you," she said. Renok was a blue monkey faunus from the Free State of Menagerie and one of her very few friends. Menagerie was a tropical island that many faunus have called their home for over a century. A place that her family also vacationed to on multiple occasions. Renok himself was the adopted son of Blake and Sun Wukong. He also has a little sister named Opal, but Allucia had scarcely met her.
" I'm not surprised, it was very packed there. Now as to answer why I'm here, take a guess. What could a young huntsman-in-training like myself possibly be doing in Vale?" he asked.
Allucia huffed at his noticeably sarcastic tone.
" Oh, nevermind. I should've known you'd answer a question, with a question. That part of you hasn't changed." She said while slightly rolling her eyes. She had forgotten Renok was always a bit of a smart alec.
" Glad to see you haven't forgotten me. Alright, now that I've had my fun, I'll answer your question. Judging from the direction you were headed towards, likely the same reason as you. To attend Eos academy. Though I suggest we get a move on, we wouldn't want to be late for the opening ceremony." He said as he began walking through the streets of the city towards Eos.
" Hey, wait for me!" Allucia said as she went after him. " Well, it is good to see you after a while also-" Her gaze had now shifted towards the two muffins in his hands. Actually she had been taking glances at them throughout their initial exchange. While she did want one, she was questioning whether to ask for one. She knew how Renok would get when somebody wanted something from him.
" If you want one all you have to do is ask, but it'll cost you." Renok said with a smirk.
Crap. He had been watching me.
With a sigh Allucia responded, " Fine, what do you want from me?"
" Hook, line, and sinker. Don't worry I won't ask for much, only two favors." Renok said with his smirk now a grin. "First, could you inspect the weapon on my back? I'd like you to go over it before we have to register our weapons. As for the second, I'll keep that one for later, but don't worry it's not anything major."
" Really? That's it?" Allucia said with a curious look. She was surprised his favors were so simple.
" Yep. That's it." Renok replied.
" Hmmmm, deal. But first, muffin." Allucia said with her arm outstretched and palm open.
" Alright, no take backs, here you go." With that Renok dropped the muffin in her hand. After which they both walked in silence, eating their muffins on the way to Eos.
They both walked the streets of Tharum, the capital city of Vale, where Eos was based. The city's name had changed some time ago, which didn't really matter to her that much. As they continued strolling along their way, with Allucia a bit in front, she quietly took in the scenery. Even though she had walked the streets of her home city many times, it was always nice. A great way to calm her head, when she felt stressed. Tharum, well Vale for the most part, was an almost perfect combination of the old and new. With an emphasis on greenery and a city made for people. While there were roads for vehicles, they were also just as much made for people. Indicated by the cobblestone pathways, and both modern and old shops lining them. Not to mention if she didn't feel like walking, Tharum did have a good transit system. Actually, much transportation had been shifted to favor trains over individual cars, remembering what she had learned while at Pharos. With that thought she finished eating her muffin, which was wonderfully sweet and fruity.
" Ok, now let me see your weapon." she said to Renok. She passed him her hoverboard so he could hold it. After that she grabbed the gloves from her belt and put them on, before stretching out her hand.
As Renok had already finished eating, he grabbed his weapon off of the latch on his back and handed it to her.
" It's very well made." Allucia said now totally focused on reviewing Renok's weapon. They just had that effect on her. Unsheathing it from its ocean blue sheath, she realized it was a sword, which had three blue streaks on it. She saw its blade was a white rectangle, on the shorter side, but not as flat as it looked. Upon a closer inspection, she noticed the blade was more like a trapezoid. It was dual edge and sharp, so she reminded herself to take care holding it while walking. In the center of the blade was a small circle, which went completely through it. The inside was a purple/gold color.
Well that's kinda goofy. Did he do that just because he wanted to?
Continuing her observation she noticed the hilt was a charcoal gray, not black, which she had thought at first. Shifting towards the handle it was blue, with a nice sturdy grip, but slightly…. squeezable?
Hmm, must be to assist his hand in holding the blade for long periods of time and absorbing shock.
Finally, she saw the blade had a compartment for a magazine. She concluded it was for dust bullets, as no huntsman, or rather anyone used normal bullets anymore. Briefly looking at the sheath she was also holding again, she now realized it had a hardened edge to it. As if it could also be a second sword.
" Wow, you need to introduce me to whoever made this. We could compare not-"
" Careful!" Renok exclaimed. Using his tail he quickly grabbed Allucia by the waist pulling her in close to him. Two small kids just ran right in front of them, barely avoiding crashing into them and subsequently his weapon.
" Oh! Uhm, thanks, for that, nice reaction" she said. A little frazzled by the sudden stop.
With a quick glance over at her Renok released his tail's hold saying, "You're welcome, but be more careful."
" Yeah….. I think that's enough weapon observation and walking at the same time." Allucia said. Still a bit shaky, she sheathed the sword and handed it back to Renok and continued speaking. " Well, uhm, we're almost at Eos so let's keep moving."
" Alright", Renok responded.
With a little more walking they finally arrived at their destination: Eos Academy. They came up to a beautiful open steel gate with a guard station next to it. There was a line of people, mainly prospective students, waiting to get identified so they could enter. Off to the side Allucia observed some final farewells between parent and child were taking place. She reminisced over her own "farewell" with her own parents earlier this morning. Moving on, her and Renok both got in line so they could be identified and enter as well. As they approached the front, a guard standing outside the station asked them to present their scrolls for identification. Complying they both showed their scrolls, and the guard scanned them with a reader. After they were given a thumbs up, they proceeded to make their way into the academy.
Having lived in Tharum all her life, Allucia had alway seen Eos under renovation and construction. She was even able to see it when all the renovations were complete, in part thanks to her mother working there. However, witnessing it firsthand, and as a student no less, was completely different. She and Renok had both stopped to simply take in the whole scene.
" Well, this place certainly doesn't lose in the looks department", he said.
Allucia agreed with that statement. The many different buildings, new and old, green spaces, statues, pathways, and more everywhere. There was a classic grandeur about the campus which was enchanting, and the new additions didn't take away from it. Looking around she spied the massive arboretum as her mother told her about. She apparently liked to make visits there, as their collection of plants was unlike any other. It was mainly glass so as much natural sunlight as possible could be used. Squinting, Allucia saw that some of the windows were open.
Probably to let in air without vents
However, what really caught her eye was the amount and variety of students everywhere! Many appeared to be from different places around Vale and the vast reaches of Remnant. Humans, Faunus, Valians, Mistralians, and even a few Atleseans. Thinking, she remembered along with the renovations the academy chose to re-expand its student population a few years back. Something about the headmaster believing the scope and scale of huntsmen had changed; so greater diversity was required. As well as to foster better harmony and cooperation between the different nations around the world. Brushing that thought off, looking to her left she saw a group of faunus wearing what she looked to be mistralian clothing. One girl in particular caught her eye. She was brown skinned, with dark brown hair in a long braid. Looking a bit closer she saw she was a faunus, with two ears and tail. The faunus had on a tan long sleeve shirt, a design she had never seen before. Actually it looked more like a dress than a shirt, and it had intricate silver and brown decorum. white pants with silver shoes which she had also never seen before. There was a thick beaded necklace around her neck and dark silver bracelets on her wrists. After observing this girl the last thing Allucia saw were two elegant looking….. disks? They were bladed.
What's that, a weapon? I've never seen that before. Argh, I want to know what they are.
Unfortunately Allucia knew she wasn't exactly a social butterfly so speaking to new people wasn't her strong suit. She'd rather get lost in a weapon manual listening to her favorite tunes, before having to interact with people. Letting out a huff of discontent with her lack of social skills she chose to continue on, moving deeper into the campus with Renok matching her pace. Checking her scroll she saw it was almost time for the opening ceremony which was supposed to be taking place within the designated ceremonial hall of the academy. After searching, she and Renok spotted directory signs leading them to it. Following them they made it to where they were supposed to be with just a little time to spare. Just outside the hall however was a stone statue with two people; a man and a boy standing with their backs against each other facing in opposite directions.
" Hey, I'm going to head inside and check it out," Renok said to Allucia.
" Okay, I'll catch up with you later, hold onto Trailblazer for me. I'll meet up with you inside. " she responded. She would have gone in with him as to not be alone, but was interested in the statue and wanted a closer look.
Renok gave her a small nod before heading inside.
Now back to observing the statue Allucia looked at what the pair were wearing. Both had distinctively different clothes, with the man seemingly put together very well. The boy, on the other hand, had on what seemed like farm clothes and gloves. Yet, in each of their hands was the same looking cane. She spotted a plaque on the statue and it had a message:
Legacies of the past live on into the future. Yet what we choose to do with them is up to those of the present. Take heed, yet be unafraid to carve your own path. Live wisely.
"What a thoughtful statement", she said aloud.
" Indeed", a voice responded.
Allucia jumped back, totally startled by the voice that broke her focus. Looking at the source of the voice she saw it was a young mistralian man standing to the side of her. He had black hair tied up into a ponytail, with a magenta streak going through the right side of it. His clothes, mistralian looking, were green with some white, black, and gold markings. Even his eyes were magenta as well, and there was a person, a girl, seemingly sleeping soundly on his back as well. She was clad in mistralian garb as well, but looked different from the man. Her hair was ginger, tied up into twin buns, kept together with pink accessories. Her shirt was a sleeveless yellow martial shirt and she also had on white pants that exposed the bottom of her legs around her ankles. Atop her shirt she was wearing a blue cropped jacket with a yellow dragon head on the back. Her shoes looked like some sort of martial shoes she saw in old movies, just like man carrying her, except hers were baby blue, not black. The last thing she noticed were two thin bracelets around her wrists. Allucia actually thought these two looked vaguely familiar. Still, she needed a second to recompose herself and in that moment the young man spoke briefly.
" Oh, I'm very sorry to have disturbed you. Please excuse me." Having said that, he gave her a small nod, more like a small bow, and moved forward into the ceremony hall with the girl still sleeping soundly on his back.
I really hope there are no more surprises like today. I don't think my heart can take it.
With that thought Allucia made her way into the ceremony hall. As she went inside she observed some more statutes, wooden this time, leading into its interior. They were situated in front of colored decorative glass windows, with sunlight coming through illuminating them. Some were of people she didn't recognize, but others were of people she did. She saw one for her mom and dad, and even one for her grandfather Qrow. Smiling at the statues of her family within the entrance of the hall she continued. Finally entering the hall, she took note of what was within it, besides the many conversing students. The inside looked old, but clean and seemed to be well kept. Large glass windows allowed the noon sunlight to flow in illuminating the whole room. The walls and floor were wooden, some of which were darker in color, contrasting each other. There was a stage in front of them with a closed green curtain and microphone sectioned off to keep some space between it and the students. Glancing upwards on the side of the ceiling were two square black speakers. Looking further above her she noticed on the ceiling there were drapes: The flag of Vale, the school's flag, a clock tower, and what appeared to be the flag of the Huntsman Guild of Vale; a huntsman fighting a Grimm, an Ursa Major to be exact. The many conversing students was causing her to feel anxious and just as she was about to look for Renok, a voice filled the room from the speakers.
" Attention students. We are honored to have you here as Eos's 5th class of new huntsman-in-training. We ask that you please quiet down as the headmaster of Eos takes the stage."
With that the voice ended and all the students ceased their chattering, only the sounds of the occasional sneeze and mumble. Then the curtains of the sole stage in the hall drew open revealing the aforementioned headmaster. Yet, he wasn't alone on the stage as from what Allucia could tell there were other people. They appeared to be members of the school faculty. They were all, except for one, wearing the same thing. A sort of regal militant uniform with mixtures of red, green, white, and gold, Vale's official colors. A total of five people were standing on the stage. There were two people in particular that immediately caught her attention. A tall blonde woman with curly hair and the other a woman with snow white hair. Allucia and the blonde shared a brief gaze, with the latter giving a quick wink. Yet, before she could somehow respond in kind the headmaster, with cane in hand, walked up to the microphone and began speaking.
" Greetings, new students of Eos's huntsman-in-training course. My name is Oscar Pine, and I am your new headmaster. As you have many things to do today I will do my best to keep this address short. First, I would like to express my elation that you all completed and passed your preliminary huntsman education and training. As well as choosing to make Eos Academy your new home for the foreseeable future. With some of you having a more arduous journey than others. Yet, you all had the tenacity and strength of character to pursue the path of huntsman which should be applauded. Choosing the path of a huntsman is not an easy choice nor should it be. I won't seek to veil the perilous nature of this way of life. Danger forever stalks those who become one, and upon completing your education and training you will be officially asked to take the mantle as one of this nation's and world's protectors. Though not only against Grimm, even though they are our seemingly immortal enemy, mankind is also a being of destruction. Even after the victory of this world against the Grimm Witch, Salem, conflict still exists upon Remnant. Human and Faunus who would use their talents and powers for malevolence and domination, against those who could not stop them. Therefore it is our collective responsibility to join together to protect those who can't protect themselves. To see that all we hold dear and what could be, preserved from forces that would otherwise see to their destruction. Though at times that would demand a great cost, sometimes resulting in the ultimate sacrifice. As some of your predecessors have done. Though I ask of you to not waver in your determination for you will not be alone. I believe each of you within this hall has the ability to become a great huntsman. And if you go even further in this path of yours, maybe even chart a new course for Remnant. So, as headmaster, I bid you welcome to Eos Academy!"
With that Allucia watched as the room was now buzzing with a myriad of emotions. Though the chief among them was excitement. Students were talking with each other wondering what would happen next. She was wondering that as well, but then the headmaster, Oscar, spoke again, silencing her thoughts.
" Settle down, settle down. I can see that you are all excited as to what happens now. First we have sent each one of your scrolls a digital identification of your status as an Eos HIT. With that you will be able to access all the necessary facilities of the academy. As well as having an easier time maneuvering about the city of Tharum and beyond. Now you've all yet to be made into your teams, which will be decided upon two weeks from now with a special test proctored by the school and its professors. We believe that will give enough time to get comfortable with the academy and the city. As well getting to know your now fellow classmates and future comrades. Moving on, all students, with a few exceptions, have been given a temporary dorm until your teams have been created. Only then will you be given a permanent living arrangement within the academy. Ah, and before I forget you all have your final Aura and semblance test, as well as weapon registration tomorrow. It'll be held within the recreational facility tomorrow beginning at noon, don't be late. Ah, the dining hall is also open today, so don't forget to try the delicious food here. Now go on and familiarize yourself with your new home. And once more, welcome to Eos Academy."
With that, the new HITs began streaming out of the hall, eager to explore the grand campus of Eos and the city of Tharum. The headmaster and the other people on the stage left shortly after. Allucia on the contrary hung back, to see if she could meet a certain someone before heading out. Luckily for her, the person she wanted to see was actually coming her way fast, a little too fast. That person ran into Allucia, lifted her off the ground and gave her a bear hug, spinning her around while doing so.
" Aunt Yang…..you're….. crushing the air out of me." Allucia said, barely able to sputter the words out.
" Oh! Sorry! I'm just very excited to see my oh so cute niece again after a while," Yang responded happily. With that she stopped spinning, finished her hug with a final squeeze, and then gently placed Allucia on the ground.
Allucia took a second to catch her breath, after having the life squeezed out of her. After recomposing herself she spoke with her aunt.
" You almost ended my journey as a huntsman before it even started," Allucia said.
" Again, sorry. You're just so adorable and squeezable." Yang responded with a laugh that made Allucia sigh in exasperation.
" Please, I'm 18, don't you think I'm too old for that,"she asked.
" Noooope. You're forever my adorable little niece," Yang said, booping Allucia on her nose.
"Aunt Yang…..", Allucia said with a slightly annoyed tone. She crossed her arms and let out a slight huff, but in actuality, she was trying hard to stifle a smile. She was indeed happy she was able to see the jovial blonde lioness that was her aunt. It had been awhile since she had last seen her, the last time was at her graduation from Pharos academy. She looked the same as ever, a blonde bombshell with a few scattered gray hairs and wrinkles. Truth be told, even though she was forty-nine, she looked a decade younger. Glancing she got a good look at her Aunt's outfit, noticing how regal it was now that it was up close. Though before she could continue her observation her aunt spoke.
" So, how does it feel to be an official HIT of Eos academy?" Yang asked with a bubbly curious tone. She was now standing with one arm slack and the other on her hip, waiting for an answer.
" Surreal," Allucia responded. "It's my dream come true, but I'm just anxious now, wondering what's next."
" I see. Allucia, I'm sure Ruby and Jaune asked you already, but I'll ask regardless," Yang said.
Allucia noticed her aunt's tone had shifted and was now a bit more serious. " Yes?" She responded quizzically.
" Are you sure, 100% positive, this is the path you want to take in life? As your loving aunt I just have to make sure." Yang remarked.
Allucia looked at her aunt's gaze and noticed it looked just like her mother's earlier this morning. She started to feel a little conscious, but again shook it off and responded.
" I know it's a dangerous undertaking, that'll be with me for the rest of my life, and at times I do get worried. Still, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Allucia said. Her tone carried an air of confidence that her aunt was glad to hear, judging by how she relaxed her shoulders.
" That's wonderful to hear sweetie, aw, come here", Yang said as she reeled Allucia in for another hug. Though this one wasn't as brutal as before. Allucia returned the hug in kind, and before each broke off from each other Yang placed a small kiss on her forehead.
" Remember that no matter what happens I will always be there for you," Yang said as she off her hug.
" I know," Allucia said with a smile. Yang returned the smile with a toothy grin and then spoke.
" Ok, now you get going and remember don't be a stranger." Yang said.
" I'll try." Allucia said. Just as she was about to make her exit she turned towards her aunt and asked a question. " Aunt Yang, is it true you're a professor here at Eos and be one of our combat instructors?"
" Yep," Yang said with a smile. " Don't worry I'll make sure I don't work you guys too hard."
Allucia had seen that smile before and immediately knew her classes with her aunt were going to be brutal. With a quick wave goodbye she made her way out the ceremony hall, on her way to find Renok. Not only to retrieve her board, but also warn of him a rough future that would come to pass. Her aunt wasn't nicknamed " The Lioness", for no reason.
Hopefully she'll go easy on me? Just a little bit?