Hey guys! Here I am with a new chapter, I hope you guys will enjoy it. Also, I have to mention that Geo and Yang are going to face a powerful enemy next chapter, so I will take that chance to show a small glimpse of Geo's hidden Semblance. I'm not quite sure what power he will have so I'm opened to ideas. Anyway, have a great read everyone, bye.

A Shattered Life

Chapter 9: The White Fang

Within an hour a few recruits that were being accompanied by Geo and General Avala arrived at the military base that's located inside the town of Gwain. There were no larger gates to keep intruders out; the base was nestled within a valley, that would easily expose an incoming enemy force well before they laid siege. The towers themselves rose up above the valley, visible well beyond the reach of Gwain's military region of protection. To the neighboring villages, who were directly under the town's responsibility, their citizens looked up to those towers as a symbol of hope, and freedom. But this place is also the home and training ground for the Mirage Knights, this sacred order of powerful warriors serve has personal bodyguards for Lord Aiden, they are considered to be the strongest fighters in the whole region and their leader is none other than Avala herself.

The recruits were in awe because of the sprawling buildings that made this stronghold. They, like everyone else in town, often looked up at those two towers, looking for a fleeting glimpse of hope, but their awe was not something mirrored by those around them. Their heads were down as they scurried about, driven by some sort of purpose that defined the day. Other soldiers sat by themselves or in groups, reading from books while some sparred or wrestled among themselves. A few of them hurriedly darted back and forth, so caught up in their own thoughts that the closest to recognition they gave was a step to the side to avoid collision. "Take a good look at your surroundings rookies because this place will be your home for the next six months, and I hope each one of you will prove themselves worthy to belong to the mighty army of Lord Aiden." Said Avala.

Has they continued to walk, a couple of groups threw quick glances at Geo, blood was spattered across their faces and clothes, then they started to whisper among themselves. The boy glanced at them but he paid no attention to what they were saying. Those whispers were about the decision Lord Aiden had made two days ago about the injured soldiers that arrived from Vale. Many people and soldiers think that this was a bad idea since there's a chance they could be using this opportunity to gather information on Gwain's defenses, specially the Genesis cannons, but Geo believes that his father made the right choice.

"I see there are a lot of people that still don't agree with what my father did." Said Geo, as he noticed several eyes staring at him. "But I know he did the right thing, I mean we couldn't just send those soldiers back to the kingdom, they wouldn't survive the trip home. At least here, they have a chance to heal their wounds and go back home to their families."

General Avala nodded. "You are much like your father my Lord, but I must remind you these people from Vale can't be trusted. They wish to expand their borders by any means necessary and it doesn't matter what awful tactics they use to accomplish it." She said while looking with a suspicious expression at a few Vale soldiers that were outside of an infirmary tent chatting. "I understand that Lord Aiden and you want to help everyone, but not all are good people, they will take advantage of your kindness and when you least expect it they will cut your throat without a second thought."

"What you say is true General, but we can't always assume that everyone is out to get you, because if we did that we couldn't trust anyone, not even our family and friends." Replied Geo. "I wish you could give it a try Avala, you are always alone. It wouldn't hurt you to make a friend besides me, or just talk to someone, and yes giving orders doesn't count has having a normal conversation."

Oh...I didn't think Geo saw me as a friend. Avala was quite surprised by that discovery. "My Lord with all due respect, there's no one in Gwain that I like. Medical officer Sunny is a pain in the ass almost every day, how I didn't manage to kill her yet is beyond me, and Captain Solomon is a mysterious man, I have no information about him or why he joined our town, so I prefer to keep my distance."

"What about my girlfriend?" Asked Geo.

"She's in the same list as Solomon, I know nothing about her and where she comes from, but I think she will give you trouble nonetheless." Avala answered. "Ruby is a simple street girl, I still can't believe you are dating her, there are a lot of noble girls on Atlas that would certainly make better girlfriend material than her."

"Careful with your words General." He warned. "When Ruby looks at me she see's me for who I am, a normal guy that has issues like everyone else in this cruel world and tries his best to overcome them. Unlike many of those spoiled girls back at Atlas that only care about the title that I have." Geo approached the door that led to the main building, but before opening it, he noticed a few armed soldiers spreading across the area in a hurry. "Is there any special training going on today?"

"No." She replied. "Why do you ask?"

Suddenly, an explosion blinded Geo, followed by a incredible loud noise, and shockwave that blew everything in it's path. Then it got silent while the giant cloud of dust rose from the ground. But before Geo or Avala could react another explosion erupted and this time it was near them. The force was so intense that it threw Geo and the others with him to the ground quite violently, they rolled like ragged dolls against the wall. "W-What's happening?" Geo's vision was blurry as his gaze shifted past his hands, to the limp body lying in front of him. "H-Hey! Are you alright!" He shouted.

The man before him was a soldier, his gun was covered with blood and it was laid on the his hand which was filled with shrapnel. Groaning in pain Geo leaned over him to check his vitals, fortunately the man was still alive, but the amount of pain he was feeling was unbearable. More sounds filled Geo's ears as the block out shock slowly fell away, once again opening his ears to his surroundings. Gun fire, swords clashing, burning fire that crackled. Dirt was spraying everywhere, his distant gaze observed, soldiers fighting against some Faunus that no doubt belong to the White Fang.

Thundering steps pounded past the young Lord as he tried to prevent the injured soldier from bleeding out, but it was a losing battle. Two pair of boots stopped before Geo's lowered gaze. "I need you to wake up sire!" The encouraging voice told him sternly. "Leave Marcus, there's nothing you can do for him now." Avala placed her hand on the boy's shoulder, bringing him back to the present matter at hand.

Geo didn't realize the man had died until Avala said it, so there was no point in covering his wounds anymore. "God dammit!" He removed the dog-tag and put it inside his pocket. "We must secure the area quickly, I want every able body to grab a weapon and join the fight."

"Don't worry my Lord, I have already send word to the castle, so reinforcements won't take long to arrive." She replied. "But now, we must focus on our survival and make sure those bastards don't go to our town to wreak havoc."

"Right!" Geo released his sword named Stormcaller Malice and dashed forward towards the battlefield. With a leap into the air he dodged many incoming projectiles, then he slammed both of his boots against a member of the White Fang, shattering his mask into tiny pieces. "Form a line and don't let them get inside the armory!" Ordered Geo. "We can't let them take control of the Genesis cannons and use them against our own people!"

"You heard him men! Fight for your families! Fight for your Lord!" Shouted Avala as she charged towards the enemy alongside her soldiers.

With those orders given several squads formed a defense line as quickly as possible. Most soldiers took cover behind a few vehicles and continued to fire back, while the rest engaged the enemy forces in melee combat. Explosions erupted from every side, as Gwain's artillery began drenching the landscape with shells, each hard shot kicked up a shower of flames and death throughout the battlefield. The battle raged ferociously on, but if there was one thing that Geo hated about fights was watching his people, his soldiers, die like birds shot from the sky, him unable to catch them.

A Fang member came unnoticed behind Lord Geo and he slashed him lightly across the back. The Faunus had assumed Geo would turn to parry him and so the man had turned his blade to the side, ready to defend himself. This was a common mistake among young warriors; they were more worried for their own safety than for killing an opponent. Fortunately, Geo gained his senses before the Faunus could realize his fault. The young Lord swung around and sliced the man across the chest. He coughed up blood and his eyes widened with fear and surprise, then he choked and fell over, still clutching his wound.

Geo felt no remorse as he swung around to sever the head off his opponent. The boy had only been in a few fights like these, but he learned about not caring the man he killed because he was fighting to protect his home and most importantly his beloved Ruby, the love of his life. This is what war is. It's kill or be killed, you must become a murder if you wish to live to see another day, and Geo knew this.

Has the boy was about to face another wave of White Fang soldiers, a large wave of fire overtook the incoming enemies, leaving him surprised. Suddenly, he noticed someone tearing through his enemies, waves of fire were coursing through the air around her as she smashed her Gauntlets against the Faunus. The blonde was like a force of nature that couldn't be stop. "Hey there!" She greeted. "It seems you guys could use some help."

"I appreciate your assistance stranger." Replied Geo. "Who are you anyway?"

"You can call me Yang." She introduced herself. "What's yours?"

"My name is Geo Casterwill." He said. "Give us hand at keeping these bastards out of the armory."

"You count with me." Yang slammed her Gauntlets together.

She starts things off by charging straight at the enemy with incredible speed, she aimed her fiery fist to a soldier's face, and broke his mask. A second Faunus came for her from the side but she blocked the attack with one of her Gauntlets, then she kicked her opponent in the head, sending him flying towards the wall. Then, she spun through the air dodging an attack that Yang herself didn't even seen coming, she then instantly dashed forward and with a downward strike, she created a wave of fire that threw everyone against the ground.

Yang jumped backwards and launched a large barrage of range attacks that completely overtook a few White Fang members. With the battle almost over, the leader of the Faunus, decided to retreat with the remaining of his forces, but both Geo and Yang knew they couldn't let him escape, that man needed to pay for his crimes no matter the cost, so they went after him. Leaving the others behind to continue the battle.