Sorry for the late post friends but things were a bit chaotic for a while but here is the new chapter. I will try to get the new one out until the end of this month. Thank you so much again for reading. Byeeeeee.

A Shattered Life

Chapter 54: Calm Before the Storm

With everything in order and with all the knights together around General Avala, she was finally ready to explain her plan. "Listen carefully to what I have to say because if any one of us fails then that means death to everyone." She said with a serious tone. "We can't win this battle against the Grimm so we have to stall them for a time while we clear the rubble. My knights and I will do this task but I can't spare the manpower to fight the Grimm so I trust that your friends can hold them long enough for us to clear the path my Queen."

"Don't worry, they can hold their own, and together they are strong believe me." Ruby knew her friend's capabilities so she knew they could pull this off. "Besides, with Geo back, we have nothing to worry about." She revealed a confident smile while looking at him, then Ruby stood by the General's side and said. "I know many of you have doubts and are afraid but remember that we are all in this together, and together we will survive this I promise."

"All right knights!" She gained their attention. "Let's not let our King and Queen down, we have a mission to complete let's get to it! Move it!" The knights made their way towards the rubble and started to move some rocks out of the way though they had to hurry as the creatures of darkness were approaching fast. With all of the knights busy at work, General Avala turned to her King. "I...I am sorry I failed you." Her voice cracked a little as she hugged him. "I promised your mother that I would look after you and I...I let you die...it... it should have been me..." Tears were falling to the snow.

"If you had stayed with me you would have died as well. I am glad you and Sunny survived, I don't know if I could have lived knowing that my big sister sacrificed herself for me." Geo was glad to see her again. "And to be honest I was scared my body was telling me to run as fast as I could but I knew if I let that monster roam around the ship she would have killed everyone, so for the first time in my life I decided to take control of my own fate." He smiled at her. "I died there for you, for Sunny for everyone and I would do that again. I am a Casterwill after all."

Geo used his fingers to clean her eyes and when she looked at his expression Avala finally saw the boy she knew since he was little was no longer a kid but a man who was willing to fight for his family. Geo...I never noticed but you have grown so much. I remember you being a little boy filled with so much imagination and now here you stand a man with the heart of a warrior. I am so proud of you if only your mother could see you right now, she too would have been proud of the man you became.

"But you still have to explain how this is possible as I can barely believe this. And why you look so different?" She looked at him from top to bottom, his skin pale white just like his hair not to mention his Grimm arm.

The young man wished to explain everything but unfortunately, there was not much time left as the monsters were almost on top of them. "I am sorry Avala, I promise I will explain everything to you but now is not the time we have a battle to win first. Go to your knights and clear our escape route as fast as you can our people are counting on us." With that said General Avala nodded and went to help her soldiers while both Geo and Ruby walked to the end of the train to meet with the others.

While on their way, Ruby noticed that her boyfriend's expression was somewhat serious. "I know you are worried but this will be easy we have faced worse things than a big pack of Grimm." Ruby was very optimistic about the incoming battle. "With all of us together fighting those monsters don't stand a chance."

"I appreciate your confidence Ruby but I assure you that it won't be that easy." He replied. "With those large numbers, we will be overwhelmed if the battle drags too long. But while they have numbers we have something better a warrior so strong that with one look she can destroy them without lifting a finger." Geo pointed at her. "Ruby you are our best chance to survive this. Of everyone I know you are the one that possesses a power that none of us can match, I am counting on you."

"Geez, no pressure huh? Now you left me nervous, so thanks a lot." It was clear she was not happy. "But does that mean I am stronger than you? I mean last time we fought I won."

"No, it was a draw we were both on the ground without any Aura left." Geo replied. "Also, that incredible power you have is only effective against Grimm, not humans and I am half-human so it wouldn't affect me much. Besides, I have grown more powerful than the last time we faced each other my darling so it wouldn't be an easy fight for you."

Ruby smiled. "So much pride you have my 'darling' but you forget I too have trained a lot over the past year. I have gained much experience from my previous battles and I will show you how strong I have become, you will be amazed."

"I hope so I want my future wife to be the best Huntress in all of Remnant after all."

"Hehehe!" Ruby giggled while blushing. "Don't say stuff like that out of nowhere, you know I get embarrassed easily." She hold his hand. "But tell me more, hehe!"

Both of them laughed and within a few moments, they arrived at their destination. A few meters ahead were Ruby's friends. "Hmm, I'm still not sure about this Ruby, I know your team but the other guys are complete strangers and you know I am not good with people, I prefer to keep to myself." Said Geo a bit nervous. "And lets not even talk about my appearance, I hope they don't mistake me for a Grimm."

"They might stare a little but they won't hurt you, they are my friends and I trust them. For the past year, we have been traveling together and I have lost count how many times we saved one another." She replied. "Also, I forgot to tell you but Hydrox told me that you persuaded him into joining us and to be honest he has been of great help especially with Roary." Ruby had gained a new respect for her former enemy. "He respects you a lot, when you died he visited your grave every week with me, not once he failed to show."

"That's, wow! I-I had no idea." He was surprised. "Ohhh, here we go." Geo prepared himself.

"Hey, guys!" Ruby waved.

"Look there she is." Pointed Yang. "But who is the other guy with her?" Asked Yang as she and the rest of the group approached the young couple. It didn't take long for everyone to notice the pale skin and the white hair of the young boy. "RUBY! What the hell is that thing beside you?!" Yang was shocked, both Weiss and Blake released their weapons as did everyone else right after. "Stay away from her you freak! Ruby what are you doing holding hands with that thing?!"

"I am not here to fight you but I won't back down either." He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"WAIT!" Shouted Ruby as she placed herself in between the group and her boyfriend. "Please hear me out! He is not here to hurt anyone, in fact he is here to helps fight against Salem and the Dark God. Some of you don't know him and a few might not recognize him but this is Geo, the King of Gwain and my boyfriend." She revealed to them. "I promise that I will explain everything in due time but please trust me he is on our side."

They were speechless, Yang and Hydrox took a closer look at the young man. "No way! I-I can't believe it, is it really you?" She poked him a little.

"Cut that out."

"Haha! It is you!" Yang hugged him with all her strength squeezing the poor boy. "I am so glad you are back! I have missed you so much, so many people have."

"Huh, welcome back my King." Said Hydrox. "After this is all over we need to have a rematch, I still haven't forgotten my defeat at your hands."

"Sure, whenever you are ready." He replied, then he turned to the blond girl. "Can you let me go now? I appreciate your kindness Yang but I can feel my heartbeat ringing in my hears."

"Oh, sorry." She released him. "Welcome back."

"So that's Ruby's boyfriend?" Nora approached the young man with curiosity as she had never seen anything like him before. "You look weird." Ren delivered a light smack on her head. "I mean a good type of weird."

"Oh my god." Ren sighed.

"...cute." He ignored. But while everyone was talking Geo felt something strange, a familiar presence he hadn't felt for a good while. "That Aura, I have felt it before." He looked around carefully and he noticed a young man with black hair and hazel eyes. Geo walked towards him and when he was approaching him it was clear that the boy was nervous as he took a few steps backward. "Your Aura feels familiar but I don't believe we have met have we?" His serious expression made the young boy even more nervous, he couldn't find the strength to speak.

"I...well...I-I'm Oscar!" He stuttered. "I'm a friend of Ruby that's all."

Geo knew there was something wrong about this stranger, but all became clear when he noticed the cane on his left hand. "The Long Memory..." He whispered to himself, though it was loud enough for Oscar to hear him which made him jump back and that gained the attention of the group. "Of all people it had to be you." Geo clenched his hand into a fist. "So what's your plan now old man? Are you going to fight me or are you going to send someone else to kill me?" The air felt heavy and Geo's Aura was beginning to reveal itself. "What about you? Did Ozpin told you anything about me?"

Ruby interviene. "Please Geo calm down, I can explain this." She tried to persuade him but the young man had all of his attention towards Oscar so he didn't even heard a word out of her mouth.

"He did, not only him but Ruby and Hydrox as well." He answered. "Ozpin said that you were a murderer, you kill without remorse and you show no mercy towards anyone, he even has lost count of how many you butchered until now."

With anger Geo punched the train carriage. "He might have lost count but I haven't!" A burning feel of hatred was all he felt now. "Did he also mentioned the people I butchered was because he told me to do it?" Geo asked. "I was like a dog following his every order, if said to sit I would do it, if he told me to bark I would do it. But this dog showed his teeth and the master didn't like it did he?"

"But Hydrox told me you are a honorable warrior, someone who fights for his beliefs and lets no one get on his way. And Ruby said that you sacrificied yourself to save her and your people, instead of running you decided to face Salem even knwowing you couldn't win. She believes you can be more than what you are she believes you are a hero." Said Oscar. "To be honest, I don't know what to think of you but even with my fear I can see that you more than what Ozpin says."

Geo turned around. "Good or Evil, I don't care about any of that. I don't fight good and I don't fight for evil!" Said the young man with fire on his heart. "I just fight! I will protect my family and my people! Whether its Huntsman, Grimm or Gods! If anyone comes after my family they will lose!"

"Geo..." Ruby smiled warmly.