With only a little pressure wood gave way to steel, thin strips were shaved off as the sharp blade worked its way deeper into a small groove on the tip of a narrow but symmetrical shaft. Large silver and crimson eyes watched as her hands worked, one rotating the would be arrow and the other making precise cuts with her knife, finally, after one fourth of the blade's height could sink into the notch, she raised the tip of the arrow up to her lips, blowing away the shavings as she examined it.
With a satisfied smirk Ruby placed her knife down on the dirt beside her before feeling around with her fingers until they met something small and sharp with smooth curves and hard edges. A fragment of obsidian, glass left behind from the long since dormant volcano that she had broken away until it became a deadly sharp arrowhead. It fit perfectly into the notch, the pressure from the wood holding it in place while Ruby tied it down with thin rope she had fashioned from wood bark fibers.
In the three days that had passed since the wolf she was certain was her familiar took her up the volcano, Ruby had resolved to do more than just survive. She knew nothing about the process of merging with her familiar, so with days of trial and error, lots and lots of error, she had gained skills to help her thrive in the wilderness. This makes six arrows. This obsidian is fragile so I can't expect to get many uses out of it but it's good for now.
Her fingers were covered in scratches and her shoulder was still healing from the bite she had sustained when the wolf pulled her from the cliff. Her feet were calloused and perpetually sore, her muscles never stopped aching and burning from the non stop stress and demand she put on them, she was hungry and thirsty and smelled like sweat, dirt and blood. Even so… she was smiling.
All done! She was beaming with pride, even though her palms and pads of her fingers were riddled with small cuts and blisters and covered in dirt, she stared at weapon she had made from what nature had given her with brilliant, sparkling eyes. Alright, I guess we should get going now.
Giving a soft release of breath she hoisted herself up, her legs shaking as they struggled to lift her body. From the moment she woke up with the sunrise to the last instant of awareness she had before sleep she had felt perpetually exhausted, every hour tested her body and her resolve and every time she greeted a new day she knew she passed nature's test. By the time I get out of here I might just be stronger than Yang.
"Hmmmrr…" A soft whine chimed beside her and a head of soft, warm fur came to rest under her armpit, slowly lifting her up in time with her shaking legs. A look of surprise was replaced with a warm and thankful smile as she and the wolf stood together.
"Thank you." Her words were merely a whisper and nothing compared to what their eyes conveyed as shining silver met dulled grey. Her free hand reached out without hesitation, scratching behind his ear, her fingers sinking into his plushy coat. "Come on, we should get going."
The old wolf shook his head, dust and debris flying from his fur before licking his parched mouth. His tail swayed calmly back and forth as Ruby picked up her knife and quiver fashioned from the bark of a tree and her hand made rope. It had been some time since either of them had eaten, a collaborative effort between Ruby and the wolf caught them a rabbit two days before but for a hungry girl and wolf it wasn't nearly enough.
So, with aching bellies girl and wolf set off into the forest, the young vampire taking her newly made bow from beneath a tree, this one much more clean and well fashioned with her more reliable shoelace as cordage. It was a tranquil midday, birds sang from the branches and although the air was hot and humid, a gentle prevailing breeze made it tolerable.
Ruby and her companion stalked quietly through the trees, her wolf took a slight lead while she followed his nose and instincts to find their next meal. Still, the pair walked in perfect, near silent sync and Ruby couldn't miss it. We've been together for three days and he hasn't left my side since the cave. He sleeps with me, hunts with me, helps me find water, I build fires to keep us warm and I pet him as much as he wants. We share food and I enjoy having him around, I just know he likes being around me too.
It's so strange. I feel like I've known him my whole life, like he's just supposed to be with me. I wonder if he feels the same? I get the feeling that I've been waiting for him for a long time, I wonder if he was waiting for me? She had found herself wishing many times over the past few days that she could have a deeper connection to him, something more potent than speech or body language, something that only she and her kind could understand. I want to drink his blood, I want to know how he feels and for him to be a part of me. Drinking blood seems to be how we vampires connect with the lives around us, it's as normal to me now as touch or talking is to humans or faunus. Still, he's a wolf and I don't want to scare him off by trying to feed on him, he might not understand and I just can't risk losing him.
She frowned, looking longingly at the wolf, hearing his blood rushing through his body even though they were separated by nearly a meter of air. Her fangs ached and her vampiric thirst welled up once again, competing with mortal hunger for her attention. Even with the distractions of her rising blood thirst she made certain to take careful, deliberate steps, making as little noise as possible, her heavy boots not quite as subtle as her companion's padded paws.
I miss blood so much. Eating the animals of the forest keeps me from being hungry and it doesn't taste bad but it's nothing compared to blood from someone who is willingly giving me some of their life. There's nothing else in the world like it. I miss that taste, the warmth, the feeling of their heart pumping their blood from their body to my mouth… okay! I need to stop, this is just making my fangs ache even more!
With a vigorous shake of her head she tried to dispel the creeping thirst, the powerful desire that battered her like intense waves. She licked her sharp fangs, desperately trying to ease the aching she felt, her warm tongue rolling over the smooth slopes of her surgically sharp canine teeth. Even after weeks of having them they still felt strange, not a bad strange, but strange nonetheless. Still, what I wouldn't give to drink from Alan or Weiss again…
The memories were still so intensely fresh she could all but taste the unique and distinct flavors of their blood. Her chest filled with warmth and her cheeks warmed up with a soft blush as she let the memories wash over her.
The gentle and subtle heat of Alan's blood, the subdued taste of his empathy and caring and the slightly bitter hints of his feelings of inadequacy and lack of self esteem, all overwhelmed by his deep caring and compassion. She could savor his blood all day for its calming taste and the way it felt like his blood itself was embracing her and who she was. For her, Alan was someone who didn't judge her and accepted her and everyone else as is. But that's also probably part of the reason why doesn't try harder for himself, he doesn't see what he could be… I hope I get to be there when he does see it. Maybe I'd like to be a part of that.
Then there was her first taste, her first time, the moment that truly awakened her as a Vampire. Weiss' blood was so, so different than Alan's and Ruby could tell the difference in her memory as clearly as she could remember their faces. Her partner tasted and felt cool, not cold, not uncomfortable, but even though her blood itself was so warm it gave a cool sensation that permeated Ruby's entire body at first. Soon, that cool feeling was replaced by intensity, opening up like a flower in the frost as spring arrive, bearing all the immensity of what she felt. Passion, exhilaration, bliss, fear, worry, pleasure, love, tenderness and protectiveness that contrasted with vulnerability and openness as she succumbed to Ruby, letting her leader have her fill of her vital fluid. I've never felt something so intense and raw. Pure, unrefined Weiss was just how I knew her to be, and she let herself be free of inhibitions just for me. I know how she feels about me… and because of how I feel for her, I can't ask her to throw away her life to become an Acolyte just to be by my side.
A dull pain bit into her heart, a familiar gnawing that came from thinking about just what she was leaving behind. I know I'm running away… I'm leaving them to be a bandit, to be a Vampire, part of my clan. I'm just like Raven, doing just what she did to Yang. I've seen what that can do to someone and yet… I still don't want to go back, I don't want to leave my clan, my family. I just feel like I belong-
Crack!
The sudden sound of a cracking branch ripped Ruby from her thoughts, her heart immediately beginning to pound with anticipation as she came to a dead stop with the wolf right beside her. Her wide silver eyes looked up, scanning the forest as she slowly crouched down as low as she could without her legs giving out. Her senses were on high alert and her companion dropped low, his eyes already fixed on his prey by the time Ruby had caught sight of them.
Four deer, two adult males, a doe and her fawn. They were only a dozen meters away and with the breeze on their side they were downwind of their prey. The grazing deer hadn't noticed them and both deadly predators tensed, their muscles ready for the pursuit, the wolf raising his haunches and lowering his head preparing to pounce while beside him the girl slowly and gingerly reached for the arrows in her quiver on her back, her gaze never faltering from the unsuspecting animals.
Everything faded away, all feelings and worries and distractions evaporated as her focus fell solely onto the deer. Her hands were steady and the burning in her muscles waned, all that was left was the gnawing in her stomach compelling her to hunt. She placed the notch at the end of her arrow onto the string of her bow, and held both with one hand keeping the arrow in place, ready to fire at a moment's notice. She and the wolf were sizing them up, the fawn would be the easiest to take but would yield the least and she wasn't comfortable with taking either mother or child, so she looked to the bucks and with a glance to her side she could see the wolf's eyes locked onto the same one, the largest of the group.
Alright, if you're ready…
"Now!" With a shout Ruby threw herself onto her wolf's back with her free hand before immediately drawing her arrow and lowering her body for stability. The deer's heads shot up but and in the same instant the wolf launched himself and the girl, his claws gripping the earth and his powerful legs rapidly closing the gap between them and their prey.
The deer scattered but even with the vampire on his back the old wolf was strong and fast, wind rushing around them as he weaved through the trees going faster and faster after the animal they both had chosen as their target. Ruby's legs squeezed around his torso as tight as she could, she could feel his toned and powerful muscles moving between her legs, old age or not he was still the most fearsome predator in the forest.
While her companion kept pace with their soon to be meal, it was Ruby's job to keep the deer in her sights. The terrified animal ran as fast as it could bolting deeper into the forest likely hoping that its smaller body would give it an advantage over the massive wolf in the denser trees. Ruby however had no intention of letting it get that far.
With her teeth gritted and her legs struggling to hold on she slowly sat herself up, the wolf darting into sharp turns straining her body to its limits as fought to stay on his back. The wolf had done so much for her, she wouldn't be the one to slow it down. A fire burned in her chest as thrill mixed with determination and her body was reinvigorated with strength from the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
Closing one eye Ruby focused on the fleeing animal ahead of them, her heart was pounding but her mind was clear as she drew back her arrow, the wood of her bow bending, yielding her her strength as it readied to impart it into the projectile. The glassy obsidian arrowhead gleamed in the light of the sun that streamed through the canopy as she moved it along with the prey that had no idea what was about to hit it.
With a soft, steadying breath Ruby aimed her arrow just in front of the deer, seeing a clearing between two trees rapidly approach and the buck was heading right for it. Just like with her rifle on her old scythe she instinctively relaxed all but her legs as her senses blocked everything else out. Soft black feathers tickled her cheek as the fletching brushed against her face and time itself seemed to slow in that instant.
whoosh!
With deadly accuracy Ruby loosed her arrow, the bow snapping back into shape sending the projectile flying through the forest, true to her aim it soared just between the two trees the instant their prey ran through them, right into the fatal collision course.
With a yelp the animal felt the arrow pierce his skin and flesh, burying itself into his chest between his ribs. Even with the fraction of a second Ruby had to see it, she knew the arrow had punctured its lung. The buck fell and her wolf accelerated, sprinting after the downed prey excitedly while he panted for breath, almost toppling them both as he took a very sharp turn between the trees, skidding along the dirt, only staying upright thanks to his claws and Ruby using her body as a counterweight.
"Whoa, he's not going anywhere!" She gasped as her heart recovered from their near fall while she patted him hard on his side.
"Grrr…" With a frustrated growl the wolf begrudgingly slowed down, even giving the young vampire a bitter huff and a shake of his head.
"What, you know it's true." Now thankfully at a walking pace Ruby hopped off the wolf's back, thankful to have her feet back on solid ground as she hung her bow over her shoulder. 'He's a stubborn old wolf but we make a good team.'
"Woof!" A loud and unrestrained bark echoed through the forest as he rushed forward the instant the deer came into view. Without waiting for his companion he lunged at the wounded animal, his extremely powerful jaws snapping down into its hind leg before violently shaking it, rendering fur and skin from flesh with ease.
"You could at least wait until I cut his throat…" Ruby sighed, pulling out her knife from her side while the terrified deer thrashed weakly against the clamped down teeth that were tearing its body apart. It's big brown eyes looked terrified up at the girl, pleading for life as its labored breaths wheezed out, the arrow in its chest slowly rising and falling unevenly as the buck slowly died.
"Shh…" Her voice was gentle and soft as she got to her knees, carefully covering the animal's eyes with her hand even as it struggled. A wistful smile pulled at her lips as she brought the knife to its neck, holding its head down as it struggled in vain. "Thank you."
Without hesitation, she cut its throat, her knife severing its artery in a single, swift slice. Blood poured out and its struggling ebbed, its body convulsing and twitching before it started to relax… and then drew its last breath.
"Come on, let's bring him back to camp." With a soft sigh Ruby flicked the blood from her blade before sheathing it, her companion withdrawing his teeth from their kill, licking the blood from his lips.
"Carry him for me and I'll share what I cook and you can have the rest." She looked to the wolf with a smirk, it wasn't much of a deal, he already needed way more food than she did and she knew it. Still, after seeming to deliberate for a moment the wolf lashed his tail before walking over to the head of the deer, his large maw opening up around its neck before biting down before lifting its limp corpse up and turning an expectant gaze to his friend.
"Thanks! I'll give you extra pets tonight too!" Ruby giggled as his tail began to wag excitedly. Well at least I still have one bargain chip.
"Alright, let's go home."
"Finally!" Ruby cried as she and her companion entered their camp with the deer's body still carried in the wolf's jaws. Her legs felt like they would give out and as the sun began to set all she wanted to do was go to bed, but hunger compelled her to stay awake and on her feet.
Their camp wasn't much but Ruby had sunk nearly an entire day into it and she was proud of the investment. A large, hand dug fire pit sat in the middle with a wide but flat stone spanning the pit above the pile of ashes and charcoal which she used to cook their rabbit. The clearing was perfect with lots of space and a wide gap in the canopy for star gazing.
"Alright, bring him over here and I'll start cutting my share out and you can have the rest." There was no such thing as downtime in the wilderness when hunger was a priority. Filling her belly and her companion's, surviving another day, getting water and staying safe were all full time jobs and the little relaxation she could find was cuddling up with her wolf and staring up at the stars just before sleep would take her.
Once again Ruby pulled out her knife as the wolf dragged the deer to her, plopping it down before licking his lips impatiently. Still, despite his own hunger he waited for her, laying down beside her while she went to work on the corpse. Ruby wasn't shy about it, not as much as that first time. Her companion was a wolf after all, he wouldn't hesitate to rip another animal apart alive to eat them if he was hungry. So, she started cutting and peeling back it's skin and fur.
"You know, you need a name." She spoke to her companion but kept her eyes and her knife on that task at hand. The wolf just tilted its head at her, blinking while his tail slapped lazily against the ground.
"I've been giving it a lot of thought and came up with a name I liked, it's actually pretty funny too!" Ruby snorted, trying to hold back her giggles. "Okay, so what do you think of the name Drei? Get it? Because you're a wolf which is like a dog and you're bigger than Zwei!"
Drei did not look nearly as amused as Ruby. A huff of breath escaped his nostrils before he shook his head and went back to grooming himself.
"Well I like it!" She looked up to him and stuck her tongue out while she started removing the deer's intestines, taking the muscles and organs she would eat and leaving the rest of it to her newly named companion.
Her hands were coated in still warm blood, the sticky, crimson liquid smeared all the way up to her wrists to her forearms from reaching into the animal's abdominal cavity. She took what she would eat, the muscles from his back, half his liver and his thigh muscle, leaving the rest to Drei.
"Alright, I'm going to put these down and get the fire going, you can have the rest. Don't chew up the bones too much though, I could use those." Its muscles and organs were still warm against her skin as she carried them in her arms over to the stone. Behind her Drei gave a thankful bark before tearing into the deer. I'm jealous of him, I wish I could eat right now but unlike him I have to cook.
She couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed at the satisfied sounds he was making while he wolfed down the deer. Neither of us have eaten since that rabbit and that was barely enough for me. I can wait a little longer but he really needs it more than I do, after all, he was the one that did all the hard work getting us our food.
So, with a resigned sigh Ruby placed the slabs of meat and the liver down on the charred stone. She reached to the pile of tinder and kindling, stuffing thin, dry branches under the stone while balling up soft bark fibers into a small wad. She was thankful that she didn't need to resort to rubbing sticks together to make a fire, instead she used the fire starter that Raven had given her to ignite the tinder, setting it to smolder and blowing on it to stoke the flames before throwing it under the stone. After a few more more breaths blown into the fire pit, sending up clouds of ash, the flames took hold, eating away at the sticks she had fed them.
Smoke rose up, flowing around the blood stained stone as the fire licked at its bottom half. After throwing a few more thicker branches in Ruby pulled away from the hot air that was accosting her face, falling onto her back, looking up at the orange sky and letting the fire do its thing while Drei polished off the deer.
Who knew survival was so exhausting. Animals have it hard, every day it's a struggle to stay alive against the elements, hunger, thirst and predators. Drei has survived as long as he has because he's a wise and skilled hunter, he hasn't just survived, he's thrived. I'm struggling to just stay above starvation, I must look so weak to him even though I'm doing my best. I think Raven said that a Familiar chooses their Vampire… so why would Drei choose me? I don't think I'll ever really know but I'm glad he did, I really admire him and I thankful that he's around. He lets me sleep with him so even when it gets cold at night I stay warm, he plays with me, sometimes he just seems like a really big puppy. We hunt together, we eat together and we survive together. I think, even though he's so much more experienced than me, we make each other better. I bet he hasn't gotten to act like a puppy or have fun in a while, he really seems to enjoy it.
"Drei," Ruby whispered to the forest, she couldn't know with her senses that her wolf had parted from their kill and was now standing silently, just out of sight, but still, she knew he was there, watching her. A warm smile graced her lips as she pulled herself up. "Thank you for staying with me."
"Hmrrrr." A high and happy trill rumbled from his throat as Drei walked around the girl, plopping himself down right behind her, making himself comfortable before sprawling out and stretching. His blood tinged mouth opening up wide and his muscles shaking as he yawned and stretched before lazily going limp.
"Well I'm happy you're here too!" Ruby giggled softly before laying her head back down, just knowing that a warm, soft pillow of fur awaited her… and it did. She fell comfortably against his toned side, sinking into his fur before being caught by his strong muscles. The rhythmic beating of his heart and the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her began to lull her into a nearly overwhelming comfort, pulling her mind into the void of sleep as her eyes fluttered, struggling to stay open.
"No… I can't sleep yet, gotta eat. Drei, stop making me so comfortable, I'm still hungry you know?" With a shake of her head she forced her eyes open but couldn't bring herself to pull away from the warm, comfy body she was laying on. I need to do something to keep me awake. Alright, what about writing another letter? Let's see, I've got one for Weiss, one for Dad, one for Yang, Blake and Sun… and one for Raven.
"I don't know, would it be weird to give her that letter? I mean, I meant everything I wrote but we live together, couldn't I just tell her? I don't know if I have the nerve to do that. What would she think? I mean, it's only been a couple weeks, she would probably think I'm weird." A heavy sigh escaped her lungs as she snuggled up a little closer to her companion, her shoulders pressed gently against his chest. I've really changed a lot haven't I? I have a big family now that I really feel like I belong to, I'm a Vampire that drinks blood and I could be alive for centuries like Calister. Most of all, this place, this forest, my clan, Raven, Drei, I'm changing so fast because of them. Me from a couple months ago wouldn't even recognize me now.
"I know who to write that letter to." Her words held a bittersweet gravity as she reached down to her pocket where her pen and pad of paper was held before bringing both overhead. After a moment of hesitation… she put ink to paper.
"Dear Ruby Rose Branwen
That's right, you're a Branwen, a Vampire like your Dad Qrow and your Aunt Raven. Turns out you're also a Slayer like Mom. I know a lot has happened to you and I can't even begin to imagine what things will be like in the future.
Do you remember what things were like before your Vampire side awakened? You had so much fun with Yang, Weiss and Blake, you were their leader at Beacon. Weiss could be cold sometimes but she always kept you on track and helped you strive to be better. Eventually, you fell in love with her, who knows, maybe when you read this again, somehow, some way, you and her can be together… I'd like that.
Blake was a good friend and always reminded me to keep a balance of realism and idealism. I admired her and over time she helped to balance me out and I feel like helped her open up, but Yang did way more for her than I ever did. I hope we get to see her again too.
Yang… I don't know if she comes home to our clan but I feel in my heart that it's where she belongs. Someday, I want you to show her this letter, because I want her to know that I'm sorry for leaving. Yang, I am so, so sorry, but I know once you're home you'll understand that this is where we belong! I love you Sis, take care of future me and don't let her do anything stupid, and future me, don't let Yang do anything stupid, you know how she likes to go off without thinking. Take care of each other, no matter what, you'll always be sisters.
Don't forget where you came from future me. Right now I'm in the forest with Drei, he's great, I know he's my familiar… I honestly don't want to think about what that means for him when this rite of passage is over. I took my first life here in these woods, it felt bad at first but the woods and Drei taught me that it's not a bad thing. Just don't ever stop being thankful for what we take because immortal or not, some day we'll be given back to nature too.
I don't know how much you've changed, I don't know when the next time you'll read this will be. Maybe you look at this every decade to see how far you've come but I don't think I'm patient enough for that, maybe that will be another thing that changes.
Take care of our family.
Love; Yourself."
"This is silly isn't it?" Her arms fell weakly to her sides, pen in one hand and paper in the other. Well, who knows, maybe reading that will give me comfort some day. I bet today's me wouldn't recognize the me that reads that letter again.
Boooom!
The entire forest shook and at once Drei and Ruby shot up, eyes wide and ears alert as the explosion roared through the trees from overhead.
"Thunder… a storm is coming." Somehow, her words carried a foreboding and ominous tone as she looked to the sky. "I'll eat then we find shelter."
"Drei!" Her cry was nearly drowned out entirely by the howling winds and booming thunder that combined with the chorus of pelting rain that beat against the canopy before pouring down to the forest floor. Ruby's arms were raised up shielding her face for the lashing gusts and flying debris as she stomped through the pitch black woods only illuminated briefly by bright flashes of lightning.
"Woof!" Even though Ruby was blind in the dark Drei was not and even in the ozone laden air his nose could still guide them. So he slowed his pace, keeping close to the girl's side, barking loudly and frequently to let her know he was still with her.
Together wolf and girl braved the storm, Ruby following the sound of Drei's voice as they sought shelter from the harsh and unrelenting tempest. She couldn't see and she could barely hear anything over the squall, even Drei's barking was barely discernible, but even so she put her life in his paws and followed him as closely as she could… even as she felt her temperature dropping from being completely drenched.
This is bad. I- I'm freezing, the wind and rain and the temperature is dropping so fast. I can't feel my fingers and I can't stop shivering. Drei, he can't be much better off, we have to get somewhere dry and hope that cuddling will be enough to get us through the night. Her body felt like every step would be her last, her exhausted muscles wanted to fail her. All she could do was grit her teeth and push forward through the intense gales. I won't leave Drei alone in this storm!
She felt something wet and strong whip against her leg, she could only pray that it was her companion, letting her know he was still with her. She was leaving their lives to him with nothing but faith that they would survive. I won't die, I won't die, I won't d-
Booom!
Ruby was knocked back to the soaked ground as the air lit up with a flash of bright red! Lightning ripped through a tree only steps away from her, the raw power of the strike shearing bark and scorching wood nearly splitting the mighty tree down the middle before the concussive thunder exploded right before them.
"Woof woof woof!" Three desperate and rapid fire yelps managed to pierce the ringing in Ruby's ears even as she was reeling from the strike. She was shaking and try as she might her legs wouldn't move, her breaths were rapid and labored and her heart was pounding.
I- I can't move! I can't die here… please, not now, not yet… I can't leave him to face this alone! Get up! Damn it get up! Ruby felt tears pooling in her eyes as her fingers dug into the cold mud, her legs shaking and giving out every time she tried to stand. Not yet! I'm not finished yet!
She pooled all her strength, just like climbing the volcano or the tree, she felt something unimaginable ignite in her chest. It was a defiance against nature itself, against death and limitations, if there were one word to describe the fire that raged within her turning her blood to lighting and filling every fiber of her being with strength it would be ferocity!
"I won't die!" With all her will she staggered up, her legs buckling but not giving as she pulled herself to her feet.
"Woof!" Drei rushed over, propping himself against the girl, letting her support herself on him, leaning against his side so she could stand. He felt her wet, freezing hand shakily grip his back before they slowly started walking together with Drei ushering her towards the safety he sought.
Soon… the painfully pelting deluge of rain stopped and though the wind howled, she no longer had to fight its powerful shoves. Her boots no longer slipped on wet mud but walked across hard stone. It was dark and cold, but it was safe.
"A cave?" Blindly Ruby reached out her hand, grasping only at air her first couple of tries before her fingers met more smooth stone that made up the walls of the cavern.
By her side, Drei panted before vigorously shaking his body, sending water flying from his fur all over Ruby.
"Hey! Watch it!" Despite her scolding she couldn't be more thankful to him. 'He could have left me back there, we were close but he stayed and brought me here.'
"Oh well, at least it's dry in here. We can wait it out for here until sunrise. Just wish we had some light." Ruby giggled, reaching towards the sound of breathing until her hand found the top of the wolf's wet head, petting it roughly. Looks like we live another night.
"Grrrrr!" A deep and threatening growl rumbled from Drei's throat as he bared his teeth. Ruby could feel his fur standing on end.
"Hey, what's wr-" The instant Ruby looked up, her blood turned to ice and her heart skipped a beat. Goosebumps crawled over her skin as the chill ran down to her bones. Her breaths turned shallow and rapid as fear permeated through her entire body.
A dozen pairs of glowing yellow eyes stared at them from the darkness… moving in slowly.
Grimm!
"Drei! Run!" The instant she cried out she turned on her heel and rushed towards the exit of the cave illuminated by a flash of lightning! By her side she could hear the scraping of claws as Drei ran with her while the hungry baying turned into howls and roars that chased them.
After only a handful of rapid, panicked steps Ruby felt her boots again sinking into the mud while the rain washed over her from above. Now however, fear and adrenaline overwhelmed everything else. My Semblance! If I run away and leave Drei they'll only follow me!
She focused her aura, rose petals scattered behind her as her Semblance readied to activate. In her heart she knew how this would end. I'm going to die… but I can at least save Drei!
"Woof!" An instant before she could blur away in a flurry of petals Ruby was knocked down! She felt her body fall onto a strong and warm back as Drei swept her off of her feet, running as fast as he could from the pursuing Grimm while keeping Ruby stable on his back.
Her breathing was in time with his, both gasping and panting and their hearts pounding as one while the monsters encircled the old wolf encumbered by the young Vampire. Ruby looked up frantically trying to gauge the threat, catching glimpses of the Beowolves as they snarled and howled, maws wide open ready to tear into the girl's flesh.
This is bad! We won't make it like this. If Drei stays with me then he'll die too. Her numb fingers gripped her fur as her eyes closed, squeezing hot tears that rolled down her face, mingling with the rain that clung to her skin.
"I'm sorry…" with that soft and painful whisper into his ear… Ruby let go.
Her weak body tumbled along the ground, covering her in mud and debris while the air was knocked from her lungs. She was deafened by a boom of thunder overhead but she knew the Grimm were closing in. I have to move! I have to get them away from him!
"Over here! Come and get me!" She couldn't see, she could barely hear and her body could barely stand, but none of that mattered. In a flourish of petals Ruby blurred forward, launching herself through the trees.
The bursts of speed were short lived and her aura was was fading fast as it took the brunt of every crash into the trees as she blindly dashed through the forest. Her body begged to give up but she wouldn't listen, only one thing was compelling her and that was giving her Familiar enough distance to escape. He'll come after me but if I die first he'll run and live. I just have to give the Grimm enough time before he arrives.
Whoosh!
Ruby blurred away, propelling herself inadvertently off the edge of a steep drop, falling from a rock outcropping before slamming painfully into the ground below. She gasped as air was forcibly expelled from her lungs and waves of pain rolled over her body while an intense nausea gripped her belly.
Her body convulsed with trembling as the adrenaline that fueled her ran dry, leaving her weak and broken in the mud, rain pouring down on her unabated thanks to an opening in the canopy that spanned the clearing she had fallen into.
It was cold and she wasn't sure how far she had gone… but she knew she couldn't go any further. This is it… isn't it? I'm going to die here.
As if in answer to her silent question, the snarling of Grimm came. She could feel the pressure of their hunger and malice from all around her but still, she wasn't afraid. A weak and frail smile pulled at her lips even as cold rain washed over her. The young Vampire's small and fragile body grew still, not even shivering as she accepted the inevitable, calming herself as she braced for the pain before the release of death took her. In the back of her mind, one thing gave her solace… At least Drei will live.
She felt them drawing closer as she made peace with her imminent death. I'm sorry, Raven, Yang, Weiss, Dad, Qrow, Alan, Blake. I'm sorry. I love you all, I hope you know that.
With that final thought, she let her eyes close gently. She refused to give the Grimm the satisfaction of her fear. She only found it a little funny how much she must have looked like the deer she had killed just earlier that day. What goes around comes around I guess? Heh, I wish it were anything but Grimm. I want my life to feed other lives, not these monsters. Oh well, hopefully the forest can use whatever is left of-
"Awoooooooooooo!"
A powerful and piercing howl cut though the wind and thunder, snapping Ruby from her resignation, her eyes flying open to catch a blur of black skidding to a stop right in front of her in time with a cluster of flashes from the sky.
"Drei no! Run! I don't want us both to die!" Ruby begged and cried, reaching her trembling hand out until she brushed against his wet fur, feeling the life that was putting itself between her and death. "Please… you have to run…"
"Grrrr! Woof-woof-woof!" Drei sent warning growls and barks at the Grimm, his lips pulled up baring his fangs as he stood protectively over the beaten and broken girl.
He faced off against the dozen plus Grimm, never yielding a centimeter to them as his head whipped back and forth, barking at any that drew too close from any direction. Still, they just kept getting closer and closer, but the tiny, weak hand that held tight onto his leg despite her urging him to run kept him firmly in place. He wouldn't leave her, no matter what.
"Grrr-hruuu!" A powerful impact at his side cracked his ribs and sent him flying, his body slamming into a nearby tree before he crumpled to the ground, now just laying in the mud just as his companion was.
"Drei!" Everything in the world was gone in that instant. The Grimm, her weak and broken body, her depleted aura, the hopelessness of their situation, none of it registered anymore. Only one thing resounded clearly and undeniably in her mind, heart and soul. I have to save him!
Ruby started to crawl… she couldn't feel her hands or feet and she was completely blind but still she crawled towards the sound of his last whimper before he fell silent. Her teeth her gritted and her body hurt all over.
Through all of this, she didn't see the Grimm that was about to rip her helpless body apart… nor did she even notice when that Grimm's body was cleaved in two by seemingly nothing, saving the young Vampire's life.
I have to save him. I have to save him! I won't let us die here… or at least, I won't let him die alone. I'll hold him… and maybe… I don't want to die alone either. Her hand stretched out desperate to find him… and she did. His warm nose pressed gently against her palm before his tongue licked at her skin.
"Drei, It's okay now… it's okay. I'm here, I won't leave you again." She struggled up, wrapping her arms around the large wolf, holding him close and tight until they could feel each other's hearts beating. "I promise… we'll never be apart again."
Her eyes shot open wide as something touched deep inside of her. A light that permeated her entire soul, filling her with a single moment of strength as the the most potent bond possible began to form.
Rose petals swirled in the wind, enveloping both girl and wolf before the vanished in a blur just as three Beowolves lunged, slamming into the three and each other instead of their targets. Their heads all turned, glowing yellow eyes in the dark following the emotions of the girl… until they all looked up at the top of the rocky outcropping.
"I'm sorry Drei… I never wanted you to suffer. It should have been me." Tenderly her hand stroked the wolf's face, petting him softly and with all the love in her heart as she looked into his big grey eyes. "I love you."
His cold fur pressed against her face, holding there until the warmth of his body penetrated the cold rain, reaching her skin. The two stayed that way for a long moment, Ruby giving him every bit of warmth she could as she hugged him tight, pouring out her love for him.
"Thank you… for choosing me." She whispered those words so softly and into his ear as she kissed him, her lips trailing over his wet fur until her fangs felt the rushing of fluid concentrated in a line going up his neck. It doesn't hurt, I promise.
Even as lightning flashed in the sky her tears blurred her vision as she slowly opened her mouth… and sank her fangs into his artery.
Blood… the life sustaining fluid that circulated through his body, the substance that kept him alive his entire life now gushed out into her mouth. Each beat of his powerful heart forcing more and more of it into her while she hungrily lapped it up, swallowing it down without breathing. It was pure life, she could feel everything he was flowing into her, not just his blood but his very soul that was being carried away in the stream of crimson that she imbibed. In those moments, they were two separate bodies but one being. She could feel his paws and ears getting cold, she could feel his consciousness fading… but she could also feel the unbridled happiness and love he felt for her.
The blood that flowed through her now wasn't hers or his but theirs. Her body recovered from the strain of her time in the wilderness, becoming stronger than ever and her body felt so blissfully warm. She could taste his entire life in every drop, everything he had ever felt was becoming part of her. It was the deepest, most intimate connection possible. Finally, as his body went limp and he drew his last breath… his heart pumped for the final time, expelling one last mouthful of blood filled with the most intense feeling of happiness of love she had ever experienced, into her mouth.
As she swallowed down the last drops, licking at the tricking wound… they became one, their souls had merged.
'Together forever… I promise I'll give us a good life. There's so much I want to show you.' Ruby kissed the lifeless body one more time, gently resting his head down on the wet stone before standing up, her body no longer weak in the slightest. Let's finish this… and go home.
Booooom!
The forest shook with a deafening explosion, the large rock Ruby was standing on fractured from the immense forces that shook it. However, it wasn't thunder or lightning that caused the air and earth to quake… it was Ruby!
An instant later and several trees were snapped like twigs in a line as something crashed through them. The Grimm looked to the carnage and as the trees fell… so did one of the monsters.
There Ruby stood, her eyes glowing a deep and threatening Crimson as she glared defiantly and fearlessly at the Grimm, holding one's head in her hand that she casually ripped off in passing. Then… she vanished.
It was so easy, breaking the sound barrier was as simple to her as taking a single step forward. As Ruby blitzed forward, tearing through three more Beowolves using only her body as a projectile, she felt herself going faster and faster, breaking through a half dozen more trees in the opposite direction.
Without pause she turned on a dime, the insane g-forces not even registering as she went on the offensive. The air behind her was set aglow, a burning after image of her movements. As she continued to accelerate she wasn't moving through the air… she was ripping it apart at an atomic level! Atoms were rend of their electrons by sheer speed of her passing, the heat of the friction and shock waves turning the gas into plasma as she easily reached Mach ten.
Still, while her onslaught was unstoppable due to her hypersonic speed and ferocity, she could feel herself fading little by little, her awareness and higher thought being consumed by instinct as she burned away her awareness. It quickly became apparent that the price of her immense power was herself. It took all she had left to make herself stop, instantly hitting the breaks and sending a concussive shockwave of air that ripped branches from the nearby trees and sheared soil from the ground.
One… left. Ruby could see in the dark now. Her eyes were changed by Drei's blood but she knew they could be better. Still, she looked directly at the powerful Alpha Beowolf that stood towering over her just meters away, it was old and strong but it wasn't retreating. I don't think I can take this one out like the others.
The wind died down and the rain ebbed, a silver light flowed down from above as the bright shattered moon glowed, its silver radiance reflecting in Ruby's eyes, shining off her silver like mirrors while enhancing the crimson that glowed from the uneven staining around her eyes. With a soft release of breath she closed her eyes and relaxed her body, feeling a connection to the land and sky, with every inhale she felt that she was imbibing nature itself. Rose petals flowed around her as her aura flared, the Grimm taking a fearful step back. Drei… I want to know what it's like to be a wolf.
In the light of the moon her body swiftly changed, shedding rose petals and skin turned to fur as her flesh and bone changed to fit her powerful soul. A wolf stood mighty and proud, as large as a medium sized horse with fur as black as the night but tinged with red on her ears, snout, paws and tail as well as her crimson and silver eyes that glowed menacingly, burning into the Grimm as she took another long, deep breath and then…
"Aaawoooooo!" Ruby's deafening howl shook the trees and resounded for kilometers as she raised her snout up to the moon, her wolf instincts mingling with her waning awareness that was depleted from her Semblance.
The Alpha Beowolf growled as Ruby looked to it, her eyes meeting its fearlessly and confidently. Rose petals materialized from the crimson tipped fur from her tail and paws as she walked forward and with each step she took, the Grimm retreated back. Then, in a blur, Ruby exploded forward, leaving a crater behind as she and the
Grimm smashed through a very thick nearby tree.
She and the monster tumbled along the ground, fighting and clawing at each other… but Ruby was too powerful. With a swipe of her paw she slammed its claws into the dirt, crushing its bone like armor as it yowled in pain, roaring at her with its jaws wide open.
Until Ruby's jaws snapped shut around its throat, ripping through its tough hide with ease, a black miasma wafting up from its wounds before…
Riiip!
With a powerful pull of her neck muscles Ruby ripped off the Grimm's head, killing it instantly. Its body went limp and began to evaporate along with its head in her mouth. Ruby stood triumphantly over its corpse, saliva glistening in the moon's glow and her rows of deadly sharp teeth as pale and pure and ivory stood out stunningly against her dark coat.
A warm breeze flowed through her dry fur, the slight differences in pressure were so clear in her mind thanks to her long whiskers and just like she thought, the night was so immensely vibrant and beautiful through the eyes of a wolf. So, this is your world Drei? Thank you for letting me be a part of it, I love it.
Her heart was gripped by a deep and permeating ache that gnawed at her soul and filled her mind with wistful, bittersweet grief. Her eyes looked up to the rocky outcropping that was fractured but still in tact. With a soft breath through her nose she could smell him. Over the short time they spent together she had learned his scent even as a Vampire. However, as a wolf, Drei's scent told her so much more… and carried the unmistakable scent of death.
Solemnly she walked through the clearing and up the hill until she found herself once more atop that rocky outcropping, this time, the body of her dear friend lay wet and lifeless on the cold stone. Ruby gently prodded his neck with her wet nose where she had bitten him and drained him of his blood, the taste of which was still potent in her memory. A soft whimper whine from her throat as she rubbed her cheek across his. I know he's still with me, I can feel him, he's not gone, he's part of me in the deepest, truest way possible. We're together and inseparable now, forever. Still, I'm going to miss him in his body. Even so, I'll move forward in our body, I can feel that's what he wants.
"I told you that you'd love your Familiar."
Ruby's ears pricked immediately before she spun around, instantly recognizing the cool, familiar voice. A beautiful woman with long, black, lustrous hair and stunning pure crimson eyes smiled down at her with one hand on her sword and the other reaching out towards Ruby before gently patting her on her head.
"I'm proud of you, Ruby. I've watched you struggle and grow in these woods, you're a true Vampire and truly share by blood. I'm proud to have you a member of my clan and as my niece." Her bare fingers ran through Ruby's silky smooth fur, working up her head and behind her ear. Ruby had to admit that the pets felt really nice.
"You've done well, now, it's time to come home where you belong." Raven stepped aside, revealing a portal that was hidden behind her. "You've wandered a long way from the village, your time here has been long and hard fought, I figured you'd prefer not to take the several days trek to get back home."
Ruby nodded weakly… and then turned around back to Drei's corpse. She carefully walked over him, positioning herself at his back before lowering her head and carefully clamping her jaws around his neck. She was so strong now, not just fast but she had all or more of the strength that Drei had, allowing her to easily lift his body with her neck.
"I know it's hard, but always remember that your Familiar will be a part of you forever." She gave her niece a warm, reassuring smile before turning around and walking slowly into the crimson porthole with Ruby by her side.
It's finally time to go home…