Grimm Attacks
Grimm attacks are a very common thing on earth. While there are plenty of cities with defenses and numerous trained Huntsmen, ultimately the Grimm can still be found nearly anywhere on the planet. And through constant fighting with humanity and the other races, the Grimm that survive grow not just stronger, but wiser. This doesn't even mention the many people dying to the Grimm be it at campsites, isolated locations, road trips, the sea, and even planes. For despite the earth's numerous protections, ultimately the Grimm will always find a way to circumvent those defenses and take a life.
Though strangely, reports say some Grimm are somehow capable of bringing down well defended places despite the fact some are young. Or reports of elder Grimm or unique types in areas they don't frequent and attack. With rumors of people walking with Grimm without being harmed.
Ultimately, such things are treated as false and baseless sayings as everyone knows the Grimm, while dangerous, are nothing more than mindless when it comes to anything other than killing the residents of the earth.
With thoughts on humans or other sentient beings leading them being considered nothing more than a horror story.
"Watts, Hazel, I see you have returned." It was still night, but by now had technically passed the time of midnight. While this was the time to rest, for the planet's most recent newcomers of displaced dimension beings, sleep was the last thing on their mind. With both Watts and Hazel just now returning with supplies at hand.
Bags full of rations, water, a few snacks, and stolen goods they took subtly without anybody noticing. Having taken a more sneaky approach of exiting the town without getting caught by the guards.
"Yes ma'am, we have returned." Hazel said as his eyes then turned to see a certain person with them.
"And I see you have a new...guest." Watts looked at the white furred faunus(?) near the Nevermore. Well, most of her anyway. As this faunus girl-if that's what she is-is missing two legs and a few fingers. All bandaged up while the girl just kept muttering fearfully. Looks like someone got on Salem's bad side. Though then again, if it was a bad side then the girl would be dead. The Nevermore nearby now chewing on something bloody. Looks like the two knew the cause of the girls injuries.
"This little troublemaker simply got her punishment." Tyrian laughed as he patted the Nevermore who then spit something indistinguishable. "But don't worry, our Goddess got her speaking after the first round." The girl then flinched. Seems whatever happened in the span of over an hour, has really got to her.
"Pushing aside all of that," Cinder then ignored Tyrian's laughter as she looked at her fellow acquaintances. "Did you two figure out where we are? Because our scrolls aren't working for that matter."
"Right, about that." Hazel put down a few bags, then walked and tossed a water bottle to Cinder and Tyrian who grabbed it with his tail. Then looked at Watts who flinched. "Someone here knows where we are. Isn't' that right doctor?"
Everyone sans the strange girl then looked at Watts who did his best to composure himself. Though the Grimm turning and facing him with a bloody beak did make him feel more nervous than how he acted. Clearing his throat, Watts decided to just do his best to explain what was going on and maybe mitigate him being the accidental cause as his portal did this.
"Yes, that. Ahem. Well, it's simple really. See-" Though before he could even speak, Salem interrupted first.
"We're in another world." This caused the doctor to pause with Hazel raising a brow and both Tyrian and Cinder now looking at Salem. Their dark mistress herself simply pointed up where the rest followed suit where Salem explained herself. "The stars here are all wrong. I've been to all parts of Remnant for one reason or the other, and recognize most constellations. Not to mention the moon's pieces are in disarray and not at all how they usually are. Plus," Salem looked at the faunus that she knew was a mobian. "Our guest here has seen to it of giving us some explanation."
It was a shame she didn't talk sooner. Otherwise, the loss of those legs wouldn't have even happened. However, defiance was something Salem didn't like. And while she could tolerate simple things like bickering, keeping secrets from her was another matter. This girl is learning it the hard way.
"...So...you knew?" Watts carefully asked.
"Not at first." Salem admits, having taken a while to figure it out. "But the girl here simply confirmed it. Though that does leave me one question doctor," Her eyes then looked at Watts who shivered a bit. "While I won't blame you for the machine going wrong, I ask you this, can you get us back to our world?" He either answered a good one, or perhaps something will happen to him.
If it weren't for his position, Watts would have scowled at Cinder and Tyrian who gave amusing looks at him. But now wasn't the time for that. Instead, he simply gave his answer to Salem. "Er, I would like to say yes,"
"Hehehe." It was really hard not to shoot Tyrian in the face right now along with that smug grin Cinder had.
"...however, I must say no. Unless I can somehow get the proper equipment along with that...ring." Salem looked at him with no emotion. While she said nothing bad it unnerved him of her silence. Not even Tyrian had the galls to say anything, as everyone knew their master was thinking. Interrupting would be a bad thing.
"Doctor," It was then she spoke with Watts paying close attention. "So if I were to manage to get back your equipment, and the ring, could you do it?" He swore her eyes glew red for a second.
"I...won't make a guarantee," Salem didn't like those who made promises that they couldn't keep. "But I can certainly say our chances will be much higher." She stayed silent again, thinking over Watts' answer. Then nodded.
"Very well doctor." He gave a relieved sigh, not realizing he even had one. Salem then turned to the girl who flinched at her presence. "In case any of you are wondering, this here is Bandit Princess." Cinder scoffed with Tyrian giggling. "And I have decided to let her live, if only to give us information we lack in this world. Tell me child, will you help us?" She then asked while holding the girls chin.
"Or, will I have to find someone else?" Salem added the subtle threat.
"N-N-No ma'am. I'll help! I'll do my best!" Most people were certainly helpful after having a few limbs torn off. And this was Salem being nice. Thankfully, for Salem's current members they weren't forced at all nor tortured like this.
'I wonder how long she'll last?' Though people like Bandit Princess who simply help out of only fear would usually be thrown away if they prove to be more trouble than they are worth. Cinder herself having seen people in this mobian (that's what she called herself, right) position usually try to betray Salem. They were either tortured or killed. The latter was the best option.
"Good." Salem nodded. "Now then, we need to talk about our situation. Primarily, what we need to do."
"Is it killing our enemies?" Tyrian laughed with his head in the sky.
"How do we even do that?" Cinder rolled her eyes. "We're in another world you fool." Not like Ozpin and his bunch were here. Especially Ruby Rose! Oh how she wanted her to be dead at her feet.
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong." Tyrian giggled. "After all, we're bound to make enemies here. Not like we can just buy advanced technology with no credit to our names." Despite his insanity, Tyrian did make a good point. Here they were in a world without resources, and obviously no credit cards.
Sure Salem and the others managed to get by with that. But it all usually involved their influence and secret connections. Having the know how on where to get supplies and already having a massive amount of resources thanks to the Darklands abundant of Dust. Watts himself also provides finance through cyber hacking with Tyrian being an effective run-downer on getting people to give up their cash.
None that they had here.
"I suppose I can run-down on more people." Hazel says as he throws a bag on the ground. A few wallets peeking out. "Though it won't be easy as we will need more money than what some two-bit thug has for the materials needed to make another portal."
"True." Watts grabs a wallet, only to find a pitiful amount. "While I have already used my skills to…'acquire' a little loan from the bank, I can't do it too often." While that virus he installed in the bank will allow him access to a sufficient amount of these 'Technos', it'd be bad if he just stole a huge amount in one night. Best to conserve and only take a moderate amount so he wouldn't get caught too quickly.
"Of course it's not just supplies we have to fear." Cinder then added. Throwing a look at a nearby tree before deciding to just throw a blade at it for the heck of it. "Even if we solve the finance, we have no base to call our own. No home. And I'd rather not be sleeping in the dirt."
"True." Salem gives a small shrug. "While I have no complaint in sleeping in the outdoors, we would need a proper holding if the doctor can make his portal again, and the trees certainly wouldn't do." Which is why they need another place to stay. Which was why she was glad that she could already think of one.
"Watts." She then called out to the doctor.
"Yes ma'am."
"How quickly can you cut off the town's alarms and communication devices?" At that moment everybody knew what was about to happen. The grin on Watts' face ever growing.
"Give or take...ten minutes." He held his scroll which had an ominousness red light from it.
"Tyrian." Salem turned to the crazed faunus who started giggling.
"Yes my lady!" He then bowed before her, ready to fulfill her will.
"Keep an eye out for any stragglers. If they try to run, kill them."
"Oh of course!" Tyrian laughed madly. His tail then poised with his stinger looking much more sinister on the pale moonlight. "I'll be sure to make any runaways disappear."
"Hazel, Cinder, once the Grimm start coming attack from the shadows on any Huntsmen there along with the officers. The Grimm will take care of the rest." The two nodded with Cinder taking out her blades and Hazel grabbing some Dust. It was then Salem turned to Bandit Princess who flinched.
"As for you," She then walked up to the mobian. "I believe it's safe to say that you have a nearby group."
"Y-yeah." Bandit Princess nodded. "I have a bunch of others about a thirty minute walk from here."
"Good. You and Tyrian will go to them, and you will 'attack' the town. Declare your intelligence and brag that you cut off their communications, distract them, then leave while leaving sufficient damage to the gates. This way," It was then the Nevermore began moving. From the trees suddenly more Grimm came out snarling, surrounding everybody which freaked Bandit Princess out. Yet instead of attacking, they all simply stayed put as Salem finished talking. "When you leave, by morning it'll be declared a poor town miles and miles away from the nearest city has been destroyed. With everyone tragically killed off by the Grimm."
"G-Got it. Understood." Bandit Princess nodded. "Though...How can I help with my legs kinda…" She then pointed down at her missing legs.
"Oh don't worry." Salem said as her eyes then gleamed a deep blood red. It was then Bandit Princess saw the girl Cinder and behind her long sleeve, she saw pitch-black claws coming from it. "I can fix that easily."
"..." Sitting down in silence is Sammael, eyes shut as he concentrated. Feeling not a disturbance, but something else.
"What seems to be the problem?" It was then Moloch came from the shadows. Having noticed Sammael staying quiet for quite a while. "I figured that the recent advancements made with the Invisible Hand training with the Grimm and Van kleiss's recent failure in his portal would put you in a better mood."
"True. It has." Plans were going well, the Invisible Hand had done well in their training after taking those pills. That fool Von Reichther had been dealt with a while ago, where he even met his old friend. Not to mention he was enjoying the sight of the Kaiju Grimm in Japan with Moonstreak doing a good job against the Cybertronians. Or should he say, the Shinkalions.
Regardless, while there are a few bumps here and there ultimately things were going fine.
That is until he felt that.
"Let's just say that what came out of Van Kleiss's failed portal has caught my interest." Sammael told Moloch who appeared invested in this now.
"Oh. That's rare. You're hardly ever interested in most of the people Van Kleiss brought."
"Well, you have seen what he brought." Sammael chuckled with Moloch doing the same.
"True, true." Moloch agreed. "Aside from a few of them, most of the ones he brought are only Class 3 or 4. Not particularly a threat to us unless he uses them right. However," Moloch's eyes narrowed. "The only time you looked this invested...was when that girl in the blue cloak came."
Raven. A half human/demon hybrid. Through some spying and research, Sammael discovered she is the daughter to one of the most powerful beings of all. Wielder of powerful magic and was almost like a Fallen. Yet the person he was currently sensing was even closer to him and his fellow Fallen than even her. This naturally drew his attention.
"Thanks to my abilities, I can instantly sense when 'foreign' beings control the Grimm." While he and his Fallen can manipulate the Grimm easily enough to outright control, he knows those of darker, twisted, corrupt minds can also do the same if they try hard enough. So while this presence he felt was practically nearl like the Fallen, in the end they were still foreign. "And this entity is controlling other Grimm as easily as us Fallen."
"Then why not just check it out with local Grimm near them?" Moloch stated the obvious. Unsure why Sammael wasn't just finding out considering his vast abilities. "If they're not Fallen, not even a newborn one, then they are likely a threat. So how come you don't just use a Nevermore or Beowolf to simply observe this foreigner?"
"Because whoever this being is, seems to be capable of sensing my subtle control." He just lost another Nevermore. Not even the young baby Death Stalker got a good look at this person. "It seems our guest is sensitive, at least to Grimm near them."
"I see." Moloch tapped his chin. "Do you know what this person is doing?"
"At the moment, they are attacking a town with many Grimm obeying them. Along with bandits as well." Whoever this person was, is quite astute. Using the bandits and then making so that the Grimm would seemingly be attracted to the attack, when in reality they were being controlled. Granted, he didn't have all the little details, but this foreigner must be attacking the town for possible supplies.
After all, it doesn't take a genius to know most otherworlders had no food or money unless luck was shining among them. So what better way to get supplies than attack a town and covering it up as a simple tragedy. A small grin coming onto Sammael's face. They were certainly more interested in this person now.
'Shame I cannot visit at the moment.' After all, plans didn't run by themselves. He had to do many things that required input and the occasional personal visit. While he was no human, he saw the irony that despite being one of the most dangerous beings on earth, even he was slave to the concept known as work. Then again, all villains had to do so if they wanted anything known as success.
"In any case, let this interloper do as they will for the time being." Sammael then told Moloch. "There will be a time when I must meet them, but until then, we have other agendas to deal with."
"No denying that." Moloch was also in agreement. "Van Kleiss is closer to gathering his army, and Sebben is certainly quick on the uptake of our more visible actions."
"Indeed." With that Moloch soon left while Sammael then summoned a file with some information he had to read. As he opened the file and began reading the papers, his mind then wandered to one last thought to the new player that has entered this world.
'I wonder, who are they?'
Many miles away, near but far from GrimmFall city is a town surrounded by trees.
It's name is Wildpath. Given as the forest had wild Grimm. Yet despite all this the town persevered. Having many Huntsmen, guards, and defenses. While none near the same quality as the big cities like Denver, or Empire City, this town has lasted for many decades. Sure it had problems like gangs-but what place didn't? There were also bandits, yes, but nothing the Huntsmen couldn't handle. Grimm, while there were attacks they were always dealt with.
"No! No! Please! Stop! N-!" Not this time. As a poor man found out as his head was crushed by a Major Ursa that then roared at the bloodshed. And there was massive bloodshed.
Wildpath, a once strong town. Known to have the occasional prodigy and happy people...was now in utter ruins.
First came the bandits, who attacked full force. Using their years of watching and studying to attack the town's weak points, actually entering. Most were easily defeated, but there was still a lot.
The real problem came when the Grimm attacked, as it divided the guards focus. So it then became a two-front battle. Naturally, the chief tried calling for back-up. He only got static instead. Then the chief was stabbed and only heard a maniacal laughter where his chest burst from a scorpion tail.
One could say things went straight to hell after that.
The citizens were hunted by both Grimm and bandits.
Huntsmen taken out by blades and thrown fireballs.
The famed Bandit Princess taking out the guards.
All in one night, Wildpath became nothing more but another town that fell to the cruel injustice of this world. With everyone wondering what had gone wrong.
Uh!...Uh!" Only one person knew, a small little child.
"Ahhhhh!" People screaming as their town was overrun by Grimm. A small child watching in horror as she saw a strange woman of pale skin and black veins ordering the Grimm to simply attack. All while the woman in black watched with a smile.
Red eyes met scared blue ones.
"Raaaa!" And all she saw afterwards was the teeth of the Grimm.
I think we forget that GrimmFall does have it's sucky moments. Next chapter, we'll see what went down and how the bad guys won.