PING!
You Have Fully Healed from Skill [Long Rest]
I bolted awake.
My breath was quick and harsh as my body shivered. My eyes frantically scanned the area, back and forth, left and right, up and down, with no meaning, no care. My hands rubbed my arms fiercely as the events from the day before rushed through my mind and the panic began to set in.
I remembered all of it.
I remembered the fear that ran through me at the sight of the Grimm, their dreadful visage and murderous intent permanently haunting my mind. I remembered the doubt I had when facing that cliff's edge, formed from a stupid and desperate plan that I had to rely on as my only hope. I remembered the beating I took from the Alpha, every impact, every punch causing my bones to splinter and crack and for me to release pained scream after pained scream. I remembered how close, so very close, I came to returning to that silence, that endless, everlasting, eternal silence.
And I remembered the surge of power from my core as I released a blue shield of protective light that became unlocked from within me.
Aura.
The very representation of my soul, given to me when I needed it most and granting me power unlike any I've ever experienced. Honestly, at that time, it was exhilarating. I had never felt anything like it before, and that kind of power within my hands was almost a life-changing experience.
No, it was a life-changing experience.
It was amazing, it was wonderful, it was powerful, oh-so powerful, yet now, I could no longer feel that power brimming within me. The only thing that remained was the cold empty normal feeling of myself. Weak, useless, powerless, and always, always, vulnerable.
The phantom marks of pain and exhaustion resided along with that vulnerability, coming from every scrape, every slash, every brutal mauling, every…. single…. thing that came about yesterday, which was now engraved into my body and permanently reminding me of my inability. My weakness.
A river of emotions, previously suppressed by the unnatural determination from the game, began to flow through me.
All I could do was hold myself tight, repeating endlessly in my head.
Oh god!Oh god!Oh god!Oh god!
But He would provide no comfort.
I wanted to ball my eyes out. I wanted to full-out cry my pain away. Hoping it would help.
And yet… I couldn't.
Because there was someone here. And she was sitting quietly, ever-presently watching with worry spreading across her face.
Ruby Rose
'The Girl with Silver Eyes'
HP: 350/350
AP: 200/200
Level: 1
"Y-You were screaming last night." She barely whispered, her eyes watching my own very closely.
I turned toward the little girl who sat away from me. Her light pale skin covered in the dried blood from the day before was hidden within the darkness of the cave. Her black red-tipped hair usually in a state of perfection sat messily on top of her head. Her signature red hood was muddied and dirtied from the attacks of the Grimm. But, most of all, her bright silver eyes glowed luminously as the shallow light of the day reflected in them. And deep within those eyes, only one singular emotion could be seen. Fear.
Noticing that emotion, I tried to slow my breath and calm myself. I tried to project the confidence and trust that she needed to see in me.
I failed… miserably.
"I-I-that happens… s-sometimes, i-it's no big deal." I attempted to wave it away yet everything else about me, showed the truth.
She eyed me carefully as a silence descended between us before finally she asked, a hint of hidden care escaping her tone, "A-are you okay… Curt?"
I stared at her wearily. A number of thoughts rushed through my mind. A number of possible answers to that question traveled along with them. Yet I could only answer with one—the lie.
No-no, I am not.
"I'm fine… Ruby. Everything is fine," I forced a small smile, trying to suppress the shaking, the emotion, the tiredness. Yet it felt impossible, I just couldn't do it. And as I realized that, something called out to me. A small tug, now attached to my very soul. I could feel its desire, its want, to spread what it had provided me yesterday, into me again. All I had to do was… let it in.
[Determination]
I resisted. I struggled. I fought. And still, I barely was able to refuse it's call, but I had to.
I could not go through that again. The ability the skill had within itself, felt powerful almost just like my Aura. But, unlike my Aura, this power was borderline addicting and… dangerous. Too dangerous. The aftereffects of the skill were too severe just to ignore. I already felt somewhat emotionally unstable. Ruby really really didn't need me to be like that right now.
I can manage.
I would manage.
I will manage.
Ruby looked closely at me once again. Her disbelief and hesitancy was readily apparent but in the end, she slowly let out a small nod.
I released a deep calming breath, forcing my emotions down (and failing), before slowly returning the nod. "Okay… good then," I, strugglingly, made my way to my feet. Despite being fully healed, my emotional state was in disarray and my body followed along with it.
"Ruby, W-We should probably get ready to leave. Your mother… She said the village was-"
"Wait!" Ruby quickly said, halting my movement. "Before we leave, I-I have so many questions."
"Maybe now is not the best ti-"
"B-but, How-just how, are you completely ok from yesterday, y-you were hurt so bad? H-how did you beat those Grimm? T-there were so many? Why were you really screaming last night? Are you really okay? H-how did you know my-my M-mom? I-in fact, h-how do you even know me? We've never even met." Question after question escaped from her mouth, each more worrying than the last. A burst of more panic rushed through me as I didn't have an answer for any of them but more importantly the memory of what I said yesterday had finally come through.
I'm a friend, of your mom's, Curt Weaver.
I internally cringed at my stupidity and then dumped that more panic away in the same trash bin as my emotions as I tried to find a way out of this."T-that's quite a lot of questions Ruby? And W-well, I-I, uh, you see R-Ruby, I-I'm a-"
"And please Curt j-just tell me the truth. My m-mom used to say I was a big girl. And now I-I'm really trying to be one because I-I-I just left h-her," Some tears began to drip from her eyes as she looked down, the fear she had shown gave way to the one true emotion she had tried to hold within. Sadness. "I j-just left h-her, Curt. So p-please, I just want to know what's happening." She said as she tried to give a stern look that was more adorable than it should be.
I hesitated at that. I stared at that stern-sad look unsure of what to say. The truth was just so unbelievable. That everything she knows and loves is just part of a video game is not something you tell someone, especially a child.
But something about her eyes made me want to tell her. She was right, after all, she left her mother, and she trusted me, at that moment, to make that decision for her. She deserved to at least know what was going on. Why was this happening to her, sweet and innocent Ruby Rose?
But I couldn't do it.
At the end of the day.
A lie was much easier than a truth. And in my heart.
I'm a liar anyways.
I frantically searched for something, anything to get myself out of this. And by Lady Luck. It came to me.
In front of the light of the exit of the cave, crawled a small thing with white fur.
A rabbit, in fact.
Or should I say the Rabbit.
Ruby's eyes, once stern and sad, waiting for an honest answer, widened as her fearful demeanor was replaced by a burst of excitement at the sight of the adorable little friend. "That's a-A BUNNY!" She yelled as she ran quickly toward the white-furred creature, the coattails of her hood trailing behind her.
Seeing that rabbit, at first, I was shocked. The fact that I ran into this rabbit not once, not twice, but three times in a row, in back-to-back days. It was so unlikely, so impossible, and yet…
Is it-is it following me?
I wondered briefly at the thought, before ultimately disregarding it, it couldn't have been after all. Instead, I said, quickly trying to change the subject and simultaneously warning the red-haired girl, "Hey Ruby, maybe you shouldn't grab it, it has a habit of runni-"
My speech stopped as she went ahead and scooped up the rabbit without a care and the rabbit also happily accepted her. No running away, no darting off, no bolting in fear. Nothing. Just happily cuddling deeper into Ruby's little arms. Disbelief shook me to my core at the disgusting sight of betrayal in front of me.
"Are you- are you fucking serious?" I muttered to myself as I stared at the rabbit, small flames of anger in my eyes. I moved closer to the scene, the rabbit quickly turning up to look at me. I could see the recognition click in the black void of its eyes.
So of course, it turned away and cuddled even deeper into Ruby's arms.
My annoyance only grew.
Ruby turned toward me, elation lighting in her eyes for the first time since we'd met. "Curt! I-I want to keep it. I mean c-can I keep it?! P-please! Pretty please! I've never had a pet before! I promise I'll take good care of him! Pleeeeaaaase!" The pleading look she was giving me was borderline murderous. I mean, imagine little Ruby Rose asking-no begging you for something, how could anyone say no?
Yet the sting of betrayal from the rabbit was now present within my soul. "I don't know, this one likes to leave potential partners high and dry when things get ugly," I said as I leaned in closer to the rabbit who did nothing but look away from me.
"W-what? What are you talking about?" Ruby asked confusion flashing across her face.
I ignored her, leaning in even closer to the rabbit. "Well… well… well. Look… who… it… is. Do you really think I'll let you on to the team now after you left me… again? No, no, no, not a chance little buddy. You might as well turn tail and run back into that forest. I'm not dealing with you anymore. That ship has sailed."
Ruby looked at me even more confused. "Uhhh, Curt, what are you doing?"
I continued, "Nope, you might as well get ready to go on your way. It's not happening."
The rabbit stared back at me before moving even closer in Ruby's arms, purposefully ignoring me by preparing itself to stay as long as it wanted.
"Curt, this is kinda weird," Ruby said this time, backing away a bit with the bunny in tow. "Why are you being mean to a bunny?"
I muttered quietly in annoyance to myself before letting out a sigh. "I'm not being mean to it. I'm just-I'm just messing around Ruby."
"Oh, well in that case canIkeepitcanIkeepitcanIkeepit. PleasePleasePleasePlease!" She began to repeat quickly. Hopping with the rabbit, who wasn't even frazzled by the energy.
I slowly resigned myself to the return of the bunny and I finally said, "Yeah, I guess you can keep him, at least until we get to this village, let's just get moving. We really shouldn't stay here longer than we need to."
I swear she began to shake excitedly as if she was a ticking timebomb of pure energy. That pure energy proceeded to explode as she cheered happily, "WOOHOO!" And began to skip away holding the rabbit tightly.
As she moved away I shook my head in disappointment. I mean, I seriously can't believe that rabbit ran away as soon as it could from me, but the first time with Ruby it cuddles up in her arms. I know she's adorable but like, where the fuck is my cuddles. Curt deserves cuddles too! I shouldn't be exempt!
I sighed one last time before taking my steps toward Ruby who led in front, happily chatting away with the rabbit. As I followed after her I thought back to our previous conversation and realized how lucky I was to escape it.
Why did I say I was Summer's friend, why did I even say Ruby's name when I shouldn't even know it? Who knows. All I do know is that I am definitely going to have to think up a lie, or an excuse. In regards to the questions, about how I do certain things, for now, Aura or a Semblance should suffice.
No need to tell her I'm running on video game logic.
So, despite my annoyance, and somewhat anger, I silently thanked the rabbit for saving me from such an uncomfortable conversation. I needed Ruby to trust me, if only for a little bit, because I made a promise to save her. The faster we got to the village, the better for her. The better for me too, any extra minute spent in this Grimm-filled forest was unneeded.
Just as I thanked that god-forsaken bunny, the rabbit leaned its head around Ruby's arms and I swear I could see it give me a small nod. As if it understood it had just rescued me.
Yeah, I must be really losing it.
Ignoring that thought, I quickly made my way toward Ruby.
It's good to see her happy, the pressure from her mother's disappearance was definitely weighing on her. And it almost cost me. Someone so young really shouldn't have to deal with stuff like this, but life loves to throw curveballs.
It does beg the question though, where did Summer go?
I really truly have no idea, and in all honesty, I am a bit disappointed in myself for how I handled the situation with Summer. I found her bloodied and on the verge of death and I did nothing to help her, nothing. There must have been a way to do something or otherwise, it wouldn't have been a part of the quest. Yet, my hesitancy, my fear, allowed me to take the easy road out. Now Ruby is paying the consequences of my actions. And now Summer Rose is gone.
I stared at the little girl in front of me, happily playing with the rabbit, the hint of sadness hidden within every action she took. A little girl, having to try to be a "big girl" as she put it when she should just be enjoying her life as a child.
In some ways, I owed her for my failure.
Pushing those thoughts away I sped up to stand side-by-side with her as we continued our march south, the grass and trees passing by us with every step. As I came up to her, she turned to me. "Hey Curt, you really shouldn't be mean to Zwei, he's a very nice bunny you know."
I was a bit taken aback, by her naming choice. Does she just slap that name on any pet she gets. "Zwei? You named it already."
"Yep, what do you think?" She eyed me curiously.
I looked toward the rabbit, whose eyes had closed as it slept soundly in her arms, and then looked back to Ruby. "I don't know, that name seems better suited for a dog."
"No, it isn't, it's a great name for a bunny." She proceeded to then pet the rabbit as it purred in its sleep.
Yes purred, like a cat.
What kind of rabbit is this?
I shook my head. "Yeah, no that's a name for a dog."
"Ok, then, what would you name him?"
"Well, if it even is a him, I would name him…" I paused trying to think briefly. "Bunny."
She blinked for a few seconds trying to process my words. "Curt. That's a terrible name."
"Oh come on, that's fantastic, genius even."
"You're not even naming him, you're just calling him a bunny."
A grin spread itself on my face. "Which is great because then no one will ever get confused about what he is."
She looked at me, her annoyance spreading.
"Come on Curt, be serious about this. This is im-por-tant." She said with great emphasis.
"I don't know how naming that backstabber of a bunny is of any importance," I murmured quietly.
"What was that?"
Ignoring my mutterings. "Ruby, I'm completely serious."
"Cuuuurrrrt."
I sighed. "Fine, fine. I wouldn't name him Bunny."
"Then what would you name him? Tell me, or otherwise, I'm sticking with Zwei! And no complaining about it either, mister!" She harrumphed at me.
Another sigh escaped me. "I don't know Ruby, he's got white fur, er… Snowball, maybe, I guess. Honestly, he's your pet, so you can stick with Zwei if you really want to. But I hold the right to complain."
"Hmm… Snowball?" She looked closely at the sleeping rabbit as if thinking thoroughly about this matter. A silence descended between us as I waited for her to finalize her thoughts.
"Snowball it is!" She yelled and then proceeded to shake her bunny awake. "Don't you hear little bunny, your new name is Snowball, do you like it!?"
"Ruby, I don't think he likes-"
At being startled awake the rabbit turned toward Ruby and gave her an almost evil glare, silencing her talk, before proceeding to jump out of her arms and onto my shoulder, with me grabbing him barely as he slid into my arms.
And for the first time, the rabbit snuggled into me.
Forget every mean thing I ever said about this bunny. This bunny was a gift. This bunny was a god-send. My mind had entered a state of pure bliss as the rabbit cuddled deeper into my arms, I'd felt as if I had finally reached the heavens, nirvana even.
Yet that state of total bliss was quickly interrupted by a sound, of course.
PING!
~Achievement Unlocked~
Hugs and Kisses
Cuddle the lonely bunny-rabbit of the Forest.
You know this is the second time I've gained something in relation to this bunny. It must be that one developer who's laughing his ass off at these notifications. Or this bunny might actually be a good luck charm.
Ruby frowned at the sight and looked up at me to pout. Adorably I might add. "Wait Curt, that's my bunny!"
"Well, I don't know, he seems to like me now." I said as I began to pet the bunny gently.
"But you don't even like him."
"I wouldn't say that, but even then, people can change Ruby."
"In a matter of seconds!"
"Hey, I'm not on anyone's timetable. And since he likes me now, I think I'll name him… Bunny."
"No!" She turned toward the rabbit in my arms who was still giving her that glare. "Come on Snowball! Don't let him take you. My cuddles are even warmer than his and…," She eyed me before pretend-whispering toward the rabbit, "I heard Curt doesn't even shower. The smell must be…"
I gasped. "Lies and slander Ruby, you've sunken to a new low."
"Well, you stole my bunny." She placed her hands on her hips a hidden smile on her face.
"I wouldn't call it stealing, more like taking what isn't mine."
"That's exactly what stealing means-"
All of a sudden a loud howl sounded across the forest. Our debacle stopped as the sound entered our ears and we raised our heads, bunny included, toward the darkness of the forest, fear immediately gripping our hearts. We both waited with bated breath, for that indicator, that mark, that hint that showed where those beasts hid.
And yet none came.
Only the quiet.
I let out a small sigh of relief before turning to the rabbit who looked up at me out of fear, the dark void of his eyes giving away his true emotions. I then turned to Ruby who had grabbed somewhat tightly onto my body with slight shakes emanating from hers. Looking at her in a state of fear once more, I hesitated, but I quickly resolved myself and brought my hand around her, bringing her in close for reassurance. "It's fine Ruby, everything is fine."
She turned toward me looking straight into my eyes. Eyes that held terror, doubt, and unsureness within. And as I looked toward hers, they held the exact same. She saw the lie, it was obvious after all, and yet she chose to believe it because united in our fear we at least had each other. And a lie can provide the most comfort.
She gave a slow small nod. "Okay, I-I trust you Curt."
I took a deep breath. "Okay then, let's just get out here."
She hummed in agreement still clutching onto me.
I returned the rabbit to her as we took slow steps deeper into the forest's depths, now much closer to one another, watching the darkness like hawks, and just trying to find a way to survive. Yet the Grimm stood in our way, as they always have done, in challenging their greatest rival. Humanity.
And yet Humanity has always found a way to survive.
And I would as well because someone was depending on me. Someone was needing me, to find a way, for her sake.
A girl… with a long and dark red hood.
A girl… with light pale skin.
A girl… with short black red-tipped hair.
A girl… with warm bright silver eyes.
The hours passed by as we moved through the forest. Silence reigned supreme over us as we watched the darkness for the creatures that lived within it. We tried to hold our fear within with every step we took. Yet each step was a reminder of how we failed in our task. As the walk continued, Ruby chose to break the silence.
"Curt, how much longer until w-we get to the village?" She asked, breathing very hard.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead. "I honestly don't even know Ruby, we've been heading south all day, we're sure to run into it eventually."
"Well, can we at least take a break? I'm so tired, and I'm sure Snowball wants to stretch his legs." She said patting the rabbit on the head.
"You don't have to carry him, Ruby, he can keep up. We're not exactly running around."
"I know but I want to. He's so soft and cuddly."
I shrugged my shoulders. "Then I guess that can't be helped."
"Come on Curt, let's just take a short break. It'll be five minutes, ten minutes tops."
I turn toward her before sighing, "Listen, Ruby, I want to, I really do, but I don't think that's a very good ide-"
My words halted from my mouth as we stepped out into a large clearing.
What we saw was the epitome of nature itself. The grass was a bright gorgeous green and glowed in the light of the sun. A waterfall descended from the top of a cliff before rolling along next to the grass as the water itself sparkled. Birds flew overhead from tree to tree chirping happily. And most of all, there was not a Grimm in sight.
It was wonderful, it was amazing, it was- "Wow, it's so-so beautiful!" Ruby blurted out at the sight.
I nodded. "I-I couldn't agree more."
Just as I said that the bunny hopped from Ruby's arms and raced toward the water. Ruby turned toward me excitedly. "Curt! This must be a sign!"
"A sign of what?"
"To take a break, come on Curt, you know you want to!" She pleaded with me.
"I-", I paused for a second as I took it all in. As exhaustive as the forest has been, it really was a beautiful place. The only truly scary thing about it was the Grimm. The fact that the Grimm often hid beauties like this from so many people was saddening and only inflamed my anger toward them. And yet nothing could truly be done about it.
I let out a sigh before continuing, "Yeah, let's take a short break. Five minutes… tops."
"Yes! Thanks Curt!" She raced toward the water's edge chasing after her rabbit.
As she reached the water Ruby quickly took off her shoes, dipped her toes into the water, and began swinging them slowly in the coolness. Snowball dipped his paw carefully into the water before proceeding to slip in, and then immediately jumped out, as Ruby giggled at the sight. Deciding to join in on the resting, I slowly came up to her and took a seat by the water.
"Hey Curt, do you think we'll have time for a swim."
Staring at the water, it was almost tempting. The water was strangely calm and it seemed it would be such a relaxing experience, and help take our minds off of the Grimm. Yet when I looked toward the sun, I knew we were on borrowed time. I did not want to spend another night in this terrifying forest.
"Sorry Ruby, I don't think we can do it right now. M-maybe another time."
She let out a sad sigh before she asked, "Promise?"
"Yeah, I promise," I said not sure if I would even be able to keep it but if it made her happy.
As I stared at the water, I slowly shook my head. "You know, my sister, she used to love swimming. It was one of her favorite things to do."
Ruby looked at me, a glean of curiousness in her eyes. "You have a sister? W-what is she like?"
A small wistful smile came over me. "Oh, well, my sister, Claire, she's well… really nice. I'm talking about unnecessarily nice. She just loves doing kind things, especially for strangers, something about making people smile. She's very forgiving too, even when you do some really mean stuff to her, a simple apology will please her for the most part. Despite being older than me, I was always worried that people would take advantage of her for that," A small tear slipped down my cheek at the memories, but I quickly wiped it away. "But here's the thing, she's also confident. So very confident, not afraid to ask the hard questions, and definitely not afraid to rip you a new one, if it means helping you out in the end."
I stopped for a second to control my breathing as the sadness permeated within it. "Claire, s-s-she was amazing. I honestly couldn't have had a better sister."
Ruby looked somewhat shocked by my intense words and could tell from my voice that something had happened. "S-she does sound amazing, Curt. She sounds a lot like my m-mom actually."
I thought for a second as she brought that up. "Y-yeah, I guess you could call her a mom too." I paused as Ruby looked up at me waiting patiently for my continued response. "You see Ruby, I never knew my parents, it was always just me and Claire. She took care of me a lot, and she really- well she was there for me when I needed her to be. She was my family. My only family. All I had left, really."
I looked down toward the water staring as the memories of a time before flowed over my mind, before then turning directly toward her. "Tell me, Ruby, do you… have any other family?"
Ruby looked down to the water also and sadly shook her head, "N-no, it was just me and my m-mom most of the time. I never knew who my dad was, my mom used to say it wasn't that important. The only other person I have is Uncle Qrow, though he's not really my uncle, and he's a long way away right now."
As I heard her say that confusion flew from within. "So, no other family? No sister or anything like that."
"No, but I've always wanted a sister or even a brother. I think I would be a great sister to them." A small wishfull smile spread on her face.
A small smile of my own joined hers. "You probably would, Ruby. You would make an amazing sister."
Silence descended over us again as we peacefully listened to the sound of the rushing water. Ruby leaned upon my shoulder cuddling in closer as she let out a tired yawn. Snowball came back and cuddled into Ruby's lap, proceeding to close his eyes for another nap. I felt the exhaustion attempt to overtake me but I resisted. The Grimm were in the back of my mind, and going to sleep could be suicide.
I couldn't risk that while Ruby was with me. So I decided to take advantage of one of her known weaknesses to keep us awake for another minute or two.
"Hey Ruby, you should check this out." As I said that Ruby sat up from my shoulder and followed my hand as I pulled out our one and only weapon. The Royal Energy Pistol.
Sleepiness escaped the girl, as her eyes widened and she came dangerously close to the gun. "OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh, that's an RPM16A1! This is the standard model used by the Royal Guard of Vale! It's extremely special because it doesn't require a specific type of ammunition but is able to use dust to fire blasts of pure energy and it's so amazing because the shots are extremely powerful for something so small. Now it's not too great if you don't have any dust on you but if you do, then you can fire a lot of shots. Yet it's still very very rare as they're reserved for the Royal Guard for the King, and this one is even more rare since this is the nonlethal version used mostly for crowd control."
Jesus Christ! Even at ten she still knows a lot about weapo-Wait this is the what!
"-They did a special edition on this one in Vale Mags Monthly, my mom isn't too happy about me reading those, but I thought it was so awesome with how in-depth they discussed it. They said it wasn't very effective against the Grimm, so not great for a hunter or huntress, but if you tried hard enough it could possibly work. Though I personally would never want to use one, I prefer sniper rifles to be honest. But still, it looks so great up close!" She began to gasp for air as she said all of that in one breath.
As she let out that breath she looked at me and saw my confused and somewhat worried face, she smiled sheepishly. "Err… I mean, it looks kinda cool."
I could only stare back. "Ruby, d-did you say this was the nonlethal version?"
"Umm, yes, this one is only meant to knock out a person with a single shot, though if you fired it more than once, you could easily really hurt them."
"And if used against the Grimm."
"Well, it could hurt a little, maybe push them back with each shot, but you probably couldn't kill one with this unless you fired long enough. Grimm usually struggle more against piercing shots, not really blunt shots or blasts shots, especially ones designed to be nonlethal."
More worry crossed my face. I-If this couldn't even kill Grimm, what use did it really have? It worked so well last time though.
Yet it didn't kill any of them did it?
Well… except one. When I used that skill, Aura Shot, it killed the Alpha.
Right?
My heart, all of a sudden, began pounding as I felt fear burst throughout my body. The hairs rose on the back of my neck, as immediately a distinct shift in the air hit me. The world quieted around me as the birds stopped chirping, the rushing water became quieter, and the sun dimmed. I quickly began looking around, looking for what changed.
Ruby didn't seem to notice. "H-hey, Curt, c-can I hold it? Please!"
I gripped my weapon tighter, as I searched frantically for the source of the shift. "Not now Ruby."
"Please! I'll be careful with it, I promise. My mom used to never let me hold weapons." She clasped her hands together beggingly.
"All the more reason not to," I quickly stood up glancing around, my body shivering in fear. Something, something had changed and my mind was reeling from it.
Ruby noticed me standing up and began to worry. "Um, Curt, is everything… okay?"
I ignored her, still looking around. Trying to find the change. Trying to find that shift. Yet nothing was there.
And then, I finally noticed it. That change. That shift. That feeling.
That… intent.
PING!
Minor Skill Unlocked
For being able to notice a hidden development in your surroundings, a new skill has been created.
[Detect (Passive) Lvl: 1]
Allows the Gamer to detect an immense amount of killing intent of a person or creature upon themselves when they're close by. At higher levels, the required killing intent for detection is lowered.
Once I felt that skill activate, all of a sudden I heard it… the sound of footsteps. It was soft, it was distant, but it was coming. It was coming our way.
Snowball must've felt it too, because he immediately woke up, and began staring in the direction of the forest. Ruby stood up with the bunny in her hands and tugged on my shirt. "Curt is something going on? You're kinda worrying me."
I looked down at the girl, fear now returning in her eyes. "Ruby, you need to get behind me," I said as I turned away from her and readied my weapon.
The sound only grew louder as I clutched my weapon trying to control my fear. Trying to control my emotions. And yet with every step, my control loosened.
"Why? Is it-is there a Grimm?" She said as she stood behind me, slowly leaning out and staring in the same direction I was.
I gulped as I felt the footsteps grow even louder. "Yes."
She gave a hesitant nod. "Oh, o-okay."
We continued to wait as the footsteps came closer. The sound was intense, but what was more intense was the intent. Grimm have an immense desire to kill, but this-this was something else.
"C-Curt, I'm kinda scared, right now. But… you know, only j-just a little bit."
I turned toward her, comforting her with the fear, my fear, that was lived in, my eyes as well. "It's okay to be scared Ruby, I'm a little scared myself, but I told you, everything is going to be fine. Now um, listen in a few seconds, I'm going to shout for you to run. When I shout you're gonna-"
"Run. B-but, I shouldn't leave you, Curt. You know heroes they… they never leave-"
"Ruby, you need to listen to me. Don't worry about me, instead, I want you to hold Snowball, turn your tail, and run as fast as you can, south. And if you find the village on your way, get help. Got it." I said, trying to look resolutely into her eyes.
"C-Curt, y-you saved me. I can't leave-"
The footsteps were now obvious. Everyone could hear it. Snowball tensed up in the girl's arms. "Ruby. Everything is going to be fine."
"S-stop lying to me like that. I-it's not going to be okay, and you know it too." She clutched onto me, tears beginning to run down her face. "Curt, I-I don't want to be alone again. My m-mom… s-she's gone. Please! Please, don't leave me too!"
At the sight of the tears and her impassioned plea, I wanted to just hold her, and promise her I wouldn't, that I would be with her as long as she needed, but that was one lie I couldn't tell her because being with me right now was too dangerous. Instead, I looked closer into her eyes, trying to reassure her, saying once again, "Ruby, I-I'm not leaving you. Everything is going to be fine. You just gotta trust me."
"C-Curt-"
"Ruby… do you trust me?" I said giving her a piercing stare.
And finally, as she looked at me one last time, she hesitatingly nodded her head. "Yes." She looked down now on the verge of crying. "O-okay, C-Curt, everything is g-going to be f-fine. I-It will all be o-okay."
I let out a short sigh of relief. "I-I'm glad you understand… now Ruby?"
"Y-yes?"
I heard the very last footstep.
"RUN!"
Out from the forest came a Beowolf, much larger, much sturdier, and much angrier than its counterparts. It stood at its full height and let out a howl of pure unadulterated rage. Before looking directly at me, ready to end me in the worst ways.
At the sight of it, I felt my control jump out the window and my fear overwhelm me. It came like the waterfall and it was too much, just way too much. And so, I finally decided to let that small tug, that call attached to my soul, into my very heart.
PING!
[Determination] has been Activated
Focus, clarity, and determination dominated my mind, repulsing my fear and allowing me to analyze my opponent. One of its eyes was injured beyond repair, the bony mask encompassing its face had a large crack on it, and there were multiple cuts and bruises now a part of its body from our last bout.
Having me in its vision, it didn't just howl in anger, in rage, no it howled in something else entirely. Before it met me it was simply angry, always angry, yet when I stabbed it in the eye it became rageful, but when I cracked its mask, the very indicator of the Grimm. It was in a different state.
Not anger, not rage…
Fury.
The Beowolf was frenzied, feverish, and furious, at the pesky weak unassuming human, who had found a way to challenge it. It now needed to return the favor.
Alpha Beowolf
HP: 2950/4000
Level: 7
I heard the sound of Ruby's footsteps quickly racing away from me, the sound of crying echoing from her path. I had to ignore it as I came face to face with the Grimm, once again. The Alpha let out another howl and then charged forward, faster than it ever had before. I remained steadfast and focused, firing shot after shot as it ran head-on. Each blast slammed into the Alpha, causing impact after impact, but no matter how many times I fired, it powered through every shot, letting out a roar of anger.
As it came close, at the very last second I attempted to dodge out of the way, hoping it would land itself in the water. Yet it quickly saw my movement, and grabbed me, before throwing me into the shallows, my back slamming into the mud.
My face was covered by the cool liquid, stalling my breath, as the Alpha attempted to swipe his claw straight toward my guts. Luckily it was repulsed by that blue protective shield, coming from my soul.
Aura.
Quickly reacting, I shot up straight out of the water, pistol readied, and fired another energy blast targeted toward its face. The shot had no effect as the Alpha simply powered through the blast again and growled at me, before grabbing my body and throwing me into the air. I groaned in pain as I felt myself enter the air and slam straight into a tree. My Aura, still taking the damage.
Dizziness briefly overtook me as I struggled to regain my bearings but just as I brought my focus back, I saw the Alpha barreling toward me preparing another slash attack.
"Goddamnit!" I yelled, as my frustration temporarily overrode determination.
I quickly brought myself to my feet, and just as it swiped, I sidestepped the hit. But it quickly swung back hitting me square in the face and launching me backward into another tree. My mind reeled but my body only felt a muted pain.
What the hell?! How did it get so fast?! So strong?!
The Alpha has always been the ultimate challenge for me, and without my Aura, I wouldn't be able to take it. Yet now it was fighting much stronger and harder than it ever had before. I know it was pissed at me but what had caused this change.
And as I stared at the Alpha, observing it as it raced toward me once again. Something did immediately change.
PING!
Skill Level UP
[Observe] skill has leveled up!
Skill Log Updated
*[Observe] now allows the Gamer to see the status of enemy creatures and beings within their rank.
*[Observe] now allows the Gamer to see titles of enemy creatures and beings within their rank.
Before I could even make sense of it, the Alpha had already reached toward me and quickly grabbed my head, knocking me into the bark. As I stumbled to the ground from the impact, it reached me once again, punched me in the face, and then threw me back into the ground, a distance away.
This was getting brutal.
My mind, unfocused and unaware, struggled to figure out what was happening. My Aura was protecting me, sure, but I could still feel the damage being done. I slowly made my way to my feet as the Alpha stalked toward me letting out another roar of anger.
As I turned toward it, I finally saw what the game was trying to show me.
Alpha Beowolf
'The Beast of Vengeance'
HP: 2950/4000
Status: Vengeful
(+1 to all stats when facing the target of your rage)
Level: 7
A mad frown ran across my face and I sighed at the observation.
T-This is cheating, right? It's already way stronger than me, and now it's been buffed!
I shook my head and resolved myself, allowing the determination to flow through me. I had to win this battle. If not for me, then for Ruby. I said everything would be fine. I would make it so.
"Well… friend. Can I call you a friend? I think we're close enough for that kind of relationship." The Alpha simply gave no response continuing its way forward.
"Nothing. Okay then, well anyway, I wanted to say that it seems one of us is clearly outmatched here. And to be honest, I think you'll need to do a little better than that, if you think you can take me." I grinned as I challenged the Alpha, my determination rising through me, as I stared straight into its pure evil eyes, readying my weapon. "So, to protect you, why not just call this whole thing off, and you go on your merry way, deal? And keep in mind, this is a one-time offer though, so make it quick."
The Alpha looked at me for a second as if actually considering the proposal, but then I swear it smiled back in response before letting out a loud howl.
It was probably trying to tell me it was going to rip me to shreds.
The Alpha immediately burst off and began to pick up speed, galloping toward me, hatred rippling through its being.
I simply shook my head, still smiling, before preparing myself, as power began to surge through my body.
Blue light and energy began to travel throughout it, as that energy began to grow in strength.
The Alpha continued to race toward me.
My readied pistol began to shake as that power began to slowly infuse into the very essence of the weapon.
The Alpha continued to race toward me.
My own eyes began to glow a bright blue indicating the dangerous and deadly power that was about to be unleashed.
The Alpha continued to race toward me.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
As I said that I felt it. My Aura cracked as that burst of power freed itself from my body and escaped through my weapon targeted toward the beast. The monster. The enemy of humanity.
PING!
[Aura Shot] has been Activated
As the light from the shot cleared I expected to see a downed or defeated Alpha, or at the very least, it in a haggard state. Instead, I saw a few downed trees from the blast but no fur, no remains, hell, not even a body.
Confusion came over me.
And then… I heard a harsh breathing from behind me.
"OH SHIT!"
I quickly turned around and attempted to fire the pistol only for the Alpha to grab my hand, lift me off the ground, and begin squeezing, my weapon falling to the ground.
Loud cracks echoed from my hand as I felt the bones begin to get ground into dust by the intense strength of the Grimm.
"AAAAHHHHH!"
The Alpha roared along with my yell as tears began streaming from my eyes, the pain becoming too much to bear.
I was now facing an Alpha Beowolf, with no weapon or Aura. This was bad.
I felt a sickening crack ring from my wrist the bones now shattered, and the Alpha dropped me to the ground, with me immediately clutching my hand in pain.
But the torment had only begun.
PING!
[Determination] has faded.
Everything became so so much worse, as my emotions quickly embraced me, and the Alpha let out a loud roar of victory before returning to me.
"I-waitWaitWAIT-" Tears ran down my eyes as I tried to plead, stumbling away from the beast, but it simply grabbed me once more bringing me face-to-face with its drooling maw.
It then raised up its claws and raked them across my face.
My eyes instinctively closed as pain blossomed, blood dripping down along with my tears, covering my entire face. The Alpha, still unsatisfied, began to jab its sharp, knife-like claws, into my eyelid, clawing around for its prize.
I roared in agony as I felt those claws reach to the back of the orbital enclasping the soft fragile part providing me sight.
"OhgodohgodohgodNoNoNoNONONONO!"
Yet my screaming would do nothing as I heard the Alpha howl once more, before ripping out my eye. MY EYE, freeing it into the air. Each drop of blood that dripped from it, became permanently tuned to my ears for the rest of eternity.
PING!
Skill Level UP
[Endurance] has leveled up!
Skill Log Updated
*[Endurance] now allows Attack Damage toward the Gamer to be decreased by… 3%
I could not describe the pain, that I had felt at the feeling of my flesh tearing, inside my head, as my eye was torn out of its socket. My vision was terribly halved as I stared at the beast holding my eye, MY EYE, in the palm of its paw, staring menacingly at me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!""
The scream I had let out was inhuman and the loudest I had ever freed in my life. Nothing could compare to this pain.
Nothing.
And as my one remaining eye stared at its brother, that lay in the paws of a monster. The Alpha closed its paw, and squished the little ball, in a small quiet pop, before letting its remains drop to the ground.
I stared lifelessly at the remnants of my eye, unable to move, unable to save it, unable to do anything.
And that was when I realized what was happening.
No more screaming came from me, no more tears fled from my eye, no more pain was felt in my body, no more sorrow overwhelmed my mind, no more of anything truly awaited me.
This was over.
It was all over.
I tried. I really tried. I wanted to live again. To get another chance at this life. And yet now that wouldn't happen.
At all.
Because luck eventually runs out everyone.
And mine just did.
Now the silence would return once more.
That Endless Silence.
The Alpha turned toward me satisfied with his task, before opening its maw, ready to deliver the final blow.
That Everlasting Silence.
I felt the drool from the Grimm drip across my face as I stared endlessly at the razor-sharp teeth of the Alpha Beowolf.
That Eternal Silence
The Alpha's maw began to close shut, ready to exact its vengeance upon me. A pesky weak unassuming human, that dared fight it in battle.
And yet life likes to throw surprises our way.
The sound of footsteps came from behind the beast before a mighty yell echoed throughout the area.
The Alpha, quickly retracted its mouth preparing to turn to the sound, only to let out a screech in pain.
Shock overtook me as my lone eye turned toward the source to see a sword stabbed, straight through the heart of the beast.
The Alpha roared in shock, and surprise as well, but also anger, now unable to exact its vengeance as it began to fall to the ground, with me in tow, its claws loosening up upon impact.
As we both lay on the ground, our lives on the verge of ending, the Alpha just stared at me with hatred in its eyes as it let out its last breaths, gasping for air, but none would come to it.
As it finally began to slowly disappear I rasped out one last remark to it. Daring to challenge it once again.
"I-I told y-you didn't I? Y-You never s-stood a c-chance."
Its eyes flashed red at that line. At that insolence. How dare someone so weak, so pathetic, so useless, still challenge its might, even at death. It tried to use its remaining strength to reach me, trying to teach me a lesson, trying to kill me, but just as its mouth reached me, it began to fade away, in thick black smoke.
I forced out a small weak grin. "T-Too l-late."
A roar echoed from the smoke as finally.
Finally… The Alpha Beowolf was no more.
And as the smoke from its remains began to settle, out from it stepped a man. A man with dark blonde hair with a thin beard flowing along with it. Piercing blue eyes and light skin. But most of all, he had a sword in his hand. A sword that shimmered and shined in the sunlight, a beacon of safety, a beacon of hope.
Yet that hope was too late to reach me.
I could feel myself slowly slipping into that silence.
This was truly over.
The man raced toward me and quickly lifted me up into his arms. "Hey kid, you're gonna be alright, we're gonna get you some help, just stay with me!"
The man said that with the confidence, courageousness, and conviction of a hero, probably comforting many in his travels.
Yet, today, it was nothing but a lie.
The silence was embracing me. The darkness was engulfing me. The light was leaving me.
"Come on kid, stay with me, we're almost there!"
Almost wouldn't be enough.
I felt sorry for myself, but mostly I felt saddened for someone else.
I-I'm sorry Ruby. Everything wasn't f-fine in the end.
I tried.
I really tried.
But sometimes that's just not good enough.
Thoughts of Ruby Rose flew through my mind, as the silence began to submerge me into its depths.
"HOLD ON KID! HOLD ON!"
But there was nothing to hold on to.
I felt my last and final thoughts come to me. A happy image but an impossible one.
Where Claire was alive and Ruby was there too. And we were a family. A happy one.
And as I saw that, a smile graced my face, as I finally slipped into that endless, everlasting, eternal silence.
PING!
But eternity never truly lasts forever.
AN: I'll try to avoid doing these, author's notes, since I don't particularly like them. But anyway, I just wanted to say, that for any who choose to leave a review, if you want to, could you leave your thoughts about the character interaction, particularly on Ruby Rose. I'm really trying to make sure I get her mostly right, and while she is 10 in this story, giving some leeway, Ruby still pretty much has a set personality from the show, so I want to at least make sure I get that somewhat correct in a satisfying way. If you don't want to do that then you don't have to, I accept basically all reviews, for the most part.
Anyway, other than that, um, enjoy the rest of your day, and hope you enjoyed the chapter.
