Hello all Storm here with a new story! Here is an interesting idea, that's partially inspired by the series "Arcane" and the upcoming second season, but with a few surprises. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Within a bar in Higanbana, a village on the continent of Anima, was a man sitting at a table, looking at his Scroll intently while flipping through several pictures.
The man had graying black, spiky hair with the bangs hanging over his forehead, faded red eyes and slight stubble along his jawline. Along with a red, tattered cloak, he wears a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants and black dress shoes. While also wearing a ring on his right index finger, two other rings on his right ring finger and a necklace with a crooked cross-shaped pendant. While strapped to his back was a large single-edged greatsword that was collapsed in on itself with a clockwork mechanism nature built into the space above the red hilt and a pair of parallel handguards is set beneath. A pair of shotgun barrels are also situated on either side of the main blade.
This was Qrow Branwen, a renowned Huntsman and a former teacher of Signal Academy on the island of Patch, in the Kingdom of Vale. With Qrow currently being on a job that's taken him to Anima, tracking…he honestly wasn't even sure what he's tracking.
Qrow could only frown as he continuously flipped through several pictures on his Scroll, all of them depicting bodies that had been ripped apart. None of which were even identifiable when they were found, needing to be identified by what's left of their finger prints and dental records. With all of the bodies having been found in the City of Vale and City of Mistral. While normally the authorities would take care of things like murderers, with a Huntsman only taking part if they were incredibly dangerous.
But given the nature of the murders, Qrow was inclined to believe that whatever was killing these people wasn't a human or a Faunus. A sentiment that the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, Ozpin, shared. Believing that a Grimm was the one committing the murders. Along with the fact that at some of the crime scenes, there were slash marks in the walls and ground that could only have been made by claws.
Something that only concerned them more, given the fact a Grimm was able to get into both Vale and Mistral without anyone seeing it, as well as the fact it didn't simply go on a rampage. Instead, it was able to remain hidden as well as capable of moving fast enough to not be seen, while being able to kill people fast enough before they can so much as scream.
'Whatever this thing is, it's not like any Grimm I've seen before. And that's what's scary, if it's something new Salem's managed to create.' Qrow thought, having brought up the idea to Ozpin that whatever Grimm was killing people, it was a new one that Salem's created.
Which really made them worried of Salem creating a Grimm that seemed to have actual intelligence beyond animalist instinct and a desire to destroy. Especially with how dangerous just one of them seemed to, not wanting to imagine even more Grimm like it.
This also lead Ozpin to keeping things quiet while making sure that news of the murders don't get out, on the chance that it was a Grimm. Knowing if people found out, it'd cause panic, worry and fear to spread, which would end up drawing in more Grimm, giving them even more problems to worry about. With Qrow having been called in to investigate, find and eliminate the Grimm.
Only for the Huntsman to find nothing, to his growing frustration and concern. Finding no tracks, no trail, nothing, as if the Grimm simply appears and then vanishes into thin air. Before he finally got a lead when Leonardo Lionheart, the Headmaster of Haven Academy, contacted Ozpin. Informing him of several murders that have happened throughout Mistral, all of the bodies having been ripped apart with claw marks being at the scene of several of them.
Knowing it's potentially the same Grimm they've been tracking, with it somehow having traveled all the way from Sanus to Anima without being seen. Qrow had traveled to Mistral to speak with Lionheart and learn more on the murders. Learning that not only was the Grimm likely here, but the murders were more than double than that of the ones in Vale. Even more so, that they weren't just found in Mistral, but in the outlying towns and villages as well.
With Qrow having gone to all the places where the bodies were found, questioning everyone who found the bodies or were nearby when the murders took place if they saw anything strange. Along with calling all the Huntsmen and Huntresses he knew to see if they'd encountered any strange Grimm. Getting the same response all the time, no one saw anything.
Now after nearly two weeks on Anima, Qrow had begun going over what little he could gather on the Grimm and any theories he thought of.
'Whatever it is, the thing is big, fast and strong. Strong enough to rip through stone and even metal, like it's nothing but wet paper. I'm also guessing it must be a good tracker since some of the victims seemed to have managed to get away from it, only to be found, no matter where they went. So it's either got really good hearing, a sense of smell, enhanced vision, or possibly all three. And it's likely intelligent and capable of thinking beyond its baser instincts, which is the scariest part. As for the victims…' Thought Qrow as his frown deepened as he switched to looking at various police records of criminals.
That's the only thing he's managed to find out, is that the Grimm didn't seem to be attacking randomly as all of its targets had one thing in common, they were all criminals. Which seemed even more confusing, as while it'd make sense it'd go after criminals with the negative emotions they'd have, the Grimm looked to target only criminals, even when there were other people nearby.
'A Grimm that seems capable of telling the good from the bad, unfortunately the latter is in an abundance here.' Qrow thought, knowing there was no shortage of criminals on Anima, which also explains the greater number of deaths, the Huntsman making a mental note to also check out Wind Path and Kuchinashi, knowing the Grimm would have no shortage of criminals there.
'What the hell am I even hunting?' Qrow thought, dragging a hand down his face, before looking up when a waitress put a glass down in front of him.
"Oh, I didn't o-" Qrow said, having not ordered any drink, having been more focused on his mission.
"From the woman upstairs. Red eyes. Said you wouldn't mind bottom shelf." Said the waitress, motioning towards the balcony, making Qrow frown as he looked up at the second floor.
'And now I have to deal with this.' Thought Qrow as he grabbed the drink, needing it even more now.
"Thanks." Replied Qrow, not caring about the quality of the alcohol, as long as it helped take some of the edge off.
"But I went ahead and gave you top. Lucky you." The waitress added with a wink before walking away, with Qrow smirking at this before frowning as he looked back up at the balcony.
"Yeah. Lucky." Qrow muttered as he pocketed his Scroll and got up.
Going up the stairs to the second floor, Qrow saw the last person he wanted to see at the moment, his twin sister, Raven Branwen.
Raven had long jet black hair tied by a red bandanna and loosely done up in a ponytail with the ends resembling curved black feathers, along with the same dark crimson eyes as her brother, while still possessing a youthful appearance with slight age lines. Her attire consisted of a shallow cut black and red dress with black shorts underneath, with series of beaded necklaces and a belt that wraps around her waist and carries her weapon's sheath. Attached, also is a long black object that is either fur or feathers with a red and white bandana material like hanging from behind her. Her forearms bare red armored gauntlets that protrude outwards and solid black gloves. She wore black mid-thigh high leggings and black heels with red soles.
With her mask sitting on the table and her sword resting against the wall, beside her.
"Hello, brother." Raven said, the male Branwen looking at her for a few moments.
"Raven." Said Qrow before walking up to the table, pulling out the chair and sitting down across from her.
The siblings looked at each other in silence for a few moments with Qrow raising a brow, making Raven roll her eyes before moving her mask aside.
"So, what do you want?" Qrow asked, wanting to know why his sister was here and what she wanted.
"A girl can't just catch up with her family?" Retorted Raven, making Qrow roll his eyes at her.
"She can, but you're not. Now how 'bout we get on with it? Unless you plan on keeping these comin'." Stated Qrow, holding up his glass before taking a drink.
"So, I'll only say it again once. What. Do. You. Want?" Demanded Qrow, narrowing his eyes, with Raven leaning back and crossing her arms before pulling out her Scroll and tossed it on the table.
Raising a brow, Qrow frowned as he grabbed the Scroll, only for his eyes to widen when he saw several pictures, all of which were of bodies ripped apart. Looking eerily similar to the ones left behind by the Grimm, only even worse as most couldn't even be called bodies anymore, with how torn up they were. Before he noticed that the pictures weren't taken from a crime scene, looking to have been found in a forest, in a…camp.
"Is this what I think it is?" Qrow said in disbelief, but already knew the answer.
"The tribe, or at least what's left of them. I was lucky to get away alive, barely." Raven replied, pulling her dress off of her right shoulder, showing a scar that looked like a bite mark, making Qrow's eyes widening when he also saw dark purple veins spreading out from it.
"What the fuck." Muttered Qrow, looking at the scar as Raven pulled her dress back up.
"The thing bit right through my Aura, like it wasn't even there. It probably would have taken a deeper bite if I hadn't driven my sword through its neck." Said Raven, shocking Qrow again that she was able to injure it.
"Is it dead then?" Qrow asked, hoping the Grimm was dead.
"Do you really think I'd be sitting here, if it wasn't. The only thing it did was piss it off, it acted like I didn't just stab it. The only good it did was make the thing let me go long enough to transform." Raven said in annoyance, causing Qrow to sit back in disbelief.
Knowing that a hit like that would kill the smaller Grimm, it'd need to be a bigger one or something like an Alpha to survive having a sword through the neck. Even more so, if it was capable of just shrugging off the hit and keep attacking.
"And how long ago was this?" Questioned Qrow, wondering if it'd be possible to track the Grimm if it was still in the area.
"Three years ago." Raven revealed, much to Qrow's shock.
"What?! No, no, no, no, that's impossible! This thing only appeared five months ago." Qrow said, shaking his head, knowing that was when the first murder happened, not wanting to believe this Grimm has been around for years.
"And why is that? You think this thing appeared in Vale first? That you and Ozpin are the only ones trying to find it? Look again and try saying it's only been around for a few months." Retorted Raven, with Qrow looking at her Scroll, seeing that there were more pictures.
Going through them, Qrow could feel his concern and worry grow as he saw more bodies that weren't in Vale or Mistral, instead ones that were found in Vacuo, Mantle, Atlas, everywhere. And not just pictures, but reports on the murders, even news articles detailing them.
"Why didn't Theo or Ironwood say anything?" Qrow asked, not believing that Theodore and Ironwood, the Headmasters of Shade Academy and Atlas Academy respectively, hadn't contacted Ozpin about this.
"The same reason Ozpin wants to keep it quiet, to not cause panic and draw in more Grimm. But they've also gotten nothing, just like you I'm assuming. Only that everyone it kills are criminals, Ironwood's even increased security in Atlas and Mantle, setting up all kinds of surveillance equipment to the point he can see everything happening. Yet every time someone dies, the equipment's taken out so nothing can be seen, but they still have the audio. I managed to get some of that, too." Raven said, taking the Scroll before going to the audio fragment she was able to pick up.
Playing it, Qrow actually flinched slightly at the sudden screams of agony, along with the sounds of flesh being ripped apart and bones shattered. But above that, he also heard the roaring, growling and snarling of whatever was killing the person.
"What the fuck?" Qrow said, not knowing what else to say after that.
The Grimm certainly sounded like it was a Beowolf, but he's never heard of a Beowolf, even an Alpha one, capable of doing that. Let alone smart enough to get into Atlas. Not to mention, being seemingly able to know when it was being watched and taking surveillance equipment.
"That was the only time they were able to hear it, after that the audio was destroyed as well as the cameras." Stated Raven, making Qrow's eyes widen at the implication behind her words.
"…It was sending a message." Said Qrow in disbelief that any Grimm, no matter how intelligent, could do that.
If it had purposefully let the equipment record it murdering someone, then the Grimm let it happen knowing it would be heard. A message to anyone of what would happen if they didn't leave it alone, not unless they wanted to die too.
"One that clearly wasn't received, as after that Ironwood sent some soldiers to patrol every inch of Mantle, most were found dead the next day. Though not long after that the killings in Atlas stopped and it seemed to move to new hunting grounds." Raven said, with Qrow shaking his head and dragging a hand down his face.
"And you've been tracking it for the past three years?" Qrow asked, with the Bandit Queen nodding.
"Trying to anyway. Anywhere it goes, there's never a trail or any sign to show where it is, it just shows up, kills someone, then disappears, rinse and repeat a few dozen times before leaving entirely. The only thing I have managed to learn is that it always comes back to Anima, meaning it must have a den or something here that it comes back to. That, or it just has a never-ending supply of criminals to hunt. Unfortunately, if it does have a lair, I haven't been able to locate it." Explained Raven in annoyance.
"Okay, that's at least something new." Qrow said before noticing his sister clenching her fist tightly and seemed to be suppressing a grimace.
"Raven, what's up with that mark?" Questioned Qrow, feeling she wasn't telling him something about her wound.
"It's nothing." Raven replied quickly, too quickly for the Huntsman's taste.
Narrowing his eyes at her, Qrow's eyes darted to her shoulder before his hand shot out and tried exposing it. Only for his eyes to widen when Raven's hand was suddenly wrapped around his wrist before he could react, with the woman lowering her head and shook slightly.
"Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again!" Raven said darkly, her voice deepening slightly before she released her brothers' wrist.
"Raven?" Qrow said, now feeling a little concerned at his sisters behavior, with Raven quickly grabbing her mask and put it over her head.
"I need to go. Do yourself a favor, little brother. Fly back to Ozpin and tell him if he's smart, he won't do anything stupid and stay away from this Grimm." Raven said before grabbing Omen and drew her blade, swinging it through the air to open a portal for going through it.
Sighing at her behavior, Qrow heard a gasp and the sound of a glass breaking, looking he saw the waitress trembling, taking a step back as she looked at Qrow.
"Make this one a double." Qrow said while holding up his glass, wanting to simply get drunk and pretend everything still made sense.
*Kuchinashi-Pastel Estate*
Javi Pastel was a member of the Pastel Company, a family mining business in Mistral. Until nearly a year ago, Javi had taken the Pastel Mining Company into Kuchinashi as an offshoot for his family's business to make a name for himself. But it was there, that he had discovered ruins of a long forgotten civilization in the region's northern mountains, and within was a treasure trove for the taking. The real treasure, however, was a silver and golden necklace with a blue jewel embroidered on its centerpiece. A necklace that Javi had discovered possessed magical properties that allowed him to control Grimm with it.
Excited at his new find, Javi began to import various merchandise throughout Remnant, including various Grimm, mostly Sabyrs from Solitas, and transporting them to his estate in Kuchinashi. With him secretly hiring scientists to conduct experiments on his findings. Using various human and Grimm as test subjects, Javi learned more about the Magic Necklaces powers, being able to even order a Sabyr to kill a woman while it completely ignored him.
Knowing that such an artifact would make him rich, Javi had planned to strike a deal with The Wave, a crime family in Kuchinashi, to sell the necklace to them. Only for everything to go horribly wrong after he had contacted them.
With it having started earlier that night, when the power was suddenly cutoff before the screaming of his guards was heard outside, along with the sound of something attacking them. Which made Javi nervous that something, most likely a Grimm, had managed to get this high up on The Upper Cliffs. But he hadn't been too worried with the necklace in his possession, knowing that whatever Grimm it was would soon be locked in a cage with the rest in the subbasement lab.
Leading to him going out to confront the Grimm and put it under his control, where he was greeted to a horrifying sight. All of his guards had been ripped apart, blood splattered everywhere, while barely able to make out the outline of the Grimm in the darkness. With Javi unable to make out its features, only that it vaguely resembled a Beowolf.
While unnerved and scared at how it murdered his guards, Javi remained confident and held up the necklace, the jewel glowing as it activated.
But rather than be placed under his control, the Grimm simply roared at Javi before charging at him on all fours, which really terrified Javi upon seeing that he couldn't control the Grimm. Before he quickly turned around and ran back into his estate, knocking over everything around him in an attempt to slow the Grimm down. Making his way to the secret passage into the subbasement to get to the Grimm he could control and have them kill this new one.
With Javi currently running through the subbasement, shoving aside anyone in his way, his horror only growing more as he could hear the Grimms roars behind him as it continued its pursuit. Soon hearing the screams of the scientists and employees he hired to conduct experiments, all of them being ripped apart by the Grimm.
Running as fast as he could, feeling relief when he was able to reach the control room overlooking all the imprisoned Grimm. Going inside, Javi didn't hesitate before slamming his down on a button, releasing all of the Grimm while holding up the necklace.
"All of you! Find and kill that Grimm now! I command you!" Javi said urgently, with the Grimm's eyes turning blue as they were placed under his control, before they all rushed out of the cages to find the Grimm.
Panting heavily, Javi relaxed knowing that Grimm will be dead soon, doubting it can fight off so many of its own kind. Only to tense when the lights suddenly went out, with his fear beginning to return when his Grimm came running back into the containment area.
"What're you doing?! I ordered you to kill the Grimm that's attacking my home! I am your master and you worthless creatures will-" Shouted Javi, holding up the necklace, only to freeze when he heard a low growling.
Looking away from his Grimm, Javi's terror fully returned as he saw the Grimm standing in the doorway, only able to make its glowing red eyes. As well as a florescent green liquid that seemed to be pumping into it from a set of tubes in its body, connected to something on the Grimms back as well as a bracer-like device on its right arm.
Javi's fear and horror then grew tenfold as the Grimm began coming towards hime, even worse was that his own Grimm actually seemed to be terrified of it as they backed away or lowered themselves to the ground.
"N-no-no-no-no! St-st-st-st-stay b-ba-ba-back!" Javi said, holding up the necklace while backing away from the window as the Grimm kept approaching.
Only to scream in terror when the Grimm suddenly jumped through the window, sending glass flying everywhere, with Javi backing away until he hit a wall.
"N-n-n-n-no…s-st-st-sta-stay-stay a-a-awa-aw-awa-away…st-st-st-stay…" Stuttered Javi while holding the necklace out at the Grimm, which seemed to slowly walk closer to him until it was standing over the terrified man.
"Pl-pl-pl-pl-ple-ple-plea-plea-please…" Javi begged with tears in his eyes at being left completely and utterly helpless.
Before his eyes widened when the Grimm reached out and wrapped its clawed hand around the necklace and crushed it. While all the Grimm down below regained control of themselves, Javi's terror only growing as several Sabyr jumped up into the control room, growling at him.
"Wh-wh-wha-wh-what…what are…you?" Said Javi in horror at what kind of Grimm this was, before whimpering as the Grimm leaned close to his face, the man being able to smell the fresh blood coming from the Grimm.
Whimpering at his imminent death, mentally begging that it'll be quick, Javi's eyes widened when the Grimm suddenly stepped back. His horror growing even greater when the Grimm then pointed at him.
"Kill." Said the Grimm, much to Javi's complete shock, disbelief and fear at hearing a Grimm actually speak.
Only to then scream in pain and agony as the Sabyrs lunged at him, their claws and teeth tearing away at his body. All the while the Grimm looked down at Javi as he was ripped apart before he, mercifully, died.
The Grimm then threw its head back, letting out a loud roar with the other Grimm joining in as the sound echoed throughout the now empty estate. With it traveling outside and into the rest of Kuchinashi, as everyone within felt a cold shiver go down their spines at the sound. All of them knowing what it meant and the beast that it brought, as everyone locked their doors and barricaded the windows.
All of them knowing that The Uncaged Wrath of Remnant was on the hunt once again.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Qrow in Mistral hunting down a serial killer Grimm, one that seems to be more intelligent and specifically targeting criminals in the Four Kingdoms, while being unable to find anything about it where it stays. Before he's approached by Raven, learning the Branwen Tribe has been wiped out, with Raven managing to survive but not without getting bit by the Grimm, a bite that seems to be having an affect on her, one she's keeping hidden. Then we get a look in Kuchinashi with Javi Castel being attacked in his manor by a mysterious Grimm, one he can't control with the Magic Necklace and the other Grimm are terrified of, leading him to try and escape only to be cornered with the necklace being destroyed before being ripped apart by his own Grimm. Finally we see the Grimm reveal its presence with a roar, with all of Kuchinashi knowing The Uncaged Wrath has returned. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out