Authors Note Below. Enjoy the Chapter!
(LuciusWorks)
Okay. So having the current Kingpin of Vale in my home wasn't a part of the plan. My mind raced as I focused my thoughts. While I wasn't worried /too/ much about winning a fight with him, I was worried about what he would do to the Faunus I had helped today. He was shown not to be afraid of what eggs he needs to break to get things done. Even willing to kill Ruby when she was chasing him.
"Let's talk."
For now, the only thing I needed to do was try to figure things out and hopes he doesn't try to rough me up. Not because it would hurt, the opposite. It's because I had become something more than mortal. Each time I grew and selected a new domain I ascended beyond the common man. My body at the moment could be equal to a third-year student at Beacon, and I had no training or Aura. Suffice to say that would give me some rather uncomfortable attention.
"Glad to see you got smarts Kid."
He put out his cigar and tapped a chair with his cane, idly waiting for me to sit down. I did so, wary of his attention. I knew I had a new domain ready to activate due to my actions with the Faunus, so I was ready just in case.
"See those girls? They ain't right in the head."
I blinked, not thinking he would just dive right in. He idly toyed with his cane.
"I found them. Both of them were street rats, and I happened to be in a charitable mood that day. Or maybe I just felt like doing some good. Either way, I adopted them both."
He seemed to grow darker then, his hat casting him into shadow.
"A few rivals of mine didn't see kindness, they saw weakness. They took them, both girls."
His grip tightened on his cane, just as mine did on my chair.
"I won't mince words kid. They hurt them. Neo was older and got the worst of it, can't ever speak again. Himiko still got hurt pretty bad. Those /Things/ enjoyed what they did. It's almost funny in a way. Breaking them didn't make them weaker, it made them worse."
His hand was slightly shaking now, relighting his cigar as he took a deep drag.
"They got a knife from somewhere and from what I could tell, slaughtered them to the last man, All in one night. The place was soaked in blood by the time I found them. I got them help, but it was too late. They weren't the same girls anymore. I did the only thing I could, kept them by my side. Trained them, just so they could fight back. Thought I never see who they were again, at least till Himiko found you."
He looked me in the eyes now.
"She stopped killing, even asked to leave the business. She wanted to be normal again. For you. Even Neo grew interested in you, spending her time here whenever she wasn't on a job. I don't know what they see in you Kid, and I don't care. Just keep it up."
I nodded, understanding now why he was so intense, I didn't even think that was what happened. Their stories were changed now, Just how many things were different?
"Glad to see you understand. See you around kid."
He casually walked out, leaving me sitting there. I stayed still for some time, even as Himiko came in hours later.
"Darling?"
I simply stood, walking over just to wrap my arms around her. She seemed surprised but quickly melted into the embrace.
"I won't let them hurt you again."
I opened my list and chose my new domain, the whole reason why I didn't have Aura in the first place.
Instantly I could feel it, her soul. It seemed so...small. Like an abused puppy desperate for affection and covered in blood. Reaching deep within I released mine. My Aura lit the entire forge, yet the power seemed strange. It was a void, yet gave off light. A living paradox. I wrapped my Aura around hers, feeling the puppy of her soul perk up as I gave it the affection it was missing.
(Himiko)
I didn't understand until I smelled uncle's cigars. He was here, he told him?! The panic faded away as he held me, and I froze in shock as I heard his words.
He knew. He knew and he still /cared/.
Then his Aura awoke.
It was like, the shade in the middle of a burning day. The comfort of the night. A darkness that sought only to soothe, blanketing you in its presence.
She knew you could only awaken your Aura through emotion or having someone else do so for you. To know he felt so strongly about her...
She couldn't help her tears.
(The Next Day)
I sat near the new fountain, watching just how much things had changed. I now own the entire Faunus Ward. Instead of kicking them out, I simply charged them rent at a quarter of the price they would have paid with someone else. They were happy and healthy, a far cry from how they were before.
I blinked before the world exploded in color and shapes like a pop-up book.
My new domain. Soul. I could now see, manipulate, and create souls. Which on Remnant was practically checkmate. However, any joy I felt was swiftly cut down by what I discovered.
Remnant had no working afterlife.
When a person dies their soul just floats around, never able to interact with the world they left behind. It was...
'Disgusting...'
The Brothers were truly pieces of shit, weren't they?
I sighed before blinking, noticing an awakened Aura nearby. Reaching out I noticed whose it was.
'Well now, a younger Blake. 15 if I'm reading right.'
So I'm two years before Canon huh? Or at least what this world's version of the canon was. She was probably investigating me.
I stood, smiling at a few employees as I walked back home.
Let her look, if anything this should be interesting.
(A Few Months Later)
It took some time, but it was done. I spent a solid month working on this blade, infusing it with my power. I found it funny how it wasn't even my main weapon yet I put so much effort into it. It was a familiar Katana, one wielded by a Devil obsessed with power.
The Yamato.
Of course, I gave it a major bump in power. It would need it for what I planned to do.
A whistle drew me out of my thoughts, looking over I saw Neo once again sitting in my window. I ignored that however and caught the bottle that was thrown at my head, the Neo in the window shattering while the one in my chair pouted.
Sorry, but I can feel your soul. Hard to hide from that.
Now then...
I threw some keys at the mute, who raised a brow in surprise.
"You and Himiko pop in all the time anyway. The least I could do is give you a key, she already has hers. Anyway, I'm going to work on some stuff for a bit. Be back later."
I pulled a switch and moved down below my shop, the massive underground forge and storage area I made still an awe-inspiring sight.
The forge upstairs is where I did my public work. Down here? This was my private workshop. I smirked as I looked up at the sheer beauty of what I created. The red metal perfectly capturing the essence of a man's soul
"Fight the power."
(Two Weeks Later)
Hmm?
Ahh, it seems Adam and Blake are tired of watching and want to meet me directly. Sounds just fine to me.
I put down my current project and smiled at the 'customers' that walked in.
"Welcome to LuciusWorks."
They were dressed in huntsman gear, yet any white fang symbols were covered or gone. However, only Adam was showing his Faunus traits.
'Really? A sting operation?'
These two have been watching me for months, yet this is how they chose to get more info? I was almost insulted.
They walked around, and much to my pride only half of their interest was faked. They knew quality goods when they see them.
Finally, they stopped messing around and came to speak with me.
They made small talk for a bit before getting into what they truly wanted to talk about.
"I heard you were the one who restored the Faunus Ward."
It was blunt and to the point, the most honest he was during the whole conversation.
"I believe those with power have the responsibility to use it for others who don't. I also find the whole racism thing asinine."
That got their attention.
"Think about it. We have literal beings of destruction who are attracted to negativity. Why in the fuck are we segregating an entire race?! It makes no sense."
That was just me being honest. The people of Remnant were sorely lacking common sense sometimes.
"And how do you feel about the White Fang?..."
I heard a subtle click, one you have to be a Faunus or Godling to hear. A recording huh? Let's really shake them.
"I find them to be idiots."
I could feel them struggling to hold themselves back. This was kinda fun, now I know why Neo fucks with people.
"Explain."
I could hear his teeth grinding, trying his best not to murder me for my words. Blake herself had her eyes narrowed dangerously, her bow twitching every few seconds.
"Well, let's start with the new White Fang, it's kinda clear they aren't really accomplishing much. Other than ruining what they once stood for."
Oof I could feel their bloodlust.
"If they actually cared about the Faunus and not about revenge they would see how they were hurting matters."
Now I could see some confusion mixing with their rage.
"Most people who hate Faunus only do so because they were either hurt by Faunus or fear them. This is exactly what the current White Fang is doing. They hurt people, who end up hating Faunus, who end up hurting Faunus, who end up in the White Fang."
Adam was still struggling but Blake was starting to see the bigger picture.
"Although it wasn't their fault, the current White Fang has no idea just how much they're being used."
That got their attention.
"Used? Could you explain?"
I smirked inwardly.
"Ever wonder why with all the Dust they steal the SDC hasn't really lost any profit?"
I leaned in.
"I think it's because they have a double agent in the group."
Adam's fingers had begun sinking into my counter, clearly pissed at the mere suggestion.
"Think about it. They always seem to know where and when the SDC is shipping Dust, that must prove they have a mole in the SDC. Yet no efforts were made to seal such a leak, suspicious right?"
The fact no one was fired for betraying the company showed this.
"I looked it up. Every one of the shipments of Dust was insured, right before the Fang hit it. Jacques makes bank no matter what. The Dust shortage only allows him to raise prices. It's a clever system. Land a mole in the Fang, use said mole to have the Fang target insured Dust, raise Dust prices all around."
Their horror was plain to see, masking it was not even on their minds. It was kinda obvious being on the outside looking in. Just searching a few things online and my theory was practically proven in a day.
"Thank you for your time..."
They both left out the door, their entire worldview shattered. Poor things. Now onto more urgent business.
With Himiko and Neo having a girl's night I have the privacy I need.
I picked up Yamato and unsheathed the blade. Focusing on my destination, I quickly swiped the blade twice. A cross-shaped gateway appeared before me. I stepped through.
Time to pick up some new friends.
(Earth-11945 AD)
I stepped into another world. One yet again abandoned by its God. Looking over I spotted who I was searching for. Two women, twins by the look of them, with red hair.
"What?..."
Realm travel has that effect on people.
One shook her head.
"Sorry for our Rudeness, My name is Popola and this is my Sister Devola."
I couldn't help my grin.
"Azrael."
I then cut my hand, allowing red blood to leak from it.
"And I'm a human." Or as close as a divine could get anyway.
Instantly I could see the shock in their eyes, as hope and tears quickly joined it.
"Mind getting me in touch with Yorha?"
Damn, I have been gone for a bit. Catching Covid will do that huh? Took a break to spend Christmas with the family and ended up sick. Took me quite some time to feel good enough to write again, after which was just figuring out where I was going next. Either way, the next chapter shouldn't take so many months.
