Yang strode down the halls of Beacon confidently all the while she was practically pulling her sister along. With an arm set on Ruby's shoulder, Yang kept her close in a tight one-armed hug. Ruby did her best to follow next to her sister, but her long strides were hard to keep up with which made Ruby puff her cheeks as she pouted.
"Yang, you are embarrassing me," Ruby complained, her cheeks reddened as she took a moment to look around her to make sure no one was watching.
"Relax, sis!" Yang teased. "There is no one but knights around right now, anyways."
Yang grinned as she looked down at Ruby.
"No one will see if I squish you right now," Yang said in a playfully ominous voice.
"Please don't," Ruby begged. "Your hugs hurt."
Yang then pulled away from Ruby and began to walk briskly.
"Fine then, be that way," Yang said with a huff, but unbeknownst to Ruby, she was hiding a grin.
Yang continued forward, not looking back at Ruby as she walked away; and a few moments later she heard the quick thumps of her boots as she caught up.
Yang chuckled, as she then pets Ruby's head, ruffling her hair a little.
"Gah, stop," Ruby struggled as she swatted Yang's hand away, but as Yang pulled her hand back, Ruby grabbed it. Silently, they both headed towards Beacon's library, where they had agreed with JNPR and HAVC to meet up for a quick game of Remnant.
Yang missed times like this where they would just walk together and play around. However now, Ruby always seemed embarrassed at the constant doting that Yang laid upon her. Of course, she was getting older now and is the youngest student to ever attend Beacon. She was even the leader of her team!
Perhaps, it was time for her to take her younger sister a bit more seriously, Yang pondered.
Nah.
Ruby was and will always be her younger sister. The one that Yang would always come to the rescue for. When bullies would pick on Ruby or when a spider crept into her room. But as Ruby's older sister, even she had to overcome her own fears to protect Ruby herself.
Ruby had always been self-conscious and it was up to Yang to lift her up. Especially now, with the whole fiasco with the Breach and even when they did nothing wrong, and were hailed as heroes. While at the same time, Ozpin was being vilified by the general community for failing to foresee the Breach.
As they continued down Beacon's silent halls, Yang then began to think about Ruby's rough and restless nights. Ruby used to always confide her in older sister and still does to some extent. Like when Blake ran away, Ruby was almost in tears as she worried about her friend.
Then there were times where Ruby was distant. Running away and taking trips alone to visit her Mother's grave.
"Oh, look," Ruby said suddenly to which Yang looked up to see not only Lumina approaching them but also the captain of team HAVC.
"Good morning Ruby," Lumina said with a beaming smile before addressing the next sister. "Good morning Yang."
"Hey Lumina, what's up?" Yang asked but then turned to Haiiden, and eyed him from head to toe. "Hey cap, haven't seen you around in a while."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Haiiden said with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head. "Just been busy is all."
"Really?" Yang asked quizzically. "Most classes were closed for the last week. What have you been up to?"
"Mostly training," Haiiden replied. "The breach was a wake-up call so I got to get myself ready just in case."
"I mean, it's not like its gonna happen again," Yang shrugged and clasped her hands behind her head. "But I guess I get what you mean."
"Well, maybe now you have a bit of time to play a game with JNPR, your team, and Us?" Ruby asked as she lightly hopped in place.
"Oh, you already had plans?" Lumina asked.
"Yeah, about that," Haiiden said with a hesitant laugh to which Ruby's excitement faded. "Zed has this tendency to volunteer me without asking. I already had plans today."
"Oh," Ruby replied.
"And what are you up to?" Yang asked and tilted her head.
"He said some volunteer work," Lumina said as she turned to him. "Asked me to come along with him."
"Wow. Really?" Yang said.
"Yeah, its something that Ozpin trained into me," Haiiden replied. "Something to do in between school years. Now there is the Vytal Festival, so I thought I'd do some work to help out."
"I would use the time off for some fun," Yang shrugged. "But, you do you."
"Awww," Ruby groaned.
"Perhaps another time, Ruby," Lumina replied and nudged Haiiden's arm.
"Yeah," Haiiden said, momentarily making eye contact with Ruby to which he immediately recoiled and quickly walked away.
"Have fun, girls," Lumina smiled and followed behind Haiiden.
"You too," Yang said, waving the two goodbye as she started again towards the library.
However, Ruby stood in place, still watching the two leave.
"Ruby, come on," Yang called out, to which Ruby jumped in place.
"Yeah, coming," Ruby replied and quickly ran to rejoin her sister.
There was silence between the two, so much so that Yang looked down at her sister and noticed once more her anxious mannerisms as she twiddled her thumbs.
"Hey, Ruby," Yang said.
"Hmm?" Ruby hummed.
"Just wanted to ask if everything was okay with you," Yang asked.
"Yeah, I am fine," Ruby answered hesitantly.
"You sure?" Yang prodded. "You have been kind of down the past couple weeks since…"
Yang motioned to the knights that patrolled past them.
"Since all of this," Yang continued.
"Well… I do feel bad for Ozpin," Ruby replied as she fidgeted with the hem of her cloak. "That's not the only thing bothering me though."
"What is it?" Yang asked. "Come on, you can tell me. Did someone say something?"
"Well, kinda," Ruby said hesitantly. "Not to me though but it was about me."
"Oh yeah?" Yang replied, her voice rising. "Need me to kick some butt for you?"
"Wha-? No, Yang!" Ruby shouted.
"Well then, who was it?" Yang asked.
"Well, now I can't tell you since you said you would beat them up," Ruby said as she puffed her cheeks.
"Come on, that's not fair," Yang teased, as she reached out and grabbed Ruby, pulling her close. "How can I help if you won't tell me what, or who is bugging you?"
"Well it's just the usual," Ruby continued. "Someone believes that I should not be here because of my age, that's all."
"Really?" Yang asked, incredulously. "I thought we were past that already. You proved yourself more capable than most here anyway."
"This feels different though," Ruby continued.
"How so?" Yang asked.
Ruby silently shook her head.
"Okay, we can talk about it another time then," Yang said, her voice softening as she squeezed Ruby tighter. "When you are ready."
"Okay," Ruby replied.
As they turned the next corner, they both noticed a line right outside of the library's entrance. At its entrance, were two guards posted as they checked the IDs of students entering.
"Seriously?" Yang groaned as she and Ruby waited at the end of the line. Despite its size, it moved pretty quickly and before they knew it, there were already at the front.
"So, are we going to have to do this all the time?" Yang asked, crossing her arms as she confronted the guard.
"Just following orders ma'am," the first guard said as he finished checking another student's ID. "If you have any complaints, you can bring them up with General Ironwood, himself."
"What's next? Gonna post you at the restrooms too?" Yang quipped.
"If he ordered it. Now, do you have your ID or not?" The second officer replied.
"Yeah, yeah," Yang grumbled as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her Scroll which had her ID already downloaded onto it. "Not gonna make the same mistake like last time."
"You get used to it."
Yang and Ruby heard behind them and they turned to see a student from Atlas Academy. His name was Flynt Coal, and the team he arrived with was likewise going to participate in the Vytal Tournament. That team was called Team FNKI.
Carrying an instrument case with him, he tipped his fedora at the two sisters as he sidestepped around them and quickly presented his ID to the guard.
"I'm serious when I say be thankful you only have to deal with this until the end of the festival," Flynt said with a wink and a shrug before addressing the guard. "G' morning, Red."
"Good morning, Mr. Coal," the first guard said as he allowed Flynt to enter. "Least someone has manners."
Yang glared at the guard as she handed her Scroll to the guard to which he simply replied with a nod after scanning it.
Ruby then presented her Scroll next, handing it over with both hands, and just as quickly, the guard scanned it and allowed them to pass.
"Finally," Yang muttered and beckoned for Ruby to follow her.
"Wasn't that bad," Ruby replied.
Yang silently shook her head and set out with her sister to find their group. Already set up in a little corner, were teams HAVC, JNPR, and the rest of RWBY.
"There you are," Blake said, the first to notice the two.
"Took you long enough," Weiss added. "We were just about to start."
"Sorry," Ruby replied. "Took me a while to get ready."
"Then don't sleep in so much," Weiss sighed.
"Well, the post outside didn't quite help either," Yang griped.
"Eh, it wasn't so bad," Jaune countered, looking up at the two as he was just finishing setting down the last pieces. "Hey, Ruby."
"Hey Jaune," Ruby smiled as she sat down at two tables pressed together. The map of their game stretching across both of them.
"Beacon turning into some pseudo-fascist dictatorship isn't so bad?" Yang asked.
"I think you are looking too much into this, Yang," Pyrrha added, growing concerned at Yang's choice of words. "Besides, it'll only last until the end of the Vytal Festival."
"It'll be over before you know it," Ren calmly added.
"I don't know, I kind of agree with Yang," Nora said.
"You don't even know what pseudo-fascist means, Nora," Ren replied as he crossed his arms in front of him and looked up at her.
"I know that I don't like it," Nora replied, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, we are here now and we didn't get in trouble," Jaune said as he finished setting down the pieces. "Let's just enjoy a game together and forget what's going on."
"Yeah," Yang reluctantly agreed and looked over the placement of the board. The teams were set: Grimm vs Huntsmen and Huntresses, but the piece count seemed off.
"I count twelve pieces," Yang pointed out.
"Yeah, my mate is the last player it seems," Zed replied, his hands clasped behind his head. "Kinda surprised, he's usually never late."
"We passed by each other on the way here," Ruby added.
"Passed by each other?" Zed asked, cocking a brow. "Is he not coming?"
"He said that he was heading out for some volunteer work," Yang replied instead. "We thought you knew."
Zed looked over to the twins of HAVC for affirmation: Cecilia and Vaughn, who simply shrugged.
"I know he volunteers between school years but I didn't know he was going out now," Zed replied as he scowled.
"I mean, I get that you are trying to get us to know each other a bit better," Yang said, folding her arms in front of her as she glared at Zed. "However, he seems to never be around when we get together. Starting to think he is avoiding us."
Ruby lowered her head.
"Woah, no," Zed said with a nervous laugh. "I know him if he was just avoiding you 'cus he didn't like you or something, he would say so."
"To our face?" Ruby asked.
"Especially," Zed smiled. "Not many people that he doesn't like. As far as I know, it's just General Ironwood that he doesn't like."
"Me and him both," Yang mumbled.
"Why would you think he's avoiding you anyways?" Jaune asked.
"If anything, he was excited to meet you when he first heard of you," Pyrrha added.
"I can confirm that," Vaughn likewise added. "When we first met JNPR, it was right after your initiation and we were told about your test in the Emerald Forest. He seemed to enjoy the story."
"Kind of seemed strange that we didn't meet each other before," Blake wondered out loud.
"With the way classes are structured maybe we didn't get into the same ones," Cecilia said. "If we did, either there were too many students to notice, or we were simply too busy."
"I have noticed he has been a bit… distant," Ren pointed out placing a hand on his chin as he thought. "Yang may have a point. Whenever we get together, he always seems to have an excuse not to come."
"Could it be because of me?" Ruby asked sheepishly.
With that, the quietness of the library became even more apparent. Nobody knew how to answer that, not even Haiiden's own team.
"No?" Zed replied. "Why would it be?"
"I mean… I don't know," Ruby said.
The table looked to one another before turning back to Ruby.
"You okay, Ruby?" Jaune asked.
"Is this about the breach?" Blake asked.
"Not this again," Yang said with a sigh.
"No!" Ruby quickly answered. "Well, I mean, I still feel bad about what happened to Ozpin but that's not what I am talking about."
"Then what is it?" Pyrrha asked softly. "If something is troubling you, then tell us. Maybe we can help."
"Well," Ruby said hesitantly. "I heard your captain talking to Velvet about me."
"Hmm?" Zed hummed. "Velvet didn't say anything to me and we talk a lot."
"Just because you talk to each other, doesn't mean she tells you everything Zed," Cecilia scoffed as she kicked her feet up on the table. "Sometimes it's best not to."
"I mean- what did you hear?" Jaune asked.
"I didn't get all of it and I am not sure if he was talking about me at all, but I believe he was," Ruby continued. "Said something about me being too young to be here."
"Ah," the rest of the table replied except for Yang, who just scoffed.
"So, he just thinks that she isn't ready to be here?" Yang growled. "Who is he to think that?"
"I doubt that's it, Yang," Jaune replied. "To be honest, I am sure most would think I am the least qualified to be here but he seemed to accept me."
"If I am being honest too, Ruby," Pyrrha said, albeit hesitantly, which was unbecoming of her. "Whenever you cross my mind, I sometimes believe that you are too young as well."
"Oh," Ruby replied.
"It's not a bad thing," Pyrrha then replied, quickly. "I am always happy to see how you fight and I realize that you are more capable than most but then I remember you are a child, and sometimes that thought scares me."
"One day, you are fighting Grimm on an exercise in the Emerald Forest," Ren added. "Then you see a flash of red and a little girl with a scythe in front of you cutting down Grimm like it's nothing."
"Jaw-dropping and kind of out of the ordinary," Vaughn replied.
"And this is coming from us, and we were trained to fight as kids in Atlas," Cecilia said as she pointed between her and Vaughn.
"I'm telling you now, Ruby," Zed said as he smiled at her. "We got to the party a little late as we were bugging out of Mt. Glenn; but when we saw the footage of your fight at the breach, he couldn't contain his excitement at your fight. I swear his smile would have split his head open."
The reassurance did make Ruby smile a little.
"There she is," Zed said with a wink.
"So, what changed his opinion on Ruby?" Blake asked and Zed's smile faded.
"That… I don't know," Zed replied still not looking away from Ruby. "If you want, I can talk to him."
Ruby simply nodded and looked at the table again.
"Come on guys!" Nora yelled impatiently and swiped a pair of dice from Jaune's hand. "We are here to play a game and if none of you are going to take the initiative, then I will."
Nora then rolled the dice on the table.
Vaughn then looked at his Scroll which held a list of the two teams playing and the members of each one. The side of the Grimm was to be taken by him, Cecilia, Ren, Jaune, Weiss, and Blake.
"Seems like you will be at the disadvantage today, Pyrrha," Vaughn said, hiding a grin.
"Hmmm," Pyrrha said as she looked over at Vaughn, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Sounds like everyday life."
0-RWBY-0
Able to take the first flight out of Beacon, Haiiden and Lumina sat quietly together as they flew towards Vale. Lumina remembered Ruby's dejected face upon realizing that Haiiden wouldn't show up to their meeting, to which she turned to look at him.
Unlike Ruby, he didn't show any emotion but she could tell he was thinking about her as he stared out the window of the airship. Lumina then leaned over and put her head on his shoulder in an attempt to get his attention.
A smile crept onto his face but he still didn't look away from the window.
"Hero," Lumina hummed.
"Still calling me that?" Haiiden chuckled.
"From what I know of you, and continue to discover, I believe it is a fitting title," Lumina replied, beaming at him.
"Not yet," Haiiden replied and went silent once more.
"Hero, you know I like you," Lumina continued.
"Do I?" Haiiden joked, to which Lumina simply pushed herself away from him.
"I do," Lumina continued. "I find your motivations interesting and can't help but try to find out more about you."
"There isn't much to know," he replied.
"Perhaps, but I like what I have discovered," Lumina continued, humming all the while. "It's also because I like you, that I have to tell you that sometimes you can be an idiot."
The comment caught him off guard and finally made him look at her curiously.
"I mean, yeah… I will admit that I have done some dumb things," Haiiden muttered.
"Like dropping out after your first year," Lumina said playfully. "Stealing school property."
"Vaughn used the word commandeering," Haiiden said, hiding a cough.
"Oh, don't play word games with me," Lumina giggled.
"Okay, but I had good reasons to do both," Haiiden said. "I understand that it doesn't excuse what I did…"
"I understand, hero," Lumina said as she grabbed his arm. "You think with your heart. You don't think about the consequences until they finally come around."
"I guess?" Haiiden replied. "This is coming out of nowhere though; did I do something wrong recently?"
"Not exactly," Lumina replied but then took a moment to think. "You do realize you can't keep avoiding Ruby forever, right? She is now a part of you from the very moment you met, whether you realize it or not."
"I know," Haiiden sighed.
"I understand that you are afraid for her," Lumina continued. "I am too. In the end, we became Huntresses and Huntsmen so that little girls like her don't have to be."
"It makes me wonder if things have gotten that bad for Ozpin to have invited her to Beacon," Haiiden said.
"Or maybe everything is the same like it has always been," Lumina said, to which Haiiden didn't have a response.
"Ugh," Lumina said as she rolled her eyes and began to laugh. "I am sorry to bring up such a gloomy topic."
She then leaned in towards Haiiden and watched as a smile crept on his face which he tried to hide.
"So," she whispered. "Where are we going exactly?"
"There is a charity that helps people who have been displaced after Mt. Glenn," Haiiden replied. "A lot of these people have never financially recovered from the disaster and the Council seems to want to pretend like they don't exist."
"Hmmm," Lumina hummed as she narrowed her eyes. "Here I was, trying to pull you out of your gloominess."
"I am not going there to sulk or anything," Haiiden chuckled. "I am just going there to help, but I will admit, there is a personal motivation for it."
"Anything to do with your status as a ghost?" Lumina asked.
"Kind of," Haiiden replied. "Really, it's because I think they need help the most but no one is willing to offer it. I understand that everyone just wants to forget what happened but I don't think we should abandon people like this. The only people that do anything are these charities but they can only do so much."
"Mhm," Lumina nodded, holding his arm tighter. "Not many people are willing to just give their free time just from the goodness of their heart."
Haiiden blushed.
"Well, my mom always used to tell me about a man she once knew," Haiiden said. "She said he used to be part of her team when she was a student at Beacon, along with my dad."
"Oh? And what was this man's name?" Lumina asked.
"She never told me," Haiiden said and thought a moment as he stared into space. "Whenever I asked, you can see that she was hurt just thinking about him but then she would smile and change the subject. I would just forget about it then."
"Okay, so what was so important about this man that made you remember him?" Lumina asked.
"The stories my mom would tell about him," Haiiden continued. "Despite my mom being the leader of their team, this man always inspired her to be better."
"That's a good quality," Lumina remarked. "A leader must always strive to be better especially when those that she leads strive to do the same."
Haiiden nodded.
"She told me that when they finally graduated and were officially recognized as Huntsmen and Huntresses, they continued to travel together as a team. Sometimes, they came across mission boards and would notice fellow Huntsmen pass by them and ignore requests."
"Why?" Lumina asked as she tilted her head.
"They didn't pay enough," Haiiden said, his gauntlet balled into a fist.
"The first time they ever saw other Huntsmen act so…"
"Callous?" Lumina suggested. "Indifferent?"
"Exactly," Haiiden nodded but then he smiled proudly. "When they saw that, her teammate was enraged and pointed out that they betrayed their duties as Huntsmen. So, he would end up taking any mission they could find, even if it didn't pay well. My mother would go with him and said there were times where he would deny the reward altogether and would only ask for room and board until the job is complete."
"That's a very selfless act," Lumina nodded. "I already like the sound of this man. Did she ever tell you what happened to him?"
"Yes," Haiiden replied, his voice changed and his expression sank. "She told me that he would never take breaks. Life for him was going from one mission to the next and she could see the strain affecting him. She tried to get him to relax and get some rest but he ignored her."
"A man who tried to save the world, it seemed," Lumina commented sadly. "It never works out well for these kinds of people…"
"I know," Haiiden nodded. "One day, he took his weapon and went into the wilderness, killing any Grimm he could find. That was the last time my mom ever saw him and she later heard from an exploratory team that he had died."
Lumina silently shook her head.
"I can see where your desire to helps come from, but I hope you don't try to take after him," Lumina said. "I would hate to hear that you had died on some foolish quest to save the world."
"I mean… I can try," Haiiden joked to which Lumina playfully smacked him on the side of the head.
"This is a cautionary tale, Hero," Lumina said sternly.
"Don't you wish you could do more?" Haiiden asked.
"I do," Lumina replied and nodded. "But I am also a realist. I will save as many lives as I can but I must also look out for my own life. The demand for huntsmen is high and I can't save anyone if I end up dead."
"That's a good point," Haiiden conceded.
Their conversation had distracted the two long enough that they didn't notice how far the airship has flown. The cabin in the airship dinged, signaling the passengers that they are now at their destination.
Both of them disembarked the airship and began to make their way to Vale's southernmost gate. Just outside of it, people gathered around with the organizer in the middle on top of a box to address the crowd. The organizer was a woman with black hair and wore round glasses.
Haiiden and Lumina picked up the pace, realizing that they had taken a bit too long to get there as the organizer had already begun setting up plans.
"Remember, a lot of these people have lost everything after Mt Glenn," The organizer said to the crowd. "Most have never been able to financially recover so we are here to alleviate some of their burdens by helping with the necessities. Clothing, food, etcetera…"
"Why not just resettle elsewhere?" Someone asked.
"With what?" the organizer asked in return. "They have nothing. Most of what they already have is taken from whatever is thrown out or given to them."
As the organizer continued, Lumina looked over to Haiiden and noticed his sword strapped to his belt, with his hand on the pommel.
"Came armed for charity work?" Lumina asked.
"It was requested of me by the organizer," Haiiden whispered.
Lumina cocked a brow but then listened in on the announcement.
"Before we begin, I would like to thank one of our benefactors once more for their generous donations: The Schnee Dust Company," she remarked to which there were scattered claps from the crowd.
"Let's get started then, everyone," the organizer said, to which the crowd dispersed and began to carry boxes and crates with them. One by one, then headed for the gates and when the crowd was big enough, the militia opened the giant gates to allow everyone through.
"Haiiden, may I speak with you?" The organizer asked just as Haiiden bent down to pick up a box.
"Hey, Sable," Haiiden with a huff as he lifted the box.
"Good to see you again," Sable said, holding onto her Tablet. "Thank you again for offering your services this year but isn't it a bit early?"
"There is some time between classes right now," Haiiden said, with him and Lumina walking alongside Sable towards the Vale's gates.
"I would have preferred you enjoy your free time but I appreciate your help none the less," Sable said. "How is Ozpin by the way?"
"He is alright," Haiiden said. "As far as I know at least."
"Yeah…" Sable replied. "I am sure the Breach has had an impact on him."
"I am sure it has, he just doesn't show it," Haiiden agreed. "So, are you going to tell me why you asked me to bring my sword?"
"In a bit, once we are outside," Sable said to which Haiiden nodded. Lumina instead tilted her head as she listened.
"So, the SDC, huh?" Haiiden remarked. "Never had such a high-profile donor before. I guess you are really putting your name and cause out there."
"Indeed, and we have a big project planned too," Sable replied. "We are just looking for licensing from the Council."
"Licensing for what?" Haiiden asked.
"Land leases and such," Sable continued. "We are planning to build affordable housing for the refugees to try and reintegrate them back into Vale."
"Sounds like a plan, I hope it works well," Haiiden said. "I'm glad there are people like you who haven't forgotten about them."
"I was one of the people affected by Mt. Glenn," Sable said. "I was just lucky enough to still have family back in Vale to take me in."
Haiiden, Lumina, and Sable finally caught up with the rest of the volunteers. Once outside, they arrive at the sight of shacks made of scrap lined up against Vale's walls.
"Wait, these people are not inside the walls?" Lumina asked, covering her mouth in shock.
"At the time, there wasn't enough room inside Vale to house them," Sable replied. "This was the next best thing, unfortunately."
"Does anyone have a problem with this?" Lumina asked.
"Many, in fact," Sable replied again. "A lot of donations come from within the city. The people aren't heartless, but what can they do? They just live their lives just like the refugees, the difference is the people out here were dealt a bad hand."
"Still," Lumina said, crestfallen.
"Wait here," Sable said, stopping in front of Haiiden for a moment before she ran off to another volunteer. Before long, both of them returned and the box that Haiiden carried was taken from him all while Sable took Haiiden by the arm.
"I do have a request for you," Sable whispered, as she pulled him away, to which Haiiden leaned in closer to listen. "This must be kept quiet from Ozpin and most of all, Ms. Goodwitch. I don't want her breathing down my neck about this."
"What's up, Sable?" Haiiden asked, looking up to Lumina as she huddled in as well.
"Some of the refugees have been reporting disappearances during the night," Sable whispered. "I don't want to scare anyone but I believe the Grimm might be involved."
"So, that's why you asked me to bring my sword," Haiiden said.
"Indeed," Sable said reluctantly. "They have asked me to be a mediator to the Council but they have denied my request. Stating they don't have the huntsmen to spare."
Haiiden nodded.
"Ah, that makes a lot more sense," Lumina said. "If I had known, I would come armed too."
"I didn't know he was bringing a friend with him," Sable replied.
"It's fine, I'll go take a look," Haiiden said.
"I'll stay behind then," Lumina said, wincing as she turned towards the camps. "I'd like to help out here while I can."
"I'd gladly take any help," Sable replied. "Thank you, both of you."
"Any information you can give me before I start searching?" Haiiden asked.
Sable shook her head.
"Just some howling in the night," Sable replied. "I thought it could be Grimm but there are wolf packs that live out here as well."
Haiiden simply nodded before turning towards the expanse that is the Forever Fall Forest. The forest had a reputation for being the more dangerous part of Vale and not many villages were set up out here because of it. The only thing going through here were train systems that reached towards the continents southernmost coast, and were heavily armed and would travel to an equally-well defended trade port.
If there were going to be Grimm that was brave enough to approach Vale's walls, it would be here.
Haiiden took a deep breath as he began to make his way into the forest. No point in using his semblance out here, anyone who would have been taken would have died before he even got here; and their fire would have died out too.
During his training before entering Beacon, Professor Port taught him how to track different animals and especially, Grimm. Some mannerisms that the Grimm displayed were at times similar to the wild animals that live out here. Howling in the night sounded like Beowolves, especially since ordinary wolves would never get this close to settlements.
And with the vastness of the forest, it would take forever to find this particular pack of Grimm. Instead, Haiiden prompted to let them find him. He walked further and further out into Forever Fall Forest until he could no longer see Vale's walls from the canopy or through the thickness of the trees.
He then remembered how once, when he and Professor Port went out on a camping trip when he was a kid, they always seemed to know where they were. Port would then tell him that as creatures of darkness they were possibly attracted to the only light source in the area, being their souls. As he grew older, that idea made more and more sense, especially as he began to delve deeper into his semblance.
Haiiden took a deep breath and knelt on the ground and closed his eyes. In the darkness, he could see the light in his chest burning like a fire yet that light was being swallowed by the blackness around him.
It didn't take long until Haiiden heard rustling in the trees and the snapping of twigs. He opened his eyes to meet the red glowing slits staring back at him from the bushes and shrubbery. In a single swift motion, his sword's bare blade reflected light back into the shadows revealing the foe that he baited in.
From the shadows emerged a pack of six Beowolves, slowly walking a circle around Haiiden. Then as a pack, they lunged as Haiiden with claws and teeth bared at the living being that dared cross their path. Haiiden would dodge and weave between attacks, sliding between pairs of scything claws, sidestepping snapping jaws, and all the while twirling his blade to discourage the more avid of his new Grimm followers. After putting some distance between himself and the pack, Haiiden began to gauge himself and the Grimm that faced him.
The scene was familiar to Haiiden, as he reminisced about the battle in Mt. Glenn just before the start of the school year. Despite being outnumbered, he was confident this fight would be an easy one.
And then the Grimm charged once more with Haiiden to weave himself between their attacks, his sword flashing in the dim light. Haiiden felt his blade barely leaving any marks on the Beowolves. But that was enough to let him know that his cuts were reaching.
And thus this dance of death continued. Keeping his breathing and his steps light, as the Grimm kept coming at him with berserk fury. Nearly climbing over one another to get at him.
With every over extended claw, Haiiden would respond with a cut, and with every exposed body, a sharp stab would send the offending Beowulf reeling. This would have continued further had not a Beowulf not slam its body into Haiiden, breaking the rhythm that he had set. Forcing him to block further attacks with parries and blocks, keeping on the defensive. Slowly but surely regaining that rhythm of his dance.)
Twisting his body out of the way as a Beowolf charged passed him. Haiiden noticed its sluggish movements. A small smile forming on his lips as the same could be said about the rest of the Beowolves.
Now was the time to be on the offensive…
Suggestion: With unstable legs, one of the Beowolves stood tall, using its superior height in an all-or-nothing attack. Trying to rake both claws down at the same time. Only to feel nothing in one arm and a cold sensation up to its elbow. Haiiden then brought his blade down, ending the Beowolf as its head rolled past its body.
Hearing a Roar, Haiiden squatted. Feeling the body of the Beowolf just above him, Haiiden stabbed upwards, bringing his blade in an arc. Splitting the Beowulf from chest to groin in a single motion.
Suggestion: Taking a deep breath, Haiiden pushed with all his might on his legs, propelling himself towards the remaining four Beowolves. One swung at him, which he leaned under and swung his blade upwards causing a large tear in the Creature's chest forcing it to step back and fall but not killing it. The other Beowolves quickly jumped back to gain space, their maws panting and dripping with what he could only assume was saliva.)
Then the rest came one by one, tired and exhausted by the wounds that Haiiden had inflicted upon them. The first of the four came at Haiiden with a swipe but with a spin, Haiiden slashed at the back of its knee, forcing the Beowolf to its knees before a Sword erupted from the back of its mouth ending its life.
The Second hesitated for a moment before attempting to slam into Haiiden in order to bite him. But it was too simple, too easily spotted, and when it tried the slam Haiiden was ready for it. He tore his blade out and held it out as he likewise charged forward. Letting the Second Beowolf impale itself on his Blade and watched the light in its eyes flicker out.
The Third went at Haiiden with a wide sweeping claw, only for Haiiden to duck under the attack. Placing his foot against the body of its comrade and pushed it forward, releasing its hold on his sword. The Beowolf then followed up with its other paw, leaning forward as its body could no longer support it. Haiiden walked forward to it and stabbed his blade into its head and continued forward.
Haiiden then returned to the Grimm that he had heavily wounded. Its eyes flickering with the hateful light as it weakly tried to swipe at him. Only to find that it's remaining arm missing, and it was looking at its stump of a neck.
The remaining Grimm that Haiiden left behind noticed its pack dead and disintegrating in front of it and attempted to flee. However, Due to its injuries, it was slow, as Haiiden lunged forward and closed the distance almost instantly. Aiming his blade, and with his palm on the pommel for leverage, he rammed the sword through the neck of the Grimm.
The speed and force of the lunged caused the Grimm to lurch back, only for Haiiden to quickly grab the back of the Grimm's head. As he pulled out the sword, he then slammed the Grimm's face into the dirt with a crunch.
As if on cue, there was more rustling from the trees and a loud thumping of footsteps. Upon realizing that its pack had failed to kill Haiiden, the Alpha revealed itself and roared out a challenge.
Haiiden twirled his blade and readied himself once more. This was his final enemy today and for that reason, he wanted to end this quick.
Both sides paced a small circle around each other, each estimating the strength of the other. However, with a bestial roar, the Alpha made the first move. Haiiden quickly side-stepped out of the reach of the blow and turned his body to face the Alpha. However, it was not an Alpha for nothing, as it used its claws to turn itself around quickly and launched itself at Haiiden.
With a furious rake of its claws, the Alpha swung and swiped at Haiiden, advancing on the being that dared kill its pack. Haiiden was being forced to back-pedal using both hands to block and redirect blows that would have killed him if he made one single mistake. Haiiden bided his time and waited for an opportunity to riposte and change the tide of this fight. Such a moment arrived when he noticed a lag between the flurry of blows the Alpha threw out, bracing himself, Haiiden concentrated and then immediately shoulder bashed the Alpha throwing his entire weight into the hit and forcing it back.
With the Alpha staggered, Haiiden quickly took to the offensive. A flurry of steel, Haiiden swung and swung over and over again. Transitioning from low to high attacks and back again, his sword cutting deep into the body of the Alpha. The Alpha tried to make a counter, but before it could swing, Haiiden stepped into the attack and swung his sword down, leaving a large gash from its collar bone to its waist and yet despite leaving such a debilitating wound, the Alpha still stood but did so on unsteady feet as it tried to regain its balance.
Taking this chance, Haiiden ran up to the Alpha before using it's leg as a launchpad to jump over the head of the Alpha. Feeling his weightlessness go missing, Haiiden turned his body and gripped his sword with both hands. And with assistance from gravity, drive his blade into it's back going several inches before he grabbed the fur attached to the back of the Alpha's head.
Haiiden yanked the head back, pulling it further, thus throwing the Grimm off balance. Haiiden ripping his sword from it's back before plunging it back in through its neck. Causing it to fall backward, Haiiden flipped over, driving his knees into its chest to help the Alpha go down even faster.
The Grimm fell over, but still did not die, as it began to whimper and frantically began to claw at Haiiden as he sat on top of it. The attempts to get Haiiden off of it were weak and pathetic, and more annoying really as Haiiden raised his arms to protect himself.
Instead, Haiiden pulled back his robotic arm and drove his gauntlet into the Alpha's snout, dazing it just long enough for Haiiden to pull out his blade from its neck before driving it through the chest.
With that final attack, the Alpha stopped moving, and just as quickly as its arms fell limp on the ground, so too did it start to disintegrate like all the other Grimm.
Haiiden got up and stepped away, watching it disappear as he sheathed his sword. He had done a good thing but for some strange reason, he didn't feel like a hero today.
Lumina's words then began to ring in his mind…
Everything is the same as it has always been.
Yes, he killed a group of Grimm that could have posed a threat in the future but more will take their place. Even with this group dead, he wasn't even sure that this was the pack terrorizing the refugees.
However, he thought that in the end, he was sent out to kill a group of Grimm and he did just that. As he began to walk back to Vale, he prayed that it might be enough to at least offer them some peace.