"Hey, Nanashi, you alright there?"

...

"Ah, I see. Hey, don't worry so much. We've already gone through so much, I'm pretty sure taking down the Divine Powers will be cakewalk for us. Of course, there is Lucifer and Merkabah to think about."

...

"...Nanashi? You mind if I ask you something?"

...

"...what do you think about us?"


RWBY: Final Judgement


interludium IV: Promises and School Days

After initiation had been over and done with, the newly instated teams were led to their new housings in the dorms. Glynda had taken Team RWBY, and a portly man called Professor Port had taken JNPR. Nanashi and his team (it still felt odd yet nostalgic that he was made team leader, given how things were in the past in his world) were led by a teacher with green hair and wearing a messy white shirt with a yellow tie and glasses while carrying a mug of coffee in his hand.

And Nanashi quickly learned that the man, Oobleck, REALLY loved coffee.

"This is the room you'll all be staying in!" the teacher announced in a fast tone. "First, a bit of ground rules! Baths have strict times for when male and females are to enter! And before any of you ask, no, there is no mixed bathing! Though the dorm is co-ed, it is not a place for debauchery, thank you! Secondly, you are all expected to be in bed by midnight! No later!"

"...Did any of you guys catch all of that?" Cris Branwen questioned his newly formed teammates.

"Sort of..." Walter shrugged.

Jonathan gave a curt nod. "Of course," he said. "We understand, Professor Oobleck."

"DOCTOR Oobleck!" the teacher corrected. "I did not earn a PhD for nothing, Mr. Arc!" He took a quick sip of his mug before continuing. "At any rate, you're free to spend the evening until midnight! I expect all of you in bed in two hours! And for goodness' sakes, please don't teepee the dorm rooms! We've had quite enough of that last year!"

Nanashi quirked an eyebrow. "...seriously?"

"Quite," the man nodded. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to gather my notes for tomorrow's lesson! If you boys will excuse me!"

Before any of the boys had a chance to say anything, he zipped away, dashing past the boys and in a second was already gone from view. "...what in the hell did he put in that mug of his?" Walter questioned, his face a cross between disturbed or dumbfounded. "That can't be healthy."

"Must be a caffeine junkie or something," Cris said, putting his hands behind his head. "So, what do you guys wanna do? We've got two hours before we hit the hay."

"I suggest we unpack our belongings first." Johnathan offered, eyeing the pile of luggage in the corner. "Might as well do so now while we have time. Who knows when the next opportunity will arise when classes start."

"Good point."

Walter groaned. "Ugh, great..."

"I did tell you not to pack too much," the young man chided him softly before looking back at the luggage. "Well then, shall we?"

"Might as well." Nanashi shrugged. Without further complaint, sans from Walter, the newly formed team moved to unpack their belongings and went about organizing the room.

It was hardly any trouble, though the green-eyed Godslayer realized what Jonathan meant by Walter having too much. He had packed only a good number of clothes but several personal items, including for some reason a game system. Still, they were able to make due. Cris, as he expected, had barely any luggage due to him being here a last-minute decision by Qrow. A bit of rearranging was required to fit their preferences was needed, though it was hardly much. Jonathan and Cris were in charge of decorating, putting up a few home items on the shelf they were given by the school, filling it with tomes and, much to Nanashi's curiosity, action figures. Walter seemed a tad bit embarrassed, though he claimed that they were vintage sets, therefore able to net a good price when he decided to sell them. He didn't ask anything more while he and Walter went to placing the rest of their luggage - their clothes and whatnot, into their respective drawers.

"By the way, Nanashi," the wild-haired boy said as he finished up, tossing his shirt haphazardly into the dresser. "You...okay?"

The boy paused what he was doing, quirking an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, back at the forest," he explained, looking concerned. "That kind of semblance has gotta hurt when using it. You said it pretty much puts your body back together whenever it gets damaged, right?"

'Oh, right,' he realized. 'I forgot I made up that excuse.'

When Teams RWBY and JNPR questioned what they had just arrived to, along with the rest of his team asking what the hell just happened, he made up an excuse. His Semblance was energy-based, using what little, if any Aura he had, to accelerate the healing process to an unheard of level, and could be weaponized. He also likened it to Yang's, with him getting stronger the more damage he took...though he did tell them that he preferred not to use it, given the mechanics.

Needless to say, it was a blatant lie, but he couldn't exactly tell them that he was a corpse being kept alive by a god, now could he?

"I'm fine, for the most part," he said, shrugging. "I'm more worried about you guys. You did get your asses kicked."

Cris snickered. "Yeah," he said, grinning at him. "This coming from the guy who got hit just as bad."

"Oh, bite me."

Nanashi growled. He didn't want that particular reminder. It was bad enough remembering that he got beaten down by a giant gorilla. A major blow to his pride given his previous feats.

"I'm just glad we all made it out alright." Johnathan said, shelving the last book he had.

"Still, I have to admit...fighting against a powerful Grimm such as that brought a sense of accomplishment, don't you think?"

"Speak for yourself," Walter grunted. "I'm still sore all over." He then resumed what he was doing. "Aaand...done. Whew~"

The four took a step back to admire their work. The shelf was now fully stocked with books and novels and Walter's collection, the desk was filled with notebooks and such, courtesy of Jonathan, and the dressers full of clothes. The beds were also set a bit farther apart, and their suitcases atop the sheets. Walter also decided to give his side of the room a bit of flare, putting up posters of cheesy movies that Nanashi recognized, courtesy of Summer's bad taste in movies.

"Not bad," Walter said, folding his arms. "So...who's gonna bunk with who?"

Jonathan chuckled. "Well, I'll feel sorry for whoever bunks with you, given your snoring habits."

"Hey!"

"If you think Walter's bad," Nanashi sighed. "You should listen to how Cris snores."

"Hey!" Now it was his cousins turn to yell in indignation.

"And don't forget that were all in the same room...so all of us are gonna have to put up with each other's snoring."

"...fair point," Jonathan said before taking out a pocketwatch from his pocket. "Hm, we have half an hour before heading to bed."

"In that case," Walter brought up. "Why not head to the top?" The boys gave him a look. "I overheard from one of the students earlier before Initiation that the top of Beacon has a killer view."

Nanashi's curiosity piqued. It would be nice to see if this was legit. "In that case, let's see if JNPR or RWBY wants to come with," Jonathan suggested. "After all, the more the merrier."

"Yeah. Plus, I kinda wanna know how and why your brother managed to attend here..." Walter added.

"I agree. He never said anything about applying to Beacon to my family or I..."

Nanashi raised an eyebrow. 'He didn't tell his family?' he thought, confused. 'Weird...'

[Probably snuck his way in,] Dagda gave his two cents. [He does seem to be of the skittish variety...hey, kid. About those two...]

'Yeah,' he replied back. 'I'm going to talk with them once we're alone. Can't risk bringing them out in the open, after all.'


Jaune was panicking.

His first day at Beacon had gone not in any way he expected. First he gets lost but meets a cute adorkable girl and her brother, gets picked on by a couple of guys because of his onesie (he felt quite offended by that. Hey, it was COMFY!), and then in the morning and come Initiation, he found himself being hurled into the air, and would have probably broken something had that red-haired girl not pinned him to a tree. He nearly got caught about faking his transcripts when he she asked why he didn't have his Aura unlocked, even though he vaguely remembered hearing about that from his older brother, but thankfully she didn't seem to think too much on it. The worst part of his day came from the fact that he found his brother and his best friend right near the end.

'I am so screwed!' his chibi-Jaune cried, flailing his arms around inside his head while running around in a panic. 'I'm a goner! Dead as a doornail! Walter and Jonny are gonna be pissed when they find out I lied my way into Beacon! Crap crap CRAAAAP!'

This officially became the worst day of his life. How was he going to explain to those two how he got here in the first place! One way or the other, there going to learn about his falsified transcripts and no doubt tell Ozpin, kicking him out of Beacon, and sending him back home...where he will have to face the worry and wrath of his parents and older sisters!

"Are you alright, Jaune?" Pyrrha asked him, knocking him out of his thoughts. She looked so worried for him, especially seeing his expression of panic. Dust bless him, whoever decided to make a girl worried for someone like him, he would gladly kiss their feet. "You've been tense ever since we got back."

"I'm just...nervous is all..." He scratched the back of his head. "I mean...I'm at Beacon...one of the best combat schools on Remnant."

A lie. A total lie. He wasn't even supposed to be here, though he couldn't exactly tell his new teammates that, much less his brother.

"Understandable," Ren remarked. "Anyway, we should-" He was cut off by a sharp knock at the door. "Hold on," he said, standing up. He opened the door, and much to Jaune's horror, the newly instated Team NICA stood before them. "Oh, you're...Nanashi, Walter, Jonathan, and Cris, right?"

Walter grinned. "Hey, you actually remember us," he said jovially. "Anyway, pardon us for barging in."

"We came to see how everyone was settling in," Jonathan said. Jaune squirmed as he tried to hide himself from his older brother's gaze. Seriously, the heck was this?! Jaune Hated By Fate day?! "That, and a bit of bonding between fellows. Walter learned from a few students that the top of Beacon has an excellent view."

"I see," Pyrrha said, nodding with a grateous smile. "Sorry, but I'm still in the middle of unpacking. Perhaps another time."

"And I have to take care of Nora," Ren said, stepping aside a bit to show them the hyperactive girl in question, who was currently jumping around on her bed while munching on a sugar donut. "It takes about an hour or so before she calms herself down from a sugar rush." His face fell a bit. "Trust me...you don't want to deal with her when she's on a sugar rush."

Nanashi sweat-dropped. "Reminds me of Ruby when she raided the cookie jar when we were little," he remarked. "So I think I know your pain, man."

"Thank you..." Ren nodded kindly, grateful that someone else understood a similar experience.

"So since you, Pyrrha, and Nora aren't able to join us...why not your team leader? Jaune, was it?" Cris asked as he looked at the blonde who was hiding behind his bed. Upon hearing his name, Jaune froze. God dammit, today just wasn't his day. "Is that him? Hiding behind the bed over there?" Cris pointed in his direction.

"I-I'm not hiding!" Jaune said quickly. "I'm stuffing my suitcase underneath!" Sighing, he walked around the bed, greeting them formally. "Hey guys."

"Hey, yourself," Walter said, folding his arms. "So, when were you going to tell us you applied for Beacon?"

"Indeed. I'm sure mother, father, our sisters and I would've heard the news..." Johnathan added.

This was it. This was where Jaune was going to die. He just knew it. 'Quick!' Chibi-Jaune shouted. 'Think of a lie!'

"I, er..." Jaune said, a nervous smile on his face. "Wanted it to be...a...sur...prise?"

'...WE'RE BONED!'

"Really now?" His brother raised a brow while maintaining a scrutinizing gaze. Walter had his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Jaune could practically feel himself sweating bullets.

'That's it! We're so dead!' Chibi-Jaune weeped. 'It was a good life! But, wait, I haven't even gotten a girlfriend yet! I'm still a virgin! I haven't even gotten to kill my first Grimm yet! Oh, please, whatever god exists in the world, HAVE MERCY!'

For what seemed like hours, his brother and friend stared at him. Jaune felt his heart pounding against his chest, doing his best to remain calm. Eventually, though, their faces fell for grins. "Well, can't argue with that," Walter said, grinning. "I saw what you did out there. You been practicing your sword skills without us or something?"

'OH THANK YOU GOD!'

"Y-yeah!" Jaune quickly nodded. "W-well, not really...I'm still nowhere near Jonny's level, though."

Jonathan chuckled lightly, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "You did well for your first time in the field, though, Jaune," he told him, causing his eyes to lit. He was being praised...by his older brother. Someone pinch him to make sure he's not dreaming! "I have to admit, even I'm impressed. Ozpin made the right choice, making you leader."

"I agree," Pyrrha chimed in, smiling widely. Jaune's heart was beginning to soar. That smile was going to give him a heartache...in a good way. "Still, I never knew you two were siblings. I should have made the connection by last names alone."

"No kiddin'," Walter said playfully. "You'd never think they were brothers, given how different they are."

Unknown to any except Nanashi, Jaune flinched, his hands balling into fists before vanishing as quickly as it appeared. The Godslayer and the God within his phone took note of this and filed it away for another time.

"Y-yeah!" Jaune forced a laugh. We may be brothers...but our looks vary. Heck, you wouldn't be able to tell that all of our sisters were related if you saw them all together."

"True that," the wild-haired boy remarked. "Sometimes I wonder if Mrs. Arc has a reverse harem behind our backs or something. Anyway, you free, Jaune? I hear the view's spectacular."

"Sorry, but I still got stuff to do," the blonde knight apologized. "Maybe next time. Oh, and Nanashi? Tell Ruby I said congrats on being leader."

Nanashi nodded. "Sure thing."


"...is she okay?" Weiss asked, looking at the relatively still form of Ruby, who had not moved since she sat down on her new bed. "She hasn't moved since we got here."

"She's probably still in shock from what happened. I mean...I never expected for Ozpin to make her team leader..." Nanashi shrugged as he and the rest of his team stood in RWBYs dorm room.

They had arrived, only to see the new leader of the new team unmoving. If Nanashi was being frank, it...really weirded him out. He was used to Ruby zipping around everywhere, bouncing up in some manner or another. Now, though, she was completely still. [The last time I saw her like this was when she found out that the Tooth Fairy wasn't real,] Dagda remarked inside the phone, sweat-dropping. [Hey, kid. Can't you, you know, do something? This is...seriously weirding me out.]

'What's this?' Nanashi smirked. 'Dagda, the most angry god in the Tuatha De, as well as the strongest, son of Lady Danu himself, is weirded out by a fifteen year old girl?'

[Don't get smart with me, lad. I can still return you to being a corpse.]

'Ah, but you won't. After all, you need a Godslayer to do your bidding, and you wouldn't risk leaving yourself out in the open and find someone else,' the boy countered, still smirking. 'After all, you invested quite a lot of time in me.'

[...touche, kid. Touche.] Dagda said after a moment of silence. [But seriously, do something about that brat, will you?]

'Fine, fine...'

"Hey, Ruby," Nanashi called. "Crescent Rose is broken."

"WHAT?!" Just like magic, she snapped out of her stunned trance in outrage. "How did it happen?, I KNOW I did maintenance on it just the other day! Oh, wait, was it because of the fight with the Nevermore?! Well, itwasanelderGrimmbutevensoitshouldntbepossible!IknowCrescentRoselikethebackofmyhandsoIknowitwouldntbreaksoeasilybutwhy..."

She trailed off when she noticed her sister and Blake looking at her with amusement, Weiss with a quirked brow at the hairline, Nanashi giving her a deadpan look, Cris shaking his head in exasperation, and the two other members of Team NICA looking at her strangely.

"...um..." the silver-eyed girl took a step back nervously, a shaky smile on her face. "...hi?"

"...that," Walter stated. "Had to be the most weirdest way to snap someone out of it."

Jonathan nodded in agreement. "She must...be attached to her weapon."

"She's a weapons freak," Cris, Nanashi and Yang said at the same time, making Ruby wince, feeling as if an arrow had stabbed her through the heart. How cruel! Okay, maybe it was true, but did they have to say it so bluntly?! "Anyway," Nanashi continued. "You alright, Ruby?"

"Y-yeah...peachy!" Ruby grinned, shaking off the previous blows to her pride. "S-so, what are you guys doing here?"

"We came to see if you guys wanted to hang out," Cris told the girls. "Apparently, the top of Beacon has a hell of a good view. We tried to asking Jaune and his team, but they were busy."

"Hence why we came to see you girls," Walter summarized. "So, any of you interested?"

Blake shook her head. "Sorry, but I'm still unpacking," she said, gesturing to her suitcase...which, oddly, had more books than clothes, and no personal items to be found anywhere. "Maybe next time."

"And I'm gonna be taking a shower pretty soon," Yang said. The others gave her a strange look before Ruby and Nanashi informed them that when Yang takes a shower, she takes an unusually long time in order to condition her hair just right. "How about tomorrow, after school?"

"Sounds fine to me," Walter nodded before turning to Weiss. "How about you?"

The Schnee Heiress also shook her head. "I have to speak with Ms. Goodwitch about my class curriculum and such," she explained. "As well as a few other things I've been meaning to ask. Now, if you'll excuse me." With that, she took her leave, though she did give Jonathan a slight bow and told Nanashi good-bye, along with the promise of a next time. However, her attitude seemed to strike Walter a bit coldly, as he grunted.

"What a priss... I'd wager she could don an iron helmet and you wouldn't notice the difference."

"Now Walter, no need to be rude." Johnathan reprimanded.

"Hey, I just call 'Em like I see 'em, man. She's just as much of a prick as her sister...if not more."

"Well, Weiss aside," Nanashi rolled his eyes before looking at Ruby. "Ruby, you free?"

The girl nodded, grinning. "Mm!" she said, hopping off the bed. "I've got some time! Plus, I wanna see this view!"

"Alright, now we're talking~" Walter grinned. "Come on, then!"

"Yeah!" With a spring to her step, Ruby raced out the door, running past NICA.

The well-mannered boy of the team chuckled. "Well, she's quite lively," he remarked, smiling. "Well, shall we?"


Meanwhile, in Ozpin's office, the man was at his desk, looking at his scroll with an unreadable expression, fingers dancing along the holographic keyboard. His mind was troubled, especially how Initiation turned out to be. The students this year were exceptionable, especially Ruby Rose, though such was to be expected. Every bit of Summer that little girl was, if not a downright carbon copy. Had he not known any better, he thought Team STRQ had returned as a team of girls - Weiss like Raven with her cold front, Yang like her father in terms of outgoing nature, and of course Blake like Qrow before he discovered the joy of alcohol, only the Faunus-in-Hiding was more uptight and reclusive.

However...the reason behind his worry was the leader of the newly formed first-year team, Nanashi Xiao Long.

He performed what should've been downright impossible. He was battered, beaten, and broken...and had somehow come back to life in a matter of seconds.

And then, of course, there was the incredible power he displayed. Power that most measurably did not belong to that of a semblance. When you have been around as long as Ozpin has, you know when someone tells a lie - in Nanashi's case, it was telling his team and friends what his Semblance was. He knew immediately the boy was lying...but why? And that power...had he not known any better, he would have thought that Nanashi bore the power of a Maiden - which was impossible, as in order to gain that power, you most certainly had to be female.

Then...there was the voice from the recording. It was hard to make out, and he had yet to find the source, but its words disturbed him deeply.

"Power of a Godslayer..."

The man repeated the words spoken with trepidation. He knew of only one individual who bore such a fearsome title...and Nanashi was not that man. Ozpin had encountered the man before, knew what he looked like, knew how he acted, and he could say with certainty that the chances of Nanashi Xiao Long being associated with that man had to be next to none. True, he had been traveling with Qrow for a few years, but Qrow had kept him informed of his actions. Every day of every week of every month, he would receive a report. In none of those reports did he ever mention encountering that man.

Just as he was thinking on the matter, his scroll let out a tune. He looked at who was calling him. "Speak of the Devil," Ozpin hummed as he answered. Appearing on the holographic screen was a familiar face - slightly aged with gruff facial hair at the chin, slicked back black hair, and wizened eyes. "I assume you received my message."

"Yeah, I did," Qrow said, his tone oddly sober. "And I saw the video you sent me...have to admit, didn't think Little Green was capable of doing that."

"So he showed no sign of being able to perform such a feat?" Ozpin inquired.

"Nope." Qrow shook his head. "Then again...it might explain his Aura deficiency, given that the powers he showed were not a semblance in any form. If anything...they resemble he abilities of that guy so much that it's scary..."

So...Qrow had reached a similar conclusion as well. "Tell me, Qrow..." Ozpin said, adjusting his glasses. "What can you tell me about young Nanashi?"

"Not much. All I really know was that Summer and and Tai adopted him when he was five years old. From what they told me, he had no family, no home, nothing to go back to. So they took him in." The common drunkard scratched the back of his head. "He also didn't know about Remnant or the Kingdoms, so I thought it was strange. Docs said it could be trauma from losing his folks...and seeing his eyes, I'm kind of inclined to agree."

"His eyes?"

Qrow was silent for a bit, his face tense, before he answered. "...his eyes were like yours, Oz."

That got the Head,aster of Beacon to fall silent. Eyes like theirs...no child should ever have eyes like that. "...I see," he said after a long period of silence. "Do you think there might be a connection to Nanashi and that man?"

"Doubt it. While their powers might be similar...something about what Nanashi showed was different than his. I'm not sure how to describe it," Qrow answered. "Speaking of that asshole, Oz, I'm starting to think I'm on a wild goosechase. Ever since Amber was attacked and got her powers stolen, I haven't heard anything about his movements. Either he's laying low for a while, or..."

"Or her assailant is advancing their plans from behind the scenes..." Ozpin finished.

"Yeah...I'm gonna keep looking," the man said. "Oh, and Oz?"

The man quirked an eyebrow.

"...just try and trust Ashi. Even if he has the same kind of power as him...that doesn't mean he's automatically an ass."

With that, the call ended. Ozpin couldn't help but smile at the man's words, even eliciting a chuckle. "I suppose I have been a bit high-strung," he remarked as he took a sip of his coffee. "Although...I believe those words should be directed more at James than myself."


When Team NICA and Ruby saw the view that Beacon sported at the very top, they were left breathless.

"You can see all of Vale from up here," Walter said, a wide smile on his face as he leaned on the wall, staring out in wonder at the horizon with eyes glittering like an excited child. "Hah, I feel like a king!"

"I agree." Johnathan nodded. "The view is quite a breathtaking sight. The lights of the city resemble the fluorescence of jewels."

Ruby nodded, her head practically bouncing up and down. "So pretty...!"

"Have to admit," Cris said in approval. "Can't beat this view."

"Yeah...beats the sights in Patch, that's for sure..."

Nanashi was inclined to agree. He sat atop the small bit of wall that kept them from falling off, looking off into the distance. 'This view,' he thought nostalgically. 'It reminds me of the one from Mikado...I wonder if Flynn saw this view when he first became a samurai.' As he thought about the ponytailed man who had earned his respect and viewed with awe and admiration, he flinched, remembering his fate at YHVH's hands. Body burnt to a crisp, nothing but a lump of charcoal shaped like a man.

Not even Satan's Samarecarm was enough to revive him. YHVH was thorough in his approach to render the revived samurai useless to him, even if it was a futile effort in the end. And then the bastard had the gall to throw him here, all the while leaving Nanash unable to make good on his promise to create a new universe. Multiple times over the years, he wished that YHVH was still alive...so he could kill him all over again and again and again until he was nothing but a bitter memory.

"Nanashi?" Ruby's voice pulled him from his thoughts, turning to see her staring at him. "You okay? You were spacing out."

"Yeah, sorry...just thinking about stuff is all."

"I hear that," Walter said, not knowing Nanashi said it as an excuse. "Still, talk about crazy. Back home in Atlas all I ever did was sit on a warf, fishing for a hobby while practicing my sword skills. Next thing I know, I'm here, training to become a Huntsman!"

Jonathan chuckled. "I have to admit, the prospect of fighting monsters that have otherwise haunted our lives is quite a bit frightening."

"Bah, listen to you," the wild-haired boy laughed. "If you ask me, its good sport!"

"I believe we have a duty as Huntsmen to protect the people, as well as the Kingdom," the avatar of Merkabah countered, still smiling peacefully while fully believing in such a thing.

Ruby's eyes lit up, nodding in agreement. "You said it, Jonathan!" she said. "We're, like, super heroes! Fighting monsters and protecting the innocent!"

"Down girl," Cris teased her, patting her on the head. "Don't get too excited. Technically, we're 'training' to become Huntsmen. We ain't there yet."

"How about you, Cris?" Walter asked curiously, turning to his teammate. "Why'd you come to Beacon?"

"Well...the thought of it never crossed my mind...you can blame my drunk of a dad for that..." Cris lamented as he dragged his hand down his face. "Basically, he just shoved me onto an airship heading to Beacon without any warning. Which is why my luggage was a bit lacking...I didn't even have time to pack!"

Except for Nanashi and Ruby, Walter and Jonathan sweatdropped.

"...seriously?

"I...have to admit," the polite boy laughed awkwardly. "That is rather, er..."

"You don't have to beat around the bush. My dad is insane. That's all there is too it..." Cris sighed.

JAs much as Nanashi and Ruby wanted to defend their honorary uncle, it was hard to do so when they knew that Cris was probably right. "How about you, Nanashi?" Jonathan inquired, turning to the team leader. "What made you decide to become a Huntsman?"

"...you guys want the long version or the short version?" He asked.

"Long version?"

"It's one doozy of a story..." Nanashi shook his head.

From there, he told his story. He had gone along with the story he came up with when he was adopted by the Rose/Xiao Long family - he had lost his parents at an early age and fled into the Emerald Forest, where he was found by Summer and Taiyang. After bringing him to the hospital, they decided to adopt him. So from that point on...he was part of their family.

Nanashi had done his best to adapt to his new surroundings, immediately bonding with Ruby, who had found someone to play with that was her age. Unfortunately, he didn't start out strongly with Yang, given how her mother left and thought that Summer and Tai were replacing her. Ruby had managed to get the two closer, and Yang finally considered him family when she found a lead on Raven, only to be greeted by Grimm. Given his past experience, and in spite of being in a young body, was able to fend them off before the timely arrival of Qrow.

From that point, their uncle took an interest in Nanashi for withholding the Grimm until he arrived. Becoming the one that trained him in combat.

Though he didn't train with a scythe like he or Ruby, Nanashi was proficient with firearms and variety of bladed weaponry - preferably a sword. He eventually made Kamikira, naming it after his own role. Though the others were unaware, Nanashi had hoped that, by becoming a Huntsman, he would discover a way to return home, given that the so-called protectors of the Kingdoms traveled across the globe. By that logic, if he obtained his license, he would be able to go out into the world, and hopefully find some sort of clue as to how to return to his own world. For now, he played his part, and claimed he wished to become a Huntsman for the sake of strength, to become stronger and protect the people he cared about. A cliche answer, but they seemed to buy it.

That was all that mattered. He had no reason to divulge in his true motives to these people.

That, and he sincerely doubted they would believe him...and on the off chance they did, and learned the truth behind his story, they would no doubt stand against him. He did not want to deal with such annoyance...along with the possibility of slaying the family and friends he made in this world. Though he tried not to, he found himself bonding to the Rose/Xiao Long family. They reminded him of the days of when he was just a simple cadet...back before that fateful encounter Adramalech.

"I see," Jonathan said after a moment, digesting this information. His face looked pained, having heard how Nanashi lost his parents...even though it was a lie made convincing enough. "That must be harsh."

"Maybe but...I got used to it...I can't even remember what my birth parents looked like..." Another truth, as he was an orphan back in his world as well before the Boss took him in. Hell, he was practically found on the steps to the Sky Tower. "Besides, it isn't all bad. I got a new family...albeit a nutty one."

"Hey!" Ruby pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Well, let's see...I have a sister who's crazy about weapons, an older sister who loves her hair a tad bit too much, a dad who cracks the worse jacks and passed it down to Yang, an uncle who drinks every chance he gets, and a cousin who has a thing for furries," he listed off the quirks of his family in Remnant, all with a deadpan expression. "Am I missing anything else?"

"Dude! Don't call them furries! That racist!" Cris countered.

"How is that even racist? Isn't it the truth?"

"Even still, its insulting!"

Nanashi smirked. "...and yet you haven't denied me saying you've got a thing for 'em."

"So what? It's not like I'm hiding it!" Cris declared without any shame.

He preferred Faunus girls over human ones any day, likely because, possibly due to the troubles they faced because of racial differences and prejudice and such, 9 times out of 10 a Faunus girl was less arrogant or snotty. He could absolutely not stand women like that. So, he likes Faunus women much better than human ones. That, and depending on what animal-like features they had, they were just downright adorable! Like that bunny-eared girl he saw before Initiation started!

SOOOOOO CUUUUUUTE!

He wanted to scoop her up in a hug and just cuddle her. He's been wanting to see her again. Hopefully he could find her as they pass through Campus. Unbeknownst to Cris...his fantasies regarding the bunny-eared student were leaking out.

"...Cris," Nanashi deadpanned. "For Dust's sake, keep your fantasies to yourself. We can practically see your thought bubble."

"What?!" His cousin snapped out of his fantasy, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. They really heard all of that?! Walter gave him a slight grin while Jonathan and Ruby had faint blushes on their cheeks. "...YOU GUYS NEVER SPEAK OF THIS AGAIN!" Cris shouted.

Everyoned laughed at this response, much to his chagrin. Nanashi couldn't help but smile. Really, if he didn't know any better, they-

"C'mon, its not funny!"

"Oh, it totally was! You practically flashed that poor demon!"

"Not on purpose!"

"I don't know, Asahi...kind of looked like it."

"W-what?! You too, Nozomi?!"

"...so, she's into demons them."

"Shut it, you!"

"Good grief...they're a rowdy bunch as ever."

"Who are you calling rowdy, Slimer?"

"WHA-?! HOW DARE YOU!"

Suddenly, rather than his Team and adopted sister, he found himself back at an Association bar, and in front of him, his old companions, all bantering and laughing together. Asahi, cheeks red over an accident while fighting a group of demons and getting teased over it. Nozomi, ever the faithful older sister-like figure, teasing her over it alongside Hallelujah. Off to the side, Toki and Gaston sharing soft drinks, watching the event with smiles on their faces. Floating around and bickering with Nozomi was Navarre, still only seen by everyone except Asahi.

A memory from a happier time...one before he chose the path of a Godslayer...one where Asahi was still alive...

This was the first time in a long time since he visited these memories once more...

Asahi...she still looked so happy. So full of life. She was alive. Safe. With everyone.

This would be the scene that should have played out when he created a new universe. A world without gods to interfere, without demons to torment them, without angels to dictate them...instead, he was cast out into a world, unable to do even that. He became a monster for the sake of creating a new world, even forced to kill his friends...and what was his reward? To be cast out? Unable to do even that for them? Without seeing Asahi, one last time?

In a way, YHVH had achieved something before he died...he gave Nanashi a curse. The curse to never see his friends again.

"Nanashi?"

The boy blinked, realizing that he had once again fallen into his own thoughts. Ruby was in front of him, face worried as she held out a hand, touching his cheek. As she pulled her hand away, he saw something glistening on her finger, which stroked his face earlier. "E-eh?" He touched his face, and felt something wet.

Were these...tears?

Hah...hahahahaha...

Even after everything that happened...he was still capable of crying?

His teammates and sister looked at him with looks of concern. "You doing alright, man?" Walter asked him.

"What's wrong...?" Ruby questioned, completely worried by his sudden change in behavior.

Nanashi didn't answer her. He was too stunned and shocked by what his body was doing. To think that he would be crying, after all of this time...

...how pathetic.

"I-I'm sorry," he choked, wiping away his tears. "I was just...remembering something. Something...unpleasant."

"Must have been something bad then," his partner remarked. "It's almost time for bed, anyway. Shall we head back?"

Nanashi shook his head. "No, I...I'll stay here a bit longer. I'll catch up with you guys later."

"Are you sure? I mean, we can stay and-"

"I'm sure, Ruby." Nanashi cut her off quickly. "I just...need a moment to myself...I promise I'll catch up later..."

"...If...you say so cuz..." Cris shrugged.

Ruby still looked unconvinced, and would have argued further, but Cris had shaken his head. Looking awfully depressed, she drooped her head, and followed the rest of Team NICA out the door, leading back to their dorm rooms. As soon as they left, Dagda emerged from the phone. "Honestly didn't think you had any genuine human emotion left, Kid." The Celtic deity mused as he stared at his God Slayer.

"I'm just as surprised as you are, Dagda..." Nanashi replied, wiping the still spilling tears from his eyes. "To be honest, I thought I didn't have any tears left. I thought I used them all up after what happened back at the Cosmic Egg...it's pathetic, really."

"Indeed it is..." Dagda shook his head. "You were supposed to have shed all of your remaining humanity back then...yet here you are...showing remnants of what you once had..."

"Would that not be a good thing, Lord Dagda?" Suddenly, another figure materialized. It was a young man, barely any older than twenty or so, with dark bronze skin and light gray eyes, bearing dark blue hair with a dark green hat bearing a golden feather, plus a jacket of the same color with a light red dress shirt and dark brown shorts. He seemed to be sitting atop what appeared to be a large snake made of writhing lava, which had dark petals around its neck, and a black open maw inside what appeared to be its mouth. "After all, one who is to become the new Brahman must have some humanity, as to not be the same as YHVH."

"Krishna..."

The Leader of the Tuatha De stated. No matter how many times this happens...he still couldn't believe that the Leader of the Divine Powers, and their enemy, is now a Demon loyal to Nanashi. Then again...he could say the same for many other Demons that his God Slayer has defeated. Of course, it was yet another of the many mysteries behind the Cathedral of Shadows. A demon, once defeated, could be resurrected via fusion. It still amazed the god of knowledge immensely that such a thing was possible. Perhaps one day he would have a talk with Mido about future applications of such a method.

"Bahagavaan Kalki," the former deity bowed his head, tipping his head. "Lord Dagda."

Nanashi hopped off the wall, crossing his arms. "So, how did things go?"

"Unfortunately, our inquiries bore little fruit," Deity Krishna answered sadly, a small frown on his face. "Shesha and I have done our best to investigate this world, in hopes of finding a way to return to the universe governed by the Axiom. Sadly, there was hardly any feasible information...except for two things that may interest you." Dagda and Nanashi leaned froward, interested. "Apparently, Remnant has a belief in the idea of history and myth, some of which appears to be actual truth. The first is the Maidens - four women blessed with the power of the elements, and the second are apparently items that were meant to embody the gifts given to humans; creation, destruction, choice and knowledge. According to the legends we've investigated, Remnant and humanity and Faunus were created by twin gods, and these four relics contain the gifts they gave to humanity."

Dagda's eyes narrowed. "So...Remnant is ruled by gods?"

"Was," the Hindu God corrected. "They abandoned Remnant long ago...or so the legends say. It is a stretch, but perhaps the relics have a way of returning us to the Axiom."

"I see..." Dagda hummed in thought. He was amused by this fact. Creator gods abandoning their own creations? A far cry from YHVH, that's for sure. Still...those artifacts intrigued him, especially what they represented. Creation, destruction, choice, and knowledge...the most prevalent aspects that define humanity as a race. If these artifacts do exist...then maybe there is a way. "So...if we were to gather these artifacts...then we may be able to find a way home?"

"That is my hypothesis," Krishna stated. "However, we still lack full details from our investigations. So we are uncertain."

Nanashi still looked elated. "At least we have a possible lead," he said. "Keep looking into things, Krishna."

"Of course," Krishna smiled widely, bowing his head once more. "As my Bhagavaan demands. Oh, and one other thing...it seems that Headmaster, Ozpin I believe his name was, has been investigating you." Nanashi's eyes widened in surprise, whereas Dagda's narrowed. "He appeared to have noticed a lack of any records of a "Nanashi" ever existing on Remnant past ten years ago."

"I see...old geezer is sharp," Dagda remarked in distaste. "Looks like we're going to have to be more careful from now on, kid. Best not to use your power when he's watching."

The Godslayer sighed in annoyance. As if he didn't have enough problems. Regardless, with that, Krishna vanished, returning to his task. Now there was another matter to handle. Raising his smartphone, he called for two demons. "Lucifer. Merkhabah."

In response, two demons emerged in full glory.

To his left was a winged being, Holy in nature, yet demonic in appearance. Its humanoid body was covered in white feathers save for its torso, which hair a pair of breasts and golden nipples exposed. Its complexion was a ceramic white, hands clasped together as if in prayer. One of the most striking features was that it had four faces. It had two appendages on either side of it, one with a hand to his right, another to its left. One on its head, one on its lower abdomen, one hanging off of a golden appendage on its left side, and one on the end of its feathered tail, which had a serpentine head. Its first face had an expressionless visage, with piercing teal eyes. Its second face had its eyes and mouth close as if in repent. Its third face had glowing eyes and a blue orb in its open mouth, as if preaching. Its fourth face had its tongue sticking out and eyes closed. On its head were strange, feathered appendages resembling wings, floating crystals in the form of a crown above its head. Strapped to its back were two silver weapons, a sword and a spear.

This was God's Chariot, Merkabah.

To Nanashi's right was another Demon, seated atop a throne with red velvet cushions, edged in gold, and had a mural depicting the sun as a back rest. The figure was tall and lanky, garbed in a golden body suit with ornate edging, open at the chest. On its feet were knee length boots of a similar make. Its complexion was dark, an ashen gray. It hands were large, its fingers long with the nails sharp. Its left arm, however, was deformed, with an enormous, bulging forearm wrapped up in golden chains. Its head was bald, its lips curled in a grin. Its red eyes glowed as if they were flames.

This was the Demon Lord, Lucifer.

Both were demons who were once mere fragments before merging with their respective hosts, regaining their true power...but in truth, even then they were pieces. Halves, more accurately, to the Original Angel known as Satan. Their data had been saved in the Cathedral of Shadows after their defeat, and thus were forged anew there. The Demon Lord was fascinated by Nanashi, seeing his desire to abandon the old world in favor of a new universe, one where no god, angel or demon could interfere with the lives of men. As a being who rebelled against god for the sake of promoting strength and potential, he saw merit to this goal and agreed to stand by him. Merkabah, on the other hand, sided with Nanashi for another reason. Forged before the fated moment when Nanashi was to choose between eliminating the old world order or to destroy the Cosmic Egg. It had remained silent, but otherwise obeyed order. However, upon seeing Nanashi's disarray after the massacre of his former comrades, heart hurting, she had been the first of his demons to comfort him, offering him solace. She stood at his side because, though a puppet of Dagda he may be, a Godslayer who would end YHVH, she still saw human life in him. As god's chariot, who was meant to lead humanity to a better future, it believed that it was to bring Nanashi peace, even it meant it would have to defeat its former master.

They were, by far, the most powerful demons he had at his side, matched only by the likes of Mephistopheles and Cleopatra.

"Its been a while since you called for us, neighbor," Lucifer greeted jovially. "I must admit, it was becoming rather boorish in that tiny storage space." The Demon Lord then examined the world around him, curious. "So, this is the world YHVH has accosted us to...how lamentable."

"Indeed..." Merkabah agreed. "The very air reeks with despair, rage, sorrow...just about every sin in existence."

Dagda scoffed. "Well, you're not wrong," he said. "Anyway, the kid and I have a question for the two of you."

"Regarding Walter and Jonathan, yes?" Lucifer inquired. Though he and Merkabah were not present for the meeting, they were still capable of observing the outside world through the smartphone. "Quite the sight, seeing our former hosts alive."

"Indeed...it is a curious sight, and brings hope regarding the Godslayer's theory of being able to return to our home dimension."

"And how is that possible?" Nanashi asked, frowning. "Walter and Jonathan should have died when I defeated you both."

Strangely, Lucifer shook his head. "I'm afraid that is not the case," he said. "They are indeed the Jonathan and Walter who became apart of our flesh and blood...but they are not the ones you are familiar with, dear neighbor."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"How familiar are you with the concept of parallel worlds?"

Nanashi paused briefly. He was actually somewhat aware, recalling his experience in the Diamond Realm, encountering the "Messiahs" from other worlds - including an alternate version of Flynn. "Somewhat, if only because of the Diamond Realm," he answered before he realized what they were getting at. "Wait...are you saying...they're the Walter and Jonathan from another world?"

"Correct," Merkabah answered pleasantly. "However, as to which world they hail, we cannot say. We can, however, sense a portion of our powers inside of them, meaning that they had sacrificed their lives to give us corporeal form. It seems our powers are the source of their Semblances as well."

"Is that so..." Dagda inquired. So like the Walter and Johnathan from his world, this Walter and Johnathan sacrificed themselves to become Lucifer and Merkabah respectively. And to think that there would be remnants of their powers within their existing bodies...

"Things just keep getting more interesting, don't they?"


After discussing more about the possibility of returning home, Nanashi returned to his dorm room to find his team already asleep. Jonathan was on his side, peacefully snoozing away with his head lopsided. Walter, meanwhile, slept like a sloth, as he had one leg hanging off the side of the bed and his pillow in his hand, mouth wide open and snoring somewhat loudly, his blanket only covering up a leg. Cris, meanwhile, was less noisy, and was wrapped up like a cocoon, vaguely resembling a ball with drool flooding down the side of his lips. "These guys," Nanashi rolled his eyes, reaching his bed. He unzipped his jacket and tossed it towards his desk, and setting his smartphone down as well. He then clamored into bed, hopping unto the sheets and lying down, staring up at the ceiling with hands behind his head.

'To think, its been ten years since I came here...' he thought sorrowfully. 'And yet I'm nowhere close to finding a way back home.'

In the past decade since he's been on Remnant, he's been searching for any lead that will bring him back to his own world...but had no such luck. Even when he was exploring the world with Qrow, he found nothing. The idea of this relics possibly being what would get him home interested him, and hoped that Krishna found a way soon. For the time, being, however, he was sick of waiting...and his remembrance of his friends had made him remember that horrible day. 'Now that I think about it...this ceiling is just like the one back when I was with Asahi and Boss,' he thought, smiling in nostalgia. 'Haha...all its missing is that graffiti mark me and Asahi doodled years back. Boss got so mad at us...'

A moment of silence passed.

"...I miss you, Asahi..."

He whispered in longing, his gaze shifting to the pair of goggles on his nightstand...the very same goggles that Asashi used to wear. 'Asahi,' he swore in his mind, determined to return home, no matter what. 'I promise, I'll see you again. You, and everyone else...'

Unbeknownst to Nanashi at the time, Dagda saw everything from within the confines of the smartphone.

'If one loses their humanity, they'd be no better than demons, huh?' the god thought, recalling something his mother once said before that woman Nozomi was made Queen. 'Hmph...I suppose that thought has a bit of merit, mother.'

He then receded to the depths of the phone, deciding to get some sleep as well. Nanashi then followed. He knew that they day that would follow would be interesting...


"Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!"

...on second thought, maybe not. The green eyed youth spoke too soon upon entering Professor Port's class.

The man had immediately began regalling the class with tales of his youth rather than the actual name of the class: "Grimm Studies." Immediately, he found himself fighting the hardest battle of his life, surpassing that of YHVH...trying to stay the hell awake. Even his own team was close to clocking out, though somehow Jonathan appeared to be the only one showing some slight interest, pencil jotting down notes in his book, though even they could tell he was about to fall asleep.

[...what in the name of the Tuatha De am I listening to?] Dagda gawked. [I thought we were supposed to be listening to the lecture of a teacher, not a damned bard!]

Nanashi mentally agreed with him. Right now...Dagda was onto something about schools being prisons. This seems to be the equivalent of torture...being forced to endure boring lectures and expected to stay awake. "Gods, does he like the sound of his own voice or what?" Walter yawned, propping his chin on his hand, which leaned on the desk. "I'm about ready to fall asleep any second here. Oi, Cris, you..." He trailed off when he looked at the young Branwen, only to found him with his head resting on his arms, eyes closed and drool falling from his mouth. "...well, that was fast."

He knew that the lecture was boring, but to think he would conk out within the first few minutes. He wasn't sure to be impressed or not.

"And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy!" Port continued, momentarily giving a glare at Ruby, who he had caught napping. Nanashi was honestly ready to fall asleep himself. "Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses..."

He paused, giving a wink at Yang, who shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"

At that point...Nanashi was tuning out whatever the professor was saying, his thoughts drifting back to what Krishna had told him last night.

'Creation, Destruction, Knowledge and Choice,' he recalled what these relics embodied: the gifts given to humanity by the gods. 'In a way, its similar to the power of Observation. According to Krishna, these relics allow one to change the world however they see fit...if we can somehow find these relics, they just might get us home. Question is...where would they be?'

He doubted that they would simply be lying around. If these relics are truly that powerful...then they must be safeguarded somewhere. Question is where? Based on these stories, there are four artifacts...four maidens...and four kingdoms...it can't just be coincidence. There must be a pattern there...

'Could it be...?'

"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"

"I DO, SIR!"

Nanashi snapped out of his thoughts as Weiss' voice cut through the room. He saw her face, irritated and utterly annoyed, as if something had set her off. He gave a quick look around the room, and found that everyone was just about ready to give up. To his amusement, Jonathan had somehow fallen asleep, his head lowered and yet somehow still holding onto his pen. Walter was just about ready to give up, as his eyelids were continuously rising and falling, mostly the latter. "What's happening?" he asked.

"Dunno," the host of Lucifer answered, still a bit drowsy. He had barely paid any attention at all, since Port was talking more about himself than anything else. "Just something about proving yourself or whatever..." He yawned stiffly, covering his hand. "Wake me up when its over, will ya?"

Without waiting for a response, Walter conked out on the desk. Nanashi sighed and looked ahead as Weiss left the room to change into her combat gear.

Seems she's in a rather sour mood,] Dagda mused. [Seems like she saw that idiotic brat of a sister of yours goofing off. Heh, must be infuriating for a spoiled child to be passed over by a child two years younger than her.]

"Ain't that the truth..." Nanashi commented. Something like that would deal a blow to anyone's pride.

Then again, he had wished Weiss had grown out of that phase. She should have known by now that, simply being here at Beacon, did not mean her status as Heiress would mean anything. As of now, she was the same as the rest of them: a mere student.

...well, not all of them. They could never hope to match him. Not unless they went through the same hell he has.

Eventually, Weiss returned, now clad in her white battle skirt, and her rapier at the ready.

"All righty then..." Professor Port announced. "Miss Schnee, are you ready?"

"Yes." The heiress nodded as she raised her rapier.

Port grinned, liking her enthusiasm before he pulled off the large axe from his wall, moving over to the thrashing cage. Nanashi's eyes narrowed. His suspicions about what was inside were soon proven when he slammed his axe down, severing the link keeping the cage closed. No sooner did the chains fall to the ground in a broken heap did a Grimm suddenly emerge, moving so fast that Weiss was forced to move, dodging it and letting it smack into the wall. When it stopped, it revealed itself to be a Boartusk, with white bony plates along its backside, the familiar white mask, and two large tusks protruding from the corners of its mouth.

'I thought you couldn't capture Grimm?' the Godslayer thought in confusion. From what he read, any and all attempts to keep a Grimm in captivity had all ended in failure, as they would dissolve into black smoke. 'Oh well, I suppose I can ask later.'

Team RWBY offered their member encouragement, with Yang pumping her fist excitedly. Blake waved around a small flag that had her team name written on it, making him question where she got it while Ruby was giving her words of encouragement...only to get a scowl and a cold response in the process. [Feh, saw that one coming,] the god of knowledge remarked with disinterest. [Then again, could be fun, watching a spoiled little princess fall.]

As much as the green eyes teen wouldn't admit it, he agreed. Maybe this will be the wake up call Weiss needed.

Regardless, his friend prepared herself for combat as the Boartusk shook itself, shrugging off its earlier blunder and then turned to face her, letting out a whine, tapping its hooves against the floor. It then jumped and curled up into a ball, spinning rapidly like a wheel before charging straight at her. Acting swiftly, she held Myrtenaster in front of her, defending herself against the attack. Sparks flew dangerously close to her face, finding herself being backed away. Realizing that she would soon give in, she shrugged the Boartusk's charge at her, falling into a roll to avoid it. She swiftly got back to her feet as the Boartusk spun around, stopping its advance and letting out a snort. "Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby shouted at her. She ignored her, and chose to charge straight at the Grimm. She intended to skewer it straight between the eyes, though at that moment the pig-like Grimm turned its head, trapping her rapier between its tusk. 'Tch!'

"Oho, a bold new approach!" Port commented. "I like it!"

However, it was the opposite of what Weiss was thinking. She lacked the arm strength to wrench her weapon free. The Grimm then jerked its head, causing her and her weapon to tumble to the ground a few meters away, the latter in a clatter and out of reach.

"Oho~ Now what will you do without your weapon?"

Weiss huffed, getting up to see the Boartusk charging at her again. Cursing, she moved out of the way, letting it crash into a desk. The student owning it cried, leaping back behind his chair, using it as a means of defense. Weiss then swiftly got up and grabbed her weapon, readying herself for round two. "Weiss!" Ruby shouted. "It doesn't have any armor under its belly! Go for the belly!"

"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss shouted back, causing Ruby to recoil.

Nanashi sighed, face-palming. "Baka..." he muttered, momentarily switching to his native language. "She's just trying to help."

[I'm surprised the brat is even still alive.]

"I know..." Nanashi agreed.

Given Weiss' quick temper and sanctioned fighting style, it's amazing how a Grimm hasn't killed her yet. While she received training from instructors...she had no experience in the field. Yes, she may have accumulated some in her conflict during Initiation...but otherwise lacks further experience. Ruby, who was apparently the object of her ire, had what she lacked due to often venturing into the Deep Woods in Patch, where Summer's grave lay in silence. Beowolves were common there, and she often hunted them, protecting the grave from unwanted pests. That was the difference between them.

Returning to the fight, he Boarbatusk leaped into the air and rolled into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launched itself at Weiss. It came closer and closer until Weiss activated one of her gylphs, blocking the roll. Following this, she leaped up into glyph above her and turning it blue again, proceeding to dive down straight towards the fallen Boartusk, its belly exposed. It didn't even have the chance to get back up, as the blade impaled itself deep into its unprotected stomach. The Grimm let out a dying cry before it ceased. Moments later, its body began to break apart into smoke, leaving the heiress to sigh in relief, wiping a small collected path of sweat from her forehead.

"Bravo!" Port shouted, clapping his hands. "Wonderful work, Miss Schnee! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!" He paused a bit before a wide grin formed on his face. "However, what can we say about a Huntsman? Hm?" The students realized what he was going for, and several males raised their hands. Nanashi rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested. Perhaps he would be able to take a nap or something to avoid this. Unfortunately, before he could follow his team's actions earlier, Port pointed to him. "How about you, Mr. Xiao Long?! Care to test your mettle?"

Nanashi cursed. 'God dammit.'

[Heh...] Dagda chuckled at the irony of it all. [Looks like he's called you out, kid.]

'Shut up...' He mentally groaned.

Though he didn't want to, he wouldn't want his team or friends pestering him. With that in mind, he left his seat and walked down to the front of the room, exiting to go grab his weapons. Eventually, he returned. He earned a few stares, wondering why he had not changed into his usual outfit. Nanashi didn't see the point. He felt just fine in this monkey suit. As Professor Port prepared to release the next Grimm, he checked his firearm, The Peacemaker, and then withdrew Kamikira from its sheathe, giving it a swing.

[Try not to die too bad, kid.]

'I'll try not to. Getting killed by an oversized ape was humiliating enough. Whatever comes out of that cage, I'm going to show no mercy.'

[Attaboy...]

"Are you ready, Mr. Xiao Long?" Professor Port questioned.

"Yes."

"Then let us begin!" With a hefty swing, the teacher's axe broke off the lock of the cage.

Just like before, whatever was inside came rushing out the moment the cage was unlocked. It lunged out, hoping to otherwise rip Nanashi limb from limb, though its only reward for the action was a roundhouse kick to the jaw, sending it flying back towards the cage with enough force to topple it back, crashing straight into Port's desk. The wood of the desk splintered from the combined weight of the cage and the Grimm, and many students gazed in awe at the sheer strength Nanashi's kick had. Port, on his part, whistled while the Grimm got up, revealing itself to be a Beowolf. However, compared to the ones Nanashi fought previously, this one had pure white fur and yellow eyes, compared to the black fur and red eyes. It also had thicker white plating, some spikes emerging from its back. Its claws were much longer and sharper.

Nanashi recognized it from one of Qrow's tales. An albino Grimm. Considered to be a rare, more powerful variation of the Creatures of the Grimm, they were stronger and much faster than your run of the mill monsters. To this day, there have been only a small accounts of Huntsmen ever encountering an Albino Grimm before. It seemed that Port had not been exaggerating in most of his tales. Which begged the question of how he managed to get an Albino Grimm in the first place?! But he was cut out from his thoughts as the white beast lunged at him with its claws outstretched. Nanashi jumped to the side and aimed Peacemaker at its flank. He pulled the trigger, and the bullet impacted the creature's side, digging into its flesh.

A decent-sized hole was made in its ribs, but that didn't deter it. The white-furred wolf skidded, claws scratching at the floor before it stood on its heels, letting out a bloodcurdling howl that demanded his flesh and charged at him. Nanashi rolled underneath its swing, turning to fire three rounds into its back.

Two bullets ricocheted off of its spines, cracking them, but one made its way between the gaps and tore a hole through it. The Beowolf howled in pain and swung its long arm, smacking into Nanashi. The green eyed teen fell and tumbled from the impact before rolling to a stop. Seeing that its prey was down, the Grimm crouched down low, slowly stalking towards it. Nanashi tried to get up, shaking off the dizziness from being struck.

'Well, that hurt,' he remarked before the Albino Grimm launched itself at him once again. Readying Kamikira, he waited until the right moment - when the Grimm was inches away from him, before swinging the black sword. The pitch black blade cut straight into its side, ripping straight through tendons and bones before he dashed out of the attack, swiveling around to face the creature's back. Black smoke rose out from the wound while the Grimm turned, yellow eyes narrowed in anger, snarling.

"What?" he mocked, tapping the blade on his shoulder. "That it? C'mere doggie...let's teach you a few tricks."

The Beast roared in outrage before rushing toward the student, ignoring the pain of its wounded side.

The Albino Grimm once more charged, this time standing on its back legs to try and swipe his face off. Nanashi leaned back, avoiding one swipe of the claw before tilting his upper body to the right, avoiding the second swipe. He then ducked underneath the third one, and delivered a headbutt to its jaw, causing it to stagger back. He then took aim with Peacemaker, and fired off three more shots. Al three bullets made their mark and tore through its chest cavity, leaving gaping wounds. Decent-sized holes were made, revealing black sinews of muscle and bone that poured out black smoke. The Albino Grimm growled in anger and moved to counter him, only to find the Godslayer's foot in its face. With a push, he knocked it back. He then opened the chamber to Peacemaker, allowing the bullets to fall to the ground before pulling out a new set of rounds, these ones with black tips.

Ruby noticed this, and grimaced. "Oh boy," she whimpered. "I feel sorry for that Grimm right now."

"Why?" Blake asked, frowning. "What's so special about those rounds?"

The white-furred Beowolf pushed itself up, but once again found Nanashi's foot keeping it pinned to the ground, closing the chamber after reloading, and then took aim, proceeding to pull the trigger.

Then Ruby answered, "They're Gravity-Dust rounds."

The first bullet fired, impacting the Beowolf in the face and forcing its head so deep into the floor that a crater formed beneath it. Nanshi repeated the process, simultaneously shooting the Grimm and pounding it further into the ground. The floor beneath the Albino Grimm was beginning to dent, and by now, the Beowolf's head was starting to deform and break from the repeated shots. Nanashi didn't stop. He wouldn't stop until his opponent was dead. With an emotionless expression, he repeatedly pulled the trigger until it ran out of bullets. Then he holstered Peacemaker and raised Kamikira.

"...bye bye~"

The blade came down faster than what the others could see. The next second, the Beowolf was sliced completely in two. Soon, it's body began to break down into black smoke, rising into the air. With his opponent dead, Nanashi slipped Kamikira back into its sheath, and holstered his Peacemaker.

He then turned to face the Professor, who was grinning elatedly. "So...how was that?"

"...WONDERFUL!" Port boomed, clapping his hands. "Absolutely spectacular! If I didn't any better, I'd say Taiyang just came into the room! Excellent work, Mr. Xiao Long! Now that is the sort of power a Huntsman should possess!"

[You're wrong about that, teach,] Dagda scoffed. [This is the power capable of ending Gods, not these mooks you people call demons.]

'Yeah...but no one here knows that.' Nanashi replied. He then spoke to Port and nodded, "Thank you, Professor." He then turned on his heel, not noticing the looks of awe from his classmates.

'Besides, this is nothing,' the former Hunter cadet thought, looking back at the smashed up floor where the Grimm's body was decaying. 'If it were the Demi-fiend...there'd probably be nothing left of the school.'

[I hear ya kid.] The Irish God agreed. [I doubt any of the meat sacs here would be capable of surviving something like that.]

It was a fact. In the Diamond Realm, Nanashi saw firsthand how powerful the Demi-fiend was...and to say that if any Grimm in this world no matter how powerful were to try and engage him...calling it a one-sided massacre would be putting it gently. From what he learned, the Demi-fiend willingly cast aside whatever little humanity he had left and joined with Lucifer willingly to put to an end the cycle of reincarnation and destruction, effectively killing "time." Like Nanashi, he was forced to take the lives of those he considered friend, yet though he was a demon, body and soul, he weeped for them, believing that they had lost their lives because of YHVH and "Kagutsuchi." It was thanks to that powerful man that Nanashi learned an important lesson.

If one has power, they must be ready to sacrifice everything...even their own bonds.

And he experienced that lesson first hand within the Cosmic Egg...even now, he could still feel the blood of his friends on his hands...

Without realizing it, his hands were trembling, which did not go unnoticed by Ruby, who watched him as he left.

The silver eyed girl eyed him in concern. What was going on with him? First it was him crying last night for no reason other than a memory he refused to share, and now this. She really wished she could help him, but she had no idea what was causing his pain. Eventually, class came to an end. As everyone poured out, she realized she had one other problem to deal with.

Weiss.

As they left, she caught sight of the heiress, walking away brusquely with her heels clashing against the floor in almost a stomp. "Weiss!" she called, chasing after her. "Weiss, wait!" Eventually, the heiress stopped walking and stood still, her back facing Ruby. "What was that back there? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Weiss said, a scowl forming on her face as she turned towards Ruby, glaring. "What's wrong is YOU! You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!"

"Wh-what...?" Ruby questioned with a slight whimper.

"You're immature, inexperienced, and too young to even be here!" Weiss continued. "You've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!"

Ruby, hurt, cowered. "Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team."

"I do...but not on a team led by you." The words were cold, enough to make Ruby look away. "Ozpin made a mistake making you leader."

With that, she left, leaving Ruby to sulk. Unknown to either girls, Nanashi had been watching the whole thing. He gave a tired sigh, and dragged a hand down his face. "Dear god, its high school drama," he muttered. He decided to chase after Weiss, if only to try and get her to recognize Ruby and straighten her out. "Remind me again, why did I agree to come to this school?"

[Because you wanted to keep an eye on your sister, and wanted to get a Huntsmens license to travel the world and look for a way back to our world.] Dagda reminded.

"It was rhetorical, Dagda."

[I know. Just wanted to troll you.]

Nanashi stopped, looking at his phone. "...you know what? We are definitely finding a way back home. I think Remnant's turning you into a senile old god."


It took a bit of work, but Nanashi eventually found Weiss on the balcony up on the second floor of Beacon, leaning against the railing while she looked at the orange-tinted sky. "...you know," he called behind her, making her turn. "You are a hard woman to find."

"Nanashi...what are you doing here?" She asked.

"I was looking for you...we need to talk."

The girl was silent for a moment, but then she sighed, hanging her head. "...I screwed up, didn't I?"

"Big time," he answered bluntly, taking a spot a next to her. "But at least you somewhat understand that. Next time, though, at least tell Ruby about her problems in a more subtle manner instead of lashing out at her. She was only trying to help you in that fight and encourage you, not criticize you. This isn't the Schnee Manor, Weiss." His eyes softened, remembering a few of his visits to the large mansion owned and ruled by that white-haired bastard who had made Weiss' life hell. "You don't have to deal with Jacques or the pressure."

"I know, I know...but...I'm still a Schnee. Even without being back in Atlas...I still have a legacy to uphold."

"Doesn't mean that title holds weight," Nanashi reasoned. "Here at Beacon, you're not Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Corporation. You're Weiss Schnee, student and Huntress-in-training."

"Yeah...but I wasn't lying when I said that Ruby was too young. I just don't understand why he chose her as team leader."

"Well, it's because she has the most experience in the field out of the four of you. Back in Patch, our forests were infested with Grimm, so she was able to learn how to fight in the real world rather than a sanctioned setting." He explained. "And while you had training, your opponents were pretty much instructors and people who knew how you fought, and you vice versa. You only fought one Grimm, whereas Ruby and I have been hunting them ever since we started to learn under Qrow."

Nanashi paused for a moment before he continued.

"And there's another reason. Ruby was chosen because she's young." Weiss quirked an eyebrow, skeptical of his claim. "In case you haven't noticed, Ruby isn't the most social of people. She would rather hang out with someone's weapon rather than their owners. And while she may be inexperienced, she has a team to back her up. By bonding with her team, she'll be able to accomplish so much more than on her own. But, let's say her team won't be there for her...she'll have one person at her side."

"Who?"

"You," he answered, causing her to blink. "You're her partner, Weiss. Its your responsability to make sure that Ruby doesn't fail or doubt herself. True, you weren't made leader...but what you can do is make sure Ruby is the best damn leader you can make her be." He gave her a small taunting smirk. "Or, perhaps, that's too much for a Schnee."

His words had the intended effect. Her cheeks tinted red, and her eyes narrowed, puffing her face as she crossed her arms. "Oh, please!" she scoffed. "I'll be able to do that, and more! Just watch!"

"Of that, I have no doubt," he answered before grinning at her. "After all, it's you we're talking about, Weiss."

With that, he turned to re-enter the building, letting how words sink in. However, before he could, Weiss called out. "...Nanashi," He turned, and to his surprise, found a surprising sight: a flustered heiress, looking at the ground shyly. "Just...call me by that nickname."

'She actually remembers that?' he wondered, astounded before smiling teasingly. "I thought you said you didn't want me to call you by that name?"

"S-shut up!" Weiss snapped cutely. "Just...just say it. Like old times."

'Such a tsundere,' Nanashi remarked in his head before smiling. "Fine...Wei-chan."

If it were possible, Weiss' face burned more red than Ruby's own hoodie. [Definitely a Tsundere,] Dagda agreed.

Weiss shook her head, but then smiled. "...thanks, Nanashi," she said. "I'll talk with Ruby when I get back."

"Alright," he said. "Just don't wait too long."

"I won't," she promised before she blushed again. Her body fidgeted, as if she was making a debate before she moved closer to him. Then, she surprised him by planting a soft, chaste kiss on his cheek. "L-later!" she cried, bolting off.

Nanashi blinked, his hand gently touching the place where Weiss had kissed him, and stared at her retreating form, dumbfounded.

"...Dagda," he said slowly. "What...just happened?"

With no one around, the Irish Deity manifested next to him, his skeletal face twisted into an amused grin. "Hehehe...looks like you stole her heart, kid."

"...again, I ask. What?"

"Oh, come on, kid...you're practically in your twenties, and you still don't realize when a woman holds affection for you?" Dagda rolled his eyes, but had a strange glint in his eyes. "Normally, I'd tell you to cut off such a useless bond...but then again, we could always use a goddess for when we find a way back to our universe."

Nanashi frowned. "I thought I told you," he said, crossing his arms. "I don't need a goddess, Dagda."

"You say that...yet you wanted to have Asahi to be your Goddess when the mess with YHVH was over with...didn't you?" The Celtic Deity questioned back.

His response was silence.

"...that's what I thought." Nanashi silence was more than enough for an answer to Dagda.

The god then returned to the phone. Nanashi scowled, his knuckles turning white. 'Damn meddling god.'


When Weiss returned, she found that her team had already gone to bed for the day. Yang and Blake were already asleep, but to her pleasant surprise, Ruby was doing her homework. Judging by the drowsiness in her face, though, she could tell the poor girl was about to fall asleep.

Taking a deep breath, she made her way over to her partner's bed and climbed the step ladder next to it. "Hey."

"Wah!" Ruby cried, now suddenly wide awake. Noticing Weiss next to her, she clamored. "W-Weiss?! S-sorry, I was doing homework, a-and I guess I fell asleep, and-!"

"How do you take your coffee?"

"Uh, huh?" Ruby asked in confusion. Why was she asking her that?

"I said how do you take your coffee?" She repeated a little louder.

"Uh, c-cream and five sugars!"

The girl gave a small sigh. Of course she would... "Don't move," she told her as she ducked into her bed. Minutes later, she returned, holding a steaming cup of coffee. "Here."

"Th-thanks..." she gently blew on the steaming liquid to cool it off before taking a sip.

Weiss smiled widely before she remembered her actions towards Ruby earlier in the day. Sighing apologetically, she looked at Ruby directly in the eye. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader," Ruby's eyes widened, surprised to hear this before a wide smile formed on her face. "Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have!" The two partners then smiled together.

Friendship restored.

"Good luck studying!" The heiress ducked back underneath her bed. Just as Ruby was about to return to studying, Weiss popped up again, pointing to one of her problems. "That's wrong, by the way." She then went back down. Ruby looked over her bed, finding her partner at the door. She paused when she wrapped her hand around the doorknob, turning to her friend and smiling. "Hey, Ruby?"

"Yeah?"

"...don't tell Nanashi this, but I've always wanted bunk beds as a kid."


-Promises and School Days: END-


Preview:

"I'm tired of being the adorkable guy who gets stuck in a tree while being compared to his older brother who's always better than him!"

"I feel like...I might have made things worse for Jaune."

"You're gonna pay for that, brat!"

"So he's a liar...what else is new? Everyone lies for one reason or another. Its simply a question of how far one lies to achieve what they need."

"If Jaune wants to be a Huntsman, let him do things his own way. We can't keep holding his hand, Jonathan."

Next Time: To Become a Hero


Author's Notes
Sweet merciful crap, I'm still alive and working on this thing?! I'll be damned! Still, I'm really sorry you guys for taking so long! Good news is, I'm finally graduated from high school so I've got some more free time to myself! ...which is more or less me admitting that all I do now that I'm on summer break is play on my laptop all day while playing games on the side while getting chubby. Man I gotta work out.

Jokes aside, just wanted to let you know two things.

1) This story IS NOT DEAD! UPDATES ARE JUST SLOW AS FUCK!

2) THIS IS NOT WEISS x NANASHI! Seriously, I still haven't decided on an official pairing for the guy yet! The only pairings I can confirm for you guys is Blake x Sun and Jaune x Pyrrha...and maybe Yang x Walter. That last one is an interesting idea, no?

Welp, that's it. See you guys next chapter.