The strong, burning scent of ash and embers caused the young Ren's throat to dry up and swell. He covered his face behind his torn sleeve, wiping away the tears that the acrid smoke forced down his cheeks, the fabric singed in places from barely managing to escape the building he had formerly taken refuge. All around him, in every direction, he was surrounded by death and destruction. The bodies of villagers scattered the grounds before him as Creatures of Grimm descended upon every living being they could get their claws on.

But his first thoughts were worrying for the safety of his closest friend, Nora. He couldn't see her amongst the piles of people, which to him was both a relief and even more cause for concern. Screams and panic filled the air, alongside the crackling flames and falling debris as the monsters destroyed everything in their path. Ren tried not to look anymore. It was starting to overwhelm him, and he needed to keep his wits about him if he wanted to find Nora and survive. The last time he saw her was when a flaming beam fell from the roof and separated the two of them. That had also been the cause of his burns and scratches over his body, soot marking his face.

Ren stopped as he heard a low growl a few metres ahead of him, around the corner of a half-burned down house. His fists clenched, almost tight enough for his nails to dig into the skin and draw the smallest amount of blood. With a long, deep breath his hand slowly slipped down toward his waist where his fingers gently stroked the hilt of an old dagger ready to pull it at a moment's notice. It was an antique, more of an heirloom than a proper weapon, but it was more than enough at this moment in time.

As Ren's breathing became shallow and his heartbeat slowed; a subtle, pink shimmer flowed across his body and drained all the colour from him. A soft chill ran down his spine as a slight sense of cold overcame him. His expression turned to a flat affect, blank and emotionless as the world deadened around him. No Grimm noticed him, allowing him free passage between the fallen bodies as the beasts feasted upon them. His hand remained steadily at his side, ready to pull out his dagger in a second.

Ren heard the voice of a woman amongst the white noise that was people's screams and burning buildings, "We've found it, Chief."

Ren could see two women, one was carrying a small box. It looked like a jewellery box. It had a large, glowing dust crystal embedded into the lid which gently lit up the face of the woman holding it. She was holding it out toward the other woman, who had an imposing aura about them only further amplified by the intimidating white mask that concealed her face.

"Good work, Vernal. The distraction worked perfectly, no one will even know we were here. It will just appear to be another Grimm attack on a poor village."

What did they mean, distraction? They were the ones who caused the attack? And what was with that box? Why were bandits attacking their home? Where was Nora? Ren's mind was filled with questions, and an incipient rage forming as his hands balled into fists. Ren was about to charge directly at them, the colour returning to his body as his emotions overwhelmed him. He tightly wielded the blade in his hand, with gritted teeth he started to run forward.

But before he could get very close his thoughts were brought back and immediately sobered by the sound of a girl's screams. Ren turned in the direction of them and called out, "Nora!?", he wasn't certain if it was her, but he held onto the hope that it was. That he would see her again. Then he heard it.

"Ren!" It was subtle. Distant. Ren looked back to where the two bandit figures had been, and in their place was a swirling shape of crimson and black as he saw their backs fade into it. He had no time to dwell on it any longer though.

Ren's body was running on fumes and adrenaline. His muscles ached and his legs threatened to give out under him, with only his determination pushing him forward. He reached the gates of the village, where he found Nora looking panicked in every direction. Their eyes met for a moment, and Ren broke out into another Run to reach her. Other survivors of the attack were there, getting a couple carts ready to take what little survivors remained.

"You're okay!" Nora immediately hugged him as soon as he reached the group. Ren felt his body weaken at her touch, his legs almost giving under him.

"Let's get out of here, I'll help you up." Nora goes to lift Ren's arm over her shoulder when a girl's yelp could be heard. Ren quickly looked toward the source, and a blonde girl in pigtails was on the ground with an alpha Beowolf hovering over her, blood and saliva oozing from it's maw and its hot breath visible in the cool night as it heaved through its thick teeth. Ren quickly glanced around to see if anyone was going to help her, but the carts were about to leave. Everyone was clambering aboard trying to find a seat. Ren grit his teeth and gathered what little strength he had. He lowered Nora's arm holding into him and started toward the girl, blade in hand.

"Ren, wait!" Nora called, but he held up his hand to stop her.

"Go. I'll catch up to you. We'll see each other soon." he knew that it was a long shot. He was relieved she was safe, but he couldn't just sit by and let someone else get hurt if he could help it. He knew what he was doing was extremely reckless, but he was just like his father. He couldn't just stand by when someone needed help.

Nora's eyes started to water, she wanted to protest, she tried to, but her words just fell on deaf ears. She climbed onto the last cart, holding back sobs.

"I'll find you!" she said as the cart started to move.

"I know…" he muttered under his breath, as the colour drained from his body once again. His presence hidden. He started as a slow walk and quickly built up to a sprint, charging the beast head on while it was none the wiser. The girl was held down, a spear tightly gripped in her right hand, but her arms were bound under the strength of the large animal, it's mighty talon-like claws almost tearing through skin. She tried to kick it away, but her body was too small compared to it.

Ren leaped into the air as it's mouth hovered mere inches from the girl's face, it's dark crimson eyes staring down into her fearful lilac one's. A splash of blood sprayed across her face as Ren's knife pierced through its skull and he held onto a clump of fur on its back. It reared back and roared, letting go of the girl to try and take the source of its attacker. It swung its massive claws back at Ren, barely missing him as he held on tight, then suddenly it fell to the ground. The girl had gotten back to her feet and pierced its chest with the tip of her spear, her own eyes now bright red in anger. At the creature for trying to kill her, and at herself for letting it happen. Ren fell to the ground as the monster turned to dust, his energy finally depleted and his consciousness fading as his knife clattered to the ground beside him. The last thing he heard was a light chuckle.

"You might be useful." Then nothingness.

Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it and please leave your thoughts in the form of a review or favourite.
I know starting a whole new story while working on another is bad juju, but i needed to wipe the slate clean and work on another idea I've been wanting to write for a while. milkshakes is still in progress, just slow.