What? A new chapter so soon? That's right! I was in the mood and I couldn't stop myself from writing lel.
If you haven't noticed, which I doubt, I've change the name of my fic. The reason being, there already is another Rwby fic named Out of Place. I didn't realize there was another fic with the same title (it even has a revamped version) and named my fic the same, completely by coincidence.
So I decided to change it, to avoid confusion and also because I feel bad that I didn't realize sooner.
Anyways, onto the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or any of the other elements I've taken from other shows, all of them belong to their respective owners.
A month is a long time. And in a month, you can probably do a lot of things. You could try out a new diet, or maybe work out for the ideal body you have in mind.
In my case, I spent a month training to please a patronizing bandit leader. The first two weeks were mostly fine, if not hard. The next two weeks however...was like a living nightmare.
After I beat Vernal for the first time, Raven decided to crank up my training. I don't know if she's sadistic, but from then on, it was more than brutal.
Raven's movements and swings were faster, and Vernal's reaction time sped up, along with her strength. So much so, that it was too hard for me to react properly. It painfully reminded me that I was still leagues below them.
Aside from the ruthless physical training, training with my aura was less brutal; it was still exerting though.
Within the month's time I was given to train, my Ren increased from a mere five minutes to a whopping eighteen and a half minutes. Not bad if you ask me. Gyo became a little easier to use, albeit I still had to concentrate before I could use it and not whip it out immediately.
Learning In and En was something that troubled me. I struggled to conceal my aura fully without it just becoming Zetsu, and while I managed to make a three meter radius, it was difficult to maintain for more than two minutes.
I was slowly getting used to living in the tribe, although some people still weren't too keen about me being here. For what reason, I have no clue, but I got used to it all the same.
Living here for so long, I noticed most if not everyone had some sort of dual purpose weapon, be it a sword that turned into a gun and such.
When Vernal asked me if I was sticking to just a sword, she was disappointed when I told her I was. Having a unique weapon was cool and all, but I doubt I'd have the time to even make one. I'd honestly rather focus on training more than anything else. Sigh, if only there was a way to just magically create a weapon.
It was the day of the raid and I was feeling just a little nervous. I mean, I was going to raid a train for Christ's sake, how does a group of bandits even do that?
"Now that I think about it, is there even a railway for a train to pass by around here? Wasn't the western part of Anima mostly swamp-lands and small villages?"
.
.
.
"Wait a minute... By train...she can't mean that train, right? But, there's only one train in Anima... No no no, it can't be."
As if on cue, Raven and Vernal walked into my tent.
"Ryver, are you done preparing?" Raven asked.
Flinching, I slowly turned around and stared at Raven with a look of worry.
"What's wrong? Feeling nervous?" Vernal snickered, while Raven raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't question it up till now, but this train we're raiding... It wouldn't happen to be the Argus Limited, right?" I said, basically sweating at this point.
"Yes, we are going to raid Argus Limited." Raven replied to my question nonchalantly.
Blinking in disbelief, my jaw hung open.
"Oh my God, she's serious."
Snapping back to reality, I recomposed myself.
"How the hell are a group of bandits going to rob Argus' train? If you needed dust, why not just raid another village. I'm sure they should have some, and besides does the tribe really need that much dust?"
Both of them looked at me as if I was a child whining that they didn't want to go somewhere. Which I understood, come on! Raiding Argus Limited?
"We are going to rob Argus Limited, the rest of the tribe will remain at camp."
"Wait what?" I blinked in disbelief again.
"Our dust reserves are running low. Normally, I would go alone, but I've decided to change things, for you.
I rubbed my temple and let out a sigh.
"How are we going to even get there? First of all, Argus Limited is located on the northern part of Anima, and secondly, how are we going to get on the train?"
"Who said we're heading to Argus?"
"What?"
"We're heading to Mistral, since it's nearer. It'll take a few days to get there, so I'll fill you in along the way."
"Hold on." I placed my hand on my face, processing everything. "Back it up. You're telling me we're walking all the way to Mistral?" My eye twitched as Raven gave me a smug look.
"Walk? We'll be running." Raven said with a grin.
I stood shell shocked.
"So Vernal is just going to be in charge while we're gone?"
Both of them nodded and I twitched at my stupidity.
"Of course she's going to be in charge. Vernal is like Raven's right hand man, or woman." Mumbling in a low voice, I snatched the bag Vernal had brought in to give me; presumably camping supplies. "Stupid fucking test."
"Don't die!" Vernal snickered as I was leaving my tent.
Flipping her the bird, I snarled at her. "Stick it up your ass!"
And just like that, I'm out in the woods...again...
Sighing I looked over at Raven, who was ahead of me. While she had nothing to carry, I had huge bag on my back with all our supplies. "The fuck am I? Short Round?" Okay, it wasn't that big, but still.
Ruffling my hair, I caught up to Raven.
"Care to tell me how we're going to get on Argus Limited. A train that runs through mountains and Grimm territory?"
"Once we reach Mistral, you, are going to board the train, as a passenger."
I almost fell on my face, in shock.
"You're expecting me to act as a civilian and sneak into the cargo car, alone?"
She nodded.
"A month ago, didn't you exactly say and I quote, 'We'll be raiding a train'. This seems more of a 'I' than a 'we'. Do you really expect me to sneak into Argus Limited's cargo?!" My eyes quivered as I rubbed my temple
"It's easier than you think. And besides, I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Is that so? If, it's that easy, why bother giving me such a simple task? I thought you wanted to see if I could be useful in raids, not infiltrating a train. You're not training me to be a spy are you?" Narrowing my eyes at Raven, she laughed.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea."
My head snapped up, almost tripping again.
"I was being sarcastic." Raven rolled her eyes, snapping me out of my train of thought. "Although, you would be the best person in the tribe to become a spy."
"Please don't" I sighed, shaking my head. "Then, what will you be doing when I'm on the train? Watch me from afar, like a hawk? Or, I guess in your case it'd be a raven, huh?"
Even though Raven was wearing her mask, I could tell she narrowed her eyes, after hearing what I said. "You could say that."
Sighing, I shook my head.
"How am I even going to carry the dust off the train? Am I suppose to jump ship when I yoink it?" I asked even though I knew the answer.
"I'll be there when you grab the dust."
"And how exactly are you going to get there?" I raised an eyebrow. "What? You're going to swoop down and magically appear on the moving train?"
"How I get on there shouldn't be of concern. Worry more, when you are on the train." She looked at me sternly, as I felt her aura looming over me.
"Tch." I clicked my tongue and continued walking. "Fine."
Raven watched Ryver run with a somewhat troubled face behind her mask.
The boy couldn't see her expression, but when he asked if she was going to watch from a far just like a bird, she was caught off guard. At first she became wary, but she brushed it off. There was no way, he could have known about her being able to turn into a bird.
It was just a coincidence. A disturbing one at that.
Aside from the off-putting coincidence. She had planned for Ryver to raid Arugus' train on the spot. She did so on a whim.
Sure, it is a bit of a stretch just to test him. At first, she planned on bringing Vernal along to join him. But, decided against it after witnessing his growth for the past month.
In just a month, Ryver became the third strongest member of the Branwen tribe. Without a doubt, Raven knew he had what it took to raid Argus Limited's dust cargo. After all, it was more easier than one would think.
The huntsmen that were hired to protect the train were subpar at best. If things came down do it, Ryver could probably beat them. All he really had to do was get into the cargo car and grab the dust. Then Raven would get it in on her own and use her semblance to get them back to camp.
Now, while it sounds stupid to test someone's abilities by raiding Argus' trading supply. It was only half of what Raven had planned for Ryver.
What the boy didn't know was that, immediately after they were done stealing dust, the tribe would be raiding another village. The trip they were making east was just to restock the dust they were going to use up on the real raid. She planned this part of Ryver's test a week prior, telling Vernal to get the tribe ready for their next raid, while she and Ryver were away.
The first task Raven set up for Ryver was to test his ability to infiltrate, and the second, was to get him used to the many other raids he would partake in, in the future. She already knew he would be helpful in raids, she just wanted to see him in action.
But for now, they had to continue making their way east.
You know, during the time I spent training in the Branwen tribe, I never actually got to see a creature of the Grimm. I always wanted to know what they really looked up close.
How I wish I kept my big mouth shut.
"Are you really going to stay up in that tree, watching me fight Grimm!?"
Currently we, or I, was surrounded by a pack of Beowolves that jumped us. Raven, deciding to see leave me to deal with them, leaped up into one of the forest trees to watch me.
"Yes, I am. And you should really pay attention to what's in front of you."
"God Dammit!"
Rolling away just in time, I barely managed to dodge a Beowolf that pounced at me.
Drawing my sword in one hand and readying Remnant's version of a Glock45 in my other, I braced myself for my first battle.
"Alright you fucking mutts, ready to learn some tricks?"
Activating Ren and En, I dodged the soulless dogs attempt at ripping me to shreds, with ease. "I have about two minutes before my En runs out. Better make it count."
Dashing forward, I spun in the air slashing at one of the wolves and shooting at another, before kicking off of it's back.
"Did I piss you off?"
*GROWL*
"Good."
Sensing one of the wolves with my En, I turned around ducking, slicing straight down the monster wolf's belly. Changing into a reverse grip as it landed, I drove my blade down it's head, killing it.
"Look at that, you learned how to die." Spinning my blade, I turned to the remaining two Grimm. "Now, who's next?"
Letting out a low growl, both wolves circled around me before leaping again.
Blocking the claws of the first Beowolf, I kicked the head of the second, unloading more rounds at it's head.
"OH SHI-!"
*BAM*
"My reactions too slow." Clicking my tongue, I quickly recovered from the sudden attack. "For fucks sake, an Alpha.."
"I would advise finishing this up quick, wouldn't want to turn into dog food now, would you?." Raven taunted from above.
"Put a sock in it! I got it!" Grumbling, I activated Zetsu, somewhat blinding the Grimm, of my presence. "Go bother her for awhile, will you?"
Snapping their heads at the tree Raven was on, they began clawing at the trunk.
"!"
Deactivating Zetsu, I used Gyo to on my hand while channeling aura into my sword.
"Get the stick, boy!"
Launching my sword, it sliced the air, flying right into one of the Grimm's head. Rapidly focusing Gyo on my feet, I lunged out grabbing my sword stuck in the dead wolf's skull.
I spun around as my blade rose out, striking at the wolf.
*BOOM*
"GAH-!"
I flew backwards as the Alpha's heavy claws lashed at my chest. My En had reached it's time limit.
"That hurt...you fuck!" Wincing in pain, I used my blade to push me back up on my feet.
Coating my hand with Gyo, I threw it at the small Beowolf with Hatsu. The blade shattered as it pierced it's head, leaving only me and the Alpha left.
"Just you and me, buddy. Bring it." Narrowing my eyes, the Alpha lunged with it's jaw wide open.
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
"Tch."
*SMASH*
The Alpha crashed into a tree as I rolled out of the way. Holstering my firearm, I readied my fists instead.
"Alright, let's do this the old fashion way then."
Shaking it's head and baring it's fangs, the big wolf roared running. It swiped it's claws as I struggled to block with my arms in time.
*BAM*
*CRASH*
*CRACK*
"UGHHH-!"
"Is that all you've got, Ryver?"
"I'm getting there!"
The Alpha pounced once more, raising it's claw.
I huffed, dashing forwards. My fist slammed it's chin, as I spun and knocked it back with a tail kick. Raising my arms, I brought them down on the Alpha's head, before wrapping it's head in a headlock.
"HAAAAAAA!"
Using all my strength with Ren, I flipped the Grimm up in the air, over my shoulder.
*BOOM*
With it's head still in my grip, I rotated my body to plant my foot on it's back as I began to rip the Alpha's head off.
"Die already...you...little..."
*CRACK*
"SHIT!"
*CRUNCH*
"Fuck, that's tiring..." Panting, I dropped the head of the Alpha, as it turned to ash.
"Well done. Looks like all that training paid off after all." Raven finally got down from the tree, shoving the bag back into my arms.
"OOF-" Letting out a snarl I glared at Raven. "You know, I could have used some help with the Alpha."
The woman looked down before raising her head back up. "You handled it well enough. Although, I didn't expect you to shatter your sword like that." She said, looking at the shattered blade on the ground. "There's a pair of daggers in the bag, use them instead."
Digging through the bag, I found the mentioned daggers and holstered them on my thighs.
"Good. Now, try to keep up."
Before I could say anything, Raven sprinted ahead.
"I just fought a pack of Beowolves, dammit!"
"I -huff- didn't -huff- think -huff- I could -huff- run that much in my life -wheeze-"
"Well, lucky for you, we're stopping here for the night."
Panting for breath, I tilted my head to meet Raven's eyes.
"Is that...so?"
*THUD*
I collapsed on the forest ground, with my arms and legs outstretched.
Grabbing the bag from my side, Raven took out two rolled up sleeping bags and tossed one, right at my face.
"Ah-! Did you have to chuck it at my face?"
Ignoring me to cut down a tree, Raven chopped out two sizable logs to sit on, and gathered enough wood to start a campfire.
"I hope you're not exhausted, because you'll be taking the first night shift."
My body instantly snapped up, as I looked at the bandit leader, horrified.
"You're kidding right? How much energy do you think I have?"
Removing her mask to stare at me, Raven scoffed.
"Vernal wouldn't be complaining."
"That's because she grew up doing this kind of shit." I countered.
"How is your stamina so low?" She deadpanned.
"Because I don't run kilometers and fight Grimm along the way." I replied blankly. "And before you open your mouth again, a month worth of your brutalizing training isn't enough to increase my stamina ten-fold."
Raven narrowed her eyes as the air turned silent for a couple of seconds.
"Tell me, Ryver, what were you doing in that village?"
"What?"
I couldn't help and flinched when Raven crossed her arms, looking at me in suspicion.
"I never had the time to ask you, because I was busy dealing with other things. But, you aren't from that village we found you in, are you?"
"Does that really matter at this point?"
"It does, when I'm bothered by the fact that I don't know where you're really from. You seem to have just popped up out of nowhere."
"You have no idea how right you are." I snickered inwardly.
"Most, if not all of the villages and settlements on the west side of Anima lack the power or the ability to fight back against Grimm and bandits like us." A pause. "While your fighting skills were sloppy when we met, your knowledge on aura is unheard of and effective. There's no way any of the people in the west have that kind of knowledge, otherwise they wouldn't be struggling so hard to survive."
I gulped, remaining a calm expression.
"So, tell me Ryver. Are you really from the west side of Anima, or Anima itself? If not, why are you here?"
.
.
.
"Keh." Sighing in relent, I answered Raven with a half-truth. "Undoubtedly, I'm not from Anima. And, the reason I'm in Anima? Well, you could say I'm just passing by."
Raven remained silent for a few more seconds, before giving a half-satisfied response.
"I see. Then, where exactly are you from?"
"Uh uh uh." I waved my finger at Raven with a sly smile. "I answered your question, so it's only fair to answer one of mine, to get me to answer another."
I wasn't expecting Raven to comply, but shockingly, she did.
"Then, for my first question. How are you going to get on the train?" I grinned inwardly, noticing the subtle shock on her face. "She's hesitating."
"I can't answer that question, not as of now."
"Hoh, and why is that?"
"Because I'm not sure where you stand. You said you were passing by, did you not? That means you have some place to return to. And that tells me, you're not keen on staying for too long. Am I wrong?"
"Hmm, she's got me there, although.."
"You're wrong."
Raven flinched.
"Certainly, I am passing by, but there's no place for me to return to. I have nowhere else to stay but with the tribe."
"What happened to the place you came from?"
"Up up up." I waged my finger again, effectively irritating Raven. "It's my turn to ask a question."
"Go ahead." She said, clearly annoyed.
"What's the reason you're so inclined to have me stay in the tribe? And I don't want, 'To make the tribe stronger', as a reason. I want the real reason."
Raven flinched once more.
"To protect the tribe from someone unstoppable."
"Huh, I wasn't expecting her to answer. It's still a vague answer though." Standing up to stretch, I grabbed one of the logs Raven cut down earlier, and sat down. "Is that so? Then, I'll answer your previous question as the final question for tonight."
Tossing another piece of wood into the campfire, I looked Raven in the eye and lied. "The place I came from, no longer exists on Remnant."
"What do you mean?" Raven said surprised.
"I'm sure you're smart enough to figure out what it means." Giving her a cheeky grin, I turned around. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to watch out for possible Grimm attacks."
Raven looked baffled as she soon glared.
"We'll change shifts in three hours."
"Alright, boss."
As Raven drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder what exactly happened to the place Ryver came from, or where it was located.
It longer existed on Remnant, according to the boy.
Was it run down by the Grimm? Or was it something else? She had no way of knowing unless Ryver told her himself.
Although he had no place to return to, it still wasn't a complete guarantee that he would stay with the tribe forever. After all, a month wasn't nearly enough to sway someone to make such a decision. Then again, it's not like she'd let him leave.
Something else that concerned Raven was Ryver's last question. He was wary enough to figure out she had something in store for him. Wary enough to question what she was plotting.
"Does he know about her? No, it's unlikely, but... He didn't even look curious as to who I was talking about. He looked like he already knew... That...shouldn't be possible. A kid like him couldn't know about Salem. Unless...is he one of them?"
Raven's eyes shot open.
"No. That's more than unlikely. He couldn't be with Salem, with no aura or skill. He'd be useless to her. It was just a mere coincidence that he was in that village. Yet, he clearly knows something.."
She couldn't help but feel as though Ryver was a promise and a threat at the same time. The best thing she hoped for, was for him to become someone she could rely on, in the future.
Aside from Ryver's ever growing suspicious nature, Raven was pleased with the amount he grew in a month. None of the tribe's other members grew so much within that time. Raven saw it as pointless to train any of them. They were hopeless in comparison to Ryver. The only other person who could withstand her training was Vernal.
It was one of the reasons they would leave a village immediately after they raided it. Even if five of them worked together, they would still struggle against a a small pack of Beowolves.
Though they shared the same 'survival of the fittest' mentality, they were really just weak individuals preying on other weaker individuals. Ryver on the other hand, proved himself capable of fighting off Grimm, with just a month's worth of training. Even though he was careless, it was enough to show his strength.
After all, seeing someone ripping off an Alpha Beowolf's head, with their bare hands wasn't a common occurrence.
If all it took was a month's worth of preparation to face Grimm. Who knows what Ryver was capable of within a year.
*BAM*
"OOF!"
Jolting, I jumped out of my sleeping bag and drew the dagger that were still holstered on my thighs. Yes, I slept with them. Don't judge me.
"What the? Why the hell did you kick me, Raven?"
Focusing my gaze, Raven sat on her log with a stick of bread in her hand.
"You have a minute to pack things up and eat. We're moving immediately."
"Is that how you wake someone up?" I groaned, catching the bread Raven held.
"Fifty seconds."
"Son of a bitch." I cursed under my breath, shoving the sleeping bags into my bag and scarfed down the stick of bread.
"Good, let's get moving then." Raven said, sprinting off ahead again.
"She really is testing my stamina, isn't she?" Sighing, I used Ren and Gyo on my legs to catch up to her.
While it wasn't heavy, having a bag on my back was restraining.
"How many more days until we reach Mistral?"
"We'll arrive in Mistral in another two days."
"Remind me, what am I suppose to prove to you, by robbing Argus Limited?"
"Haven't you already figured it out?" Raven sped up, kicking up dust.
Shielding my eyes from the dust, I stopped in my tracks as Raven got further.
"God dammit, Raven!"
Poor Ryver, and he was being a smartass the night before.
Reviews-
uzzi455: Thanks, and the techniques are from Hunter x Hunter. I hope the pacing isn't too fast
thepowerfullkira: Oh, don't worry. While Ryver is going to become someone strong in the future, he's still going to struggle a lot
Akurar: Maybe she will lel. I'm glad you do x)
suppes1: Well, I'm glad :)
ef1982efm: While I can't say too much about Ryver's loyalty to Raven, I will say he won't be completely leaving. And I'm glad you enjoyed the chapters xp