Hey everyone! This one both did and didn't go according to plan, but that's okay! I mean, I'm not trying to delay the first Wave or anything. HONEST!~ XD

Anyway… there is something I'd like to get off my chest. I have written for fun before, nothing really publish worthy… cept for maybe one thing. It was a prologue to a bigger story, but I wanted to make it as standalone as possible. I have several of its chapters finished too, it's a Fallout New Vegas X RWBY story, only it doesn't really involve the main RWBY timeline. Like I said, it's meant to just be a prologue. If it's something you'd like to see, well… just say the word~

Anyway, this has gone on too long, ONWARDS!~

-EDIT: GAH!? I MESSED UP! I made a mishap with the cloaks! So there's gonna be a slight edit to Ghost's segment.

The beast leveled a hateful glare towards me as it sought to crush me under the weight of its falling claw. It had instead received yet more wounds from the orbiting Nails that now surrounded me for its troubles.

Its powerful wing beats threatened to push me away and off my footing, I defied this as I plunged my Nail into the stone, allowing the wind to lift me as I hung from the Pale Nail. The wind had quickly been replaced by a roaring torrent of flames, the beast seeking to roast me alive.

Fading into the dark, I reappeared atop its brow and attempted to drive my Nail through its skull only to fall as it began to slam its head along the cave walls. As I fell, I took note of a long salamander being tossed opposite of myself, the dragon's eyes widening as it moved to devour the gilded beast.

As it closed its maw, it reeled back and roared in pain and once more began to slam its head along the cave walls… only this time, stone protrusions would meet it and elicit more pained yells. Eyes wide with fury, the dragon began to wildly swipe and claw at everything and nothing as it thrashed about.

Its gold had been tossed and turned as if thrown into a maelstrom. Unfortunately for myself, a sizeable gilded wasp had impacted against my chest and pinned me to a wall.

Master! Watch out!

Fera's warning had been in vain as the beast's maws had taken me, darkness my only companion…

…

My Nail's Pale glow did well to illuminate myself, allowing me to switch Nails…

[Lantern Blade Rank: 2/10

Damage: 11

Passive: Illuminate caverns and dark corridors]

The light aided my vision as I found myself inside of the beast's innards. Walls of wet flesh encased piles of bone and gold, several holes lined the dragon's stomach and a stench most foul permeated the cavernous gut.

I had little time to think of course, as I ran through the valley of flesh and gold, a battle had rocked the walls of my prison. If I was to bring this monster under my command, I would need to find one of two things. It's mind… or It's heart.

Though I found no creature living or deceased to impede me, the mass amounts of gold being flung from the dragon's erratic movements had very nearly decapitated me every so often. Unfortunately, this had soon been coupled along with flashes of electricity, some particularly moist patches of flesh having already electrocuted me twice.

Yet these had not been the only obstacles as I had unwittingly fallen through a hole in the flesh as a rush of blood washed me away. The molten liquid had strung me along for a minute before I decided that enough had been enough. I clawed, I kicked, and I swung within my prison as I damaged the pathway I found myself in.

The world around me groaned as I heard pained wails echo. With persistent effort, I had cut my way out and into a maze like passage. The corridors of flesh shined a pale red, the shine strongest within one path in particular. Finding no other alternative, I ran forth into the depths.

The dragon's insides still quaked from time to time, electricity running along the walls as well. I had not thought of the trials partners mine had no doubt been forced to weather. Bargram would protect Fera in my absence, as she him… yet these thoughts gave me no pause. Not yet, not when their lives hung in the balance.

Soon, the shine had burned its brightest, a massive crystal held at the end of the corridor connected to what I fathomed to be nerves. This was it then… the 'heart' of the beast. The grand and blinding light had dimmed, the burning corridor cooling almost immediately at the mere presence of the Void Nail.

With a swing, all the world had become Void.

Meanwhile…

"Lass!" Bargram shouted, "I hate to say it, but Bug Hero is gone! We need to cut our losses if we want to live!" The giant of a man took the frantically fighting woman by the waist as she kicked and thrashed against him.

The dragon had shown no signs of stopping save for brief seconds of it roaring in unimaginable pain. Now however? It's enraged eyes spoke of sadistic vengeance against those who sought it harm. The pair before it sought to flee, the dragon had other plans as it flew past and slammed its head upon the cave ceiling, boulders falling onto the floor… and entrance, sealing all within.

"Lass…" Bargram whispered weakly, "It's… s'been a privilege fightin' with ya…" The giant took the woman's hand as he begun to weep, Fera so desperately wishing to do the same. Instead, she drew closer to him as they both bore witness to the beast draw in a plume of flame.

As the beast threw its head back, it roared as the cave ceiling was bathed in fire before it began to thrash about uncontrollably as it shouted; "NOO!"

"NO! NO! NO! NOOOO!"

It's thrashing became erratic, it's screams almost human… before Bargram and Fera could collect themselves, the dragon fell as its red body slowly turned black.

The dragon continued its struggles, even attempting to claw at the infection that sought to engulf it, the damage bursting and repairing as the inky black engulfed its claws. The encroaching dark had soon been met with fire… though this too proved futile as the orange flames blackened and died. As if crying out for salvation that would never come, the dragon breathed its last as it struggled no more.

The beast's eyes had become pits of Void, it's skull seemingly a pale white mask holding back an even greater darkness. Its wings had become a filmy black held together with pale bone and white nails and horns adorned blackened scale. The beast had been pacified… and rising from its back had been the Sword Hero, Nail of Void in hand…

Day 34

"So… laddie?" Bargram muttered as we made last minute preparations for the oncoming wave, "S'it really safe to leave that dragon where it is? Absolutely sure it won't harm anyone?"

"The beast shall follow my every command, no matter how far I travel from it nor it from me," I replied simply.

I feel it, my Master. It feels similar to yourself… but… Non-existent. Lifeless. No Mind to think. No Will to break.

No Voice to cry suffering.

No Voice to cry suffering.

"You two are having a frightening conversation, aren't you?" Bargram asked as he began to visibly sweat. Coughing into his fist, the giant rolled his shoulders before steeling his gaze, "Oi, Bug Hero, how'd you do it? The dragon I mean?"

"It was a simple matter," I replied, "There is time sufficient for this tale…"

….

The blackened world gave way to a horizon of Pale white, a shadowed specter rising off in the distance. The blackened mass had sprout wings of brilliant light, its form cracking before bursting. In its place, a regal demi-human beast. With a grand roar, it flew through the sky and steadily grew in size.

Soon, the draconic Soul slammed the earth behind me, our planar mountainous stage now prepared. Continuing its roar, white balls of fire began to form around their head before falling to the earth as if comets.

With practiced ease I had dashed and wove through the falling orbs, their explosions causing quite the mess as burning debris had jettisoned from the impacts. As the dragon ceased its warcry, they fell to the earth claws first in an attempt to either crush me, or impale me.

In retaliation, I sought to drive my Nail through the dragon's claws only to find that my arm had become whip-like. The initial strike caused the beast to scream in pain, void-like infection seeming to break along their claw. Pressing the attack, I swung myself about, spinning round as my sharpened arms whipped and lashed at the dragon before it fled into the sky.

It flew about, encircling me as more burning comets formed and crashed in an effort to incinerate me. The beast thought itself king within this plane… It thought wrong.

Focusing my Soul, I threw my arm skyward and took hold of a comet. The pale sphere blackened at my touch before bursting, bolts of Void fire flying to and fro.

The dragon had either not yet noticed or had not bothered to care, but it soon found itself grounded as more and more of its own comets had been turned against them.

As the spirit dragon was pinned to the ground and writhed about, I approached it slowly calmly before placing my palm atop its brow… It's will replaced by my own.

….

As we settled in to our rooms in the inn, Fera already having returned the beaten and battered Filorial, I recounted my tale to my party members. Fera's mind had been silent as I 'spoke', Bargram as well kept quite silent until I had finished my retelling of events.

"Alright, lad…" Bargram spoke softly, "So, you… brought the dragon to heel…"

"By hollowing its very Soul, yes."

"It's like you then?" He asked rather fearfully.

He is not the only one to fear this. Are you certain the beast is under your control?

"It matters not. For now, we rest."

….

Fera and I dreamed once more of the Nest, little Ghost having found himself within Greenpath… sister mine stalking him as a hunter would prey.

The bugs of the Path paid us little mind, those that did met a swift end, Fera having come into her own with her use of the Revenge Soul spell.

Deeper into the Path we travelled, the verdant sanctuary becoming more and more thick with foliage and shrubbery as we passed. It was not long until little Ghost had led us into a large room with a long drop.

We watched in silence as little Ghost walked into the middle of the room before a Needle had impaled the stone at his feet, sister mine appearing to challenge him.

Was this how they met? Had they forged their bond in the heat of battle?

Sister mine had toyed with our kin, flying about the air upon the thread of her Needle, yet as if anticipation, little Ghost struck her as she soared.

There would be times where sister mine would float upon the air as her thread would whip about her, the razor thin thread singing as it defended her… at least against Ghost's Nail. Being shot from the sky, Hornet glared daggers at little Ghost… before looking upon Fera and myself with surprise before flying away.

Little Ghost observed the stage of their battle, gaze falling upon another of our kin. He approached the lifeless husk calmly before turning his head back to look upon Fera and myself. Turning fully he jumped into the air before his cloak had dashed forward mid air. Falling gently, Ghost stared at us once more before bowing…

What was this? Did he know we were here?

"My Master, your kin leaves," Fera commented. Nodding, I led Fera into the arena and urged her to follow my kin, yet…

Fera herself soon passed the discarded hollow husk, stopping immediately as she knelt beside it. I wondered what it was that compelled partner mine as she reached out for the husk's cloak.

It had been a small thing, enough only to shield her shoulders and chest. Despite this, it adorned her Dream form well… she looked to me as I gave a nod. Apprehensive, she took a step before dashing forward as if being propelled forward.

This dream… Little Ghost, are you training her?

….

Day 36

Our final day had come. Wether we were prepared for the wave would not matter. We would prevail, or we would perish… there would be no in betweens.

"Oi, laddie, lookit what the farm hands gave us," Bargram said happily as he entered our shared bedroom.

Filorial eggs by the looks of things, my Master.

"Eggs?" I questioned aloud.

"Aye, lad. Eggs," The giant echoed, "Not just thanks for takin care of the dragon and bringing back his bird, but for the added publicity of raising dragon hunting Filiorials! Hah, rumors spread far and fast in Melromarc!"

In his grasp had been two eggs, one a pearlescent white, the other had been tinted the sky's soft blue. Both seemed to shine brilliantly…

"Take yer pick laddie, we can bind em downstairs," Bargram said as he offered the eggs. Query… which egg should I choose. Either way, there would be no chance of raising them in time for the Wave…

I had chosen the White Egg, its shine reminding me of my home.

The inn had become more lively as of late, a celebration for the boon of gold they now possessed, Bargram having given the town ten thousand gold coins from the dragon's hoard. They congratulated us, paraded us about as if heroes… we only did what would have made us stronger. We are stronger for what we have done.

I had politely excused myself as I left the impromptu festivity, not much time remained and I wished to bind the egg to myself before the Wave. Searching aimlessly, a farmhand had flagged me down.

"Sir Sword Hero!" The young man cheered as I drew near, "Is that the egg we gave your brawler? It's a special egg it is, that one."

Special? For its shine?

"Here for the slave ceremony? Right this way then," The young man led me to a barn stall, several adults of the species crowding around us, "I've prepared an incubator for you and your partner's eggs, just set the egg on the pillow and drop some of your blood, the circle will do the rest."

Upon a lone table had been two runic circles each underneath two blue pedestals, choosing the left most pedestal, I placed my egg and prepared my blade. As my void flowed and dripped, something strange had occurred…

Where with Fera, cracks had appeared along her Seal, thin lines seemed to weave themselves around the white egg as the Slave Seal formed slowly as if gently applying itself.

"S-Sir Sword Hero… your eyes…" The young man gasped out. My eyes? Was there something wrong with my eyes? "Glowing…" The farm hand blinked before rubbing his eyes and looking upon me again, "N-nevermind… musta been the sun…"

Nodding, I looked back to my egg as a glass case now covered the pedestal and runed egg. The egg had been placed within my inventory before I left, Bargram walking in himself with Fera close behind.

"Laddie! Bound your… egg?" He stopped and blinked as he examined my egg, "Don't think I've ever seen a Seal like that before…"

Master? Was it the Void? The Void is such a strange thing… it harms all it touches, ever enveloping… yet this egg…

"Regardless, they shall be of no use to us until the Wave has been dealt with," I replied simply.

"So where to til then, Lad?" Bargram asked curiously.

For now… "For now, we enjoy our rest and hope our power shall be enough…"