The Dark Swordsman

by Solbrand

Traveling the roads of Remmant, a 17 year old boy seeks revenge upon those who robbed him of the ones that he loved. When he is hot on the trail however, a certain headmaster has other plans. Defeated and forced into submission, he meets a few people who eventually become his friends. And one who might understand him the most, even if she refuses see it. Warring: Gore, Adult theme

15. Chapter 15

Authors Note:

Oh boy, an Double upload. I'm sorry for being out of action for a while. I've been working on trying to do this chapter properly, as in my opinion, it contains a lot of serious topics. Also to not mention, I'm working on two other stories. That might get posted soon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Also, I actually really like the new Volume a lot so far, Cinder's backstory was really close to the one I thought up in case it never got touched on.

"I don't own any of the series I write FF of. I only own my OC's and my unique aspects added to the story. I don't own any music or songs possibly mentioned, they are just recommendations. All credit of Rwby goes to RoosterTeeth."

Chapter 15: Cause and Effect.

Opening his eyes, he felt himself floating in water. It was mostly dark, albeit for the subtle red light. Giving the liquid he was in a crimson gleam. Looking at his hands and body, he saw that he was naked. He smelt a horrid iron smell, and tasted a wretched taste. One that tasted like-no, it was blood. He looked up to the pitch black sky and saw only one source of light, a blood red swirl around a void darker than the one around it, a crimson Eclipse. The sign of doom.

He felt his heart start beating as arms started to rise out of the sea around him and dead mutilated bodies rose to the surface. The panic really sat in when he was pulled under when something grabbed his foot firmly. Under the surface he saw the living dead reaching for him along with the one who grabbed him.

They were Legionaries, White Fang, Krimson Hand, Bandits, Villagers and everyone he killed or caused to die. Rotten, fresh, dismembered, whole. He kicked free of the undead man and swam up to the surface in a hurry. He leapt up from the water, reaching for the black hole in the sky with crimson edges, only to fall back into the blood. He was grabbed by dozens of hands and dragged down into the black depths. Blood flooded his lungs as he drowned in the blood of his victims, he felt his flesh being ripped and bit into. He tried to scream in vain as he saw his demon descending towards him. It's crimson eyes glowed in the dark red light as he heard it laugh when it gouged out his eyes.

Umbra woke up in harsh breaths, holding a hand on his chest and looking around as he sat up. He saw no Monster or Apparition, just sleeping girls on their bunk beds. Calming down he wiped the sweat from his brow as he sighed in contempt. Another nightmare binding him to this reality. Why was it that good sleep was a rarity for him? Why couldn't his mind just let him rest? These were the questions he lamented every time this happened. He rose from his sleeping bag and went towards the bathroom. Taking care to be as quiet as possible for the sleeping beauties. As he entered the bathroom, he flipped the light switch and looked into the mirror. Red cold and dead eyes stared back into his. He hated himself. His hair. His eyes. His very existence was a burden to everyone he ever knew. His blood and soul was tainted with evil, he was evil.

Turning on the sink, he splashed water onto his face and wiped his eyes. When he opened them, he saw a dark figure in the mirror, red eyes staring right back at him. The mirror shattered as hands reached out to him and blood poured into the room. Umbra jumped back and ran for the door to the dorm. Bursting through it, he was no longer in beacon. He was in Arînville, the Town was ablaze. Screams of terror and war cries, the canopy of blades and gunshots. Everyone was dying again. It was all his fault. They were slaughtering them all. All of his Friends and loved ones. Because of Him. Because he existed. Because he-

"Because you're weak." A voice of the man he despised spoke behind him. He didn't even turn to speak.

"I hate you." He said with spite, looking at the town.

"Of course you do. You're spiritually weak and physically weaker than me." He chuckled, "The weak always envy the strong." Umbra bit his lip as tears streamed down his face.

"Why? Why do you do this? What did I do to you?!" He shouted.

"You did all of this to yourself." He scoffed, "You should've never got that sword."

"I'll use that 'sword' to cut your ugly head off." Umbra snarled, "When that's done, the Legion will fall apart and the world will be free from your evil."

"No, it would be doomed." He laughed, "Just like you." The sound of metal being unsheathe caused him to turn only to be met by the saber's blade carving across his face. Umbra fell to the ground as blood poured down his face.

"I HATE YOU!" He shouted as he rose from the ground.

"Then get Strong, maybe you'll be able to do something about it then."

Umbra woke up in harsh breaths, holding a hand on his chest and looking around as he sat up. He put an Hand to his face and to his relief, there was no blood. And the room just had sleeping girls on their bunk beds. Another night, another nightmare. He got up from his sleeping bag and went towards the bathroom. Taking care to be as quiet as possible for the sleeping beauties. He opened and closed the door as quietly as possible, then using the toilet. Afterwards, he washed his hands and brushed his teeth. He quietly put his clothes on and left the dorm. It was a weekend after all, those girls would want sleep-he was gonna train.

Outside, the atmosphere was dark as dark grey clouds covered the sky. It had and was going to rain. "No problem." He had trained and fought in it before. There were very few people out at 6:03 on a Saturday, but he couldn't blame them. He imagined that it was normal for most students to sleep in on free days. Reaching the locker room, he went to his locker. "Hey Tyrfing."

"Going to train?" The Sword asked.

"Yeah," He replied mentally, as he took the sword out and put the sheath around his shoulders.

"You know it's been boring to sit in this locker and you've not talked to me as much as you used to." It spoke as they walked towards the exit.

"I'm sorry," He said aloud, before quieting himself. "It's hard to talk to you when I have four girls who won't leave me alone."

"Fair enough." Umbra made his way out to a field on campus just as it started to rain. Drawing his sword, he held it to his side in a stance pointing forwards diagonal with both hands. He remembered that his Mentor called it the Ox Stance. In a swift motion he moved forward in an upwards slash and again with a turn slashing horizontally. With another step, slashed it in the opposite direction. As lightning flashed, he raised the blade and slashed downwards, imagining an enemy divided in two. He ran forward and jumped in the air, twirling with his blade, landing gracefully.

As it started to downpour, he smiled. He loved the rain, as gloomy as it was, it always comforted him. He loved to fight in the rain too, a muddy and bloody battlefield was his favorite. Battle, he loved battle, as much as he hated to admit it. He hated war, he hated senseless killing, but he loved to fight. It was bred into him. He couldn't escape it, and he knew he would die fighting one day. Someone would get lucky, catch him off guard and either kill him slowly, instantly or wound him gravely. If it was the latter, he would make sure to take them out with him.

He trained for an hour and the rain lessened in intensity as he stopped for today, soaked and a little muddy. As he sought shelter, he checked his scroll. He didn't use it much but it was useful to check the time or any messages. Speaking of messages, he saw a message from Ruby..

Ruby Rose: Get back to the Dorm! Something bad happened!

"Shit." He made his way back to the dorms, soaking wet but he didn't give a fuck. He wanted to make sure whatever it was, it didn't have anything to do with the Legion. He noticed people were either somber or angry as he walked by him, there were even a few who were crying, alone or comforted by friends. He arrived at their dorm and opened the door. Everyone was there, including team JNPR. They were all in their sleep clothes still, and they were watching the Holoscreen, a solid projection from a rectangular box below it, he had heard about them from commercials but most people still had TVs. "What's going on?" He asked, they all looked at him. Ruby's eyes were wet with tears as Yang had her arm around her. Blake looked miserable and Weiss had an angry scowl. The four members of JNPR all just had somber looks.

"Look at the screen." Was all Weiss said, barely able to hold in her anger. He did so and saw Lisa Lavender on VNN. The Headline enraged him.

The Battle of Fort Wise, White Fang attacks the VDF base in the Capital.

"You got to be fucking kidding me." He said full of anger, "Those fucking ani-murderers!" He stopped himself from insulting the hidden Faunus, who had her face buried in her knees. Jaune sighed.

"I wish it was a joke." He said, "The News is all over the Kingdom and the world. There's riots going on in Vale, Parliament is in an emergency meeting."

"How many are dead?" Umbra asked them, his red eyes burning with hate. Weiss answered him.

"According to the news, five hundred to eight hundred. Fort Wise was only manned by a Thousand VDF personnel." She scowled, "Apparently the target was the armory which they rigged with explosives. When they retreated, those who entered died."

"Those bastards!" He said, clenching his fists shut.

"W-Why?" Ruby spoke, tears running down her face, "Why would they do this?"

"Because they're a bunch of fools who think hurting people will make what they want come to pass. They're fucking monsters, everyone of them. I hate the White fucking Fang, and every group like them!" Umbra punched the wall, to everyone's surprise. He breathed in and out, memories of the Fangs atrocities flashed through his mind. He wanted to carve through them, sword in hand. Unknown to him, the hidden Faunus held back her own tears. This was why she left.

"I agree." The Heiress said with spite, "Those Faunus extremists only show their true colors to the world with acts like this."

"Do you think that only the Faunus do this Weiss?" He asked, red eyes alight. "There's going to be some damn Humans who do something next. I've seen this before."

"W-What? No!" She said, raising her hands up defensively. "I'm not saying the White Fang are the only ones who do this stuff, I'm just pointing out who is behind this one event."

"I fucking hate this world." Umbra said, stomping off towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Yang asked, still trying to calm Ruby down.

"I'm going to fucking kill some Grimm." He said, not looking back.

Downtown Vale, Last Legion HQ.

"JUPITER!"

"JUPITER!!"

"JUPITER!!!"

They all chanted his name as he walked through the base, returning in triumph. They held their swords in the air, some aimed their swords to him, saluting him. He held his sword in the air as he walked through the crowd of Legionaries. Others, along with Slaves and Priests clapped for him. He was a hero, a Champion. He strode over to Servus, who stood in the middle of the crowd adorned in his golden armor, at his side stood a priest. He wore a black robe, his face was hidden by a steel mask shaped like a man's face. Lighting and rain downpoured outside, the signs of Typhon's blessing. He was pleased with himself, wishing his Father and the rest of his family could see this occasion as he knelt in front of the Slave King, removing his helmet and holding it under his left arm. The room went quiet as all watched the ceremony.

In a low whisper, the priest made signs with his left hand and held the tome in his right and said "Et gloria, ut pro victore. Benedictus, qui graditur in via Noctis ambulans autem semita prophetam."

"Jupiter Gloria et Aquila," Servus began, "You have done a great service to the Legion today and for the Patria. You have brought Vale low and earned Glory most would die for." He drew a sword and laid its edge on his right shoulder "For your valor and bravery in battle, your devotion to the Gods and your Virtue, I hereby grant you one of the highest of honors, the title of Magnam Vindex, Champion of Champions!"

Jupiter looked up and said "I am honored, your Grace." A genuine smile adorned on his face.

"Rise, and be blessed as one of the true Heroes of this Age." The Eagle Faunus rose from his knees and put his helmet back on with one hand. Servus smirked, bringing his sword to his hand and slitting open his palm, as blood poured he spoke once more. "By this act, by the blessing the Imperator gave me and by Tyrant's authority, from here on-you are the blood of my blood, the blood of the prophet's anointed has anointed you." Placing the hand once in his breast plate and then the forehead of his helm he continued, "May you walk the path of Legend onwards and not deviate once, for one who falls off the path shall never find it again. May you live in Victory or feast in Tyhall." As the bloody handprint dripped down his visor, Jupiter slammed his fist against his chest.

"I swear to follow the path of Tyrr in Tyrant's shadow, to not dishonor this glory. If I ever do so, may I be cast into the fire of Typhon. Ave Tyrannis Draconis!" The crowd cheered, Legionaries howled with joy as they waved their Gladius'. The Slaves got down on their knees and kneeled, the priests gripped their hands in prayer. Mars watched from the catwalk above, the rail he gripped bent under his fingers.

Emerald Forest.

Umbra slit the Beowolf's throat with Tyrfing as he shouted in rage. "FUCKING MONSTERS!" He shouted as he duck underneath another's swipe before cutting it in half. "I'LL KILL THEM ALL!" He jumped and beheaded another Grimm as he teleported around the Pack. He had been doing this for a good two hours, it was a nice stress reliever. He slashed another's arm off before disemboweling it. He ran over to another, dodging it's claws before impaling it through the chest.

Pulling his blade out, slinging the black blood off as he charged the Alpha. Flashing behind it and slashing up its back, as it whined, he kicked it forward and stomped it's head in. Breathing fast and violent, he looked around as the Grimm lay dead and dissolving. Black mist absorbing into him. He looked around and could see none as he took his scroll out. He didn't get another message from Ruby, but a School message, there was going to be a mandatory meeting in the Amphitheater. He sighed, he wasn't done killing Grimm.

Amphitheater, Beacon Academy.

Ruby looked around solemnly at the students in the room. Most were somber, others were angry and a few still cried. She still couldn't believe the extent that some would go, the inhumane actions people did for their own gain or twisted ideas. All those people, dead. Not because of the Grimm, but because of others. She didn't even want to think about it, the idea of harming someone else was hard enough for her, killing someone else was a whole nother level. One that was inconceivable, intolerable and evil. She had a hard time looking past Umbra for it, but this, what they did was far worse.

She stood with her Team and JNPR. Weiss and Yang were angered by the whole affair, though not to the level Umbra was. They had all worried for a bit after he left, he seemed ready to charge into an Hideout of the White Fang. Blake however was quiet like usual but somber. She had heard of the White Fang before, they were a group that started out as a peaceful movement, now they commit atrocities in the name of Faunus liberation. She had never treated a Faunus wrong for their traits nor did she ever say something rude to them. Her mother taught her and Yang to treat all people equally, not to ever judge someone by their looks-Human or Faunus.

She understood that discrimination was still a problem, but looking around at all the hateful glares in the room, directed towards Faunus students, did the White Fang really expect to change anything? All this had to do was turn more people against them, against Faunuskind. "I'm back." They turned to see Umbra walk up to them, wet and muddy with a scowl. He was Hooded, his sword still strapped to his back.

"You look like you've gone swimming." Yang said, trying to smile.

"I did, in Grimm." He responded, looking at the stage. She and the rest of her team looked as well, as Ozpin walked onto it. No mug, only his cane.

"Good morning Students, thank you all for coming." He said with subtle sadness, "As most of you know, last night our Kingdom suffered a terrible attack. Fort Wise, the VDF's main base in the City of Vale was attacked by the White Fang. As of now, over six hundred and fifty Valen soldier's are dead." He closed his eyes and shook his head, "Many of you from Vale may have had family in the Military who were stationed there and others, friends. I want you all to know, my heart goes out to you and your loved ones, as well to all the Families who lost their Children, Parents and Spouses in this tragedy." He looked up with stoic eyes, "We as Huntsmen are expected to protect the world from the Creatures of Grimm, but we mustn't lose sight of the worse within our species. This attack wasn't by Grimm, instead by mislead and fanatic Faunus radicals, the White Fang. A group that started out with good intentions like so many, corrupted into a band of Supremacists. Know this, this is not the Fault of Faunus nor Humans. Do not think this tragedy justifies any hatred of Faunus in my School, nor do I want to see any Faunus glorifying it." He slammed his cane down, making many in the large room flinch.

"As of now, there are many Humans and Faunus in Vale using this hateful attack to spread more hatred to many. The White Fang is not justified to do such heinous acts and the Krimson Hand is not noble nor is looking to protect Humanity. They are both Supremacist groups, led by selfish and evil people looking to acquire power only for themselves. Hatred only begets more hatred and hatred leads to misery, suffering and death. The only ones who win in that regard are the Grimm, our two Races only true enemy." He looked around the room side to side. "Until these riots are quelled, no one is permitted to leave the Academy unless it is to see family afflicted by this event. I do not want to see or hear anyone supporting or glorifying either of these aforementioned groups in my school. Anyone caught doing so will have to report to me, and the punishment will be dealt by Miss Goodwitch with whatever she sees fit. Anyone who blames the Faunus or Humanity as a whole for this will be also eligible for punishment." He raised his left hand, "Before I end this assembly, I want to remind you all of what you're seeking to become. Huntsmen and Huntresses, the first line of defense against the Creatures of Darkness. The Grimm." He closed his eyes once more, "That is all, dismissed."

"That's probably the first speech I've ever agreed with." Umbra spoke, pulling his hood down. The mass of people started to move as everyone made their way out of the Amphitheater. Team RUWBY made their way to the cafeteria with Team JNPR, the Atmosphere was stale and tense.

"Well, what should we do for today then?" Yang asked everyone. The Heiress responded.

"I'm going to work on my essay once we're done, and I suggest you all do too." She told everyone else.

"I'm going to go read." Blake said, her voice hoarse. Umbra noticed it but didn't say anything, instead he sighed.

"What are you gonna do Umbra?" Ruby asked him, wiping her face.

"I don't know ." He answered bluntly with a sigh.

Vale, Abandoned Warehouse, Industrial District.

The sounds of the riots could be heard all the way in his office, even if dulled just a bit. Roman was alone, drinking and smoking his day away. One hand, the Heist was a success and Cinder got what she wanted, on the other, he couldn't stop thinking about his shitty Brother. He had wanted to kill him for years, ever since that one damn night. Well, both nights. He looked at an old photo, his father was red haired and blue eyed, his mother blonde and green eyed. Both he and his older brother stood at their sides. He remembered the day it was taken, he was ten, Dilan was thirteen. He loved life in that little village, but he hated their guts after they sent him to the orphanage in Vale. He never understood why couldn't one of his parents' friends take him in. After all, Dilan ran away after setting the fire. It would've been just him.

Dilan, the serial rapist and killer. The sick fuck that ruined his life, the last family member he had. Why? Why did he have to die by anyone else's hand. He deserved to be the one to do it. To burn him alive for burning his parents after barring them inside their childhood home. He had planned it all, beating him with a cane like he did to him, pouring the liquid dust on him and throwing the match. That bastard, why did some random Boy have to be the one? Did he even die slow? Did he scream like his Mom and Dad did?

He hated his brother, all he ever did to him was torture. He remembered that night when he was nine, when his brother came into his room. When he-he grabbed the bottle and threw it at the wall. It shattered as whiskey got everywhere. He grabbed his arms and held them as he shook in anger. That night, that damn night. And every Friday afterwards. "Don't say a thing to Mom or Dad, I'll kill them." Those words still molested his mind. He wanted his brother right in front of him, his cane cracking his skull open. He hated him. He would to the end of time.

The door opened and she was there, his last true Family on Remnant. She came over to him and hugged him, at least it wasn't in the way his Brother hugged him.

Library, Beacon Academy.

She had to get away from them all, she couldn't stand being around them. Guilt had clasped her heart and squeezed, tormenting her for her past sins. How could he justify this? He always said Atlas was the Kingdom that treated the Faunus like cattle, yet now in Vale tensions will rise dramatically and innocent Faunus will be caught in the crossfire. She knew he had to be part of this, even perhaps leading the charge. Acting like a righteous hero when he was anything but.

She sat alone in one of the Aisles, her face in her knees as she cried. She left the Fang because she knew that it's only path was destruction, it had become what it sought to destroy and abandoned its principles in the process. He had. She left him, she left the Fang to plunge itself into the abyss and she didn't even try to divert it. She was a coward, that's all she was. A coward that ran away, who hid her true self from everyone else. Adam would laugh in her face if he were here right now. Brag and gloat about her admittance of cowardice.

She only wanted to make things-"Blake." She heard Umbra's voice as he walked over to her from her right. She looked up at him. "Are you ok?"

"Y-Yes." She lied as she stood up quickly. "I was just-" He put a hand on her shoulder and looked around.

"I know you're bothered about what happened, but I want you to know I won't judge you nor any other Faunus in this School for it." He whispered, "This is all the White Fang's fault." The way he looked at her, with those caring Red eyes.

"Umbra…" She looked away, tears streaming down her face. "I-I...I w-was…" She tried to tell him, but the words got stuck in her throat.

"What's wrong Blake?" He asked in a way too similar, "You can tell me anything." She looked him in the eyes, and sighed. He, if anyone, deserved to know the truth. She closed her eyes.

"I used to be a Member of the White Fang." She expected anger, shock or disgust. Instead after a moment, he hugged her. Her eyes opened wide.

"That's ok, you left them." She found her face in his chest, his arms around her. If he had been three feet taller, it would have been the exact same way Adam hugged her.

"Why aren't you…" She was surprised.

"Mad? Blake, I'm not innocent either." He told her, "There's far more blood on my hands than there ever could be on yours. At least you left them with your own reasoning, instead of seeing the truth when it was too late."

"How do you know?" She asked, he laughed.

"If you were a part of those Monsters, you're the kind of person who would see the rot." He said patting her back, "I didn't expect you to have been one, but that's in the past. A person who chooses to change shouldn't be harassed for the mistakes they're trying to fix." She couldn't believe it, she'd expected him of all people to get furious besides Weiss.

"Umbra…" She buried her head into his chest, "Thank you."

"It's no problem Blake," He closed his eyes, "I know how you feel." After a few minutes, they parted from their embrace.

"Thank you for that." Blake said with a smile, her cheeks flushed as she looked away.

"It's no problem, just try not let it get to you." He pulled out his scroll. "I'm going to have to talk to you later, the Headmaster wants to see me."

Ozpin's Office, Beacon Academy.

The elevator opened up and Umbra walked into the Headmasters office once more. The Old Man sat at his desk, rubbing his temples. The clicking sound of boots made Ozpin sit up. "Ah, Mister Redson, you've arrived." He gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, take a seat."

As he sat down, he said "Let me guess, is this about the Battle last night?"

"What else?" Ozpin sarcastically replied, "I think it might be of some interest to you."

"How so? I don't really like the White Fang or it's polar opposite." The Swordsman said, putting his hands on the desk.

"I don't think the White Fang was behind this operation."

"You mean?" He lifted his hands in surprise.

"Yes," The Old Man answered, "The White Fang is being aided by the Last Legion."

"How do you know?" He asked, "I never would expect them to directly ally themselves with them. They usually just helped groups like 'em indirectly."

The Headmaster pressed a button, one of the screens in his office came alive to show footage. "I've used some of my influence to get a copy of the Fort's surveillance footage, looking through it besides finding out Roman Torchwick was involved, there's two Faunus who aren't known White Fang members. One of which led the attack." The screen showed two recordings of Faunus Men cutting through countless enemies with skill far out matching their Comrades. Umbra recognized one, and the other fit the description of a renowned Champion.

"They're Legion alright." He said, "I fought one of them before, about a year ago. He is a psychotic Nightblade, named Pluto. The other is a renowned Champion named Jupiter, I've heard stories about him from my...incursions."

"Hmm…" Ozpin put his hands together and rested his chin atop them. "Since you're well versed in their tactics, what do you think the Legion is doing?"

"Sowing Chaos." He answered, "That's all they ever do. For some reason though, they threw their support for the Fang. I'm puzzled at that, seeing how most of their ranks are Humans with their Faunus...not exactly liking the Faunus of the Kingdoms, I would have thought they'd support some other group."

"Perhaps there is more to this than what meets the eye…" Ozpin rubbed his chin, "I think we need to make a move."

"Are you saying?" Umbra's eyes widened with hope.

"No," The Headmaster shot him down, "With the state of the City, the Kingdom and the World right now-we cannot afford to hit them head on." The screen turned on to footage of downtown Vale. There were people rioting in the streets, the VDF and VPD dressed in riot gear were dividing the two factions from a full on battle. "Despite their loss last night, the VDF is focusing a lot of attention in Downtown Vale and the walls trying to keep the peace and the Grimm from breaching the city. The Progressives and the Conservatives of Vale are out in full force." The video showed clips of People waving the green flag of Vale, singing the National Anthem. Others were smashing windows and throwing molotovs. There were fistfights, shouting, chanting. It was chaos.

"Gods…They're all acting like animals."

"Indeed." Ozpin sighed, "There even have been reports of the Krimson Hand and even the White Fang appearing."

"I imagine the Hand is eating this up."

"They are…" The Professor rubbed his temples again, "This tragedy has done nothing but divide Vale even further along all lines. The White Fang gave their greatest enemy more recruits. Now I have to deal with this spreading to my Academy and infecting my students."

"Hate and Violence begets more Hate and Violence." Umbra said eloquently, "And the wheel turns evermore."

"I didn't take you as one who read Poe's works?" The Old Man raised an eyebrow.

"It's hard not to when you see everyone fighting when the Grimm and Legion are at the Gates."

"Indeed, they are the only true winners of this battle." Ozpin said solemnly, "We can't let them gain any more momentum. This was a message to the Free World, we need to send a message back with an equal punch." He tapped another button, an holographic map of Vale's territories popped up focused on a random spot where it zoomed in. "I have some intel about an old Factory that is listed as abandoned but is actually an outpost of the Legion. There have been reports from my agents about trucks and boats coming and going from there." The Old Man took a deep breath.

"I think it's an hub where they send their captives."

"A Slave Processing Center, where they take abductees to break in and indoctrinate before they ship them to Dracus as fresh slaves." Umbra spoke with gritted teeth, he slammed a fish down on Ozpins desk. "Why didn't you send someone already to clear it out!!"

"I've had the Intel for two months, I tried to appeal to the Council to send in Vale's special forces, the Royal Knights, but they were adamant about burying the Legion threat. I personally have my own agents occupied with greater concerns than-" He was interrupted by Umbra slamming his fists into the desk, rising from his seat.

"What could be more important than the Legion and these innocent people!" He shouted, "Do you not realize what they're doing to the Men, Women and Children there?"

"I understand your frustration, and yes, I do." He calmly answered, "But there is more than meets the eye Umbra, there is another force in the shadows that is just as dangerous as the Legion itself. Besides the multiple political, religious and groups across the kingdoms, besides the White Fang and the Krimson Hand. This Cabal is my primary priority, the Legion is my secondary. We must defeat the enemies within before we can defeat the enemies outside the gates."

"God damnit Ozpin!" Umbra shouted again, "The Legion is already inside the damn city!"

"They're not inside Beacon."

"No, but I bet most of your network is compromised." Ozpin took his glasses off and rubbed his face. Putting them back on, he gestured to Umbra.

"Let's get to the point, Mister Redson, I want to send you to wipe out the Outpost with any method you desire and liberate the captives." Umbra's mood changed slightly.

"I can and will do that, but that still doesn't excuse all the poor souls broken and mutilated that you and the council could have saved while you fucked around for two months. Those Facilities are hell on earth!" Ozpin looked at him coldly.

"Get your gear and report to the Bullhead."

"What about my team?"

"I'll let them know you're on a Mission, just don't tell them what it is if you return."

"Not if, when." He turned around, "I don't plan on dying anytime soon. And I'll tell my teammates myself." He walked out of the room and into the elevator. As it went down, Ozpin reached under the desk to retrieve a bottle of wine.

RWBY's Dorm, Beacon Academy.

It was unusually silent to Weiss, rare was the day where Ruby was silent and calm, sitting at the desk to her right doing her work. If it was any other day, she'd celebrate. But as all good things in her life, it comes with a price. She hated the White Fang. They've done nothing but make her life miserable. When she was younger, she could never leave their home without an escort of Guards-because of the possibility of an White Fang attack or an Faunus attempting to assassinate her or her father, which did happen twice. Her father would be furious every time there was a White Fang raid or a dust robbery, taking it out vocally upon his family. He was always in a bad mood, spiteful and haughty, but when the White Fang did something, he was scornful and outraged.

It wasn't until her father got into the Atleasian Council representing the Atlas Dominion Party and paid off half of the Atleasian Parliament to pass the National Defense Act and the National Loyalty Act did things calm down. She remembered the celebration, the ball he held with all the aristocrats of Atlas. It was one of the few good memories of her father, but still that did not change him during it. She had to sing for it, then mingle with all the guests.

But then, the Faunus lovers started to protest and send him and her and all their family members threats. She understood why to a degree, the Loyalty act gave the Military the right to arrest and detain anyone suspected of subversive activities against Atlas with no need of a warrant. Drones flew through the streets, watching everyone's moves in Mantle and Atlas. The Defense Act replaced the Police with the Military. The ones who were hit the most by this were the Faunus and Faunus workers of her family.

In a way she pitied them, but in the end, White Fang activity on Solitas was reduced to non-existent. Why should she care about a group of people who've done nothing but wish her and her family harm? The people who supposedly liberated their poor oppressed kin by slaughtering Human workers and guards. By blowing up mines and attacking convoys, causing their Kin to lose jobs and their wages getting slashed to cover the expenses. By taking people such as her Uncle Frost and executing them on camera.

All she wanted was to be left alone and be free, yet most of her youth has been spent looking behind her shoulder for an assassin, locked up in her family's mansion and listening to her Fathers dribble. Now here she was in Vale, free from the latter two but now back to fearing the Fang with a snowflake target on her back. It was exhausting.

"Hey Weiss?" She was brought out of deep thought by Ruby. She looked up from her paper.

"Hm, what is it?" She asked her Team Leader.

"What do you think about what happened? I just feel nervous. I don't know why, I don't feel this way when fighting Grimm, but just the thought about what happened...it just puts me on edge." The Red Reaper said with a grown. Weiss sighed.

"I understand what you mean," She admitted much to the detriment of her pride, "I would've never expected the Fang to attack the VDF after what happened to them in Atlas."

"What? What happened in Atlas?" Ruby looked to her, an eyebrow raised.

"You don't know?" The Heiress was genuinely surprised, she would expect of all things that Ruby at least now about this.

"No?"

Sighing, Weiss spoke "The White Fang first started their crimes in Atlas, Ruby. Years ago, when I was just ten, they were waging a full scale insurrection against the Atleasian Military and my Family's company." She looked away from the girl, "They did stuff like this, though never as brazen. Raids, robberies, kidnappings, hostage taking and just full on chaos. They targeted various companies and families, mine chief among them."

"That's horrible!"

"It was, for the longest time Ruby, you couldn't leave your home around Solitas without fear of the Fang. They didn't care whether you were poor or rich, all Humans were fair game to them. It wasn't until after the Government gave the Military more power that it stopped and General Ironwood single handedly dismantled them on Solitas. It's surprising how much the other Kingdoms have let them get out of hand, but considering how the Defense Forces are a shallow imitation of a Military, I can see how."

"I'm sorry to hear that happened, it sounds like it was a hard few years."

"It's in the past now. If anything, Vale should be concerned for its future."

The door opened, Umbra briskly walked in. He was strapped and armed with his sword and knives. In his hand he carried his satchel over to the sleeping bag and tossed it on it and turned back to leave.

"You degenerate!" Weiss jumped up and marched over to him, getting in his way with a finger in his face, "YOUR DIRTY BOOTS ARE GETTING MUD ALL OVER THE FLOOR!" Umbra simply looked down at the footprints he left and sighed.

"Sorry I don't have time for this," He said as he gently pushed her out of the way "Ozpin has given me a Mission." She was silenced by that news.

"What?!" Ruby said jumping up, "Alone?!"

"Yes." He said calmly.

"But, we're a team, we should come with you!" She walked over to him, concern obvious to anyone who could see.

"Ruby," He looked their Leader in the eyes with a look that she only ever saw on one other person, her Sister. "It's not a mission you'd want or can do."

"W-What do you mean?" She asked, confused.

"All I'm at liberty to say is that it has something to do with what has caused all the uproar today." This perked Weiss' attention.

She raised an eyebrow, "The White Fang?"

"Yes." He said looking away.

Ruby looked down "Umbra…"

"So, I take it this is why the Headmaster was adamant about capturing you last week, to utilize you for these sort of missions." The Heiress stated as she folded her arms.

Umbra laughed, "I see you deduced the situation." He said with a small smile.

"I figured that it was suspicious that an Headmaster of an Academy would spend so much time trying to recruit one student, but after what happened last night and the fact he wants to send you to do something in relation to it is proof."

"But what does this have to do with us arresting him?" Ruby interjected.

"Isn't it obvious Ruby, Ozpin wanted him for his willingness to go the extra mile."

"What do you mean?" She asked with pure innocence.

"Ruby," He said, "He wanted me for my lethality."

The Red Reaper was stunned, and looked away. The Boy continued on his way out the door. He was stopped by icy words.

"For what's it's worth Umbra," He turned his head to the Heiress, "Give those animals what they deserve."

"I will." He said coldly.

Library, Beacon Academy.

She was sitting alone at a terminal, Black headphones on. She had been scouring the web, looking for information on events in Vacuo, only to find nonstop headlines about Vale. What happened last night has become worldwide news, Mistral, Atlas and Vacuo have all sent their sympathies. But there was more division than unity and understanding. There were countless articles, videos and posts on social media saying that what the Fang did wasn't wrong or that they didn't do enough.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there were Human Supremacists and Valen Nationalists calling for Faunus expulsion or retaliation. Countless videos showed the riots, marching ranks of various groups all using the tragedy as a stepping stone for more power and influence. She saw signs saying stuff like "The White Fang did nothing wrong!" and others from purely Human groups saying "Blood For Blood, an Eye for an Eye!"

It made her tremble, in fear and anger. "Adam must be loving this." She thought. There was a livestream on Remtube from a Krimson Hand rally. They were just as bad as the Fang, she used to think otherwise, that nothing they could do could match up with the Hand's atrocities. She clicked on it, wondering what they were saying.

"-and we stand for our Human brethren! We mourn and we pity them for their ignorance of the Savage Faunus!" There on a stage, was a man with a red bag on his head with eye holes cut out giving a speech. He wore an old Mantlan Uniform from the Great War. Black jacket, black pants, black boots and black gloves. A black flag with a symbol like a Bloody Handprint was being waved in the background. There were dozens with similar Masks on, red bags, red ski masks, red balaclavas. All wore various other clothes, no distinct uniform among them than the Crimson Mask. There was a crowd of regular people too, all there listening to his rhetoric.

"This is the result of the Great War, Humanity giving up on Monarchy. Giving in to a weak and callous system that let the beasts off their leashes all around the world from our brethren on Solitas to Anima and to Vacuo! More of our brothers and sisters being butchered by them by the day! The Councils and Parliaments do nothing unless these rodents impede their six digit checks! Too many of us have lost our loved ones to either lone wolves, ratty criminals or these barbaric bands!" He raised his left land, "It is time that the Bloody Hand of Vengeance grabs their furry throats, that the Krimson Hand defends our Race against the wild and untamed Animals that threaten our children's lives!" He clutched his hands, "Will you stand with us?! Will stand and be counted among the Krimson Hand of Man? Will you join the last Knights of Mankind?! Will you Hail Lagune?! Will you swear-"

He was interrupted by a young man who climbed onto the stage, everyone panicked for a moment before the Boy grabbed the microphone. "Those Animals took my brother from me!" He cried out, "My name is Jordan Day, my brother was killed last night by those monsters!" He fell to his knees, "They took my hero away from me, they took Grady!" He bursted out crying. The Man knelt down his side and wrapped an arm around the Boy, she remembered a scene just like this with Adam and a young Faunus around her age. Red Devils whispering in the ear of the broken.

He took the microphone and spoke "Do you see, Men of Vale?! This is what the Faunus brings wherever they go! Savagery and Misery! They are a blight-" She paused the live stream, disgusted. The live chat was hardly any different. She exited the video, rubbing her face. She now knew how every group recruited people, the appearance of victimhood. It was how the Fang got Faunus after Adam and Sierra got into power along with a few other radicals. She had to get the Fang and Hand off her mind.

She got off Remtube, and searched up a site called the Deepdiver (AN: No relation to a real site, if there is one, just a coincidence. I made this up myself), a website that allowed users to delve into the deep web. It's normally blocked on Beacon Student accounts on terminals like porn websites, but one advantage of being a Faunus is overhearing stuff like the Password of the Admin account.

Deepdiver was used by Criminal Organizations, Conspiracy Theorists, White Fang and Krimson Hand, Computer Nerds for all sorts of stuff. She was here for one specific thing, finding out about those mysterious men and what was going on in vacuo. She searched up conspiracy sites and opened tabs in mass, thankful for the Academies top notch Antivirus software. She searched for anything relating to secret societies and organizations, she also looked for things about Vacuo. She read the article titles, they were all laughable.

Atlas is building a Sentient Robot to conquer the world!!!

Faunus are Aliens, Humans are evolved Apes!

Immortal Goddess is behind all strife in the world!!

Dust came from the Moon!!

Human-like Grimm rule underground, Hidden civilization covered up by the Kingdoms.

Hollowed Remnant Theory: Atlas covering up the entrance at the North Pole!

History of the Elves: The Magical Precursors.

Grimm Worshipping Society preparing for war!!

Secrets Societes: A Grand List.

She clicked on the last one which brought her to an big list of names. Illuminati, Order of Light, Followers of the Apocalypse, blah, blah, blah. After sorting through an untold amount of insanity, she caught a whisp.

Secret Religious Group at war with the Kingdoms, behind recent strife in Vacuo.

She clicked on it, it brought her to a slow running page. There were images of Men in robes with their arms stretched out to a Dragon Statue, of the abandoned continent, Dracus. She read the article from the beginning.

Of all things you might stumble onto, I implore you dear reader to stay. The truth of the matter is that the dead continent isn't dead and abandoned. There is a group, no, a civilization that lives on it. They know about us, but our Kingdoms keep the knowledge of their existence from us. The truth is, that these people are Dragon worshipers, they worship the father of the Grimm. I can't say what their name is, or what their Gods names are-for the influence of the Kingdoms and these Dragon Cultists are so strong that this site will be taken down.

The truth is that Remnant is in a Cold War with these People, they seek to one day conquer our world and force everyone under their heel. The Kingdoms are too divided to face them head on and they would cause the Grimm to descend upon us before Vale, Atlas, Mistral and Vacuo could call the banners. They are-

Deepdiver.exe has stopped working, please restart your Computer.

Blake groaned, and laid her head down. "What's with you gloomy?" She looked up to see Yang standing over her.

"The Internet stopped abruptly…" She lied.

"Yeah, apparently Ozpin is shutting down the WiFi due to a bunch of Guys blaring Krimson Hand propaganda." Blake was both surprised and not surprised.

"Well…"

"So, what do you want to do?" The blonde asked, sitting down beside her.

"I'm going to read."

"Come on! You do too much reading! Let's go spar in the Gym!"

Blake sighed "Fine."

Outpost Sigma 37, The Blue Coast, Middle Sanus.

The truck stopped. She felt the tension in the trailer, everyone huddled together from the cramped compartment. Children and a Baby cried, so did a few Adults. Others like her were gloomy. The last thing she remembered before waking up in a cage, was being drunk and following a Man out of the club into an ally. She thought she was going to hookup with the Guy, but instead he along with four others restrained her. She woke up in a cage a day later, with multiple other people, most of which were with her right now. All were abducted by various means, some randomly, others by being lured. Apparently, most of them stayed in that cage for at least a week, the day she was thrown in was the night they shipped them out. Now, they arrived at their destination.

The trailer opened and they were all greeted by six men holding rifles, aiming at them. They wore weird armor in contrast to the suits the men who guarded the cages wore. "NO BODY MAKE ANY FUCKING MOVES!" One shouted intensely, "DO WHAT WE SAY AND YOU WON'T BE HURT!" The ramp slowly came down and they split into two groups of three, each flanking its left and right sides. "Now get up and walk down the ramp in an orderly fashion, then move to the middle of the courtyard as one mass." Everyone slowly got up-"I SAID GET YOUR FAT ASSESS UP!!" Everybody hurried up and walked down the trailer as told. As she got to the front and down the ramp, she saw two groups of four weird soldiers on their knees, aiming at them, funneling them to the center of the courtyard. She saw at least four men with sniper rifles on the roofs of the complex.

It was-"WE GOT A RUNNER!!!" One Soldier behind her screamed as a man made a break for it past them. She and others dropped down to the ground as the man was lit up. Her eyes saw him fall, blood spurting out of him. One of the Soldiers behind her moved up and shot him two times in what seemed to be the head, he looked up and threw up a thumbs up. "CLEAR!"

"Good kill!" One of them said with a chuckle. She could feel the adrenaline and horror in her heart. "GET UP YOU FUCKING CATTLE!" The one who first shouted at them said, discharging his rifle into the air. She and the others quickly did as told and moved into the middle of the courtyard. Before them was an Man dressed in slightly different armor, clapping with his helmet held by his side. It had a purple crest and a steel mask on it as well. He had chestnut brown hair, and stubble. A square jaw and piecing eyes. She couldn't deny he was handsome, but that didn't help the situation.

"Outstanding Legionnaires, magnifico! What a grand display of protocol, tactics and training." He praised his men, "Now get them in formation!" They surrounded everyone and started to order them to spread out in columns at gunpoint. She found herself right in the middle. "Take the cubs away!" They proceeded to grab the children, hauling them away kicking and screaming. One woman fought back as they tried to take her baby away. She was butted with the stock of a rifle as her baby was ripped from her arms. She layed on the ground crying. "Good job Men." He said coldly, "Now, I assume you all are wondering why you're here? Why You, Kingdomer scum, are here in the middle of nowhere surrounded by herculean devils such as ourselves."

"The truth is, you're free! We've liberated you from the filth that is the Kingdoms! We have delivered you into the liberation of your souls into service, into slavery!!" She couldn't believe what she was hearing, "From this point on, you all are the Property of the Last Legion of Draconia! The rightful rulers of this heathen world, followers of the One and the Six! We are trying to save your souls from our God's wrath!"

"T-This doesn't make any sense, who are you freaks?!" A woman gripping her hair shouted.

"Your Kingdom lied to you, there aren't only four nations in the world, there is one more. Ours, our glorious Patria! You all will now serve him as we have, your fertile wombs shall bare our seed and you men shall toil in our fields. If you do so and commit your heart to our truth and virtue. You all shall be rewarded in Tyland when you die, you will inherit paradise by Tyro's side. And he shall be your patron!"

"What did you do with my baby?!" The Woman on the ground shouted, "What did you do to my baby boy?!"

"Rejoice Maiden, for your son out of all the cubs is blessed! For he still has the chance to be a true man, to take up the sword in Typhon's name! The others, they are too old to walk that path like we did. They like the Men among you shall plant no seed, they shall be Tyro's eunuch apprentices." He put his helmet on and raised his arms wide. "Your time here will be a time of healing from the poisonous hedonism of the Kingdoms and learning the scripture. You Whores will be broken and made to submit like Tiamat, you Cuckoos will be brought low and cuckold by Typhon." A garage opened, "Ah yes, you all did arrive in time. Look, this will be you all in a month or more." Soldiers and Men in robes came out with chained Men wearing nothing but underwear, following them were women wearing absolutely nothing. They all walked calmly, half of them bore eerie smiles, others looked defeated. They were led to a ship docked at the facility, not even giving them a glance. "See? This is-"

"Fuck you crazy bastards, I'm not going to be your slave!" A Man in the front suddenly shouted, "Fuck you and your cult!"

The leader simply pointed his hand and said, "Bring him forth."

"Affirmative Centurion!" Two of the Soldiers ran forward towards the man, who turned to run but was stopped by a butt strike from the gun. They quickly picked him up and dragged him before the Centurion.

"I see that there is fight in you, it is a shame that you're a Kingdomer."

"Fuck you!" The Centurion punched him straight in the face and grabbed him by the collar.

"There is no escape, there is hope to return to the life of a Profligate. We will take your manhood and you shall serve alongside your worthless kin. You will be liberated and you will like it-no, love it." The Man spat in his face, all over his mask.

"I won't be your slave, I will return to her!!" He said frantically, "I will return to my wife!!"

"Send him to the Castratus Locus, immediately!"

"Annul that order." A new voice spoke up. All eyes turned to the new Man walking up to the mass of Soldiers and Captives. He wore a stranger armor (Lost Legion Armor from Telltale GOT), with a black and purple cape. In his hand, he wielded a weird spear. It was long and oppressive, the color of steel. Both ends were long and sharp, a blade the length of a forearm.

"My lord..." The Centurion changed his toon, slamming his fist onto his breastplate.

"Release him." The did as told, the man no longer was apprehended. "You seek freedom do you?" He asked the Man.

"Y-Yes?" He said nervously.

"Then I shall give you a chance, for I see a fierce spirit in you." He said stoically, "Centurion Ninnar, give him your sword."

"But my Lord…"

"Do as you're told." And he did, unsheathing his gladius and giving it to the Man. He looked at it and sweat dripped down his face. "You seek freedom? You can only truly attain it through strength. Come at me and slay me, if you're strong enough to do so then you have my word you'd be free to go." The Man looked down at the sword and back at the 'Lord'. "It is your only choice, the other is to submit. I see in you the rebellious spirit of a warrior, at least choose the choice of pride."

The man closed his eyes and screamed as he ran towards the Lord. In an instant, the Lord swiped horizontally at the man and turned around. The Centurion and Legionnaires behind the brave Man ducked. With a sharp gust of wind, his head flew off and blood spurred like a fountain, the Centurions crest was shaved a bit as purple hairs flew with the wind. With a thump, it was done. "Yet I remain." He said as turned back to the corpse. "Brave but foolish, cast his body and head into the sea, he deserves a semi honorable burial. The corpse over there is to be sent to the butcher," He pointed to the gun down man, "For the Dogs. Now, send the men to Castratus Locus and the women to the Devirgino thalamus. I want patrols doubled in preparation of Grimm activity."

"Yes Lord Raz!" The Centurion shouted with pride. They were separated by gender in a formation at gunpoint, then they were led into the facility through different entrances. She wanted to scream, but she was afraid to do so.

Raz Turbo.

"Looks like a Storm is coming my Lord." The Centurion said as they looked at the horizon.

"I can feel it in my bones Ninnar." Raz looked over to him, "I've always felt a tingling in the wind ever since I was a young boy."

"Should we issue out cloaks?" He looked to him for an answer.

"No, let the rain be a test to our Men. A trial to overcome." Ninnar looked back to the horizon.

"Sir, I know you've been here for almost a year, but why hasn't Command given you a more worthy post?" Ninnar asked. "You're obviously a cut above other Champions, especially for your age."

"It's not our place to question, only to follow orders." He responded, "I'll accept any post in service of our cause and Gods. Be it the bitter cold of Solitas, the scorching hot Vacuoan Desert, the tropical southern sea or our Patria."

"I admire your devotion, my Lord."

"And let every Man have it." He said, "For I feel our Nation's rebirth has been conceived today, now we must wait for the delivery. The real question is Comrade, will we live to see it?"

Authors Note:

And that's the chapter, please leave a review telling me what you like and what you'd like to criticize. The next chapter is going to be an Umbra centric one is all I'm gonna reveal about it. We're very close to actually blending in with the show soon!

The Krimson Hand is an Organization that will play a small part of the overall story, I just felt Remnant needed an opposite to the White Fang. Overall, my world building has started to deviate from some things in canon.