Chapter 4: The Roses, the Crows, and the Wolves
It was 2 days into the start of Autumn, when we received the news of Summer Rose's death.
I was practicing the 「Spin」, and teaching my father at the same time. Our training was interrupted when there was a knocking on our Mahogany front door (it used to be oak until yesterday. The darker shade of the wood was a reminder that if mishandled, the 「Spin」 could be just as dangerous to the user, as the environment).
It was Tai.
His usual grin, which displayed his pearl white teeth, was nowhere to be found. In fact, his lips remained as a thin, short line. We could actually see the corners tremble. His skin was pale, and it was especially jarring to see with his tanned skin.
His eyes, it had no light in it. It was simply replaced with the reflection of the sun through the tears that covered the ocean blue organ. And those eyes were simply staring off into the void. His expression remained neutral, blank, and that was enough to tell us something was deeply wrong with him.
It was taking every ounce for him not to simply fall to his knees and break.
Through choked words he told us, about how Summer was gone for the past week on a mission. She went on one mission that went as long as a month, but Uncle Tai told us how this mission was different. At least in every other mission, she checked in with the family every 2 days.
Not once did she even give Uncle Tai a message.
Everyone knew how much Uncle Tai cared about Aunt Summer. It was to the point that Uncle Tai never left Aunt's side, unless she went on hunting missions.
So it was understandable how much this frightened her. Even if she did come back safe and sound, Uncle Tai would've been shaken up enough to just stick to Aunt Summer for an entire month or two...
… But she didn't come back.
The Headmaster of Beacon came to the Rose-Xiao Long family house personally, to give Tai, Qrow, and Vienna the official notice.
That Summer got killed during her completion of the 'hunting' mission.
All they needed was one sentence to completely shred the Rose-Xiao Long family apart. It was to show that Summer was the glue of the family, the anchor.
With her gone, everyone else just drifted away from each other.
Qrow was a drinker, through and through. But for the last 8 years I saw him, he had a limit of one bottle a day. Hunters need to keep sharp, he said.
Then it became 2 bottles a day, after the news of Summer's death.
Then 3 bottles a day.
Then 4.
Then it started to fluctuate between 5 to 7.
He was never near Rose and Yang when he was drinking, he was aware of how much of a bad influence that could be. He just went from one bar to the next.
It was at this point where he lost control of his semblance.
Qrow had the capability, and proof, of controlling his bad luck semblance. He could direct when and where the bad luck would end up at, as if he was controlling the red string of fate.
I guess one change in the soul was all you need to alter how your semblance worked.
….
Tai?
Shut in his room, walking around his home mindlessly. He still cooked, he still cleaned.
He still did his duty.
He just wasn't there 'emotionally', for his daughters.
It was Vienna who was forced to take the role of his sister and his brother-in-law.
He tried to help Yang and Ruby go through with their lives. Comfort them as they cried and wailed.
But I think it was him that needed it the most.
He didn't show it, but I knew that losing a family member like that would break a man. Didn't matter if it was a small shard or a huge chunk, everyone lost something.
And pain was the only thing that remained.
My parents did all they could to comfort the three adults, and help them with taking care of Ruby and Yang.
Ruby, bless her silver soul. Ruby knew that Summer was gone, but she didn't understand it.
It was a clear reminder that knowing and understanding were two different things.
Yang understood though, she understood what happened completely. She was distraught. I saw her lilac eyes just darken, like a wilting flower.
It was shocking to see the cheerful girl like this. It was like seeing a wind-up toy simply lay on it's side, unmoving, and shoved into the corner of the room.
I found her at the cliff, where Summer's grave was. That marble slab of stone was all there was to prove that she was finally sleeping peacefully on the island of patch. Buried beneath that white tombstone was her spare huntress clothes.
And we all hoped that was enough for her spirit to pass on.
The sun was setting, it was where the Magenta and Purple night sky met the orange afternoon halfway. The trees beyond the cliff were tinted yellow and red.
Well, if this shit ain't poetic as fuck.
Yang was crouching in front of Aunt Summer's grave, Ruby was next to her, asleep. Her eyes, swollen and red, were all there was to see that the young girl in black and red hair had cried herself to sleep. Yang was still awake, but tears were leaking out of her lilac eyes.
"Yang…"
"Hey, Magenta."
I walked up to the two, and sat next to Ruby. I simply stared at the tombstone.
Thus kindly, I scatter.
I could feel my stomach churn and my heart beat in pain.
She was a mother to two, an Aunt to one, a Sister, a Wife, a Leader of a team.
The pain I felt made it clear that she wasn't just a character that I simply knew from the show.
She was an actual family member that we all cherished.
A family member that I knew how she would die. Sent to Salem by Ozpin, like lambs to the slaughter.
And I did nothing but simply focus on myself.
…
But could I even change the outcome if I tried?
All that would've resulted in was trouble.
I was 8, no one was going to listen to me.
And if I tried to talk about Salem, that would instantly mark me as a target on both sides.
….
Am I really thinking about this clearly, or was I just being a coward?
…
What was I supposed to do? Was I doing the right thing by keeping quiet?
"... Why are you here, Magenta?"
Yang's voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"... She's my Aunt, Yang. I lost someone important as well."
The taste of Summer's cookie suddenly appeared in my tongue.
I guess I really did miss her, too.
"..."
Yang stayed silent at my answer. But then she spoke.
"... Why did she have to die?"
"... You're asking me?"
"... You're smart. I don't care if it's just your thought, I want to know what you think."
I simply looked at Summer's gravestone. Why did she have to die?
She had two kids to take care of, two that she cherished with the bottom of her heart. The bottom of her soul.
I felt the Autumn breeze blow behind our back, and the Magenta-Purple night sky was overtaking the orange, as if the wind was dragging the colors along with it. The shattered moon was rising up on the horizon we turned our backs to.
"She didn't. She didn't have to die."
That was all I could say.
"Then why didn't mom come back from her mission?"
"... I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"... I don't know everything, Yang. This just fell into that category."
We both stayed silent. We saw the sun finally disappear and take the orange sky with it. The trees started to form and fuses into a black spiked mass, carpeting the ground below the cliff. The grass we sat on was dyed dark blue, the small circle of dirt around the cliff looked like small pitfalls now.
I stood up.
"It's getting dark now. We should go back now. Here, I'll carry Ruby."
I turned to Ruby, as I started to pick her up and piggy-back carry her.
"... What do you think was on that mission?"
Yang asked on our way back home. The trees were lining both sides of the dirt road, as if they were kingdom guards making way to the carpeted road that lead to the throne of the king.
"... I think there was something scary, and powerful."
I didn't think there was a scary and powerful monster. I knew.
"Why do you think she died, instead of running away?"
"... Because that was the mission, to kill that monster."
"Do you think she knew?"
"I think she knew."
"Then why did she take the mission, why couldn't she just leave it to someone else?"
I heard her voice break. She was barely keeping herself together.
"... Because she couldn't ..."
"...Why?..."
"..."
I was hesitant to give her my answer. My opinion was certainly different than hers, and she wouldn't like my thought.
But a minute of silence, I decided to give her my answer anyway.
"... It was her 「fate」."
"...What?"
Her voice cracked in disbelief. I knew why. I understood why. I basically told her that Summer dying was meant to be. She was supposed to die, that's all it amounted to.
"... It was her 「fate」 to take that mission, her 「fate」 to fight that monster. I didn't mean that it was her 「fate」 to die, but she knew that she could die when she took this mission. But she took it anyway."
"... Because she was a huntress? That was the reason why, wasn't it."
"No Yang, it wasn't because she was a huntress."
Yang's foot stomped on the dirt road, and she suddenly exploded into an uproar. It honest to god startled me.
"THEN WHAT WAS THE REASON!? YOU KEPT TELLING US ALL ABOUT THAT 'WILL' THING THAT HUNTRESSES HAD! THAT WAS THE REASON, WASN'T IT!? IT WAS ABOUT HER STANDING UP TO MONSTERS THAT COULD SCARE HER, BECAUSE OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY COULDN'T!"
The trees rustled as birds flew out in fright. Birds of every color, that was about to rest in the branches. Yang was taking deep and heavy breaths. I could hear her snivelling after her outburst.
Ruby was rousing out of her sleep, and I felt her squirming on my back as she was trying to toss and turn.
"It's because Aunt Summer had you two."
Yang stayed silent at my words.
"... What do you mean?"
"... Aunt Summer was a mother first, and a huntress second. She took that mission, not because she was a huntress, but because she was a mother."
"... I-I don't get what you're s-saying…"
"... That 「fate」, that she accepted, she accepted it not because she was a huntress, or a hero. She accepted that 「fate」 as a mother. Because if she didn't, then that 「fate」 would have been passed on to you two. She couldn't allow that, she loved you two. So she took that 「fate」 for you two. So that you two would be safe."
All I could hear were heavy breathing from Yang, and two footsteps on the road: Yang's and myself.
"... You're just making stuff up."
I stopped walking and turned around to her. She stopped walking as well. I could see tears rolling down her eyes and down to her cheek. Snot was peaking out of her nostrils. Her lips were sealed shut, tightly.
I guess she couldn't hold in the sorrow anymore.
"... Maybe I am. Maybe I'm pulling this out of my butt. To try and make Summer's death be honorable like a hero, playing it up."
I turned back around and started walking again.
"Or maybe I'm right."
We managed to arrive at the Rose-Xiao Long estate. We set Ruby on her bed, tucked her in, and closed the door.
The house was perfectly clean. The bookshelves in the living room were perfectly lined up and stacked, the turquoise rug was free of dust, and so was the dark-green couch. The potted plants were recently watered and healthy.
Uncle Vienna was sleeping on the couch, sitting up like he was Leone. Zwei decided to use Uncle Vienna's stomach as his new bed, and it seemed that Uncle Vienna didn't object, judging by how his arms were wrapped around the small corgi.
Yang was sitting next to her sleeping uncle, watching cartoons on the holographic projector.
I decided to return home ASAP. Mom and dad would be getting real worried right about now.
I knew that Yang would soon find out about Raven Branwen, and start to become reckless in her search for her biological mother.
I stood by the front door when I called out to Yang.
"Hey, Yang?"
She turned to look at me. I finally saw in the light of the living room that her golden hair was a mess.
"First off, get yourself washed before you keep watching the TV."
"... God, you sound like dad and uncle now."
"... and second, don't… don't do anything reckless. Or stupid. Or both."
"Relax….. I don't know what I'll do that'll be reckless right now. I don't even want to do anything with unlocking my Aura right now, either."
"Yeah, just….. just saying. Ruby and your uncle already lost Aunt Summer, they don't need you getting hurt either."
"I said I'm fiiiiiiiiiiiine… You don't have to worry about anything…."
"... Like I said…. just saying. Take care, ok?"
"Yeah, yeah. Good night."
I walked out of the front door, closing the door behind me as I walked back to my home. My mom and dad were naturally worried about where I was.
In fact, dad was starting to get his weapon: a pair of chakrams with the blades being separated into segments, each of them making a quarter of the circular blade. By the look of the blade separating into quarters, and a presence of revolver chamber and a barrel of a hand cannon (in an angle that made it so that when fired, the momentum from the shot sped up the blade spinning), the blades folded and attached to the barrel of the revolver.
I guess he was preparing to go find me.
Relief washed over both of their faces. They already lost a friend, they didn't need to lose their only son. Then I saw the relief switch to anger, due to my late return.
They were preparing to scold me as they asked me where I had been, but decided to let me off the hook when I told them I was with Yang and Ruby.
I managed to master enough of the Spin to throw my soccer ball with enough control and precision to destroy the wooden fences of your backyard. My father was mad at the destruction of our property, especially so when it was him that had to rebuild the fence.
…..
Sorry, dad.
The Oaktree was left standing during my entire practice, with only a small part of its trunk caved in. The scar on the tree was the proof of my first success at imbuing my soccer ball with enough spin to destroy part of a tree.
But then my mother scolded me for shaving off part of the tree. It was her favorite tree.
…
Sorry, mom.
Yang managed to find out about Raven Branwen, and started to ask everyone in Vale about her biological mother.
Vienna tried to stop her, and so did I, but it was to no avail.
My attempt was in the streets of Patch. The street was lined with small shops, no tall buildings in sight. People were walking down the streets: adults carrying bags, couples going on a date with crepes in hand, a family of 3 walking out of shops with the child holding both of their parents' hands.
Yang was angry at me, angry at me trying to stop her. We were in the middle of the streets when I saw her asking every random person about Raven, showing them the picture of her. She was taking an aggressive stance at me. She was waving her hands at me as she shouted.
"You don't get it, Magenta! This is my first mom! I want to know why she left me! I have to!"
"But she left you, she left your dad, she left uncle Qrow! No matter the reason, the bare 「result」 was that she decided not to be part of your life! It's not worth it, Yang! What would you accomplish in knowing why she left you!?"
"I'll know what kind of person she was, what she did!"
It was clear to me that this was how she was trying to cope with Summer's loss, by focusing on trying to find out who Raven was, and why she left. Her eyes were flaring up crimson, her hair was burning with Aura.
I saw her stand there, gleaming with determination.
"... You're not gonna stop, are you?"
She looked at me with her crimson eyes. And the spirit she showed was anything but golden.
"No, not until I find my answer."
I couldn't stop her.
I couldn't stop anything.
"If you're not going to stop, then please, at least think of the situation and slow down."
"Why should I?"
"Because regardless of your reason, you're getting reckless, and stupid. You're going to get yourself hurt. Or worse, you're going to get someone else hurt."
"I don't think I will, so don't worry about that."
She turned around and started stomping away. Her shoulder slumped.
"YANG!"
I shouted at her. She turned her head around to face me, her eyes glaring at me with anger and frustration.
"... Take one more step Yang, I promise you this. Take one more step, and you're going to regret this for the rest of your life."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a warning, and you better listen to it."
"Hmmph!"
Yang started to stomp away faster, her rage fueled by my warning.
I just hoped that my words got through to her, before she endangered Ruby's life.
…
But that was highly unlikely.
The show never specified when she was going to leave the house. Only that she waited until Uncle Tai was out of the house.
But since this world had Uncle Vienna, I had decided to place my trust in him, and hope that he didn't leave Yang and Ruby out of his sight.
So, I did what I did best.
Learn, Train, and Practice.
I pleaded with him to get me cricket balls, but since he knew exactly where I was going to use it, he refused.
….
We compromised on tennis balls.
So, I practiced imbuing the tennis balls with the 「Spin」.
Honestly, it wasn't that hard to do.
In fact, it was easier to do than with the soccer ball.
I tried using the 「Spin」 on my own body, trying to either flatten myself, or harden my skin, make them as tough as rocks.
I failed to try and flatten my body, but I did succeed in making my skin harden like stone. Since it was my first time, my skin wasn't as hard as I wanted.
It was probably enough in protecting me from beowolf claws, but anything that was Ursa and tougher would break it without a sweat.
But I guess that's why I had Aura to protect me as well.
But as I was thinking, a hoarse and high-pitched voice suddenly bombarded my backyard.
"RUBY ROSE! RUBY ROSE!"
I got frightened. Not only was it a foreign voice, it was shouting Ruby's name.
Could….
….
It couldn't be….
It couldn't be one of Salem's lacey…
… right?
I quickly ran to my backyard, and was left shocked at what I was seeing.
"RUBY ROSE! RUBY ROSE! YANG XIAO LONG! YANG XIAO LONG!"
There was a bird soaring in the clear and sunny crystal blue sky, flying around my mother's oak tree, circling the tree as if it was prey.
It was an avian creature that I never, in books or in life, saw before.
It was a bird with black feathers and four wings, the wings being placed so that the second pair of wings were behind the first pair. The bottom of its wings radiating yellow light, like a dimmed sun. It had a short tail protruding out at the bottom, with the end of its tail being lined with long tail feathers, silky and shiny like a ribbon. The tail feathers were shining purple. It had four legs, making it resemble a griffin. The scales on its legs, it's talons -sharp and barbed-, as well as its beak -curved and crooked- looked as if they were made of gold.
It only had one eye, gleaming red like a ruby.
It's head, back, and the front was plated with gold, as if it was wearing armor.
The light on its wings was making a trail of orange light as it flew.
It flew in the air like a snake, twisting its body as if it was swimming in the ocean.
It had a jarring mixture of majesty and savagery.
…. Was it a new type of Grimm?
I crouched down, behind the couch, to hide from it, only peaking my head out enough to see it with one eye.
I used the 'Observe' Mantra on the creature, and was left shocked at what the screen told me.
Wyrm Raven
Level: ? (Observe Level too low!)
Title: Messenger of the Bandit Queen
Race: Mantra Beast
Type: Avian
HP: ?/? (Observe Level too low!)
Vajra: ?/? (Observe Level too low!)
Stats: [Observe Level too low!]
Mantra….. Beast?
Before I knew it, a second screen appeared. Unlike the cyan 'Stat' screen, this one was clad in emerald.
Mantra Beasts.
In the world of Remnant, animals and Grimms are not the only creatures to inhabit the world.
Mantra Beasts are special existences, equating to mythological beasts on the world of Earth. They are all spiritual in nature, born from either a Mantra that naturally occurred due to the Vajra in the environment reacting with each other under certain conditions (Think of them as chemical reactions, like the oxidation of pure iron!), or through artificially causing the Vajras to react through 'Fusion', 'Creation', or 'Birth' Mantras!
Due to their natural attunement to Vajras, they are able to cast Mantras that are associated with the Vajra(s) they were born from!
Due to the nature of their origin, many people all over Remnant have regarded the Mantra Beasts as avatars of gods!
With the right power, equipment, and opportunity, one can make a contract with a Mantra Beasts, having them act like your familiars!
A small cyan screen emerged on the right edge of the emerald window.
You have found a new Mantra Beast!
Wyrm Raven has been added into the compendium in the 'Mantra Beast' Section!
Holy shit.
The show never had anything like this.
It didn't even bother to mention anything like this being possible.
…...
…. Wait, did that thing say it was the 'Messenger of the Bandit Queen?'
Then, does that mean that thing is Raven's?
The screeching from the Mantra Beast snapped me out of my thoughts, as it said something much more shocking.
"DANGER! DANGER! RUBY ROSE! YANG XIAO LONG! DANGER! DANGER!"
It was talking about Yang putting Ruby in the wagon, wasn't it?
"RUBY ROSE! YANG XIAO LONG! LEFT THE ROSE-XIAO LONG ESTATE! INSIDE THE DUSK WOODS! DANGER! DANGER!"
Dad's room had been filled with books and other records, the amount of them doubling ever since I showed him the Nen techniques and the 「Spin」.
But most importantly, he had put up a map of Patch on the right wall of his room.
I quickly ran up the stairs and opened the door to my dad's room.
The room was quite small, and clean, with no dust in sight. The single window in the room had light shining down onto the desk. Even with the presence of bookshelves lining the furthest wall of the room, there were books stacked in towers in an erratically pattern.
If this room was a city, it would be a city peppered with skyscrapers the height of the Empire state building.
I quickly weaved through the pillars of books to reach the right wall.
The Dusk Woods was not far from our house, Southwest of where we lived.
I opened the drawer under my dad's desk. I saw my dad put a compass in here, and silently hoped that it still remained in the drawer.
My hope was answered when I saw the compass. I quickly grabbed the compass and tore down the map to take it with me. I then ran into my room, and quickly grabbed my purple bag, along with my Tennis balls and my Grimm Rider Web Toy blade, a curved one edged hard plastic blade, with a red body and black curved hilt. The red body was made tinted to make it the red plastic metallic, and the pipes and circular object molded in plastic made it look like it was an engine. There were empty slots for those gimmicky toys to be slotted in, but I didn't need that.
I stuffed the toy blade and all but one of my Tennis balls into the bag, and ran back downstairs.
The Wyrm Raven was gone, but I didn't care.
I had no time to lose.
I quickly ran out the front door, not bothering to close it, as I ran South-West.
Using my 'Dash' Mantra to run as fast as possible, I was trying to find exactly where they were.
Eponymous to its title, the Dusk Woods had trees after trees, lining the roads. Trees with no leaves, black as if they were covered in soot and ash. No animals were seen or heard, making the forest eerily quiet. Dead trees, that made the crystal-blue sky turn grey and misty-white as you entered the Woods. The Woods here were always cloudy, letting very few lights through to illuminate the forest.
Trees that obstructed my sights.
I could feel the debuff from the dash coming as my breathing became heavy and my lungs felt like they were on fire. But I didn't care.
"ComeonComeonComeonWhere are they!"
I was getting desperate, I had no way to know where they were.
…
Didn't I?
An idea ran past my head.
"...Gyo…."
If I could simply swap concentrate the Aura in my eyes, more than normal, I could see their Aura, and find them quicker.
…..
..I hope.
For all I know, it could've just made my eyes tougher to injure.
But I had to try.
In the silent forest of black trees and misty sky, I calmed myself. Getting anxious and nervous didn't stop shit. I closed my eyes and steady my breathing, feeling the aura enveloping my body.
I started to focus on my eyes, trying my hardest to control my Aura, and move them to my eyes.
I felt the Aura gather to my face, and then condense into eye-sockets.
I slowly opened my eyes.
I wasn't…. I wasn't looking at just Aura.
I saw the Vajra in the dead thicket. Colors, and patterns just floating in the atmosphere.
Patterns like… purple swirls, black zigzagging lines.
And things like a Weak Yellow fire and Red Rose-petal bunching up, West of where I was.
Yang and Ruby.
And as I ran over to them, I also saw it.
The black abyss, tendrils swirling around like the flickering of the sun.
It was a no-brainer that those were the Grimms.
Keeping my Aura condense in my eyes was exhausting, and it proved to me that it wasn't just my imagination when I saw my Aura bar decreasing. I dispelled my focus, and saw the Aura bar filling back up.
I got out of the black thicket to another faded road, walls of trees forming around the road in a circle, like an arena.
A colosseum of the forest.
Yang and Ruby were near the abandoned shack, the dead colors of the shack's wood stood in contrast to the vibrant darkness the eyes of the Grimms inside, burning crimson like blood and rage and fire had been forged and tempered to give the Grimms their way to see, infesting the insides of the shack.
"GROOOAUUAUAGH"
I heard the Grimms growling in the abyssal darkness of the shack. I was still too far away for them to see me.
BTWAAAAAUUUNG!
And then they jumped out of the shack. 3 Beowolves, excited to see a free meal walk into their own home.
"GRRRUAURAURAURURUGH!"
While the world you saw as fiction may be the depiction of the most major decisions that happened in the multiverse, that ultimately doesn't mean everything is the same.
Words of Mr. Abel flooded my head.
There was a high chance that Uncle Qrow would be too late to save them.
There was a high chance that Yang and Ruby would die.
High chance, unless I stepped in NOW.
"DON'T EVEN THINK OF TRYING THAT BULL-SHIT IN FRONT OF ME, YOU FUCKERS!"
Yang flinched at my angered voice. She turned around to see me, ready to throw the one Tennis ball that was in my hand.
SHURU SHURU SHURU SHURU SHURU
The Yellow light started to orbit the Tennis ball in a line, as the green ball started to whirr to life. I used the 'Aura Reinforcement (周)' Mantra as well, imbuing the ball with Aura. I threw the ball, and the ball soared through the air in a curve, landing on the right skull of the Beowolf on the right. I saw bits of its bone plate break off into shards upon the impact.
BAKUUUUUAAAAAAAAAANG~
The momentum from the ball caused the Beowolf that got hit to be pushed into the Beowolf next to it. And like a domino, the two Beowolf got pushed into the 3rd.
All three of the Beowolves flew off course, stumbling and rolling onto the ground. I took the opportunity and quickly ran up to Yang.
"..M-Magenta?"
Yang stared at me, mouth agape and eyes with disbelief. I stared at her with a frown, showing her that I was angry with her reckless behavior.
I spoke to her calmly, voice strained from rage and worry.
"It's not safe here, get out of here while you still can."
"But-"
"DO YOU WANT RUBY TO GET HURT!?"
Yang jumped at my shout. I looked at her dead in the eyes. Yang could see the rage in the Pink-haired youth.
"I don't want you to get hurt either…"
Yang finally spoke in a strained whisper. Her lips trembling and her eyebrows curved up and down. The scratches and the smudge of dirt on her face made her look all the more helpless. Her golden hair, tied into pigtails, was split at the end. She had tears in her eyes, making her lilac eyes sparkle in sorrow and fear.
I looked at her, and I felt my eyes soften. I looked over to Ruby, who was still sleeping through the chaos and carnage that was about to ensue.
I looked back at the 3 Beowolves. While the 2 of them stood up and got into a defensive stance, the 1 that took the direct hit of the Tennis ball was pinned to the beige dirt floor, the Tennis ball still spinning in its head. Its flailing limbs were the only sign to show that it was still alive.
Beowolf A
[Newborn of the litter]
Level: 7
Race: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Hp: 180/200
Beowolf B
[Newborn of the litter]
Level: 6
Race: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Hp: 180/200
Beowolf C
[Newborn of the litter]
Level: 6
Status: Pinned!
Race: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Hp: 110/200
The one pinned with the Tennis ball lost the most health. I could only guess that a direct hit of the 「Spin」 dealt about 70~90 damage to their health.
I set my bag down and unzipped it, revealing more Tennis Balls….. And the Grimm Rider Toy Blade to Yang.
"I'll be fine…. it's you and Ruby I'm worried about."
Yang remained silent.
"..."
"If you're not going to run, then just stand back, I don't want these guys coming near you."
Yang complied with the alternative. She quickly dragged the wagon away from the Shack, and to the edge of the forest.
Her sudden movement was the trigger for the other 2 Beowolves to lunge.
BAKUUUUUAAAAAAAAAANG~
KUKRAAAACK!
Only for one to feel the forehead of its skull plate cave in due to another Tennis ball imbued with the 「Spin」, and another got the Toy blade, The 'Aura Reinforcement (周)' Mantra giving the Toy blade the same strength and sharpness that was used to carve a chunk of wood off of our wooden table. The bone plate on its head was promptly shattered, and caused the Beowolf to stumble once more.
I quickly looked at how much Aura reserve I had at the moment.
Magenta Valentine
[The Pink Prodigy]
Level: 1
Exp: 10/50
Hp: 240/240
Aura: 216/360
Shit….. 144 Aura down in mere seconds.
I guess I got lucky with not putting Aura into the second tennis ball.
The one that took the second Tennis ball flew backward, landing at the entrance of the shack.
Beowolf B
[Newborn of the litter]
Status: Pinned!
Level: 6
Race: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Hp: 120/200
Guess there was less damage from the ball due to the lack of 'Aura Reinforcement'. And since it was pinned, it was no longer going to be a problem.
For now, anyway.
Beowolf A on the other hand.
Beowolf A
[Newborn of the litter]
Level: 7
Status: Stunned! Vulnerable (Head)!
Race: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Hp: 88/200
I saw it stumble on it's two hind legs, trying and failing to stand properly. The hole in its bone plate revealed the dark mass of the Grimm's flesh. Black flakes rose from the hole like smoke. I took advantage of the opportunity and ran towards the stunned Beowolf, holding my toy blade in a reverse grip, and brought the blade down into the hole.
The blade went in without resistance, the tip emerged out of the bottom of its chin. The Beowolf fell to its knees, its limbs went limp to its side. I stomped my right leg into its snout, using my leg as a support to pull the toy blade out of its skull. The blade was stained with black gunk, which was already turning into black flakes and rising from the blade, and into the air.
You have gained 180 EXP!
You have gained (3) levels!
I felt myself growing stronger, with the feeling that my Aura reserve increasing.
I took a peek and my Aura and HP, and realized that it wasn't just a feeling.
Magenta Valentine
[The Pink Prodigy]
Level: 4
Exp: 0/80
Hp: 280/280
Aura: 231/375
"... Once we think of killing someone…."
I flicked my sword in order to get the gunk off quicker, and I looked at the Beowolf C, still pinned to the floor.
"...the deed has already been done…"
Wow, First blood!
To commemorate your first Grimm Kill, we'll give you 500 EXP!
You have gained (5) levels!
I didn't bother with reading the cyan screens that appeared at the corner of my eyes. I simply ran towards Beowolf C. Its limbs started to flail more savagely as I got closer, in a feeble attempt to keep me away.
I simply threw another Tennis ball at the Grimm, which hit the left shoulder. It wasn't to damage the poor sod.
No.
I just needed the arm to twist the other way.
Upon impact, the left arm of the Grimm jolted and threw itself into its right, obstruct both arms from moving and giving me a clear opening to its torso.
I drew my toy blade back, and struck it right where the solar plexus would've been, using my momentum to push the blade further into its center.
"ARWOOOROOAROoooooh….."
The beast howled as the blade inched further into its body, and the howl slowly died into a whine, before falling limp.
You have gained 180 EXP!
You have gained (1) level!
I slashed the Grimm's body, black gunk shooting out in a trail, and staining the dirt floor. The two Tennis balls started to spin and fly back to me. I only managed to grab one of the Tennis balls, as the other simply landed near my feet, still spinning.
Beowolf A's body was already halfway in disintegrating.
I was about to approach Beowolf B, when two more Grimms emerged from the darkness from the shack.
They were bigger. And unlike the first 3, had spikes of bone running down their spine. Their claws were longer, and sharper.
Beowolf D
[SURVIVOR]
Level: 15
Hp: 320/320
Beowolf E
[SURVIVOR]
Level: 12
Hp: 280/280
The weaker of the two tried touching the spinning Tennis ball that was pinning Beowolf B. Its arm turned the wrong way, and it quickly removed its paw from the spinning green ball. Beowolf E looked at its paw, moving its claws to see if it was still working fine, then looked at me.
All I saw in its eyes were savage crimson wrath.
All the Grimm saw in mine were the golden 「will」 to 「kill」.
But having two Grimms above level 10 was going to be difficult, and dangerous.
Especially so when I no longer had the element of surprise on my side, like that previous fight.
…
Or did I?
I promptly kicked the Tennis ball near my feet, the green, rubbery, furry ball flying to the two Grimms in a straight trajectory.
The two Grimms easily dodged the Tennis ball flying towards them, and promptly started to dash towards me.
BTOOOOM!
Then Beowolf E got hit in the back of its hit by a Tennis ball.
It seemed that they were too focused on what was in front of them to forget that Beowolf B still had a spinning Tennis ball lodged in its forehead.
Which was hit by the Tennis ball I threw at the two Grimms, causing the Tennis ball from Beowolf B to be shot out like a bullet, it's 「Spin」, and therefore its speed, range, and destructive capability, enhanced.
Beowolf B was still pinned, thanks to the new Tennis ball taking the empty spot of the first ball.
The hit caused Beowolf E's entire upper torso to turn, its outstretched arms hitting Beowolf D's head. The force of the turn and the impact of the hit caused Beowolf D's head to be thrown backwards, causing the beast to be momentarily stunned.
I took the opportunity without hesitation. I raised my toy blade and charged towards them. 1m within their range, I sliced at them diagonally.
Beowolf D managed to dodge the slash, losing only its left leg from the attack.
Beowolf E had its right outstretched arm cleaved off.
I then felt my left shoulder getting hit. While the Aura negated the damage, it didn't negate the force.
"MAGENTA!"
I heard Yang scream out my name in fear. But I couldn't afford to look away from the two Grimms
It was Beowolf D's claws. I guess I got overconfident, as I flew through the air and rolled onto the dirt floor. Stumbling up, I was now facing the shack.
Magenta Valentine
[The Pink Prodigy]
Level: 10
Exp: 0/130
Hp: 340/340
Aura: 171/402
Beowolf D couldn't walk properly, having to crouch down and preparing itself to kick off the ground with its remaining leg.
Beowolf E decided to take initiative and ran towards me, preparing to swipe at me with its left claw.
I raised my toy blade to block the strike, but the force of the Beowolf pushed me back, near my bag.
Beowolf E prepared another strike, pulling its left paw back, and ran towards me.
I quickly grabbed a Tennis ball that was in my bag, and ran at the Grimm as well.
The Grimm was certainly faster than the last three, as it covered the distance between us much faster than I expected.
But it didn't matter.
As it brought its claw down towards me, I raised my right hand to meet its paw.
The right hand that didn't hold my toy blade.
The right hand that had the Tennis ball from my bag.
「Spinning.」
The moment its paw touched my hand, and therefore my Tennis ball, the 「Spin」 caused its legs to contract, bringing the wolf down on its knees. The friction force in the 「Spin」 stopped its paws from leaving my hand, unless I wanted it to.
And I didn't want it to.
I saw the chance and took it without hesitation, driving my toy blade through its throat, the tip of my toy re-emerging from the back of its neck, just below the Tennis ball that was still spinning on the back of its head.
It couldn't even howl in pain, all I heard was air leaving its mouth.
I pushed its paws off the Tennis ball, and watched it fall on its stomach.
I looked up at Beowolf D. It was clear he was being cautious of me, waiting for me to slip up, waiting for that opening for him to strike.
I threw my Tennis ball.
At the Tennis ball that was still spinning on the back of the dead Beowolf E's head.
The two balls collided. The Tennis ball that was one Beowolf E soared towards Beowolf D in a straight line, while the Tennis ball I threw was going at an angled trajectory, targeting the Beowolf's head.
The beast crouched down further to the ground to avoid the first Tennis ball spinning towards it, and jumped over the second one. Now seeing me without any projectiles to throw at it, it was lunging towards me without hesitation.
"You really don't learn, do you?"
DOGOGOGOGOGOGOGON!
Shrapnels, shooting towards the Beowolf at the speed of bullets, quickly found its place in the monster's skull.
They were splinters of wood, originating from the broken-down shack that it turned its back on.
On the front wall of the shack was the Tennis ball, that the wolf thought was aimed at its head.
Still spinning, still spitting out shards of wood that splintered out of the wall when the Tennis ball hit the wall.
More splinters found its place on the Beowolf's back.
The force caused the Grimm to stumble to the floor, skidding across the dirt.
The wolf left a trail of gunk on the ground, like a tire making skid marks on the road.
I swung more toy blade over my head, using the injuries on the back of its head to my advantage.
CRACK!
The blade lodged itself proudly in the skull of the beast, protruding out like Excalibur.
I saw the light die from the Beowolve's eyes, as it realized it had lost. It got outsmarted.
The 3 Tennis balls all shot back to me, and I promptly grabbed my back and raised it to my torso.
They returned with enough force to stretch out the bottom of my bag. Until I can learn how to catch them, I really didn't want one of them to hit my torso.
Beowolf B was no longer moving. The Tennis ball had been spinning into its skull for too long, and it had shredded the inside of its forehead.
You have gained 660 Exp!
You have gained (4) levels!
I turned to look at Yang and Ruby.
Ruby was still asleep, lying on the red wagon, curled up like a squirrel.
Yang had been sitting on her knees, her legs must've given out.
"... I told you I'll be fine…"
"... Y-you…. You took down all those Grimms…."
"But I can't take any more of them… I'm at my limit right now…. Come on… we have to move befo-"
DODODODODODODODODODODODODODODODODODODO….
Have you ever felt it?
That crushing feeling, like someone suddenly took control of your heart, and they were playfully squeezing it, trying to see how much pressure your heart could take until it just became a messy paste of blood and muscle tissue in their hands?
At that moment.
I had that exact feeling.
"Yang…."
Yang looked like she was about to cry, her eyes were wide with absolute despair. She couldn't keep her mouth shut, and she looked like she could faint any minute.
Her face was pale, and the smudges of dirt did nothing to stop it from looking like a thin sheet of paper.
The sky was turning from misty-white to dark gray. The trees were starting to merge into black masses, forming walls to surround us.
2 Beowolves stepped out of the shack, standing just outside the entrance.
[DANGER!]
[DANGER!]
[DANGER!]
Alpha Beowolf: A
[Guard of the sleeping king]
Species: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Level: 45
Hp: 15,000/15,000
Alpha Beowolf: B
[Guard of the sleeping king]
Species: Grimm
Type: Bestial
Level: 45
Hp: 15,000/15,000
Then, between the two beasts, the darkness within the shack itself emerged from its desolate shelter.
That thing was no Beowolf.
I couldn't even call it a beast.
It was a demon.
It stood on four legs, its flesh draping loosely of its core. You couldn't see where its body ended and its head began. Its black-furred body was glowing red.
Mouth agape, the corner of its lips stretched over the shoulders of its front pair of legs and ended where the stomach of a wolf should be.
The top of its body was lined with bony plates. Eyes, glowing crimson, were arranged all around its head and body in a spiral.
The inside of the mouth, that never looked like it could close, had no teeth, it was just like a gaping hole, a sick and plagued hole in the world.
It oddly reminded me of a whale shark fused to the body of a starved dog.
And it towered over us all.
It's back touched the roof of the shack.
THE GLUTTONOUS HOUND
[LAST-BORN OF GRENDEL]
Species: Grimm
Type: Daemon
LEVEL:?
HP:?/?
VAJRA:?/?
"...Yang…."
Yang looked at me, tears were already rolling down her cheeks and hitting the dirt floor, obstructing her eyes. All she could do was whimper.
The dark, wet patch of dirt indicated that tears weren't the only fluid she poured out.
And I honestly could blame her, or make fun of her for it. I was starting to lose control of my bladder.
'Ougon no Seishin' was the only thing that kept me together.
"... Yang, I want you to do exactly as I say… ok?"
Yang knew what I was going to say, and she was already shaking her head sideways.
"I won't take no for an answer this time. Don't endanger Ruby any further. Ok?"
She managed to force her voice to work, only once.
"...please…"
"... Yang, listen to me…. I want you to get on that wagon. I want you to get on that wagon, and grip onto the handle as hard as you can. Yang, do it now."
Yang was hesitant, but finally crawled into the red wagon, Ruby at her side. I saw Ruby stir herself out of her sleep. Yang gripped onto the handle of the wagon as if her life depended on it.
I slowly reached into my bag.
The 3 monsters simply watched.
I slowly pulled out 4 Tennis balls out of the bag.
I imbued them with the 「Spin」, and threw the balls at the wagon, as hard as I could.
It was a goddamn miracle of the Zeppeli line that I could control the trajectory of anything imbued with the 「Spin」. Guess one learns faster under pressure.
The 4 Tennis balls stuck to the wheels of the wagon, the spin causing the wheels to turn.
The wagon sped off the road, away from the horror that lurked in the shack.
"MAGENTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa…."
I could hear Yang's high pitched scream, fading out as she traveled further and further away.
I continued to look at the three Grimms.
I breathed in sharply.
This was fine.
With this, Ruby and Yang lived.
They survived.
We won.
Now they'll be able to go to Signal.
Then Beacon.
Then they'll meet Blake, and Weiss.
They'll meet JNPR.
They'll meet Penny.
They'll suffer the fall of Vale, but that's fine.
They'll stand up. I'm sure of it.
They'll stand together, and go to Mistral, fight Cinder.
Yang will meet Raven.
They'll get the relics.
And they'll go to Atlas, meet Ironwood, help Ace ops, fight Ace ops, and go fight Salem.
They'll fight Salem.
They'll save the world.
….
….
I'll just won't be in the picture.
I felt my eyes burning.
I felt my cheeks were getting cold and wet.
Tears.
I was crying.
Of course I was, I was going to fucking die at the age of 8, facing down and getting eaten by a fucking king of Grimms.
I could feel my nose blocking up.
I felt my throat hurting.
But I wasn't planning on just dropping dead.
I strained my throat to recover my voice.
"... So what now….. One more time?"
The beasts remained still, like a statue. The only thing moving in the colosseum of dead trees, cloudy skies, broken dreams and broken lives was me.
"ONE MORE TIME!?"
The beasts readied themselves at the sound of my shout.
"TRY IT, YOU PIECES OF SHITS! I'LL MAKE SURE YOU CHOKE ON MY FUCKING BONES!"
Your Aura has responded to your anger and hostility!
You have created a new Mantra: Intimidate!
I didn't realize that my body was exuding out waves of Magenta Aura, few parts of it tainted black.
Alpha Beowolf: A has become 'Unnerved'!
Alpha Beowolf: B has become 'Unnerved'!
THE STARVED HOUND is unaffected!
I saw the hesitation in the two Grimms. And I used that as an opening to throw my 5th, and last Tennis ball, right at 'THE STARVED HOUND'.
It was a direct hit to the side, impacting on its eyes.
And it didn't do jack shit.
I didn't know how it happened, all I saw was the front of that fucking monster blur. But the world around me started to spin and turn. I felt like my entire body was floating.
And then my stomach hit a tree. My entire body flared up in pain as I landed on the ground.
One second, I had difficulty breathing due to fear and my undeniable fate.
And next, I had difficulty breathing due to every swelling of my luck caused me pain.
Magenta Valentine
[The Pink Prodigy]
Level: 14
Exp: 80/160
Hp: 5/420
Aura: 0/430
I felt my chin and lips getting wet and I honest to god hoped it was just my drool.
But my hope was unanswered as I looked to see red blob plopping down to the dirt, getting absorbed into the soil and staining the ground red.
Alpha Beowolf: A has been dispelled of 'Unnerved'!
Alpha Beowolf: B has been dispelled of 'Unnerved'!
My entire body ached, and I couldn't feel my left arm.
I forced every inch of my muscle to look up at the beasts.
THE STARVED HOUND held its right front paw up, the talons on the end had thin lines of blood on it. My Tennis ball was just spinning uselessly on its side.
Heh
Heheheh
I guess that's why my world turned upside down.
Hehheheh
Heheheehahahahahahahahhhhahh….
Fuck
Fuck me
Fucking shit
This was how I was going to die again
At the age of fucking 8
When I barely did anything
My eyelids were getting heavy, and it was hard to stay awake.
My eyes became nothing but small gaps, and I saw the two Alpha Beowolves charge at me.
…
I didn't want to die.
Not yet.
Not like this.
Please….
..God.
Don't let me die like this.
….
….
…
I heard footsteps.
Two footsteps.
And then I heard the sound of metal clanging together.
"There's the kid! Vienna, take care of those Grimms!"
…. Uncle Qrow?
"Shit Qrow, look at him!"
….. Uncle Vienna?
"I know! Let's get him before we're too late!"
I felt something grabbing me tightly and lifting me up. I groaned as my body flared up in pain, especially my stomach.
"Shit, Vienna! He's bleeding really badly! We have to go, now!"
"I'm on it!"
RRRAOOUUGOOOOWRAOUUGHHRAUUGH!
I heard the Grimms howling, along with the sound of something impacting the floor.
Then I heard gunshots.
I didn't hear anything from the Grimms after that.
"... Vienna, what the fuck is that thing?"
"... I'm not sure if that thing's even a Grimm…."
Then I heard it.
That sound.
That fucking sound.
It was the sound that just vibrated in your skull, it was that visceral fucking sound that just fucking fucking fucking just fucking fucked with your brain.
It sounded like that fucking Chicago storm siren but it was more than fucking that.
"WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE, NOW!"
I heard Qrow shouting.
I suddenly felt like my entire body suddenly on a rollercoaster. I guess they were running.
I felt the ground tremble.
I heard gunshots behind us.
And that's all I felt and heard before I blacked out.
I felt like I was on something soft, and I felt a thin veil of silk enveloping my body.
I slowly opened my eyes to see that I was in my bed, in my room. The light brown wallpaper, the dark gray ceiling, the white closet door on my right side of my wall, the big window on the left, the oak door that on the same wall as the bed was.
This was my room. I was sure of it.
…..This….
…..This wasn't a dream, right?
I… I-I remember what happened.
Me running off, me fighting those Grimms because Yang and Ruby got into trouble.
And that fucking dog-thing….
The fucking starved hound.
… I… I didn't.. Didn't die…. Right?
I heard the door creak open, and I whipped my head to see who it was.
It was my dad.
With his golden eyes and silver hair. He looked miserable as shit, I could see dark circles forming under his eyes and his cheeks caving in, pronouncing his cheek bones.
He turned to look at me and went wide-eyed. He quickly looked behind him and shouted.
"MAGENTA'S WOKEN UP!"
I heard a rush of footsteps as more faces popped up.
There was a man with black hair that turned red at the tip, just like Summer's, just like Ruby's. His hair was in braids, with his hair at the back being braided into a ponytail. His green eyes looked relieved, but also stressed.
That was no doubt Uncle Vienna.
The other man next to him had a stubble, with his black hair slicked back but still messy-as-shit, looking like feathers from a bird. His scarlet eyes were just like Uncle Vienna's: stressed but relieved.
It was Uncle Qrow.
Then there was a man behind both of them: Tanned skin and hair gold like Yang's. His blue eyes just showed worry and concern.
I guess Uncle Tai was with them as well.
Dad and Uncle Vienna stepped in first.
"Y-you ok there, kid?" Vienna spoke first.
"... I think so….."
"... You don't feel anything hurting?" Dad asked soon after.
"... I don't know….."
My mother managed to catch up to them, taking all of them out of my room and letting me rest.
I could hear her scolding the adults for suddenly jumping into my room like that, especially since I was injured.
I could only guess that it would be my turn to get scolded when I got better.
I repeated the cycle of eating and sleeping for the next few weeks.
I felt a flare of pain in my stomach, and found out that the flesh from my torso was cut, deep. It left a scar of a 4-fingered claw mark. It remained on my body as a reminder of my carelessness.
Uncle Qrow and Vienna never got to kill the beast.
To this day, it still roams the Dusk Woods, making the dead forest its home.
They alerted the hunters in Vale about the monster, making plans on killing it.
I bet they alerted Ozpin too.
I got an earful from my mother as well, and then her scolding devolved into tears and sobbing. It ended with her hugging me tightly.
Too tightly.
I guess they were right to advise people not to provoke an Atlesian woman.
This even got Uncle Tai to finally break out of his depression, and started to return as Yang and Ruby's father. I guess your kids nearly getting killed while you were busy shutting down in a corner does that to a father.
I guess it reminded him that he still had his kids, and if he didn't take care of them emotionally, they'll soon be following their mother.
2 days into my rest, Yang and Ruby came to visit me. They both had tears in their eyes, Yang especially.
She felt guilty about getting me nearly killed. Her face fell when she saw the state I was in.
"... You were right….. I got reckless and stupid….. I nearly got you killed, and I nearly got Ruby killed, I nearly got myself killed. I didn't listen to you when you were warning me and-"
"What did you learn from this?"
"... What?"
"What did you learn from nearly getting all three of us killed?"
"... I'm sorry….."
"Not sorry, what did you learn?"
I looked into her eyes. She was on the verge of just falling to the floor and breaking down. Her lips were trembling. The air in the room was starting to get cold and heavy, especially so when there was silence permeating the air.
"... Do you know what the lesson of that day was?"
Yang was constantly switching between staring into my eyes, and avoiding them. She looked like she was being scolded.
I guess what it felt like to her, especially so when she was hearing this from the boy that nearly died because of her actions.
I held up my index finger.
"1. Listen to others when they warn you. Whether or not you follow through their advice is your own choice, but at least god damn listen to them. Because when they warn you like this, there's a high chance that they're right."
I held up my middle finger as well.
"2. Don't do anything fucking reckless or stupid. Or both. I said this time and time again and it went through one of your ears and out the other. I hope me nearly dying because of you makes sure that advice finally gets stuck in your brain. Do you understand?"
Yang looked to the floor, and silently nodded. Ruby walked up to her big sister and patted her on the back, trying to comfort her. Tears were rolling down the blonde girl's cheeks and hitting the carpeted floor.
I could hear her sniffle.
I waited a moment before gently smiling at her.
"... Other than that, I see nothing else to hold you against."
"... I'm sorry…"
"So long as you learned those two lessons, it's fine."
Yang finally fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands.
"I… I-I-I'm sorry…. I nearly got you killed…. And…. and…. and….. And…"
"Come one, I told you it's fine."
As much as I wanted to walk up to her and comfort her, my broken body prevented me from even tossing and turning in my bed.
All I could do was comfort her with words.
"Shhhhshsshhhshshhh….. It's fine. It's fine. No need to cry over spilled milk..."
She managed to calm down after 5 minutes of sobbing.
The three of us ended up playing Vale Kart X.
Yang's eyes, nose and cheeks were bright red for the rest of the day.
3 days in, the men of the Rose-Xiao Long family came to visit.
They heard about how Yang found out about Raven, and decided to take Ruby with her on the red wagon in order to find anything that could tell what her biological mother was like.
They would've gotten themselves killed by the Grimms if I didn't come to save them.
"Hey kid."
Qrow was the one who spoke.
"Thanks for saving my-" Vienna pushed an elbow into Qrow's arm, his face remaining blank and neutral. Qrow simply glared at Vienna before continuing. "-Our nieces from getting eaten by the Grimms. Really, we would've been too late if you weren't there."
Qrow slightly readjusted his seat next to my bed, before coughing in his hands.
But, we wanted to know…. How did you know they were in danger? And that they were in the Dusk Woods?"
"... There was this weird bird, flying around the oak tree in our backyard."
I answered as I looked out my window. I saw the backyard and the very tree that the Wyrm Raven was circling.
"... A weird bird?"
"Yeah. Like, it was glowing, and it only had one red eye. It… it also had four legs and four wings, and it was covered in gold."
Uncle Qrow's expression turned grave and serious. He wasn't looking at me anymore, but instead at the ground.
"... What did it say?"
I was surprised that was his first question.
"... I'm sorry?"
"It spoke, didn't it?"
"Yeah…. It said something like 'Ruby Rose! Yang Xiao Long! Danger! Danger! Left Rose-Xiao Long estate! Headed to Dusk Woods!'..."
Uncle Qrow had a glint in his eyes. It seemed he knew what that Wyrm Raven was.
"I see…. Well, you take care of yourself, Ok kid?"
Uncle Qrow sat up, walking to the door. Uncle Vienna and Tai followed after Uncle Qrow.
"And Kid?"
I heard the gruff voice of the dusty old crow, and turned to face him.
"Yeah?"
"... Thanks… really."
Uncle Tai and Vienna looked at me.
"Yeah, really….. I don't know what I would've done when I lost my little girls as well."
"I don't think even a lot of adults could do what you did."
The 3 adults smiled softly at me.
"... They're my friends. I just did what I had to, to keep them safe."
"... You're a good kid, Magenta. I'm happy that the girls have you as a friend."
Uncle Qrow snickered as Uncle Tai gave me compliments.
"After what you did? I'd be surprised if you guys didn't become more than friends."
Uncle Vienna and Tai glared at Uncle Qrow.
"... Uncle Qrow?"
"Yeah, kid?"
"... Please don't joke about that…."
The corners of Uncle Qrow's lips stretched into a thin smirk.
"Ooooh, so you got the hots for the girls, eh? Which one is it? Is it both? Is that why you ran to them like that, so you could be their knight in shining armour?"
I simply ignored Uncle Qrow's teasing and remained silent. Uncle Vienna and Tai were pushing Uncle Qrow out of the door.
"... Sorry about the old drunkard, Magenta." Uncle Vienna said.
"... Just ignore him, Magenta." Uncle Tai added on to Vienna's apology.
"... I see Magenta got the Wyrm Raven to warn him as well."
"Yeah, I was skeptical at first, but it's clear it was a Wyrm Raven. That was the message it sent to us as well."
"Too bad we were at a bar, it took more time than I expected."
Both of them remained silent as they walked back to their house.
"... It was your sister, wasn't it?"
Qrow sneered.
"No doubt about it."
"... Why didn't your sister just go and save them herself?"
"Because she didn't want Yang to meet her."
"... Why?"
"..."
Qrow remained silent during the rest of the trip back.
Nighttime, 11 pm.
Orchid and Lily were sitting on the couch in the Valentine-Nightingale estate. The holo-projector was on.
But the focus wasn't on the Tv.
"... I found out what those Aura techniques were."
Orchid was the first one to talk.
"... You mean the ones that Magenta used?"
"Yeah. Not only that, but also about that 'Spin' thing he was using with his tennis balls as well…"
"..."
Lily grabbed the remote and turned the Tv off.
"Go ahead. I'm listening."
"The 'Spin' thing was a lot easier to find out. And Magenta was right, it was an ancient Mistrali martial art. I thought he was just lying about a new experiment. Guess he saw it on Tv or something."
"Oh?"
"It was used by the old royalties of mistral. They originated for medical advancement- and get this- executions."
"... Executions?"
"Yeah, they were used as anesthetics by placing a ball, with the spin imbued with it, on the neck of those that were about to be executed. It was for a quick, ethical and painless death."
Lily nodded at her husband's explanation, telling him to continue.
"They apparently developed this technique so that it achieves perfect, or near-perfect, rotation. So it generated more rotational energy than it takes to create. And they tried to spin these objects to follow the golden rectangle formula, as accurately as possible. And if they did it correctly, they could generate infinite rotation energy, thereby breaking the laws of physics."
Lily was surprised at her husband's words, and intrigued by it.
"That was all in theory, of course. There were only very few records of people being even remotely close to achieving this golden ration throw. But… Magenta makes it clear that impossibility is only an illusion. You had to see his throws, the Tennis balls had golden light orbiting it. Not to mention what he did to save Yang and Ruby."
Lily nodded with a gentle smile on her lips, her neck-length pink hair bouncing as her head shook.
"...I had him teach me how to use it as well."
"I saw."
Lily's gentle smile turned into a proud smirk as Orchid said this.
"... It was honestly amazing."
"Was it really?"
"... If imbuing Dharma-Chakra and Samsara-Chakra with the 'Spin', and seeing them wreck havoc every single time I threw them, in utter seconds, said anything, then yes. Really."
Lily simply snickered.
"I'm serious, my throws have never been better."
"Well, I'm sure you got your son to thank for that."
"I really do…."
"... And the Aura Technique?"
"... That one was a lot harder to find. I had to search everywhere. I even got Vienna and Qrow to help me find it."
"You got those two to help?"
"All I had to say was 'Magenta showed weird Aura techniques and I want to see if what he's doing is normal'. They helped without hesitation."
"And what did you find?"
"... There's this old Native Vacuaon 「Tribe」, called the Mictlantecs. Record shows that they were one of the last descendants of the Ancient Vacuoan civilisation."
Lily raised her eyebrows in response. She was taken aback, especially so when she was hearing that whatever her son did was connected to these ancient tribes.
"They had this belief that every single human was born with a natural spirit inside them, and it was because of these spirits that they were able to control their souls into Aura. And because every Spirit was different, the Auras of the people were molded differently. That was their belief on why everyone had different semblances."
"I… I see….. Go on."
"The Mictlantecs believed that their controls over their Aura were dictated by how strongly they bonded with the spirits that were inside them, and so started to find ways to have them control their Auras better. Along their path of researching and learning, they found these Aura techniques"
"... Are telling me that those techniques were-"
"- The same techniques Magenta was using. Including drawing back their Auras to hide in the night, shifting their Aura around to offer greater offense and defense. The more fluid the whole process was, the more proof that you were close to the spirit inside you."
"..."
Lily held her mouth agape, violet eyes wide in surprise.
"... Everything Magenta was doing, was done by that very tribe."
"... Holy shit…."
"..."
They both stayed silent in the living room. The information about their son's activity was starting to sink in.
"...Lily?"
"... Yeah?"
"... What do you think our son really is?"
Lily frowned at Orchid's question.
"... What do you mean by that?"
"... Do you think he's a reincarnation of a member of that tribe, or do you think he's a Spirit himself?"
"... You know I'm not the superstitious type, sweetie. I just think he's a genius in Aura, if anything."
"... I don't think being a genius alone can perform these feats."
"... Speaking of which…."
Lily looked at her husband with a serious expression, eyebrows furrowed deep and lips sealed shut.
"... Don't you think it's about time you start training him?"
"... This early?"
"I know it's a bit early, but…. considering what he can do, and what he did?….. I'm honestly thinking now is the best time. Besides, he came home all bloodied and battered. Sweetie, I heard his breathing being raspy, like he was on the verge of death… I was honestly scared."
Lily looked to the floor as she spoke. Her voice was strained and shaky just by thinking about it. Her lips were trembling as she finished speaking.
Orchid looked at her, and his eyes were filled with sorrow, his brows frowning.
"... You weren't the only one that was terrified."
"Then you know why I'm thinking it's best to start training him now."
"... Fine, I'll ask if he wants to be trained when he fully recovers."
Lily looked at her husband. Her lips, while trembling, were drawn into a smile. She pulled Orchid into a hug, wrapping her arms around his torso and digging her face into his chest.
"... Thanks, sweetie….."
"Lily…. dear….. ribs…"
"Oh!"
It took 3 weeks for me to fully heal.
And it seemed that the Akashic Record Lite had been waiting for me for a long time during my recovery.
Jesus Fucking Christ, you absolute mad man!
Going around killing Grimms with nothing but a toy sword and a handful of Tennis Balls! You really did make your child fantasy come true.
It seems you met what we would call a Boss Grimm! I'm honestly surprised that you even survived!
I guess luck had sided with Magenta Valentine.
The fight you put up and your will to protect your friends has caused you to grow both mentally, physically, and Spiritually!
You were given 1,000 Exp!
You have gained (5) levels!
So, this was the first time I leveled up, at all.
It managed to get me 18 levels.
I remembered that the levels were just a display of my soul's growth, so it would only gain experience when I either levelled up, or had some significant event that would make my soul grow.
I guess this was both.
Speaking of which…
Magenta Valentine
Age: 8
Title: The Pink Prodigy
Level: 19
Exp: 180/200
Hp: 520/520
Aura: 585/585
Vajra: [Locked]
Str: 20
Vit: 18
Dex: 20
Mnt: 16
Int: 36 (28 + 30%)
Wis: 36 (28 + 30%)
Chr: 15
190 Points Remaining!
First off, my Mantra stat and Charisma stat increased.
I guess using Aura reinforcement in proper practice, as well as unnerving an Alpha Grimm, helped you with that.
It was clear that I gained 10 points to spend on my stats every time I leveled up. Which was nice.
Very nice.
Now I had to choose where to spend my point in.
…
It's probably best if I had an image of what I wanted to be: a goal, of a sort, and then stat it out to meet that goal.
….
….
I think I got the image of what I wanted to be.
Magenta Valentine
Age: 8
Title: The Pink Prodigy
Level: 19
Exp: 180/200
Hp: 640/640
Aura: 705/705
Vajra: [Locked]
New! Str: 20 + 37 = 57
New! Vit: 18 + 22 =40
New! Dex: 20 + 37 = 57
New! Mnt: 16 + 30 = 46
New! Int: 36 (28 + 30%) + 20= 62.4 (48 + 30%)
New! Wis: 36 (28 + 30%) + 20= 62.4 (48 + 30%)
New! Chr: 13 + 24 = 37
0 Points Remaining!
Would you like to officialize this stat?
Yes/No
Of course I did, I fucking spent an hour and a fucking half trying to figure this shit out.
Great! Now hold on a minute as the Akashic Record Lite transfers this to your soul!
…. I wonder if this was a creation of a Mantra as well?
…..
I bet it was.
My thoughts were broken when I felt a sudden increase in energy, all throughout my body.
I was willing to bet half of my Aura pool that this feeling of energy flooding in was because it was imbuing me with Vajra.
But that's beside the point, as I was too busy feeling myself getting… stronger.
My breathing became easier and lighter, my brain was starting whir faster. Thoughts were flooding my mind but I had no problem with separating all of them, focusing on all of them was a piece of cake.
I stepped out of bed and started twirling my arms, before jumping and dashing around my room.
"Magenta, could you come down for a second?"
I immediately stopped in my tracks when I heard Dad's voice.
I opened the door and walked down the stairs.
Dad was sitting on the couch, his elbows on his knees and his hands making that weird and ominous finger tent.
His eyes were hiding smoldering fire.
"... What is it, dad?"
"... I want to ask you. What do you want to be when you grow older?"
"What else do I want to be, other than a Huntsman?"
"... Really, you sure you won't change your mind?"
"Dad, I know I'm 8….. but I think I killed too many Grimms with my Tennis Ball and my Toy blade to think of another job prospect."
My dad snorted at my answer.
"... You really don't sound like you're 8 sometimes."
I simply shrugged my shoulder. My dad pointed to the recliner that was placed in front of him.
"Take a seat, Magenta. I want to ask you something."
I complied with my dad, walking over to the ocean blue recliner and sitting on the furniture.
My dad looked at me with his golden eyes. His slight frown made it look like he was judging me. Testing me.
"... What do you think about training?"
"...Right now?"
"If you want to."
I couldn't help but feel my lips crawl into a grin. I expected him to ask this when I was 10.
"Yes, definitely, absolutely!"
His frown didn't disappear.
"It's going to be tough."
"I'm aware."
"It's going to be tiring and exhausting"
"I'm aware."
"It's going to be a nightmare for you."
"I'm aware."
Dad stared into my eyes, smoldering gold meeting flaring gold.
Ember meeting the sun.
We stared at each other in the eyes for a full minute.
Dad's frown never left his face, but he instead smirked.
"Then 4 days every week, from now till you're 17, you will be working your butt off to learn how to fight, win, and survive. You will be leaking sweat and tears and blood until you are 17. Is that clear?"
"Yes."
It was then the frown finally left him.
"No take-backs, and no blaming me."
"I'm aware."
My dad let out a short chuckle through his mouth. He stood up from the couch and walked to the backyard, going down the porch stairs.
"You coming, or what?"
"Yep!"
I quickly followed my father, out of the house and to the grassy flat plains. With the weather being a breezy sunny day with no clouds to hide the crystal cyan sky, it was a perfect day to start.
"For the next 9 years, I'll be not only training in your speed, strength, vitality, and Aura, I'll also be teaching you how to fight."
Dad explained to me as I quietly sat on the emerald grass, listening to him intensely. There was a huge rectangular patch in the middle of the backyard that was devoid of grass, tilled so that it was a soft patch of dry dirt. Sparring dummies, ranging from rubber to wood, was lined at the back edge of the rectangle.
"First off, I want to ask you. Do you know what people call me?"
I did know, but I decided to shake my head.
Dad smiled.
"They call me The Dancer of the Rotting Valley. Do you know why?"
This one I didn't know, and I told him likewise.
"Let me tell you a story. I was born on the outskirts of Mistral. A town outside the borders of the city, meaning we were at risk of Grimm attacks as well as Bandits. But, while other towns fell and quickly became desolate reminders of humanity's failure, we survived. We survived because we brought in Faunus to our town, and in turn, they taught us their martial arts."
Dad crouched down to my level and looked me in the eyes.
"We learned how to fight barehanded, with swords, with spears, with bows. And then, we started to diverge and use our newfound knowledge as the basis for new fighting styles. Everyone in the Rotting Valley learned how to fight. Everyone. But at a cost."
Dad looked to the dirt floor. His brow furrowed deep, his eyes squinted slightly, and his lips became small.
"We started to become violent and merciless. Every bandit that decided to raid our village met their fate as corpses strung upon the edge of our town. We didn't care if they were a smaller raiding party, and doing so will make us the target of the entire bandit tribe's retribution. We fought, and we won. That's how our town's name became the Rotting Valley. Its original name was forgotten."
Dad looked to the dirt floor and remained silent.
"... Each family had a specific fighting style that was passed on from father to son. The Valentine family was known for their swipes, strikes, and kicks looking like a dance. It was made to be graceful, and disorienting. You wouldn't know whether we would be standing on our hands or feet, whether we would be striking with our legs to simply kick, or to grapple. It was a dangerous martial art, but it requires great strength, stamina, and balance to master."
Dad walked up to the wooden sparring dummy.
"Here, let me show you."
My father turned to face the wooden sparring dummy, and suddenly started to crouch down, keeping a low stance. He started to sway left and right, and before I knew it he had done a complete turn. From what my inexperienced I could pick up, dad was swiftly striking the dummy with his left foot, then spinning around on his hands and swiping the head with his right. He ended the motion with a sweeping strike with the blade of his left hand. I knew there was more. He struck the dummy more times, but I just couldn't see it.
With one swift turn, he struck the dummy at least three times, in less than a second.
Honestly, the closest thing on Earth would resemble what my father did was Capoeira, but this was a bit different.
It was….
It was a bit hard to describe, but…. More…..
Hmmm….
I'd say it's more complicated, and faster…..
But that was my thought, who am I to compare the two?
"... My moves got me infamous in the network of hunters, especially so when it was geared more towards 'killing' human opponents. I will be teaching you this, but feel free to incorporate your own style into it. That is how the Valentino Dance evolved to what it is now."
This…
This was amazing, it honestly helped me in the style I wanted to go for.
"So, in order for you to even try the basics, I'm going to work you to the bones, for the next 9 years."
Dad smiled at me. Eyes squinting into a thin line, the corner of his mouth reaching up to his ears. His pale porcelain-like skin only made the smile more unsettling.
For the first time I saw, it wasn't a fatherly gentle smile.
No.
This was a smile of someone who was going to enjoy making someone suffer. It was a sadistic condescending smile from people that like to fuck around with others.
"I hope you're not regretting your decision to start training this early."
…..
Shit.
Fuck me.
I guess that's the end of him being a child!
Next chapter will have a time skip to him being 16, do some minor shit, and then time skip again to 18.
Hope you guys are ok with that!
Big thanks to merendinoemiliano! They gave me feedback about the lack of effort in the descriptions and gave me pointers on how to start improving!
This may not be much of an improvement in descriptions, but mark my words, I will improve.