Brutality...Savagery...Genocide...no word alone could describe the sheer amount of death that was witnessed.
The red marked warrior, Kratos, the acts he committed in the name of his master Ares were monstrous. The servant of the God of War carried out every order issued to him, becoming more beast than man...filled with only the need to slaughter all in his path.
No one was safe. Entire armies fell before him, and the soldiers that followed him on his never ending path of conquest doing so in in the name of Ares.
Those that offered any resistance of any kind...were dealt with quickly...and without mercy.
Kratos stood before his army, a lit torch held in his hand as he addressed the soldiers that followed his command. "They built this temple to offer prayers in the name of Athena! This entire village stands as an affront to Lord Ares! Burn this village! BURN IT TO THE GROUND!"
He threw the torch upon one of the many huts that made up the settlement, his men following his example, setting the village ablaze before drawing weapons and going on the attack.
They were ruthless. Men, women, and children were slaughtered, their blood flowing like a river on the ground. All done in the name of Kratos, the man that was said to have become near invincible, he feared nothing.
But there was something about the temple within the village, something forbidden that made him pause. The rest of the settlement burning down around him as he stared at the doors before him. Every instinct within screaming at him to not cross the threshold, to never step inside.
"Beware, Kratos." the village Oracle said, approaching him without a hint of fear. "The dangers of the temple are greater than you know."
Her warning fell on deaf ears, the servant of Ares simply brushed past her, ambition fueling his very being as he kicked the doors open with the deadly Blades of Chaos in hand. Everyone inside were met with their eternally sharp edges as he cleaved a bloody path through the once sacred ground.
Every soul within the temple fell before his wrath, not one left alive. But in that instant, the glory he had reveled in...turned to horror. The image of his final two victims that night, would be burned into his very soul for the rest of his days...
...laying before him...were the bodies of his wife and daughter. Slaughtered by his own hands, their blood stained on his skin.
"M-My wife...my child..." his voice croaked when the full weight of what he had done seeped into his now cleared mind. "How? They were left in Sparta..."
A nearby fire roared to life, turning his attention from the bodies of his loved ones to see the visage of his master looking back at him. "YOU ARE BECOMING ALL I KNOW YOU TO BE, KRATOS." said the God of War with praise. "NOW WITH YOUR WIFE AND CHILD DEAD, NOTHING WILL HOLD YOU BACK. YOU'LL BECOME EVEN STRONGER! YOU WILL BECOME DEATH ITSELF!"
Kratos knew then who his true enemy was. Ares, the god who had saved his life, who had now taken everything he had ever loved from him.
Stepping out of the burning temple, the warrior fell to his knees and screamed at the heavens. "ARES!"
The village Oracle approached him again, her aging face twisted into a dark scowl as she looked upon the broken man. "From this night forward, the mark of your terrible deed will be visible to all." she hissed, waving her hand, a cluster of snow-like particles floated out of the ruined temple. "The ashes of your wife and child will remain fastened to your skin. Never to be removed."
The ashes surrounded Kratos at attached to his body, his flesh changing to a near snow-white that covered him from head to toe. Now the world would know him as the beast he had become, his sins clear for all to see.
Kratos clenched his fists and bellowed into the night, his rage and anguish heard far and wide...
The Ghost of Sparta had been born.
X
Rios bolted upright, his throat raw from the amount of screaming he had done in his sleep, sweat drenching his form as he choked in ragged breaths.
The sudden dropping feeling in his stomach had him up and running into the bathroom, whatever he had eaten the night before being expelled into the toilet as he wretched for a good couple minutes.
When it was finally over, the Faunus supported himself as best he could as he clung to the bowl in front of him. His body shaking, now cold, as he tried to regain some semblance of himself.
Staggering to his feet, he flushed the toilet before pulling himself up to the sink and looking at his reflection.
He nearly shouted when he saw that his skin was pale, taking several seconds to realize that he was that way given what he had just endured. His breath coming out in shaky pants as he tried to clear his mind enough to calm down.
That dream...had been the worst of all the ones he had seen before. None of them left him feeling as thoroughly drained mentally and emotionally as this one had. The things he saw...he swore he could feel what was happening.
The swords in his hands, the heat of the fires...the blood...the terrifying feeling of ash fusing to his skin...Then there was the guilt, the near blinding rage, and the soul crushing loss. Rios had never felt so much pain in so many forms all at once, and it had been just a dream!
Breathing back under control, a little color returning to his complexion as he turned on the facet and splashed cool water on his face. Taking an extra moment to rinse his mouth out and take a couple of sips to sooth his aching throat. When everything finally settled he went back into the main room and checked the time.
5:32 AM. The airship heading to Beacon wouldn't be leaving for several more hours, so for now he had time to reflect on the last week and a half.
Since the first day arriving in Vale, he had done well to familiarize himself with the kingdom and any points of interest that would prove helpful in the future. If he was going to spend the next four years here at the academy, then knowing where he could get supplies and other things he would need was a definite first step.
Rios had also spent a good amount of the time getting to know Pyrrha. Going out together to check out the city and simply talking to one another. The Faunus learned that she was a four time tournament champion, and was at the top of her class at Sanctum in Mistral. His skills and prowess granting her a large reputation along with an array of nicknames that he could tell she wasn't comfortable with.
She was also the mascot for a breakfast cereal, something else that she didn't seem too keen on.
The hunter could see clearly that Pyrrha was a kind, compassionate, and gentle spirit despite her skills as a warrior. Someone who simply wanted to follow her dreams while helping as many people along the way as she could. And even though she appreciated those that held her in such a high regard, she much preferred to be seen simply as who she was, and not what she was made out to be.
Though she had nothing to worry about when it came to Rios. Given his somewhat isolated lifestyle, he was a bit out of touch with what was considered 'popular' or anything to do with fame. Sure he kept up with current events, but that was more of an important information line so he would know what was going on in the world.
Pyrrha had been surprised to learn he knew nothing about her or her fame, and that he simply saw her as someone he would soon be working with, and a possible sparring partner, while attending Beacon.
The huntress in training had blushed as bright as her hair when he admitted this to her, acting as though she had never heard it from anyone before. Since then she had been nothing but smiles whenever they would meet.
Rios had also talked a little about his time in the Northern Frontier, the simple life he lived in the snow covered forest that was his home. When asked about his family, he easily diverted the conversation in another direction, not wanting to discuss his past tragedy just yet. Though he knew Pyrrha could see through the change in conversation for what it was, she respected his unspoken wishes and didn't push the subject.
All the time that had passed had been eventful, the Faunus finding himself surprisingly enjoying it as the day to go to Beacon finally arrived.
Turning to check the clock again, Rios had found that it was now 9:12 AM. He'd been sitting in one place thinking for nearly four hours.
Scratching his left wolf-ear absently, the Faunus stood from his bed and started to get dressed. He'd just finished slipping on his pants and boots when there was a knock at he door, figuring that it was a hotel attendant coming to let him know that check out was at 10, he headed to the door and opened it to instead find Pyrrha standing on the other side dressed in jeans and a red t-shirt.
"Good morning Ri-" she froze mid-sentence when she took in the fact that he was naked from the waist up. The muscles that were barely hidden beneath his usual long-sleeved thermal now visible for all to see which had her mind going blank and mouth going dry. Her emerald-green eyes took in the six-pack abs and the solid pectorals before her.
"...oh my..." she thought, her face turning a light shade of red as she could also make out various scars that were spread out along his torso from his various encounters with Grimm and other wildlife around his home.
Raising an eyebrow at the red-head's behavior, Rios cleared his throat making her blink and look up to meet his gaze. "Is there something you needed, Pyrrha?" he asked curiously.
Face reddening as brightly as her hair, the champion swallowed thickly before answering. "I...I was just coming to see if you were awake and wanted to know if you wanted to grab breakfast together before heading to the air-dock."
The Faunus nodded, "Sure, just give me a couple minutes to finish getting ready and I'll meet you downstairs."
Pyrrha simply nodded as the door closed, taking a couple steps back until she was pressed against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway. Hand to her chest and feeling her racing heart calm back down to a calmer rhythm.
When she first met Rios, she found him to be quite attractive in a roguish kind of way. But the more they talked, and the more she got to know him, she came to realize that he was also very intelligent for someone who lived in near isolation.
He was also very knowledgeable in the ways of tracking and hunting game. She'd personally never hunted anything but Grimm, but after hearing the wolf-Faunus talk about it, she couldn't help but be a little interested in what it would be like.
Rios wasn't like other people she had met, he didn't see her for her celebrity status. If anything, he didn't even know she had one until she told him. He simply saw her for who she was, not her many titles.
It felt really nice.
Shaking her head, Pyrrha returned to her room to gather her bags before making her way to the lobby to wait for her Faunus friend to meet her there.
X
A small cafe was set up about a block from the hotel, and was a place where most of the huntsmen/huntresses hopefuls frequented during their stay.
It was also the spot where Rios and Pyrrha met up whenever they decided to get together for the day. The two future students of Beacon academy sat at one of a dozen tables on the patio area outside the the main building, their luggage for their trip to the school at their feet as they ate together.
"What do you think the initiation of Beacon will entail?" asked the red-head as she drank her coffee. "I've heard their process of selecting partners and teams is quite challenging."
The wolf-Faunus shrugged while he finished his meal. "Not sure really. I did a bit of reading about the academy on my way to Vale, but nothing in regards to how groups are selected for their four year career. They must keep that information close to the chest to ensure it remains a challenge." A large yawn pulled from him, a few tendrils of exhaustion still clinging to him from the rough night he had.
Pyrrha saw this and looked concerned, "Are you alright? You look tired."
"I didn't get what you would call a good night's rest." replied Rios, "A couple nightmares, nothing serious."
"Anything you want to talk about?" asked the Mistral champion, wanting to help in anyway that she could.
Rios shook his head and yawned again, "I'm fine, Pyrrha. A little exhaustion never hurt anyone, besides, this is waking me up just fine." he said holding up his own coffee and downing the contents in two gulps. "Have you been to Beacon before?" he asked.
"Sadly, no. But I have heard a great many things about it." stated Pyrrha, "Professor Ozpin is said to be a genius, and his staff were all renounced huntsmen and huntresses. There is much we can learn from them and the experiences they've had."
The Faunus nodded in agreement, thinking about those that would soon be teaching them for the next four years. "I guess we'll find out when we get there."
Finishing their light breakfast, the duo made sure the tab was paid before making their way to the sky-dock. Finding the place filled with dozens of other students already in the process of boarding the airships that would take them to Beacon.
There was also several parents there seeing their kids off for the new semester. Rios took note of the various families around him, a dull ache in the pit of his chest seeing them interact, the happy and somewhat sad moments being shared.
It left him feeling empty inside.
A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts and he turned to see Pyrrha looking at him with concern reflecting in her emerald eyes again.
Rios shook his head and shrugged her hand off, "Well, this is it." he said, not wanting to see the questioning look in her gaze.
"It would appear so." Pyrrha replied, the two of them would be on separate ships heading to the academy, but they had promised to meet up when they had arrived. "See you there?" she asked, her tone hopeful.
The Faunus smiled back at her, "Not if I see you first." the minor joke got a small laugh out of the young champion before they parted ways.
Making his way up the ramp and into the vessel he had been assigned to, Rios moved toward a less crowded part of the passenger area and took a seat, tossing his bag into the seat next to him as he got comfortable.
As the minutes ticked by, he watched a dozens more people got on board. All of them bound for Beacon, either as first year students or ones returning to continue their education. Many of them showed promise, one or two others may or may not make the cut in the end, but he supposed that would be more or less left up to whatever the headmaster had planned for them.
When everyone was on the ship, the ramp came up and the doors sealed before they rose into the air. The vessel heading toward the North where the academy was situated. Rios removed his hood, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his seat. The ride wouldn't take very long, half an hour tops, it gave him time to think about what he would do when they finally arrived.
"I can't believe that my baby sister is going to Beacon with me! This is the best day ever!" Rios's wolf-ears perked hearing a familiar voice call out, looking toward the source and saw Yang not too far away giving her sister Ruby a strong hug.
The strength of said embrace easily figured out when the younger girl gasped out, "Please stop." prompting the blonde to release her.
"But I'm so proud of you!" Yang said, not losing a single bit of her excitement.
"Really, Sis, it was nothing." Ruby replied, trying to downplay whatever the discussion was about.
Yang rolled her eyes, "What do you mean? It was incredible! Everyone at Beacon is going to think your the bee's knees."
"I don't want to be the 'bee's knees', okay? I don't want to be any kind of knees! I just want to be a normal girl with normal knees." her sister said back. "I got moved ahead two years...I don't want anyone to think I'm special or anything."
"I'm afraid you're already marked in the 'special' category." both girls turned and were surprised to see the wolf-Faunus sitting not too far away.
"Rios! Wasn't expecting to see you here!" Yang said grinning widely.
Rios stood and rolled his neck, "I'm as surprised as you are." he turned and smiled down at Ruby, "Congratulations. Getting into Beacon a couple years ahead is something to be proud of."
Ruby rubbed her arm and scuffed the deck with her boot, "It's...not that big of a deal." she mumbled lowly.
Raising an eyebrow at her shy demeanor, Rios put a hand on her arm making her look up at him. Her silver eyes locking with his hazel ones. "I can understand your hesitation." he said, making her eyes widen, "Going to a new place so soon and being so young. Even more so since you won't know anyone there. But you will do fine, just take it one step at a time."
The small moment was interrupted by a nearby view screen speaking up with a local news report; "The robbery was lead by the nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. If you have any information about his whereabouts please contact the Vale Police Department. Back to you Lisa."
Whatever else was going to be said was cut off when the screen disappeared and a holographic image of Glynda Goodwitch took its place. "Hello, and welcome to Beacon. My name is Glynda Goodwitch. You are among a privileged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy. Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future Huntsman and Huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now, it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world."
When the introduction was done, the image of the professor faded away, giving everyone a good view of the academy the airship was now approaching. "Oh, wow!" Ruby said in awe as she ran up to the window and took in all the sights outside.
Yang and Rios joined her on either side, taking in what was going to be their new home for the next year.
Compared to his little home back in the North, it was far more than what he had anticipated. Memories of the stories his parents used to tell him about Beacon came back slowly, making the Faunus feel as though they were standing there with him.
"I won't let either of you down." he thought with conviction, reaching up and clenching the Omega pendant around his neck. Whatever waited for him within the castle-like walls, he would be ready to face it head on.
X
A/N: More of Rios' bloody ancestry is discovered, and the more he learns, the more he'll understand his own path that he will be undertaking. The real question is if Beacon will be able to handle the descendant of the Ghost of Sparta?
Initiation is right around the corner, and a whole lot of savagery is coming with it.