Author note: Hello again! I sincerely apologize for such a long wait! These academic studies are truly taxing on my mental fortitude. To make up for this, I give you the third chapter of A Dark Soul & Painter Within Remnant. Also, I'm hoping to have chapters pumped out every Saturday, so you won't have to wait 84 years for another chapter.
Additionally:
Adepta Kate: I thank you for taking a gander at my story. I hope that this story fares well in the future!
Kenny9x3: You're very welcome! Stories such as these need intriguing characters like the painter in them! (Well, in my opinion at least...)
ABC5dashboard: Here's ya 3rd chapter, partner ;)
Guest: I'm relieved that I wasn't the only one that had this idea. :D You bring siegbrau happiness to my heart.
Guest2 (Although I wanna call you the Scholar if that's cool with you): I am honored to have a Soulsborne lore specialist within this fan-fiction. To be quite honest, this one isn't well versed in the wonderful story that Miyazaki Sama has blessed us all with. *Insert ohhhh sound here* When I first read your review, I was shook with that knowledge. I will apologize in advance, there will be times when the lore may derail, forgive this unsavory hollow.
Without further adieu, enjoy this rusty writer's chapter.
And, I don't own RWBY or Dark Souls. They belong to their respective owners.
"Mark my words ashen one. You remain among the accursed."
Her Faunus enhanced sense of hearing was either lying to her or just outright acting crazy. She swore that the sounds of painful yelps and cries of Beowolves in the distance of the forest beyond her small village as she returned from a small hunting trip.
'Could it be a territorial dispute?' She thought, but then shook her head, 'No, if they were then why does it sound like they're working towards taking something down together?'
Curious about the whole thing, Jade decided to investigate. Just in case, she kept a fire dust arrow nocked in her transformable bow, which converted into a sword.
'Just a small peak, and if it's something bad, I'll use my semblance!' Her semblance was, of course, turning invisible for a whole two minutes, although it ate up a ton of her aura, making exhaustion much more present if overused. A shame she couldn't be in any of academies. If she left her family here to the Grimm, who would protect them while she studied?
Her village was by no means a combat based place with many fighters. The guards were doable but not against any serious types of Grimm like Nevermores, Deathstalkers, or King Taiju. That's where she and two other "self-proclaimed" hunters come in to deal with those upper-tiered Grimm.
As she got closer, the stench of evaporating Grimm corpses got heavier. There was another smell, a faint aroma of ash? A fire?!
Jade sprinted to the location, only to stop abruptly to a scene of an old man with bits of armor on the hinge of falling off, and he was currently battling an Ursa major, the final Grimm left from the many dissipating bodies scattered about the grass and dirt. While the scene was interesting, what was more intriguing was his weapon, an intricate dagger with blueish engravings on it. How would a weapon of that size be able to dish out any damage?
The ashen one wasn't faring so well in this skirmish between man and beast. He was out of focus, estus, and he isn't in a healthy condition. Claw marks and bites are easily seen upon visible flesh. This bear was the last opponent. The final obstacle to eliminate before finding a way out of this damnable forest. It closed the distance and stood upon its hind-legs, showing strength and inevitable victory. Such chances of living this fight were low. He wanted to give up, but the painter would be defenseless in this unknown place. Such cowardice would be spat upon, there had to be a way!
Indeed there was, he could use that ability once more. It would heal him, it ought to. This arrogant beast would be sucked of life and left as a smoking husk. What would be the cost? Breaking his promise to someone whose name he had long since forgotten? Swearing to never indulge in the life of that monstrous covenant? Abandoning the way of the Sun?
Would it work?
There was no time to think of it, it had to be done!
As the bear swooped down upon him, his hand glowed a bright reddish/whitish color. However, before the vile act could be done, an arrow whizzed in the air, striking the Ursa deep into the head. A second one joined the first, placing itself neatly into its jaw. After three seconds, they ignited, alighting devilish insides into crisps.
He was saved. Well, it would've been all good if he hadn't flopped down and fainted.
Jade initially thought the old man would've handled it, but after seeing his ragged breathing and bloody appearance, her idea switched to saving him and taking him to a doctor. Once the threat was taken care of, she came out of hiding and attempted to carry the man, yet an interesting thing happened.
"Thou hath saved the ashen one. Thank thee for thine kindness." A childish voice said out of the blue. "A talking bush?!" Jade readied another arrow at the source, where the aforementioned source turned bright gold before showing a figure of a child.
"Tis but an illusion." The pale looking kid outstretched her arms as if finishing a magic trick.
Upon closer inspection, her eyes are a bright mix of brown and red and they are slitted like those of lizard faunus. That's rare to see around these parts of Vale.
"I am deeply sorry for frightening you," she cast her eyes downward, "Still, I thank thee for saving the ashen one. It's horrible to have someone else fight for your safety when you're unable to do anything to assist them."
Whoever she is, her care-taker is seriously wounded and needs medical attention. And he needed it real soon.
Even though this woman saved the ashen one and herself, she was wary of the person's additional appendages. Those wolf-ears were distracting to her gaze. Was she cursed or deformed like the corvian settlers? Furthermore, her choice of clothing was unusual. Who'd in their right mind wear a bare tunic and jacket with blue trousers around dangerous creatures like these….. They're gone? They turned into dust...
"First time seeing Grimm up close and personal? I'm sure you've thought they'd be more easy to manage in the stories, but this is the reality, unfortunately. Regardless of that, I should tell you my name." She held out her hand, was this woman expecting her to kiss it?
The painter grasped her hand and kissed it as a knight would to a fair maiden.
To Jade, this was awkward, "Um, what're you doing?"
"Kissing your hand." She paused and looked at Jade, "Is that not what thou requested?"
The wolf faunus chuckled, "No, silly. You're supposed to shake it like this." Her hand grasped the Painter's. It was deathly cold, like a corpse. "Pretty chilly hands you got, but you got the gist of it, right?"
She nodded, "Good! Now then, what's your name?"
Her name? She's never had one. Her mother never named her, nor father. Gael would simply call her, "Milady."
"I don't have a name." She said, much to Jade's discontent.
"No name? Well, what do I call you?" The Painter stood there pondering and just shrugged her shoulders. Jade sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose and asked, "Do you at least know his name?" Motioning her head towards the wounded and unconscious old man.
Her eyes looked over and she pointed, "That's the Ashen one, he has no name either. He told me this, and I too told him that I possesseth no title."
Their savior grunted and pulled out a metallic looking tablet and began tapping away before a man's voice popped up.
"Jade? What'd I tell you about calling me when your mother and I are watching soap operas?!"
"Not now, Dad! I called you to help out with an urgent task." She looked to see the old man is still breathing, which is a godsend. "There's a wounded man who's been eviscerated by a pack of beowolves and an Ursa Major. Plus, there's a child here too."
He hung up immediately and within half an hour, a tall man with a wolf tail could be seen sprinting towards their direction. Jade's father, Hershel, is quite adept at crossing great distances and adamant in saving lives, wherever they may be.
Once he saw the old man and the lizard faunus, it was bewildering. A human and a faunus working together in these parts of Vale? A kidnapper or a caretaker?
Whatever the case, he'd ask the old timer once he gets him back to their little village. He'll carry the wounded man and Jade would protect the girl with no name.
A dream of the long forgotten past?
"The power that I have granted upon thee, is not something to be trifled with. Be wary of its inciting allure, lest you become one of those that seek to endlessly engorge themselves with humanity." A gigantic serpentine head locked eyes with the hollowed form of a knight, "Remember, you will be different than those that have come before. Thou shalt have the power to steal life from those that are undeserving of it." The hollow's left hand felt a tinge of power before resting onto a shape of its own, albeit a blood-tinted red.
"A faithful servant of mine shall guide you. They will show you your true potential, as intended for all our sakes."
During that time, this nameless hollow became much more than what was intended. Those arrogant spirits of vengeance failed time after time with a monster that craved more and more, but with purpose. Though try as he might, the lust and aching need grew exponentially until a cleric under the Way of the Sun encountered him. What was her name?! Why did it still bring guilt and sorrow? In fact, what was his own name?
The faces of old hags faded into his vision, "Tell me, what is your name?"
"Da….?"
Why did the dream bring this forth? What is it trying to tell him?
A small bell was rung in this vast darkness of a dream filled with more questions than answers.
Ting. Tang. Tong.
It repeated again, this time more slowly. It is as if the bell was calling something, but what?
The trip took longer with how heavy the old man was. To Hershel, he seemed as though he weighed as much as three grown men. Luckily, he and Jade were able to get these strangers into their home, many of the faunus villagers eyed the lizard child rather than a battered up human.
Hershel heaved his guest onto his couch, "Alright, now then, what is this one's name?" He asked Jade as they both looked to their small and curious guest, who had been examining the house since they have arrived.
"My name…. I said this before. I don't have one." Her voice still adamant and clueless.
"Your name," an old and raspy voice spoke, "is Priscilla." The old man was lying down but his eyes were open, "And mine…." He took a long pause.
"Is Dajorn. She is Priscilla and I am Dajorn." He sat up and faced them, "Thank you for your assistance, I fear we have nothing of value for the amazing kindness that I haven't seen since…." He trailed off, "A long time."
The two wolf faunus looked at each other and asked to have a private conversation, in which Dajorn nodded his head. Everyone does need their privacy after all.
Priscilla then rose her hand and asked them something that is quite irrelevant to the situation they were both in.
"Do you have a canvas for which to paint upon? A rather, huge canvas?"
That's the end of chapter three! And it has certainly been quite some time since I've typed for fun, so I wanna know how I've done for this one (For editing and revising). I am absolutely thrilled that this story has 32 followers! \[]/ Praise the Sun! A additional thanks to those that favorite this as well.