Disclaimer: I will never own RWBY and Tales of series they are the rightful property of RoosterTeeth and Namco Bandai.
Italics are thoughts
Bold and Italics are flashbacks
**Communications through scrolls and other devices
Chapter 2 Finding his worth
(Time skip: weeks later since the heroes were sent to Remnant)
(Location: The Heart Oasis kingdom of Vacuo Remnant)
The kingdom of Vacuo was known for its desert environment so the heat will be quite high. But its resident have come to get used to it as well as learning from past experience. There was a time when its people lived a life of luxury and relaxation and those actions caused them dearly. As neighboring kingdoms invaded and they were powerless to stopped them since they didn't prepared themselves in the art of combat.
That's why there was large of foreign people and companies running their own show like the Schnee dust Company as a result of the Kingdom of Atlas invading through negotiations later on got the right to excavate and mine dust. Another fact about the kingdom its abundance for the important substance. After those invasions its people learned from the experience and somehow adapted to try and become better, more stronger.
Throughout history the residents of Vacuo were able to understand and learned the importance of respect. They have seen having a bond with each other was important to become stronger and that way maybe they'll be ready the next time someone decides to shattered their peace. It didn't matter whether they human or faunus, man or woman they all saw themselves as one happy family and the bonds of brotherhood were pretty much alive in this part of the kingdom.
Others decided to test their strength and skills against others in arm wrestling, others in drinking games to see who could control their alcohol the most, others thought of measuring their strength with fighting others in pure combat. As for the government, most of the political power was formed by members of high society that eventually formed the council. Those council members founded its only huntsmen and huntresses school Shade Academy.
Because of the kingdom's location in the middle of a quite dry desert the journey here, wasn't an easy one. The temperature can sometimes easily reached a hundred and fifty degrees. So it was a challenge to arrive here without dying of heat stroke or dehydration. It was a harsh reality but the people eventually learned to survive under such a hot weather. That's why only those who had a strong will to live can actually survive under such conditions and it was the only way to know if you were truly strong.
That's how" the secret saying" was formed it became like a little tradition from the residents. The saying went" if you survive here, you can survive anywhere". Because of those who didn't left the kingdom often believed there was no place worse than this scorching desert.
Now if there was one place in Vacuo that was considered the most crowded was its capital known as" The Heart Oasis". Located at the center of the kingdom. It was the one place where many merchants will come to open their businesses while the veterans were trying to make a living selling their goods. They sell all kinds of things from rugs, food, weapons, armor, clothing, dust crystals, accessories among many other things.
The result of having such an amount of shops resulted in being filled with shady people mainly, thieves. Some were very skilled in the art of stealing working on their sleigh of hand others weren't that good and they got caught. Consequences weren't pretty either the owner of the business will caught the authorities or they will take just by their own hands, like cutting thief's hands so they don't steal again.
While others were passing by and merchants were trying to get the attention of those travelers one person in particular wasn't having a good day. A certain twin swordsman in red was wearing a dark brown coat with a cloth covering his mouth to prevent from getting sand in such place, he really hated that. With gray rectangular goggles.
Lloyd Irving didn't looked like he was interested in buying any of the goods being offered. His expression was that of desperation. The teen was shoved by the large crowd hitting the sandy ground whole finding it a hard task to get up without bumping into anyone. He quickly dodged and evaded getting back to his feet nothing will change from the market place.
"I hate the desert" growled the swordsman in red.
"Excuse me sir!" he called to the owner of a BBQ place" do you need any additional hands? I'm looking for a job."
"Sorry kid I'm doing good on my own."
"Oh thanks anyway" the twin swordsman went to the next owner of business" excuse me sir! I'm looking for a job-"
"Kid scram! You're scaring my customers!"
"I'm not scary!" he sighed going to the next business" please sir I really need a job, I need the lien can you please hire me!"
"I don't share my business now get lost!"
"Why is everyone so mean?" the swordsman in red sighed in frustration.
This is how life has been for Lloyd Irving for the past week. In desperation the poor teen has been endlessly searching for any of job to make a living. He has made plans to start a business in Vacuo but so far he hasn't had any luck. The twin swordsman needed the lien badly in order to grow his business but he also needed to eat and right now, he was very hungry.
The swordsman was only ignoring the loud growling of his stomach focusing only asking merchants if they can hire him. But he knew it was futile all of the people didn't share their business with no one. They would never hire additional help because that mean they will have to share their earnings with others. Yet Lloyd was pretty stubborn and he would never give up no matter how impossible things looked.
"Excuse me sir?" he went to another business that sells rugs" are you by any chance hiring people? I'm very hard working I'll do anything you say as long you pay me. I need the lien" he sweat dropped" please say yes I'm starving."
"I wish I could help you kid but right now I'm not looking for any help. I've been doing pretty good on my own, my business has been slow but word has been getting around the kingdom of my rugs people are coming and going and some have bought my finest samples."
"Damn it all!" he was crying comical tears" its okay thank you for taking your time."
"Hey, if I do seem to need some help I'll contact you. What's your scroll number?"
"Um...I don't have one" he sweat dropped.
"Well that's a shame how am I suppose to get in touch with you if I do need some assistance? Good luck out there kid."
"I don't even have lien to buy a scroll!" Lloyd sighed leaving the business" so much for trying to get a job in the market place, its hopeless. Maybe I should go back to the slums I have done some jobs there."
Truth be told the twin swordsman has had better luck going to the area of the kingdom where the lower class lived. Many poor people resides there not to mention he has done some cheap jobs. Though the pay was very low as to expect from the poor side of Vacuo. The swordsman in red has done like twenty lien an hour but he only worked for like three hours.
However he has saved enough to buy food and that's what matters the most. But it was impossible to save lien to buy a scroll or even to build his own business place. Best of all he has already gotten acquainted with some of the lower class so it was easier to find a job when they had connections to the businesses there.
"Stop that thief!"
Lloyd turned to see the owner of the rugs shop chasing angrily at an older man who was holding a bag but the owner was holding a dagger looks like he wanted to cut the hands of the thief if he's successful to catch him. Obviously the twin swordsman knew the thief has taken the man's lien because it wasn't the first time he has witnessed it. Whenever he sees such crime he will always interfere and stop thieves from taking any lien or any valuable possessions.
This occasion wasn't any different seeing the owner wasn't going to catch up to the thief Lloyd went after him running faster than the culprit. The thief was shocked at the impressive speed the teen was going and before he knew it, he was caught as the twin swordsman jumped at him grabbing his legs sending him to the ground.
"Please don't kill me!"
Lloyd gazed in the distance looks like the owner of the rugs shop wasn't following them" hand over what you stole now!"
The thief being nothing but a coward didn't hesitated to gave the bag filled with lien" please don't send me to the police."
"No I should let the man of the shop you stole money from to take justice on you. You do know what they do to thieves?" seeing the thief looking like he was ready to pee his pants was enough answer that he knew" get out of here…."
"What?" the thief stood shocked thinking her heard wrong.
"Leave right now. But if you try to steal again I will send you straight to the owner now go."
He didn't had to be told twice the thief running as fast as he could. Lloyd saw the owner of the rugs shop stopping when he saw him. He was still pretty angry and he was still holding the dagger.
"Where is he!? Where's that damn thief!?"
"Sorry he got away" Lloyd sighed before smiling" but I managed to recovered what he stole from you."
"Thank you very much" the merchant was now happy and relief taking his lien back" I don't know how to thank you but I believe some of these lien belongs to you."
"Its okay you don't have to give me your lien. I'm just happy I was able to help."
Nonsense here you go" the owner of the rugs store gave him one of the cards.
"You got to be kidding me" the twin swordsman sweat dropped at the amount he was given" only ten lien I can't buy food with this not even ingredients for cooking."
"What's your name?"
"Lloyd."
"Nice to meet you Lloyd I'm Amad. I hope you buy yourself a scroll I might need you with my shop after all. See you around."
"If I'm able to buy one that is" the swordsman in red saw the owner leaving just before collapsing on the ground his stomach was rumbling so loud" I forgot when I was running after the thief that I'm so hungry…."
Pretty soon Lloyd was feeling delirious due to his enormous hunger. He was now seeing things around him, food that is. Different kinds of fruits and meat floating and dancing happily. Fried chicken, crunchy bread, potato salad, friend rice, omelets, pancakes, fruit salad, curry. All those delicious dishes were all above him and they were whispering to him to eat them but he couldn't move. His stomach rumbled he was out of strength, out of energy it was pretty much over.
"Is this it? Am I going to die from hunger? This can't be the end…."
"You okay? You don't look so good."
Lloyd was now looking at a tan-skinned boy with light-blond hair with blue eyes looking around his age. He was wearing two red wrist bracers and an open loose collared white jacket with no shirt underneath, showing his muscular physique, blue cargo pants tied up with a white belt, white bandages on his legs and a chain hanging from the belt loop on the right side of his pants.
Black and yellow sneakers with a twisted golden necklace around his neck. The necklace had an emblem of a monkey and what caught the twin swordsman's attention that he was holding meat on a stick, delicious juicy meat. It made his mouth watered while his stomach rumbled again. The only thing on his mind right now is eating that yummy piece of meat on a stick.
"Am I dreaming? Is that meat on a stick for real?"
"It sure is" smiled the blond haired teen.
Lloyd finally noticed a long yellow monkey tail behind him, so he was obviously a faunus.
"I'm Sun" the monkey faunus introduced himself.
"Lloyd" the swordsman in red heard his stomach rumbling.
"Here you go" Sun was offering the tasty meat.
"Huh? Why are you-"
"You're hungry just eat up."
"I can't accept this not after you spent lien on it. I can't take food that you earnestly bought."
"I didn't bought it I stole it" he laughed.
"You what?!" now Lloyd got upset" you actually took it without paying for it?!"
"How could I? I had no lien on me."
"Give it back now!"
"Whoa hold it, are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm sure. You're going right now to the owner and return it."
"No way if I do that they will chop my hands off. Don't compare me to those rookie thieves I'm a pro. Besides I stole this meat for you. I saw you asking the merchants to if they can hire you so you can earn lien to buy food right?"
"You actually stole it for me?" the swordsman in red was surprised before glaring at the monkey faunus" I don't care what you did was wrong."
"Just take it Lloyd you need it a lot."
"I'm not eating stolen food! Its wrong to steal it and to eat it is even worse I-" the swordsman blushed hearing his stomach rumbling yet again.
"You sure? Because from the sound of that its nothing good. Just eat it already."
"I'm not eating it! It was stolen."
"So what if it was? I told you I'm a pro nobody saw me taking it, nobody has a clue I stole food."
"But I do know! I would be ashamed if I have to eat food that was taken without properly paying for it" again Lloyd blushed his stomach was now rumbling endlessly.
"That's it here just take it and eat it! Stop feeling so stubborn" the monkey faunus handed the meat on a stick.
By now Lloyd has lost all sense of morality because he was starving. Without a thought he showed down on the meat hitting his taste buds so badly. It was juicy, it was amazing best meat he has ever had in a while. In a matter of minutes he devoured the meat like his entire life was on the line. After it was done the twin swordsman felt so satisfied, so happy, he could hear his stomach pausing the rumbling looks like it was pleased to have received such a delicious piece of meat.
Sun helped him get back on his feet while the swordsman in red was frowning at him and the faunus just smiled happy to have helped him in his time of need. But the frown was obviously because he has eaten stolen food something he wanted to prevent but eventually gave up due to his immense hunger.
"See that wasn't so bad. I bet you want another one."
"I do" he muttered still feeling upset with himself for falling into temptation.
"Great I'll get you another-"
"Forget it!" shouted the upset Lloyd" you're not stealing another one."
"Okay you will buy one this time, that's cool."
"Well no" the twin swordsman mumbled not happy" I only have ten lien on me."
"I have nothing on me, ten is better than none. So what are you going to do now?"
"Guess back to find a job. I need enough lien to open my own business. Maybe after that I'll buy a scroll too."
"Can't help you there. The scrolls in Vacuo are very expensive, they're supposed to be the latest in Atlas technology. You also want to open your own business, man you will need so much lien to do that."
"I know" Lloyd sighed" look Sun thanks for the meat on a stick, just make sure not to steal again. I don't want you getting into trouble."
"They'll never catch me I'm too smart for them. There's no one like me when it comes to thievery."
"That's not something to be proud of try to do something better with your life. A more honest life than the one from a thief."
"How about a stowaway?" the monkey faunus grinned.
"Don't even joke about that" the swordsman in red sweat dropped.
"Okay just kidding dude" he then stood in thought before his blue eyes widened feeling as a light bulb in his head has been turned on" I got it! I just know of a way for you to earn more lien than you can imagine."
"Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?" Lloyd didn't trusted Sun even if his intentions were good remembering he was a thief.
"First can you fight?"
"Yeah…."
"I should have known after I saw those swords on you. Then you must be a huntsman?"
"I'm not a huntsman I never went to a combat school I just know how to fight."
"So you got training from a strong huntsman? Cool that's even better."
"I honestly don't know about that" the twin swordsman stood in thought.
"I know the perfect place where you can test your skills and earn a lot of lien at the same time" Sun gave him a thumbs up" come on follow me."
"I still have a bad feeling about this" the swordsman in red gave a sigh.
"This is the place?"
Lloyd wasn't impressed when Sun offered to show him a place where he can earn a lot of lien. Though his instincts were nearly yelling at him that this was a very bad idea and maybe those instincts were right. The twin swordsman stood staring at the place, a bar with the name on a large sing that said" The Sand Box".
Even if he has been living in Vacuo for a few weeks he has heard rumors about this place and those rumors, were nothing good. A lot of shady people comes to this bar and many has had a bad reputation. Others would come to just seek information, others to do illegal business. There was no way he was going inside, the place screamed" big mistake entering".
"Let's go."
"What are you doing!?"
"Um...Going inside duh."
"Not here. I've heard bad things about this place."
"Lloyd whatever you heard its not true. There are nothing but rumors that people come up to scare potential customers. This bar is good, nothing serious happens and the people are well civilized."
Suddenly the door opened revealing a large man that just threw off another man out of the place" and stay out you drunkward idiot!" he went back inside shutting the door.
"You were saying?" the twin swordsman sweat dropped.
"Well almost civilized, let's go in."
"I hope I'm not making a mistake" the swordsman in red shook his head.
The two teens finally entered the bar and they were able to hear the loud noise coming from inside. Lloyd sweat dropped at the sight it was exactly as he thought. There were many men, mostly they were drunk at such an hour in the day singing and dancing. Others were still drinking till their hearts content, others were starting fights beating the crap out of each other.
Others were testing their alcohol endurance with a drinking challenge, other were testing their strength with an arm wrestling match. Sun lead the twin swordsman to the top counter where the bartender stood serving drinks from his horns he was a ram faunus. Not too far two drunks were having a fight, well it was supposed to be a fight but both were sucking at it because they were too drunk to focus clearly.
"Sup Balto!"
"Sun hey how are you doing?" the ram faunus smiled at the new company" haven't seen you here in a while."
"You know me, I don't like staying in one place for too long. But I was starting to miss the place."
Lloyd sweat dropped when he saw another man being sent flying out of the bar" is this place always like this?"
"The sand box wouldn't be the same without you. Though you're still not in legal drinking age, just one more year and I can finally treat you to some of the best liquor in the four kingdoms, just you wait."
"I'm looking forward to that" the monkey faunus gave a big smile" Balto I want you to meet my new buddy Lloyd!"
"Nice to meet you lad. I'm happy to know another friend of Sun."
"Same here I'm happy to meet you too sir" the twin swordsman smiled shaking his head" though I don't remember when we became friends."
"Anyway Balto the reason I brought my buddy here is-"
"Hold it Sun let me take care of something first" the ram faunus took a bottle of rum and threw up hitting one of the drunk men in the head.
"What the!?" the swordsman in red had his eyes wide open at the sight.
"I told you retards to stop fighting already before you turn my bar into a pig's pile! The next time this happens it wont be my bouncer doing the arse kicking out of here but it will be me! You've been warned lads" Balto gave a sigh turning his attention back to the monkey faunus" sorry about that, gotta look after the children. What was it you wanted to say to me?"
"I brought Lloyd here because he's interested in earning more lien than the average Vacuo resident" Sun gave a wink with a grin.
Balto's expression turned serious for a moment" are you sure Sun?"
"Oh yeah he's in need of big lien because he wants to build his own business and he also wants to buy a scroll."
"Hmm...Well I won't stop you. Just make sure to tell him the rules and don't forget the password."
"I already know that."
"You know where to go. At the end of the hallway to the right."
"Thanks Balto!" smiled the monkey faunus turning to his friend" let's go Lloyd this way."
The twin swordsman followed the faunus while the drunks resumed their chatting, drinking challenge and arm wrestling matches. He reached the end of the hallways of the bar to the right following the instructions of the ram faunus bartender. But when they got there both teens were met by a dead end.
"This is the place all right."
"What are you talking about? There's nothing here but a dead end."
"Before we get there Lloyd I need you to cover your face."
"What for? Okay Sun that's enough. I think its time that you tell me what's going on?"
"I'm taking you to the one place where you can earn ten times what a merchant earns, I'm not kidding."
"But what does covering my face have to do with it?"
"Just do it I will tell you everything when we get there."
"You still haven't said where is there" the swordsman in red was really confused not knowing where the faunus was taking him.
"Listen dude just trust me and cover your face. Do you have anything at all?"
"I do" Lloyd put on his cloth covering his mouth and middle face, he followed by putting the gray goggles.
"That's better now let me tell you the rules" Sun got serious staring at the swordsman teen" the first rule you need to obey is to never, ever under any circumstances tell anyone outside of this bar about the place where we're going. The second rule is to that it will be safer to have your face cover before we get there, trust me you'll thank me later. The third rule where we're going you must always treat everyone with respect one wrong word from your mouth, and you might get killed on the spot. Finally the fourth rule you better be right when you told me you can fight because you better be good at fighting. The place where we're heading is where the most skilled fighters in Vacuo gather."
"I still don't know what you're talking about. Rules, fighters, just what is this place you're taking me?"
"You're about to find out" a smirk spread over the monkey faunus's lips.
Lloyd was still clueless to what he was talking about. It was only making him more curious by the minute. He saw the faunus checking the wall that marked the dead end, as he was inspecting it searching for something. That's when Sun has pressed something that looked like a switch and to the swordsman's surprise it has opened revealing a secret passage.
Now his curiosity level was increasing even more following the monkey faunus inside a dark passage. Not too far stood a closed door resembling one that belongs on a prison cell. For some reason Lloyd's bad feeling was getting stronger just as his curiosity. His thoughts were interrupted seeing the faunus teen knocking on the door. Until the small hatch on the door opened revealing a pair of cold dark eyes.
"Password?"
"Password?" Lloyd remembered the faunus bartender Balto telling Sun about it but he told him he already knew it.
"The monkey king sails to the west."
The hatch closed and immediately the sound of the lock was released as the door opened allowing passage for the two teens. The twin swordsman gazed at the monkey faunus and he smiled in return as he entered with him following him shortly. As they went deeper into dark passage the swordsman red was surprised to hear the loud noise of people cheering.
With his curiosity high once more he still had no idea where they were. Once they reached the light at the end of the tunnel everything became clear. Brown eyes widened in shock when he saw a large arena filled with people and they kept on cheering while holding some sort of ticket. His eyes went to the center where there stood a giant cage and inside two people were fighting fiercely as their lives were on the line.
One was a man dressed in a gladiator armor holding his a one bladed axe. His opponent was a lizard faunus because of his long green scaly tail and his reptilian yellow eyes his weapon was a spear. He was dressed in a similar armor except his face was clear while the man had his face covered by an iron helmet. They kept on fighting and with each hit from either of them the crowd will cheer holding their tickets high.
Lloyd was in shock, finally he realized what was this place. Turning his gaze to Sun who smiled sheepishly at him the twin swordsman wasn't happy in the least. What's worst the monkey faunus has involved him in this. Looks like his instinct was right all along this was a bad idea, he should have turn back when he had the chance.
"Pretty cool right?"
"Not cool this is wrong! I can't believe you Sun, this is clandestine fighting."
"I know this is the underground fighting ring. Like I said Vacuo's finest fighters participate to test their skills, to keep their titles of fame and also to win big money."
"Its illegal just like stealing. I can't believe I listened to you to come here. I knew I was making a mistake by letting you talked me into this."
"Too late to change your mind now because you'll be participating next" the monkey faunus grinned as he went to the announcer table whispering to her and giving her some lien.
"Damn it this is ridiculous."
The twin swordsman has given perhaps his seventh sigh today. Turning his eyes back to the match the man wearing the gladiator armor was in a lot of trouble. He was getting attacked in all directions by the lizard faunus Lloyd was able to tell he was very skilled with that spear, he was truly a worthy opponent. Suddenly a confident grin spread his lips, he could take him on without getting hurt too much.
If he played his strategy right he might win without getting hit. The crowd kept on cheering as the human knight has finally fall to the ground unable to continue fighting, meaning the match was over. The crowd cheered even louder as there were people going around the seats giving quite the amount of lien. This was obviously because they have bet on the lizard faunus winning.
"KO!" shouted the announcer" looks like its another victory for our number one contender give it up for Razor Scale!" the crowd cheered" and he seems like he can take another fight. Thanks to our faunus friend just now there is someone present in the audience who has challenged him."
Lloyd sweat dropped seeing Sun next to the announcer nodding" he has nothing to worry about because he's not the one who's going to fight."
"Everyone let's give a big welcome to challenger hailing from the capital of Vacuo here's the Crimson Avenger!"
The cameras present were now on the masked swordsman clad in red everyone was cheering for him. While back in the cage arena Razor Scale just scoffed at his presence another opponent to take down. He waited for his defeated opponent take away by the medical team as he was preparing himself for his next match.
"The what….?" Lloyd felt annoyed at the nickname the monkey faunus has chosen to give him.
"Now Crimson Avenger would you please enter the arena and face your opponent!"
The twin swordsman started walking towards before Sun walked over to him.
"Listen Lloyd" he whispered to the teen" Razor Scale is so far undefeated meaning he's the number one contender. That means if he keeps up winning he will eventually face off against the undisputed champion of Vacuo. If you beat him you will take his spot as number one contender and if you keep winning it will be you who will face the champ."
"And how will that help me earn lien?" the swordsman in red whispered back.
The monkey faunus grinned" if you beat him, you'll get the first earnings which is a thousand lien."
Lloyd heard the sound of the cashier machine after hearing the amount" holy Remnant, a thousand lien…." he imagined what could he buy with that much money.
"And that's just the beginning buddy. The more fights you win, the more lien you will earn. In no time you will have plenty to open your own business."
"That's all I need to know" now the twin swordsman was so confident as he walked over to the cage, entering the arena ready to face his opponent.
As the cage closed Lloyd removed his brown cloak revealing his red outfit to the public. He gazed at his right hand, his exsphere was hidden from view by a white cloth. He knew this small object was very important to him because it made him strong, that was all. His brown eyes gazed at his opponent Razor Scale looked more than ready for the fight, his spear was ready too.
This was an opponent the twin swordsman knew he couldn't hold back and couldn't underestimate either. Remembering how he took down the last opponent his attacks were quick, strong and precise so he needed to do the same. Only different his attacks have even quicker, even stronger and even more precise. Not to mention this will be his first fight since he started living in Vacuo.
"Go Crimson Avenger! I just bet two hundred lien on you, so you better win!" it had to be Sun.
Lloyd obviously ignored the monkey faunus as his eyes were only on his opponent. The lizard faunus was already on a fighting stance looks like he wasn't taking any chances either. No doubt he wasn't going to hold back since his title and reputation was on the line. The anticipation was now killing he couldn't helped but grinned behind his mask.
"Nothing personal Crimson Avenger but I must defeat you if I want to save my spot when I fight Destructox."
"I understand but I won't let myself be beaten that easily. I'm actually going to beat you."
"Don't get cocky brat."
"Don't underestimate me" Lloyd unsheathed his material blade.
"Fighters are you ready?!" the announcer gazed at the anticipating crowd cheering on Razor Scale" let the match...BEGIN!"
(Music: Like a Glint of Light from the Tales of Symphonia soundtrack)
Razor Scale didn't waste time as he charged forward with a straight thrust from his spear heading for the swordsman's stomach. Lloyd just smirked as he blocked what would be a deep wound with his two swords of fire and ice. He countered with some quick slashes but they didn't hurt him that much. The twin swordsman was aware that it was his aura shielding him from any serious blows, but aura had a limit.
If he keeps on attacking him his aura will start to deplete and once that happens he'll be vulnerable for any kind of attacks. So his strategy was to blocked and counter with stronger attacks in order to deplete his aura. Lloyd blocked another attack from the faunus lizard and countered with some quick slash and went with using one of his basic artes unleashing sonic thrust.
The powerful thrust sent him back but the swordsman in red wasn't done. He followed up with a second level arte using fierce demon fang then, he finished it up with hunting beast. Razor Scale groaned being sent to the ground, the crowd went wild many weren't happy since they were betting a lot of lien on the lizard faunus winning the match.
Lloyd didn't stopped as he performed another basic arte demon fang hitting the downed faunus. Though he did felt bad for attacking a downed opponent he was only attacking for the sake of depleting his aura. The twin swordsman charged only for Razor Scale to get back to his feet not looking happy countering with a thrust filled with aura. He quickly blocked crossing his swords.
"You're not bad" grinned the lizard faunus" you're stronger than you look."
"Heh told you not to underestimate me" Lloyd grinned back.
"Like I said I have to defeat you if I want my shot in taking on the champ. You're leaving me with no choice."
The faunus has suddenly spit some kind of green liquid straight at the swordsman in red and he quickly blocked it using guardian. The green force field protect him from whatever attack he has used. The liquid fell next to him and Lloyd gasped when he saw the liquid the material of the arena floor.
"No way...Its acid!"
"Whoa ladies and gentlemen it seems the Crimson Avenger has forced Razor Scale to use his semblance!" said the announcer.
"Damn it I forgot about his semblance" Lloyd mentally cursed if he can use aura then most likely he has a semblance.
This time the lizard faunus unleashed an evil bigger acid spit in which the swordsman in red dodged and it hit part of the cage surrounding the arena. The area was melted in seconds. Lloyd knew now it was his chance to attack remembering that using one's semblance uses aura. He assume his aura was running low since he took all those hits from his stronger artes.
Another acid spit was fired from the faunus and Lloyd countered using demon fang both attacks collided in a draw. As he got closer Razor Scale caught the young swordsman off guard as he perform a series of quick strikes with his spear. Thanks to his exsphere the twin swordsman reacted quickly to blocked all of the attacks. Lloyd noticed his expression he was angry that he hasn't landed a single successful blow on him.
The young swordsman saw that the lizard faunus was panting it was a good sign. He was tired, which it could only mean that his aura levels were low. In other words, now it was his chance to attack and finish him off. Lloyd knew he was right when Razor Scale stopped using his acid spit his aura was low and he couldn't risk using his semblance one more time.
The swordsman in red dodged an incoming spear attack and this time, it wasn't as fast as his previous attacks. He knew it was over and that he had this match won. He performed some quick slashes before he went with another basic arte sword rain and he followed it up with heavy tiger blade. Razor Scale was sent again to the ground and this time, he wasn't getting up. For a moment the crowd has stood silent too shocked to realized what just happened. Did the number one fighter that almost had his spot to face the champion has been defeated by a newcomer?
(Music End)
"KO!" the announcer broke the heavy silence" Razor Scale has been beaten we have a new winner and new number one contender congratulations Crimson Avenger!"
"Yeah you won woohoo!" Sun was the only one cheering since the crowd were booing not happy with the outcome of the match.
"Hey you fought well" Lloyd sheathed his swords, extending his hand to Razor Scale.
"You weren't bad yourself" he smiled accepting his hand" looks like you beat me fair and square and you took my title too. All you have to do now is keep winning and you will be facing the champ."
"Great match."
"Great match."
Both opponents shook hand not caring that they crowd were still booing for all the money they have lost making the bet. Sun was the only one who was celebrating since he just won two hundred lien for his victory it made him think that maybe he should have bet more lien. But he was going to make sure to do so the next time.
(Time skip)
Lloyd couldn't believed what just happened it all felt like a dream, a dream that has come true. Just this morning he was starving and he was so desperate looking for a job asking to the merchants in the market place. Now he was currently staying at one of Vacuo's elegant inns. This was the first time he was lying on a soft comfortable bed. Most of the times he had to sleep on the floor or on an old dusty couch from the slums.
He was able to buy some good ingredients so he can cook delicious dishes. Also he was able to buy a scroll thanks to the thousand lien he just won from the match. It was all thanks to Sun who suggested him to participate and now he number one contender that has a shot at facing the best of the best. Though he still believe that it was wrong to be participating because the matches were illegal he was still thankful for the monkey faunus.
"I still can't believe it" he smiled getting seated on the soft bed" if I keep winning matches I'll earn enough lien to open my business and soon I won't have to fight anymore with all the lien I'll be earning from my honest job."
Lloyd has gotten up walking over to the window of the beautiful room where he was going to spend the night. His brown eyes were on the night sky and the half shattered moon it was still strange for him to see something like it. Even if his life was starting to change from bad to good he felt like things were a little, incomplete.
For starters he didn't remember anything of his past, his parents, his childhood none of those memories. All he could remembered was waking up in an alley in the slums, he doesn't even know if Vacuo is his true home. The swordsman in red checked the time on his new scroll it read ten thirty in the evening.
"I don't get it...Why do I feel like my life is not complete? Why do I feel like there's something missing?" Lloyd sighed deciding to take a shower before changing to his sleeping clothes and finally take a rest.
After all tomorrow, was another day.
To be continued
-Second chapter finally done and its about Lloyd's life in Vacuo. Don't worry let's just say he wont be staying for too long.
-Razor Scale semblance acid spit its actually based on Reptile's attack from Mortal Kombat. I just thought he's a lizard faunus might as well give that for a semblance lol.
-Now I'm off to write the next chapter I'm super excited because it will be about a certain" long haired swordsman" from one of my favorite Tales games. I have a feeling you readers will like it because I'm going to be introducing "a certain character" way earlier than usual. Nope not telling who.
-I wanted to include Sun in the chapter because Vacuo is his home and also the story is taking place many months before the events of volume 1. I also wanted to make him Lloyd's buddy.
-I'm going to take this time to give more specifications regarding stories I will not allow in my community "No Yuri No Yaoi" asides from yuri pairings and yaoi pairings, they are as follow:
a. OOC stories- it means (out of character) I don't like them especially when there's too much of it.
b. Dark stories- stories where Ruby is betrayed by her team and friends and she becomes a psychotic rampaging bitch that wants revenge. The same goes for Jaune getting betray by his team and he dies but returns and wants revenge. You get it too much OOC it sickens me.
c. Futa stories (I'd rather shave my balls than read one).
d. Rosewick stories- no please no. Any story with the pairing Ruby/Torchwick because it equals to rape because Ruby's 15 and he's like 30 something.
e. Ruby/Ozpin- same as Rosewick but maybe Ozpin is way older since fan theories say he could be hundreds of years old something like that.
That will be all.
-As always thank you very much for the favs, follows and reviews I really appreciate it.
Next time: Finding his calling