Chapter 60

The blade cut deep into the neck of the bat-like Grimm as it fell to the floor in defeat. Blake gave out a sigh of exhaustion as she turned back to the others, they were as tired as she was but there would be no rest. They had to keep moving. A snap of wood came from behind as she spun on her heel to face the disturbance. She was startled to see that a thick branch was coming straight towards her as she used her semblance to avoid it; a clone taking the hit and vanishing. Golden eyes glared up to where the branch had come from, the one-eyed Grimm that had been stalking them was clinging high upon a tree further ahead and she watched as it seemed to focus its gaze upon her. In frustration Blake pulled back her arm and hurled Gambol Shroud towards the beast as a black ribbon trailed in its wake. In response the Grimm flew from its perch as it dug its claws into another tree; its eye seemed to watch as Gambol Shroud struck where it once was before being pulled back towards its wielder. As a result the creature landed its gaze back upon Blake once more as she gripped her weapon tightly in her hand. She hesitated before pressing forward, the others following behind.

They passed the Grimm as it watched them from above; though its gaze shifted to Weiss who walked at the back of the group. The silver-white haired woman met the creature's stare with cold blue eyes. She knew exactly what it was doing: Learning. It had seen their prowess in combat; Neo's semblance and Blake's semblance, and now also how her weapon functioned. Weiss and Yang were the only two that were still unknown to it and she promised to forever remain the variable. She watched as its long slender tail coiled around a branch before snapping it and hurling it towards her. As if without effort she side-stepped the branch as it hit the floor; bouncing into a nearby bush as she continued on after the others like nothing had happened.

The burning eye of the Grimm only seemed to grow more intense as it lowered its head slightly as if it was trying to look closer. But even if Weiss managed to hide her semblance completely from the creature there was still their fatigue to consider. They were all suffering the consequences of constant battle with no food or water. Weiss herself had started to suffer from headaches that only grew more intense as time went on. If they were going to perish at the hands of this creature then she would ensure it was not because it outsmarted them.

As they continued they noticed that the ground was indeed becoming more stable and the trees were starting to become sparser. As a result fighting off the bat-like creatures became easier as they had less shadows to conceal them and the group's footing became more sure with the lack of muddy puddles and fallen branches to step in and fall over.

Their hopes were renewed as the gleaming sun shined down upon them through an opening in the trees ahead. They pressed on with an urgency as they climbed the small hill; their feet slipping against the wet mud as if the land itself was trying to pull them back towards the trials of the swamp. But with a sure grip on roots and dug in heels they made it up the hill and out into the open. Clothes muddy, weapons worn, and with panting breaths they finally stood looking out into the distance where they could see that the hill sloped down into a small valley. Ahead there appeared to be a village and beyond it a forest.

The heavy beat of wings came from above as shadows flew of them. In shock the four turned to see the large alpha as it flew through the sky, veering off towards the north-east accompanied by a swarm of its smaller brethren. Weiss narrowed her eyes, "Are they just... Leaving?"

"I'm not complaining..." Yang panted as she leaned forward with her hands on her knees.

Weiss didn't like it. That alpha was intelligent so for it to suddenly abandon them and fly away... It unnerved her. It served a purpose and not knowing that purpose became a source of frustration. "We should keep moving towards that village, I don't-" Weiss paused in pain as she held her hand to her head; the headache pulsed harder. Neo came to her side with concern as she wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Blake turned to regard Weiss, "Is it getting worse?"

Weiss nodded in silence as Yang stood up straight and took the lead, "Let's keep going then, it's not too far."

Neo continued to hold her arm around Weiss as she helped her make the journey. The four girls were glad to have more solid ground beneath their feet as they descended from the hill. The further down they got the longer the grass became; eventually reaching up to their knees as they pushed through. Much to their annoyance however, the long grass came with wet and muddy soil. Anima was quickly beginning to seem like a very damp place, but they trudged on despite the terrain as before them and forever in sight was the small village that grew closer with each step. The sun ascended higher into the sky as it warmed the group, there were small white clouds dotting the blue above and a gentle gust of wind brushed across the long grass and gave it the appearance of waves, it was like a calm temperate sea of green.

As they drew closer towards the village they noticed figures moving about within, and faint voices. The grass grew shorter as they neared and a figure paused as it turned to them. Shortly after, a yell was heard and more figures appeared; moving out from the village and approaching towards them. They had weapons and seemed cautious.

Yang kept her lilac eyes upon the approaching men, "Let's hope they don't mind guests..."

The group stood to a halt as the guards came into view; they donned simple armour and weapons as they paused in front of them. One guard in particular came forward. At first he seemed a little confused as he noticed their attire and weapons, "...Hunters?"

Blake took a step forward, "Yes. We crashed on our way to Mistral, can you help us?" Blake's voice was firm and held an authority as if she was just playing the part. Of course they weren't actual huntress', they hadn't graduated, but the guards didn't know that.

The guards looked to one another before the captain motioned with his hand for one of them to return to the village. The Captain looked back to the group, "Of course, your kind are always welcome here. Please, follow me, you look weary."

The remaining guards formed a secure perimeter around the group as the captain led them back towards the village. The guard that had ran ahead had already reached it. The closer they drew the sooner they realised the condition of the village itself. The buildings were old and appeared to have suffered some damage over time. The roads were just mud tracks that were often walked by the populace and as they entered the town itself the four quickly noticed just how popular they were. People were emerging from their houses, but it was not with excitement they appeared: It was hope. Weiss glanced around as they continued through narrow paths between old buildings. This place... The guards, the condition it was all in. All of it pointed towards what she had heard about Mistral. The village was abandoned by its own kingdom.

A larger building stood before the group; it was made of stone and wood and the door was already open. The guards split off from the escort as the Captain paused to turn towards the four, stepping aside and gesturing for them to enter,"Your journey can't have been easy. If you require food or medical attention you will find it in here. The village elder will be by shortly, he'll want to speak to you all and I urge that you wait for him to arrive before departing."

Blake looked to the Captain who smiled back at her in polite fashion, "Thank you, we appreciate it." Blake smiled in return.

The Captain lowered his head slightly, "No, please, the appreciation is on our part." With that the man departed to likely attend to his other tasks. Yang watched as he left and took note of even more citizens appearing from behind corners and buildings to look upon the four. The other three entered the building as she lingered outside for a moment, turning her head as something caught her eye. A building with an axe and a hammer attached to two of its posts with an anvil sign above the door; it was a blacksmith.

Blake glanced back as Yang eventually followed them into the building. In front of them was a round table with four chairs and a food-stacked plate along with a jug of water in the centre of the table. Yang was the first to approach the table curiously; looking to the others as she moved, "Is that for us?"

Weiss continued to hold her head in pain, "He did say we'd find food and water... So I presume yes?"

Yang quickened her pace with a hunger towards the table as she pulled out a chair for herself, sitting down upon it as she reached for the plate in the middle. The food upon it consisted of mostly meat and vegetables that were likely produced by the village itself. The blonde found herself soon accompanied by the rest of her team as they all sat down to eat. Weiss was quick to grab the glass of water in front of her and drain it of its contents. She placed it back down empty and breathed out a heavy sigh. A half-glass of water was then pushed towards her from Neo's direction. Weiss looked as she smiled at her, having only drank half of her glass and deciding to give the rest to her partner. "Neo... Are you sure?" Weiss was smitten by her caring nature as Neo nodded in confirmation.

"Aw, that's kinda sweet," Yang smirked as she turned to Blake, "Hey Blakey, can I have your water?"

"No," Blake answered bluntly as she reached towards the central plate.

Yang didn't seem too bothered by the rejection, "But I thought you liked being romantic?"

"I also like being hydrated," Blake answered before gulping down the rest of her water.

As minutes went by Weiss took note that Neo had placed some vegetables upon her plate but had not consumed them. She frowned as she reached to her plate and picked up a leaf of lettuce. "It's not so bad you know?" Weiss smiled before taking a bite from the crispy lettuce before offering the leaf back to her. Neo watched with an unsure expression; she really didn't look overly fond about the idea as she took the leaf back into her hand. Her eyes stared down at it before she hesitantly took a bite. She chewed and her expression conveyed to everyone that she really didn't like it. Despite that, she understood that she had to eat and so begrudgingly continued; much to Weiss' approval.

Eventually as the plate in the centre became empty an elderly man walked in through the door. The four looked back to him as he raised his hand in greeting. He wore a red robe and had a necklace of large green beads, his hair was grey and short and his wrinkles defined his age. The Elder's voice was hoarse as he spoke, "Greetings to you, kind hunters."

"Yo" Yang raised her hand in a wave as Blake turned to push it back down.

The Faunus sighed quietly at Yang before looking to the village elder, "Thank you sir, for taking us in and feeding us."

The man smiled, "Please, the pleasure is mine. You young girls don't seem to be from around here, will you be staying long? Not that I would want to press you onto your journey."

"We came here from Vale on our way to Mistral, but our transport..." Blake paused with a frown as she recalled the pilot's fate, "...We crashed in the swamp."

"Then it is a miracle that you all survived!" The man nodded, holding his hands together.

Yang raised her hand as to catch the man's attention, "We're actually looking for someone though, or a bunch of people actually... Have you seen any other hunters around lately?"

The man paused in thought as his eyes looked up to the ceiling. He raised his finger as he looked back to them. "Ah, yes. There was a group of four some time ago. Two boys, one with long dark hair and the other with blonde. Also with them were two young girls, one red haired and the other brunette, the latter wore a red cloak... Hard to forget something so noticeable."

Yang's eyes widened, she hadn't actually expected anyone at the village to have seen Ruby. She believed her to be on the other side of the continent in Mistral after all. "You saw her!? Where did they go!? When were they here!?" Yang stood up from her chair.

"Yang calm down," Blake turned to the blonde once again. Of course, the news was good but yelling at an old man was unlikely to get them further answers. Yang paused as she looked to Blake before slowly seating herself once more.

"And so your intentions come to light. You are looking for this group then?" The old man looked to Yang who tried to calm herself.

The blonde nodded, "Yeah, the one with the red cloak, she's my sister. Well, half-sister. If you could help us... I'd really appreciate it."

The elderly man paused in thought, "I would love nothing more than to help someone find their loved ones... But..." The man sighed deeply, "We are struggling here. My people... When they see hunters they grow hopeful that they might help ease our burden... While we have no issue with feeding travelling hunters and helping them along their way for all the hard work they do, we would be greatly appreciative if you would help us if only a little in return..."

Yang looked to the others who regarded her with consideration. After several seconds of silence she turned back to the man, "What do you guys need help with?"

The elder seemed relieved to hear that the four were willing to help as he smiled widely, "Well, from anything to aiding the reconstruction of old buildings, finding purer metals for our blacksmith, or ridding the local area of Grimm and bandits alike."

Weiss looked to Yang and Blake, "What about that flying alpha?"

"Flying alpha...? Ah..." The elderly man frowned at the words as his voice trailed off.

Blake peered suspiciously at the man, "You know something about it? It stalked us through the swamp. We'd never seen Grimm like it before."

The elder nodded slowly, "Yes, I know of it. The species you encountered are known around here as Strigoi. They are mindless creatures that strike from the sky, but the one that stalked you... It had one eye, correct?"

Yang nodded as she spoke slowly, "Yeah... It did."

"It is known as the Sire, and it has lived for generations..." The elder looked displeased as he spoke the creature's title.

"The Sire? Why hasn't anyone killed it yet?" Yang raised a brow in question to the man.

"The Sire does not rely upon strength alone. Its wit is as sharp as its claws and honed to a fine edge over the countless years it has sustained itself. Every group that pursues its head has been outwitted, made a fool of and ultimately perished by its hand. It is known to strategy and herds its own kind like an army of tooth and nail. I did not ask that your sister seek out this beast, nor will I ask it of you. But I will ask you where you last saw it as to strengthen our defences."

Weiss narrowed her eyes as she listened to the elder's words. She was right in her assumptions that the creature was old and wise, "It flew off to the north-east when we left the swamp."

"The... North-east?" The man frowned heavily, "Should your road take you to encounter that creature again, heed my words. Slouch in its presence; the Sire is a proud and narcissistic creature and has been known to take offence to those who would see themselves as above it." The man paused before regarding Weiss specifically, "You my dear have likely already offended the creature greatly with the simple presence of your refined nature. I ask that you take care especially."

"Thank you for your concern, sir," Weiss nodded in thanks yet she knew that she would sooner die than lower herself beneath the presence of Grimm.

"Well, I guess after hearing all that... We'll help rebuild some of your stuff," Yang gave her answer to the elder who smiled kindly in response.

"My thanks, good hunters. We will provide you with a place to rest for the night and should you need more food or water you need only ask. Just know that it may not be the most bountiful of feasts." The man raised a hand in farewell as he turned to leave. The four girls thanked him again as they waved at him in return.