RWBY: Son of Salem

Marek's POV

I woke up as someone gently pushed my shoulder.

"Wake up, sleepy head!" Nora shouted before pushing me out of the tree.

I fell into the dirt and quickly climbed to my feet.

Ruby was giggling as Nora was bursting with laughter.

"Wake me up like that again and I will hurt you." I told the orange haired girl.

"I'd like to see you try." the girl said between laughs.

"That can't be comfortable." Ren said as he walked over.

"Being pushed out of a tree usually isn't." I said as I brushed myself off.

"I mean sleeping in a tree." he replied.

"Oh, well I don't mind it."

"We should get moving." Pyrrha said, glancing behind her. "The sooner we get going, the better."

"She's right." Ruby agreed.

We walked onto the trail and started to follow it as Ruby pulled out the map.

"The next village is...huh...uh...we're lost."

"We're not lost!" Jaune said, walking up the the scythe wielder. "The next town is Shion. My family used to visit it all the time."

"Oh, yeah! Don't you have, like, 4 sisters?" Ruby asked.

"Uh...seven." Jaune replied.

"Y'know, that actually explains a lot." Nora said.

There was a moment of silence. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"SO, what did you guys do there?" Ruby asked.

Jaune joined the girl and started to point at the map.

I smiled before looking down.

"You ok?" Pyrrha asked.

"Huh?" I glanced up at the spartan themed girl. "Oh, y-yeah! Why do you ask?"

"You haven't been yourself lately." she replied. "Is something wrong?"

"I just...I don't know." I shrugged. "I just have this feeling..."

"Feeling?"

"It started a few days after I woke up at Ruby's home." I replied. "This gnawing feeling that I may have made a huge mistake."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure." I admitted. "It could be nothing."

"Don't ignore it." Pyrrha said.

"I won't."

I looked forward and saw a burnt down village.

I ran passed the others as I drew my weapon from my back.

"Look for survivors!" Jaune yelled as I started looking for whoever or whatever did this.

"Over here!" Ren yelled.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw him rush towards an injured huntsman.

I kept a lookout for any signs of a threat.

I couldn't hear what the others were saying as I scanned the burned down and collapsing buildings.

"How is he?" I yelled behind me.

Ren walked passed me as Nora followed. He stopped and stared at the ground as I walked next to him, following his gaze. Some sort of footprint was in the dirt. It was much larger than anything I've seen.

"What...did this?" I bent down and stared at it.

"We need to go." Ren said as he continued towards the exit of the village.

I stood up and followed as Pyrrha and the others did the same.

A few hours later

"We should stop and get some rest." Ruby said as she walked into a small clearing, laying out her sleeping bag.

"Agreed." Pyrrha said with a nod as she did the same, followed by Nora, Jaune and Ren.

I walked to a nearby tree and started to climb it.

"Again?" Ruby asked.

"Yup." I said as I climbed higher.

"Don't break a leg!" Nora shouted.

"I'll...keep that in mind."

I reached the top branches and held onto the tree, gazing down to search for any nearby Grimm.

Once I was satisfied, I started to make my descent, laying down on the lowest branch.

Closing my eyes, I drifted to sleep.

Mist's POV

We walked into a village and started our way to the Inn.

We walked inside and towards the bar.

"We're...looking for someone." Tyrian told the bartender with a chuckle.

"We get a lot of people coming through here." the bartender replied. "I don't know if I'll be much help."

"We're searching for a small group of people." I told him. "Maybe 5 or less?"

"A group came through a few days ago." the bartender shrugged. "I can't remember where they're heading, though. I think...Shion, but I can't be certain."

"Thanks for help." I growled as we left the Inn.

"Why don't we just burn this place to the ground?" Tyrian asked with a maniacal laugh.

"That's not why we're here." I reminded the bloodthirsty man. "We're here to find my lazy excuse of a brother."

Tyrian sighed. "You're no fun."

Marek's POV

I slowly opened my eyes as I heard footsteps crunching through dry leaves and grass.

I quickly sat up, alert. I grabbed my weapon and lowered myself out of the tree, following the footsteps, making as little noise as possible.

I saw the person responsible for the noise, standing by a tree, peeking behind a tree.

Sighing with relief, I put my weapon on my back and slowly approached the girl.

"What are you-" I cut myself off as Ruby turned and pressed her finger to her lips.

"Alright, Jaune," I heard Pyrrha say. "just like we practiced."

I walked up behind the girl and peeked over her shoulder, seeing Pyrrha and Jaune standing in a small opening.

"Shield up." Pyrrha told the blonde. "Keep your grip tight. Don't forget to keep your front foot forward."

Jaune did what Pyrrha said.

"Ready?" Pyrrha watched the boy. "Go!"

Jaune stabbed the air and stayed still for a second.

"Again."

Jaune slashed forward as he took a step towards Pyrrha.

"And again."

Jaune turned around and swung before standing up, taking small quick breaths. He slowed his breathing as he turned to Pyrrha with a smile.

"Well done." she said to him.

"Pyrrha." Jaune said softly. "I'm...glad you're here."

She smiled as she stepped towards him. "I won't go anywhere."

They shared a kiss and I couldn't help but smile.

I walked away and returned to the tree, climbing into it and falling asleep.

A few hours later

I felt someone gently push my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes as I saw Ruby with a soft smile, pushing my shoulder.

"It's time to get up." she said softly as I yawned.

I swung off the branch and landed on my feet. I stretched and popped my neck as I turned to the girl.

"Another long day, huh?" I asked her. She replied with a nod. "Let's get moving then."

Nora was the last to wake up as she yawned. She jumped to her feet and spun around, staring at the tree I was sleeping in moments earlier. She saw I was gone and pouted.

"I wanted to wake him up."

"I prefer a much...nicer approach." I told her. "Instead of being pushed to the ground."

Mist's POV

Each second I spent with this lunatic made me hate him more and more.

He chuckled none stop as we made our way to the next village after we found Shion in ashes.

"Will you shut up?!" I snarled.

"I'm just excited to be able to tear that silver-eyed girl apart!" Tyrian replied with a maniacal laugh.

"I don't care!" I told him. "I will sow your fucking mouth shut if you don't shut up!"

"Such language." Tyrian said with sarcasm.

I plunged my blade into the ground, inches from his foot. He just glanced at the blade before looking at me with a smirk. "You missed."

I barred my teeth as I glared at him. "Next time I won't!"

"Looking forward to it." he said as he walked ahead of me.

I yanked my weapon out of the ground and placed it on my back.

"You best hope my mother doesn't put us on the same assignment again!"

Marek's POV, hours later

"The next village is Hee...gan...bay...na?" Ruby said as she stared at the map.

"Higanbana." Ren said. "It's a well-protected village with a popular Inn."

"Which means no camping in the rain!" Nora added.

"Good." I popped my back. "I'm tired of sleeping outside."

"Ditto." Pyrrha said with a nod.

"We've had a lot of ups and down but it could be worse." Jaune said with a shrug. "I thought we would see more Grimm."

"As did I." Ren said.

"Looks like our luck is turning around." Nora said. "To Higanbana!"

An hour later

We arrived to the village and walked through the entrance, heading straight for the Inn.

Ruby got us our seperate rooms. I took my key and headed straight for my room.

I walked inside, laid my weapon against the dresser and fell into the bed, staring at the ceiling.

End of chapter 21