Chapter 4: Prologue R
I was born hated by this world. Not by my parents no they loved me with all their heart. My brother did anything I asked and always had a way to make me smile.
No people like us, my kind, the Faunus were hated by the humans.
Because we looked different and nothing else. They hunted us, mislead us, killed us and used us for their own gain. But that wasn't all humans there were some that saw us as equals and treated us fairly. If only all of humanity shared this thought process maybe things would be different. Maybe my life would've turned out so much differently.
My brother and I lived normally in a small settlement run by Faunus in Mistral. We kept to ourselves and never bothered no one.
We enjoyed our days of peace and quiet. My brother and I would spend days training our bodies and talking about dreams of becoming Huntsmen. We would protect our town and continue living our way of life.
"Hey keep your guard up if its too loose then you'll lose your grip on your blade." My brother was teaching me how to use a blade this day. He had learned from our father who learned from his before him. My brother was very skilled our father said. He been teaching him since he was six. He was continuing to teaching me how to use the blade. A katana was our families weapon sharp and precise and in the right hands a deadly weapon.
We usually trained in the woods of our town settlement. The clearing was a small space but large enough for the two of us to maneuver and dodge. The trees here have multiple slash marks on them worn from constant use of us.
We clash blades, I swung from the hip with both hands but my brother easily parried it as if it was nothing. Leaving me off balanced I stumbled and turned back to face him. He stood a taller than me since I was only ten and he was fifthteen but to me he always appeared larger than life.
I pouted at him. He always like this teaching me through pain in our lessons. Well I did make it hard on him I was not an easy student always complaining at first but he saw the potential in me where I didn't.
"I know already Adam stop treating me like a kid." My voice came off higher pitched than I intended making him laugh to himself. "Ok Evie then I'll take off the training wheels." He changed posture and I knew he was serious. "Uh wait really? Because I was only jo.." I ducked from his sword sing cutting off my sentence and rolled away from him. He was a jerk but a good teacher and an awesome brother to take the time to teach me even if he seemed to take joy in freaking me out a lot.
I sharpened my focus and dashed at him swinging for his feet to get him off balanced. He took steps back but then got surprised when I went for a stab for his chest. He smiled and blocked with his blade at the same time as moving his body out the way. His blade sparking off of mine and putting his blade to my throat.
I was defeated and stared at the blade and back at him his eyes looking at me with love and mischievousness. "And that's another win for me." He took the blade from my throat and rubbed his hand in my hair. The same color as his own a deep red almost akin to blood and our eyes grey but almost shining. "I almost had you no fair." He stopped and sheathed his blade. "You almost did you're definitely better than when you first started but still go a long ways to go. Don't worry you'll a fine swordswoman yet the finest of them all." I blushed from his praise. He can be nice when he put his heart in it.
We travel back to the town and head back home. Once inside we see our father a large man with black hair who if you saw us all together you wouldn't believe we were his children.
He was a man with distinct features that we didn't have. He had a muscular frame and a tall man at 6'8. I guess Adam has his height he was already 5'10 at fifthteen. I was tall too for my age 5'1 I used to get made fun of for my height but when you know how to throw a punch or two the teasing usually stops.
Our father greeted us with a bow. He was in the kitchen drinking his tea as he usually do when he was home. We put our blades by the door where we usually left them upon coming home.
"Hello father how was patrol today?" My eyes with bright innocence wanting to hear about his day.
With a chuckle he looked at and spoke with a voice full of deep baritone.
"The day was without any major incidents my young stream. The Grimm have grown thin it seems and we only encountered two today which we put down with no problem. But you two don't want to hear about something so boring. Now tell me Adam how is Evie's training going?" He shifted to look at Adam.
Adam grabbed an apple out the fruit bowl and began eating it and sat on the kitchen counter top. "It goes well father. She improves everyday her aura has become second nature to use now. I think she'll be better than me at this rate." He laughs and looks at me.
"W-w-w-whaa? I'm not that great. I mean I still got a long way to go. I still haven't beaten you in a sparring match once."
Our father smiles as we continue to bicker at each other. "Evie it's not important that you beat him but that you learn from the experience. You two are both well talented and beyond me in skill when I was both of your ages. I have no doubt you both will surpass me and go farther than I ever did."
We smiled then heard a voice come from the doorway. "I hope that's not my rebellious son sitting on my kitchen counter again?"
Adam gulped down his apple and turn to face the woman who spoke.
Our mother was the one we took after the most. We had her red hair, her face shape and slim figure. People always said I was her twin and Adam was her as a boy. But when he would hear the funny enough Adam would make a pout that made him look like father.
Adam jumped off the counter and scratched the back of his head. "Of course not mother that would be rude. Especially after you told me countless time that I shouldn't.. OW."
A crack was heard of flesh meeting wooden spoon as mother hit his head with the one in her hand.
"And of course this mother will always be here to teach him should he keeps forgetting. Such a forgetful wonderful son I have." Her smile appeared sweet but we both knew we should not test her just because she was 5' had a fierce iron grip of rules we had to follow or else we get a good tongue lashing of how we can better.
Adam was rubbing his head where she hit him and smiling. Dad was letting out a heartful laugh and I held in a chuckle knowing if I laughed at my brother mom would probably turn on me and callout the last time I didn't listen to her.
Later that evening I was in my room I hear a knock on my door. I open the door and it's Adam putting a finger to his lip so I stay quiet.
"Hey come on follow me." He was in his outdoor attire and after he left I changed my clothes as well. I walk into the hall and see him down the hall at the window waving his hand at me.
"What are you doing Adam? Mom isn't going to like that we are sneaking out to do whatever." He smiled and grabbed me by the waist.
"Come on Evie don't be so scared of mom so much and besides the sky is clear tonight sooo….." He carried me out with him out the window and we jumped to a nearby tree branch where he jumped to the roof of our house and he let me down.
I looked up and saw so many stars in the sky. Filling the sky with them was the shattered moon in all its glory beautiful to just see it in this light.
"...Why not enjoy the night sky for a bit runt. Can't just be all work and training with no play." We sat there for what seemed like hours. Just the two of us what seemed like it can last forever but destiny has never been one known for her kindness.
We soon heard gunfire and people screaming at the edge of town and the warning bells being rung. We jumped up and looked over in that direction. All we could make out was an pillar of smoke and small flashes which must've been gunfire.
We heard our front door slam open and saw our father sword in hand rushing out.
"Father what's happening?" He looked up and saw us both. "You two stay here and protect your mother."
Adam opened his mouth to protest. "But Father!?" He gazed his eyes at his eldest child. "That's an order Adam stay here." With that he started running off to the fire fight. Adam jumped off the roof and landed at the front door. He went inside briefly and came back out with his own blade.
"Adam what are you doing dad said…" He looked at me with worry in his eyes. I know how he was. He wasn't the type to listen always rushing off to do his own thing like that time he went off to hunt those Beowulfs that was near the town to prove to dad he was ready to join the city guard.
"You stay here and keep mom safe I'm going to help father I'm not a little kid anymore he can't keep trying to protect me." Adam headed out after dad and into whatever was happening.
Mom came outside still in her evening wear as I jumped off the roof and landed next to her. She grabbed hold of my hand holding on for what seemed like dear life. "Honey leave it to your father and brother. Please don't follow after them." I could hear the pain in her voice it was more than usual whenever father would go out scouting for days on end and we had to wait for him to come back home.
More explosions occurred and the screams got closer it seemed. I grabbed my blade and went upstairs pulling mom with me. We ran into my room and locked the door.
"We should be safe here but I can't protect you in these." I gesture to myself in my night attire and quickly strip and throw on my combat gear father had made for me. Much to mother's surprise.
"When did your father have this commissioned?"
"He had it made for me a month ago and hide it in the woods and gave it to me. Don't be mad at him mom he had it made for this reason exactly."
She clearly was hurt about this secret but didn't see the point of arguing about it.
We hear the door downstairs slam open and hear someone yelling.
"Evie! Mom!" It was Adam's voice shouting for us. I finished putting on my gear and strap my sword on my waist. I open the door with mother behind me as we make it downstairs.
Once downstairs we see Adam bleeding from his side his hand trying to stop the bleeding from continuing. Mom ran to his aid as he slumped down to the floor.
"Thank the Gods you two are ok."
I look at him as his face strained his aura already beginning to heal him but slowly. Mom ripped her dress and started dressing his wound. "What's happening Adam? Where's your father?"
Adam seemed to lose focus and I put my hand on his shoulder to keep him awake and not pass out. He lets out a groan as mom tightens the wrap to make sure the blood stops flowing out. "Ugh dad is still with the others holding them off seems like there's more than we thought."
"Who is it? Who's attacking us?" Adam looks at the wo of us and there was something in his eyes something I never noticed but must've always been there now that I think back to it. Maybe it wasn't this incident that caused it maybe his heart was tired of the racism we faced everyday whenever we tried making trade or came across travelers. When we came across humans.
"Bandits...human bandits." He growled out as mom and I looked at each other.
Before we can reply another figure appeared through the door. He stank of alcohol and gunpowder and his clothes were dark colors and he seemed to be missing a few front teeth but without a doubt this human was a bandit as he brandished his blade at us.
"So the little mutt ran back home. I got to say nice place you got set up here i'll just be taking whatever valuables you got laying around here." He looks at us eyeing the hall looking for anything of value before he settles on me and Adam.
"Hmmm nice looking blades you two got there would fetch a pretty price somewhere. I'm in a generous mood so give me those blades and i'll let you all go." He offered with his hand extended.
Our mother moved in front of us in order to protect us.
"Leave now there is nothing here we will give you." He looked annoyed and pointed his blade at her. "I don't think you are understanding the situation here you dumb animal. I'm the one here making demands so give me WHAT I WANT."
What happened next seemed to move in slow motion he pulled back his hand with his blade and went downwards. I was too busy keeping Adam safe to react in time and Adam was delirious from blood loss before it happened. Mom dropped to her knees clutching her chest and laid there sprawled on the floor. What snapped us back into reality was laughter.
"Hahaha dying like a true animal never made sense why you freaks just won't understand simple commands. Now where were we?" He looked at us but his face dropped upon looking at us.
I don't know what face I made but I felt hot. Hotter than the hottest days of summer in town when the sun was at its highest. I looked down at mother her body unmoving a red pool coming out from her. I heard Adam get up his eye full of tears and his red hair glowing brightly. I saw his face glowing red as well from what it seems. No more like a light was also flashing from his face. I look in the mirror next to us and I was glowing too but even more brighter than Adam was. The heat I felt in my entire being still surging wanting to be released and we looked upon the man who just striked our mother down.
He let out a whimper as we charged at him at the same time staining our outside steps in a red pool as a hand dropped out from the door.
We went to check on mom and turned her over. The cut was deep and she was breathing slowly it seemed. "We gotta get her some help. We got to do something! Adam!" I had tears in my eyes as they flowed down my cheeks into the blood that was now splattered in my face from cutting down her attacker with Adam.
He looked at me with sadness as he looked at the floor and I followed his gaze. She had lost so much blood that I didn't even realize. I didn't want to believe it and hoped it wasn't true. We heard footsteps coming from the door. Adam turned first with blade in hand and I turned as well to see father. Clothes soaked in blood some his own some others. He had what seemed like a claw mark across his cheek and his right thigh. He looked across the room from Adam to me to mom. He ran to her side cradling her head.
"No no no no no not like this Aleckks honey please…" Me and Adam remained silent as our father broke into a soft sob over mother. Her hand slowly reached up and caressed his face. He inhaled sharply as she opened her eyes loosely.
"Ben is that you?" Dad grabbed her hand. "Yes dear it's me everything will me alright I promise."
Her gaze was distant and her voice was weak. "I can see such beautiful lights like that night you remember don't you?" He nodded his head. "Of course dear how could I forget the festival was something you was looking forward to with the fireworks." She smiled and looked at me and Adam.
"My beautiful children….remember you are my greatest joy…" With that last word her hand dropped and went lifeless. Our father wailed loudly roaring into the night. Adam covered his face holding in his tears as they fell. I stood there in disbelief as pain gripped my heart. My mother is dead gone from this world a light in mine taken from me. Despair took hold and when it did I heard the howl of nightmares. With all the chaos and gunfire still going on from the town defenders fighting off the bandits it generated enough negative emotions to draw them here.
The creatures of Grimm…
Father closed her eyes and laid her hand on her chest. He looked at us and walked outside and saw all the chaos that was happening people were running in fear of their lives and the Grimm were clawing down villager and bandit alike. Adam and I picked up our swords. I was in so much pain everything I loved was burning and under attack I wanted to go defend it all and kill the bandits while i'm at it. Adam still clutching his side but had his blade in his hand.
"We gotta go out there and finish this!" Our father took a deep breath and turned to look at us. "No you two need to leave now." He said in a calm voice.
We looked at him in shock he was telling us to run but he said only us two but that would mean… "What do you mean dad they killed mom attacked our village and caused the Grimm to come here. People are dying and you're telling us to run?!" Adam protested I was about to protest too but Dad had a sorrowful look in his face. That shut Adam up instantly and kept me from speaking.
"Yes because this town is lost thanks to the bandits. They have taken the love of my life from me but they will not take my last two reasons for living as well." His voice was pained as if he strained his voice filled with a mix of anger, sadness and mourning.
"But Dad we can help you me and Adam you can't think we are going to run while you do what exactly?" He looked at me with a smile. He walked to Adam and whispered something in his ear that changed his facial expression. Then walked to me and patted my head and took a knee. Wiping the blood off my face that was still there. "To have killed someone at such an age is not the life I wanted for you but you have to be strong now. Not for me or your mother but for yourself. Look out for your each other. Always remember…" He brushed my hair that flopped down over my eyes so he can get a good look at me. My silver eye shining in the moonlight. "...You are loved my young stream. Soon you will become a raging river."
Soon after him saying that I felt a pain in my stomach as I looked down and saw his fist there. Everything was going dark and the last thing I saw was how my father face looked full of pain and remorse.
I woke up in bed later unknown to my surroundings. I jumped out of the sheets startling the person next to my bed. A large woman looking down at me trying to keep me in bed. She introduced herself as Maria Rosa it seems we stumbled upon her by chance in this nearby town that's two days away by normal travel. It seems from what she can tell me Adam carried me here running nonstop and I was unconscious for three days after we were taken care of. We both were in need of dire emergency care. Adam had ran the whole way here through the night and most of the day. He was in the bed next to me still asleep. She told me to stay in bed and left the room.
I looked over at him and he opened his eyes faking being asleep. He turned over not looking at me. I try to say something but my voice is hoarse and dry. I keep trying until I regain my voice after sleeping for so long.
"A-a-adam….Adam." I call him and he continues not facing me. We've lost everything mother gone and father stayed behind I don't know what happened after he knocked me out but Adam was all I had left. He felt so far away when he was so close it was frightening.
"I'm sorry…" He finally speaks up. I turn to him but he's still looking away. "I did what he told me. I to do. All that mattered was getting you to safety." His voice tired and exhausted.
"They went to the village. They found him…." By "him" he must of meant…
"Where was he?" No hope in my voice. He finally turned over to me looking in my eyes telling me of our father's fate.
"He was in the courtyard of the village. Among his body laid before him twenty dead bandits. Heh he didn't even have a single wound on his back he faced all his opponents head-on. Like a true warrior…...dumb old man." Tears drop out his eyes as my vision gets blurry feeling the tears come as well. "Yea he always said wounds on the back are signs of cowardice." He laughs and go on his back looking at the ceiling.
"We're alone in this world now Evie. Just you and me." I look over at him as he is lost in his train of thought. I wondered what he was thinking but he must've been already plotting his revenge on this world.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Maria Rosa had taken us back to her home in Mistral she ran an orphanage. Where children of all ages stayed they all had different reasons for being there. Abandoned, families murdered or just lost the youngest was a few months old and the oldest was eighteen. I got along with everyone but Adam seemed distant and was always training and keeping everyone out of trouble. He did seem hesitant around the human children. More angry most days and I never knew these days wouldn't last.
One day while we were training in the yard of the orphanage. A man stopped by he was tall dark skin tone and had white hair with leopard ears. He stopped and watched us as we crossed blades honing our skills. For hours he watched and when we were done he walked up to us and was impressed.
"Those are truly fine skills for a young man and a girl so young. What are you two doing here?" Adam pulled me behind him and glared at the man.
"What's it to you?" The man laughed at Adams remark.
"You have fine eyes boy a warrior's eyes. You two shouldn't be here in this place wallowing. You should be making a difference for our people." The man said with confidence. I didn't buy what he was selling but Adam seemed interested.
"And how do you think we do that?" Adam asked the man and he smiled in response. "You protect of course the ones who can't fight for themselves."
Adam eyes brightened and was truly interested in the man words as Maria came outside and the man introduced himself.
He was a member of the White Fang and was recruiting Faunus to protest and join up within their ranks to get equality. Maria turned him down saying all the children Faunus has been through enough already but Adam stepped up.
"I'll join you." The man seemed surprised and I was worried and stepped up to. "I'll join too."
Adam looked back at me with pain in his eyes and knelt down to me. "No Evie you're not I'm going to join and try and change this world not only for us but all Faunus."
"So what I can fight too. Probably better than most adults." Adam still shook his head. "No dad told me to protect you and give you a normal life. Here in this place has helped you a lot already. I never felt right here anyway but just because I'm leaving doesn't mean we will be apart for long." He grabbed his sword and held it in front of me. I knew immediately what he was doing.
"I swear on this sword that I will protect you with my life. You're the last of my family you deserve happiness in your life." I started to cry once he did that. Swearing such a oath was tradition in our village and oaths are binding. "But what if you die? I'll be all alone."
He hugged me and patted my head. "You are never alone and look at Maria and the kids here you have a new family now." He smiled and I dried my eyes. "Be strong for your big brother ok?"
"Ok brother. I love you…" He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "And I love you little stream." Using my old nickname as he stood up and turned to the man. As they started to walk away I never would've realized that would be that last time I saw the kind hearted brother I grew up with.
Two years passed and the world had changed. I was growing up and nothing was the same. Kids I had grown up with either got adopted or left on their own but there was so many orphans coming in constantly we were always full. I heard tales that the White Fang had turned violent and their actions actually started having an effect but for the wrong reasons.
Violence is never the answer and now a new hate was born by the humans one out of fear. That wouldn't lead to equality and the one person on my mind was Adam how he was. He used to send me letters telling me of how it was the training with the white haired man and then soon after they turned into a more violent organization the letters stopped.
There was a White Fang rally happening in Mistral and I always knew what I had to do. "You wanted normal for me Adam? Well I don't do normal unless its with a sword in my hand." I grabbed my blade and ran out leaving my second home goodbye.
The rally was exciting and loud. The man on stage was yelling talking about how the humans has treated us thinking they were better than us. How we had to stop asking for equality but take it with our own hands. I saw all the White Fang members had on masks that looked like Grimm masks. Probably to keep their identities safe. As I pressed my way to the front I bumped into someone. I looked at the person and it was a boy my age it seemed or maybe younger I couldn't tell because he also had on a mask. Was he a member too? His mask was different it was black with a blue claw scratch on the front covering his whole face.
"Uh sorry kinda in a rush." He looked at me up and down and pointed at the sword at my hip. I looked down confused and looked back at him. "Uhhh can I help…"
"Tighten up your sword to your hip. That way it makes less noise when you move and your draw speed gets faster." And with that he walks away his wolf ears on the top of his head twitching slightly probably due to the noise happening around us.
I wondered who that person was but I continue to a White Fang member and tell him I want to join. I won't be left behind by Adam anymore. I have one last thought before anything else.
"I think I might have to do something about my hair…."