Author's Note:
Sorry if this chapter was rather late, I was in the middle of moving, and lacked access to a computer to upload. So I've finished up this chapter, and will be releasing the next one sometime toward the end of the week. This chapter will be a little different from the previous ones, mainly switching the point of view of the story,]. It should be obvious in the chapter. Hopefully you'll find it acceptable. This chapter is also longer than what the average should be. Since this is transitioning to Beacon, the chapters will be a little more episodic and skip around less than before.
Again thanks for the reviews and follows, please read and enjoy...
Chapter Nine: Sauerkraut
Damn it Qrow! Why the hell did he think this was a good idea?
Little bastard dragged me along to this…what's it called? Dusk till Dawn? Said they had some good quality Dust we could…borrow. But by the time we arrived, someone was already working on it. Qrow had decided that maybe we could get a reward for finding them and after a brief sibling meeting, he called the police.
It was supposed to be simple, easy peasy but noooo. My dunderhead of a brother has to leave his new Scroll without vibrate alerting these dumb mooks.
Move left.
Attack.
Not dead…good don't want to have any trouble. Our mission might have some issues if we get a criminal record within the city. I exchanged blows with one of the tougher mooks, a tall pale man standing a head taller than me. He growled as I gave him a cocky smirk. He roared and went on the attack…
Easily manipulated fool…
I disarmed him easily and then struck him with the dull end of my sword bringing his aura to zero and knocking him out. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt before he could crack his skull open on the hard floor. I heard sirens and a one hand slashed with blade knocked out the last mook.
"Hope we don't get in trouble sis. I really don't want to deal with a bunch of dumb cops." My sibling butted in, as he formed a pile out of the various criminals. I nodded and cocked my head hearing the familiar click of heavy boots of a Huntsmen I had met once before.
"Hmm…I see you're still a bit of a trouble maker Miss Branwen." Raven grimaced as the 6'2 uniformed Huntsmen spoke up with a smirk on his face. He was a former military man of darker skin tone and the current combat teacher of Beacon Academy. He wore blue and whites that denoted his Atlas origins, thought there small little burst of creativity in the design that told her he was taking Vale's more…liberal culture to heart.
Two guns were hung onto his belt, looking for all the world like a conventional military firearm if you didn't look closely enough.
But I knew better, his rifle had a very useful blade mode that could cut through most anything. His other weapon was more alien in design and a part of me wished I had been able to pilfer the weapon when I still had the chance.
Probably for the best. A good chance any success would lead to my death by boot to the face. This man was a frighteningly strong and experienced Huntsmen, the moment I tried to fight him he dropped my aura from 100% to zero in only dozen strikes.
"Hello Avery." The man chuckled and I bristled at how easily he waved me off as a non-threat. It hurt to say but it wasn't like he wasn't right. His aura reserves were over four times greater than my own and his speed and power was ludicrously above my own.
"You should really have more respect for your elders kid." I mulled it over and shrugged cooly. That facade ended quickly as I scrambled to keep my defeated opponent from falling.
"Nice going Rae."
"Shut up Qrow…" I bit out a growl and placed the still knocked out man on the floor with the rest of his friends.
I turned from my idiot brother to the teacher, my feet impatiently tapping the floor. "Now after some research I know there's a reward of about 15000 Lien for these men. Collectible by anyone."
"Well everyone has to eat I guess." The man mumbled and he waved a confused policies liaison. I held a grin back as the stack of plastic was passed into my hands and stored it in my handbag. I sheathed my blade as the danger fully passed, the police actually doing their jobs for once.
"This will do nicely…" That should hold us up for a week or two until we enter Beacon.
Avery eyes my blade with interest. "I see you've built that Dust blade you told me about. That aural steel must have come in handy. Now you only need a single more durable blade for your weapon."
"Of course…and this blade is nearly indestructible, only needing a periodic sharpening every few years or so." My eyes widened at the slip of information and I shut my mouth again.
"You're that Huntsmen from a while back right? I still have to thank you for bringing Raven back to me. It's pretty weird for an elite like you to help out some orphans."
"No problem, your sister must be a real handful huh?" I growled as the two men conversed over me.
"Yep."
"I will slit both of your throats if you two don't shut up!" They ignored me and I felt frustration build up.
"Names Qrow Branwen."
"Avery John—err Jonquil." My eyebrows furrowed at his mistake but thought nothing of it. It's none of my business and I could care less. Now as for my brother…
"Little brother?"
"Yeah?"
POWW.
"Fucking OWW! What was that for!"
"For being a moron Qrow. For being a moron…"
(My POV)
I nervously fidgeted as the bullhead shook. I was surrounded on all sides by a multitude of the various students attending Initiation. My nerves were at an all time high for once. Thankfully that nervous energy was tempered by Taiyang to my left and Umber to my right. My two oldest friends outside of my sister.
After six long years…I was finally here. I would become a Huntress. So I would be strong to survive in a deathworld where only the best can survive. In whatever respect that may mean.
Not like I have to stay a Huntress forever, just slaughter Grimm(and people) for a decade then I can retire in relative peace. I would probably keep training so I don't get weak though. Maybe I can find a more science(alchemy) related career? I do have a few degrees…
Might be thinking too far ahead on that however.
"Yikes your clingy." I sulked at the bemusement Umber was clearly feeling and did my best to stop a pout from forming on my face. I still have some pride damn it. Not manly pride mind you, just no pouts. Even if I can get free food with it. "~But Tai doesn't seem to mind~" Umber practically sung and I swatted her forearm in retaliation.
Stupid…shipping rabbit. You don't see me teasing you about Cassin…who's sitting to your right by the way. And to his right, there's Jayleen that sexy blonde goddess.
…
…
Don't judge me, all my friends are insanely attractive it's not my fault! It does not help that all my female friends like to tease me about it. So does Taiyang and Cassin doesn't cus the big lugs too shy for it.
Jayleen's a damn minx…
Ahem.
Anywho, the bullhead was a little crowded with potential students and I leaned back from my slouch as I felt someone try to bore a hole in the back of my head. A short swivel of my head was enough to find whoever it was in my vicinity.
My surprised silver eyes met with brilliant scarlet eyes. Beautiful eyes to complement a long and luxurious set of dark as night hair.
R-Raven?
Ohhh.
She looks…
She gave me an angry glare and I broke eye contact, nonchalantly whistling in feigned ignorance.
"Better luck next time am I right Summer?"
Shut up Tai. Or I'll use you in a scheme to get her jealous that will horribly backfire because sitcom people are mentally regressed mouth breathers. My mouth curled as another more recent event played back in my mind.
Somehow something was giving me the memory of the sixth volume. Another boon most likely, another little thing to help me on my quest to save the world. Not that I would be so presumptuous to think I was this world's protagonist…
Yeah like that matters.
So it turns out you can't kill Salem at all, and the gods are bunch of pricks who deserve to get reamed up the ass by a herd of Goliath's. Shitty asshole gods too with no regard for the life of their creations. In fact outside of her many flaws maybe Salem had the right idea about killing them if they're that much of a danger to humanity.
I also now have questions on just what Alchemy is? It's definitely not some fancy application of Dust or aura. One it's a little too powerful and a little too difficult to learn for that to make sense. I don't think it has any real limits, outside of the obvious in that it needs years of specialized training to learn for anything beyond the basics. Elemental and Biology alchemy are basically the limits of what I've learned with some dabbling in the other branches.
Maybe…maybe Alchemy is magic? It does draw on an external source of power, it's just harder to use than the magic of the first humanity. But clearly it's not drawing from the Gods. I think they would notice if it was…hmm the more esoteric Alchemy books did have information on most of the energy being drawn from a Spirit realm.
The way alchemical transmutation works is starting up the circle with an incredibly small pulse of aura. So small even a man with locked aura could activate it. Then the circle is enveloped in that spirit energy and used to create the instructed effect.
"Summer? You good?" I nodded, a smile pulling at my lips at the genuine worry in Taiyang's eyes. Before I could answer, my spine tingled as whatever was playing on the holo switched off to…
Avery Johnson?!
The man loudly cleared his throat alerting the now attentive students to his presence. Tai cocked his head looking for all the world like a blonde puppy.
"Who's that?
"Avery Jonquil."
"Oh…"
Classic Tai.
So this is Beacon then? The school training the next generation of monster hunters? Man it's even cooler and badass in person. Beacon tower has to be three or four hundred meters tall, and is on top of a kilometer tall cliff on top of that. Everything here is so fancy too, and its built tough as all of hell. But then it had to be if it's meant to contain an entire school worth of superhuman young adults.
"A lot of interesting weapons huh?" I muttered quietly, gripping my billowing cloak. A pretty good range of weapons.
That bull faunus guy has some type of chainsword with Fire Dust infused carbon steel. So a flaming chainsword. That girl over there has dual scimitar blades that combine into a bow. That pretty spider monkey faunus has a a shotgun staff.
OOF!
I blinked repeatedly as I smacked into something soft and warm. I looked up into the same scarlet eyes from before, a smattering of amusement dancing in those eye-catching orbs. I backed up an inch or two and cursed as my face heated up against my will.
Raven was…well a stunning young women. She was tall, basically Amazonian in nature, almost a half foot taller than I was. Her hair was messy in some manner, but it still looked aesthetically pleasing. Raven was wearing the same clothes as the team picture in canon, with some minor differences in design here and there.
I…no picture could really show just how utterly beautiful she was. She was…frankly among the most attractive person I had ever personally met. Her shallow cut red and black dress fit her very well. Her leggings tastefully clung to her legs and my attention narrowed in on her weapon which looked little different from canon, but a pulse told me it was aural steel. So she could generate her elemental effects without the excessive waste of Dust.
It didn't take long my eye to wander, from her shapely hips to her very sizable well…you know. I darted my eyes upward, and—dang it this isn't any better.
Her skin was a smooth pale white, though I noticed the hints of some tanning, likely from her time as a bandit. Her eyebrows were furrowed together and I leaned back at her glare. Her eyes showed how fierce and guarded she was.
I licked my lips nervously, tightly gripping my hand into my cloak. "Uh hi? You're obviously here for the Initiation right?" I flushed as the girl scoffed and I ignored the beating drum of my heart.
"What do you think?" Her tone was almost caustic and I felt a tinge or irritation flow in. I might think she's pretty but I ain't getting pushed around by some hick bandit.
"I think you have no reason to be so rude." She opened her mouth and I gleefully cut her off. "And for bumping into you, you have my most sincerest apology your majesty." I replied with a slightly sarcastic tone and I noted how the girls eyes widened in surprise. Made sense, from a distance I looked like a goody two shoes, some completely naive happy go lucky kind of person.
Though in actuality I was an antisocial abrasive personality type who feigned being happy to make others feel better. Not that I wouldn't help people, I'm still firmly on the side of "good". I'm a firm example of good is not nice.
"Fine…" She didn't say much after that and I beat my palms against my stomach in a beat. The silence was dragging on, and Raven rolled my eye at my activity. Wait have I even…
"I'm Summer Flamel Rose," I gave her a polite smile offering her my hand. She looked at it in disdain and my grin grew bigger. Her look was less annoyed than before, almost intrigued, "It's customary to shake one's hand when meeting new people." For a moment I swore I saw a small smile adorn her face. If my eyes weren't tricking me, she looked nice with a smile.
She shook my hand with a strong and firm grip. "Raven." A single letter word, nice and simple for a first meeting. Before I could use my Summer charm someone else moved in.
"Sup Rae! You making friends now? Didn't think you'd manage it." Raven scowled and she turned away from me to face the familiar voice. It was higher pitched and younger but it certainly was the voice of Vic Mignogna. Raven briefly met eyes with me before turning to the other Branwen in the courtyard.
He was around the same height as his sister, though she may have had an inch or so on him. Which I attributed to her footwear, those added an extra two inches to her already monstrous height.
Even if it's kind of hot…
Now back to her brother. Qrow really was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome I had to admit. Again same outfit as usual just on the body of a younger man. I eyed up both him and his sword. They were both impressive in their own way I mean…
I wondered how they acquired the money to build their weapons? They could have stolen it I'm sure but that would still need a lot of income. Wait, they got sent to a Combat School right? Maybe the school helped them get the needed funds.
"Hey," his voice was strong and rather…mhm nice I should say. "Summer right?" I nodded meekly, a spark of an idea lighting up within my brain. He brushed his hair back with a flirty smirk. "Names Qrow Branwen. I couldn't help but see you talking to my sister right here." He wrapped an arm around his exasperated twin and I kept my facade of calmness up. He leaned in almost conspiratorially. "Now, you looked a little lonely before and I thought 'Why not talk to this cute girl here?' But it seems like Raven beat me to the punch."
"How unfortunate…" his suave personality almost cracked at the teasing tone but he kept it going, the charmer. "But your sister seems to be a good replacement for your company." Qrow frowned and I suppressed the giggle making its way up.
"How can my sister be a replacement for all this?" Qrow gestured to his body and I had the urge to snark.
"Well first of all your sister has a rocking bod," I relished in the tribe girls blush and I thought to myself. Where did I get the balls…is that the right word? I'm a girl and don't have—questions for later. Maybe Jayleen's been a bad influence on me? She flirts like nobody's business and does it well. I don't think I have the same capabilities…but then again where was I? "Second I find her to be rather good company despite her abrasive exterior. So…sorry." Qrow pouted for a moment and he slumped in sadness.
"Well damn…" I gave him an apologetic shrug and patted him gently on his back.
"Aww…I'm sure you'll meet some cute girl someday." He gave me a glare and I giggled just a bit at his misfortune.
Misfortune…
"Now where is the auditorium?"
Both siblings gave me a blank stare…
So that's going to be a small issue…
Eventually we found our way after I looked up a map on my Scroll. Both siblings had their own though it was clear the very little experience with using them. It was pretty hilarious to see the strong, tough stoic Raven Branwen growl as she wa defeated by a holographic tablet.
Anyway after that we were all sent to the auditorium n what was essentially a massive sleepover. The three dozen plus group of teenagers were moving and chattering to one another while they still had the chance. I doubt there would be as much talking during the Initiation between fighting Grimm and looking for the artifacts.
I was wearing a set of black footie pajamas which while they admittedly looked completely ridiculous. They were very warm and good at staving off the absurdly cold room. Seriously it was like 50 degrees Fahrenheit in here…who wants to deal with that?! As an additional layer of protection I wrapped myself like a burrito using my sleeping bag and just lazing about.
"You look ridiculous." Oh and Raven was staying near me despite what I expected. Apparently she found me to be the least "irritating" person here out a cavalcade of idiots and morons. Which was a compliment I suppose…
"I don't like the cold Raven. I can deal with heat but cold…it's evil." I almost hissed in reply shivering as a breeze passed us by. She gave me a blank look and I rolled my eyes.
"I can see you, you know?" I shrugged and inched over as I noticed she was reading…something. I decided to ask her a friendly question as a fellow antisocial teenager.
"Watcha reading?" She tilted her body in my direction giving me a good look of two things.
One…the book she was reading, the title being…a Series of Fairy Tales?
Two…well her shirt drops pretty low…
…
…
Hey, no one can judge me for looking! If there's one thing Yang inherited from her mother it was her everything. It doesn't help that I've never had…how should I say this the most innocent mindset. I've always been prone to u-uh fantasies…and she kind of checks some of those boxes.
"Why are you smiling?" I wiped the grin off my face and pointed to the book.
"Just remembering something funny." That sounds really cliche.
"Alright." She gave me a suspicious glance but was still willing to indulge my curiosity. "This is a book I acquired that is full of apparent…fairytales. Personally growing up we never had much need…of books. But this one feels special in some way"
Makes sense, you don't need books when you're a bandit.
"Sounds interesting…anything interesting in there? I've read my fair share of fairy tales and based on how old that book looks there might be a real gem hidden in there." She hummed quietly as she paged through the book, stopping at one chapter.
"There is one that might interest you…" I inched a fair bit more until I was sitting just outside her bubble of personal space.
"Tell me about it then." Her lips twitched for a moment before focusing her attention on the text.
"It's an old legend…called the City of Shamballa." I leaned in, a shock of energy surging through my veins. This sounded like it would be quiet the tale.
"Go on." She cleared her throat and out of the corner of my eye I could my friends "secretly" spying on us from afar. Both the girls were listening in, and gave me encouraging smiles. Taiyang's eyes were glued to Raven and I tilted my head as my suspicions raised. But I was busy…
"Once upon a time there were four weary travelers. They were known for their heroic deeds across the land. But above all of their deeds they were most known for their thirst for knowledge." Her expression was blank but I could see the twinkle in her eyes as she spoke. "They searched far and wide for the secret to an ancient art of magic." I scrunched my eyebrows, getting invested in the story. "It was a power that would allow man to change lead into gold, to create fire, ice, and lightning without a semblance."
That's…impossible. My friends hid their astonished expressions well, and Raven didn't seem to notice.
"What were the travellers named?" Raven raised a delicate eyebrow but answered regardless.
"Hermes Trismegistus. Ostanes…"
I know I've heard those names before…in a tattered and heavily damaged journal. My "father" considered Ostanes an old friend, a powerful ally, and then an enemy.
"Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel…"
Keep…calm don't panic…
"They were all different in some way…Hermes was fast and swift, a scholar and lover of the arts. Ostanes was much the same if more robust mentally and physically. The Flamels were themselves gifted in intellect, learning to create a form of explosive powder that wasn't Dust. But no one cared, the people that knew them calling it a useless hobby. Unlike the other two, their physical appearance was described if only in faint detail. Nicholas was a tall and devilishly handsome man with dark brownish-red hair and a stoic face. Perenelle was a beautiful and petite women, with long black hair stretching down to her mid back. But they one shared trait…" I leaned in. "Shining silver eyes."
…
…
"Together they searched throughout the land, travelling from city to city and from kingdom to kingdom. No matter how far they searched they found nothing, the knowledge they seeked was beyond their reach. So they sailed to an unknown land, the treacherous and empty wasteland of Dracos, the land of dragons." She paused for a breath and she had my full attention.
"Right…"
"There they found a safe oasis, a land protected by snowy mountains and hard to traverse terrain. In the center they found a petal shaped city but it was empty, all except for a single being meditating in its heart. They had found what they had longed for ages. They asked the being if it knew what they wanted, and it said that it did."
"So cool…" Raven glared at Tai's interruption and he gave her an awkward smile, She seemed to flinch back and grumbled. Looking away from the young man.
Well…Taiyang's always had a very pitiable face.
"Anyway, that being told them it was a spirit of knowledge and that it was happy to teach them the secrets of old magic. He told them they could not tap into the true source, but that through special codes they could restore a remnant of what once was. For a decade they learned the ancient spirits magic and were told to bring others to learn the sacred knowledge. And people did come in trickles, and over time more and more people came as the information spread until in place of a quiet monastery, a Kingdom with the four travellers at the top was born. The Kingdom of Shamballa, the city of miracles."
"That's…um wow." She flipped to the next page and wordlessly continued onward. I was hopeful that she seemed so friendly to me, I thought she would be more abrasive than she was. I would listen eagerly to her soothing voice.
"Eventually as the four humans slowed down with age the Spirit gave them a parting gift. The secret to an extended lifespan. One that came at a potentially terrible cost if abused. A spell, a code to drain the aura of another being to add to their already longer lifespan as aura users. It gave them eternal youth as long as they could feed on some amount of living energy. For four hundred years they ruled in peace, until a terrible event from outside forces came."
"Like what?" Taiyang had grown more confident despite Raven's behavior.
"The Great War." I felt a spine numbing cold, my finger curling tightly within my sleeping bag. She cleared her throat a second time, not appreciating a second interruption. "The Kingdom of Mantle had grown to fear the small city, they had no need of Dust and knew the firepower of Shamballa rivaled their own. Though they did not know of their magic. So they hatched a terrible and horrific plan. They would invoke a Grimm incursion. They infiltrated the city, creating disasters, distrust and negativity wherever they could until a horde of tens of thousands barreled toward the once great nation. No matter their power, their numbers could not match the creature of Grimm. Their lack of Dust would prove to be their downfall. Those who could master the complex magic were few in number so they could not turn the tide alone."
"That's…" there were no words for Mantle's atrocities.
"In a single day and night the Kingdom of Shamballa fell, only its ageless rulers left alive. The husband and wife remained together while flanked by Ostanes, the trio settling within the kingdom of Vale. Hermes left to die in the wilds, all he loved and cared about was gone. And that ends the tale of the city of Magus." She closed the book and I felt the finality with the slam.
"You…probably want to go to bed right? Talking like that must be drain for you?" She nodded and my jaw dropped as she became unresponsive, falling asleep in a matter of minutes.
…
…
I've learned three things today.
One, my parents were vampire philosopher-kings.
Two, woooww Mantle were total assholes.
Three, spirits may be an actual thing that exists…should have realized all of that when learning about alchemy and all the talk about other planes.
Also…I love the sound of Raven's voice and and I could listen to…
…her…all…day…I…
Zzzzzz.
Zzzzzz.
Zzzzzz.
(Qrow's POV)
This Summer…she's a feisty one isn't she? I didn't expect to find someone was prickly as Raven within the first five minutes of getting off that metal death trap. What surprises me more is the fact she has actual friends. Two extraordinarily hot girls and two guys like myself.
The blonde chick is flirty and it's pretty fun to mess around with her. The other girl a meek rabbit faunus is cute too though she doesn't seem to appreciate my flirts. I didn't know someone could kick that hard…my shin still aches even with my aura.
Taiyang seems pretty cool and I think I could be buds with him…would have made growing up in the camp a lot less boring. Cassin's kind of quiet for being almost seven feet tall. Seriously that guys like a fucking brick wall…but yeah I can see us being pals too. Barely…
BUMP!
What the hell!? Who bumped into me?!
I shook the stars out of my head, grimacing as what felt like pure metal smacked into the back of my skull.
"Oh my sincerest apologies potential friend. I was lost in processing…"
I looked up ready to give them a piece of my mind until I saw it was a cute girl. She had short ginger hair and big wide green eyes filled with curiosity. She was wearing a set of green pajamas with some weird symbols on them.
At her smile I felt something was…off about her. There was a lack of something in that smile though it did feel genuine.
"Right sure…no problem."
She cocked her head in question. "Are you certain? Because sometimes I do not know my own strength and people get…"
Does she have some type of strength enhancement semblance? Maybe that's why she's so worried about me.
"Nah I'm okay see?" I gestured to my head with a confident smile. "I'm a Beacon Initiate. Do you really think a little bump in the head could bring me down?"
"Oh, that is true…I am sorry for doubting you…" she trailed off her eyes kidding and blinking.
Oh.
Right.
"Qrow Branwen, and you are?" Normally I'd try to put on the "Branwen" charm but something tells me she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to romance.
"Penny Polendina! I hope we become friends like Jayleen and I."
"Yeah, whatever sure…"
Man there's a bunch of weirdos going to this school.
(My POV)
Stupid, stupid, stupid hormones! Why do you have to make everything so awkward?
The next day after that revelation we walked over to the changing room and ended up caught between a rock and hard place.
To my right I could see Raven's glorious body as she changed back into her Huntress wear. My god she was practically a damn goddess…she curved in all the right places. She was chiseled too, years of exercise and work shaping her body. I don't know if I should consider myself lucky or not, since even if she seemed nicer than canon, she could still skewer me with her Dust blade.
Wait…I think she's bigger than Jayleen! Upon…further inspection she definitely is bigger. I…god I just want her to push me against the wall, I want her to hold me close. To feel her on me…I want to hear her silky voice whisper in my ear, then I want Tai…to grab me and the two of them can just ha—
Oh.
That.
I haven't had thoughts like that since before I died. I thought I had gotten over those…little imaginative fantasies of mine. But I guess they were just biding their time until I was college age again.
Hmm…
Does liking girls make me gay then? Or bi since I am attracted to at least some guys…questions for later…
To my left Jayleen was changing…now to move on from ogling my friends…
"Should be putting on my clothes anyway…" I grabbed the inner catsuit of my armor, placing it on feet first. Once I had it on I turned to find that Raven was gone. I held back a pout.
"You seem pretty sad to see that brunette bombshell go huh?" She had the widest teasing smirk imaginable.
"Shut up…"
Stupid…blonde fairy…
A couple of minutes later and I was up and raring to go standing on the launch pad. I pulled back what hair I had, and clipped on the helmet. The highly reliable HUD popped up, and I grinned at the familiar video game like interface. Numerous small bars and percentage told me some of my vitals, and a small circle represented its motion sensors. I could shift the night and heat vision on and off on command, as well as count how much ammo I had.
Based on the number of compressed ammo blocks I had, I had hundreds of full mass and power shots to spare. But for now it would be best to go with rounds around the mass of a fifty cal for now. That should double the rounds, if at the expense of power. Even though my weapons can punch through tanks…
I was waiting on the pad, fiddling with Gungnir, staring down into the unforgiving forest below. Down there hundreds of Grimm were hungering to feast on our bones and fleshes. Their supernaturally gifted hatred of humanity fed into their magical blood.
"Destroy everything in your path-yada-yada-yada." Ignoring speech, already heard it before but I would heed its warning.
"3,2,1"
OH MOTHERF-
"Dammit Oz…why do you have to be such a trolling shit?" I growled as I came to a stop with a kinetic blank. I silenced it with a little air alchemy, not wanting to attract more Grimm than necessary.
"I need to look for a partner. Get the relics, and then get back to the cliff. But I need to keep an eye out or I'll be ambushed."
PING!
Neither the suit or my semblance picked up any activity though…hmm 32 meters at 90 degrees I can pick up…a Beowolf. Should I attack it or not…it seems to be minding its own business but still.
Well…it seems my choice has been made.
"Grrr." I sighed as the Grimm leaped and I stepped forward piercing through its spine with Gungnir. It faded away into noxious gas.
Too easy.
Three more pings just behind me.
BZZZZ!
The three wolves wheezed as a hundred thousand volts of electricity fried their nerves and then their organs. I smirked at the sound of their deaths and kept moving.
More Grimm came, but I tear their poor groupings apart with ease. Because of the limitation of my reach in the dense forest, I limited myself to halberd mode, slashing and bashing Grimm with brute force. Being able to hit with the force of a literal truck definitely made killing simple Grimm a breeze.
My current kill count was 67 Beowolves, 15 Ursa, and smaller Nevermore around the size of a bear.
My instincts as well as my suit screamed at me and I swiveled on my feet blocking a downward bash from…a Ursa Major(a big one too)
It seems to be alone but the rustling from behind told me what it was planning. Five Ursa were hiding in the thick forest biding their time until they can strike me down while my guard is down.
I'll let them think that for now…
I stepped back as my arms felt the strain of holding back 3600 kilograms of raw bear mass. I lashed out, adding as much power as I reasonably could, cheering as I cut open it's left arm. It growled and I fired off a grenade cracking it's armor. I fired a dozen light armor piercing rounds. Ten of them made a spiderweb of cracks across its chest armor while the last two, to my satisfaction pierced through both of its eyes.
"GRAHHHH!" It roared out in pain and I struck, slashing and hammering into it with extreme prejudice.
I ducked under a wave of its massive arm, embedding the axehead into its pillar like leg.
"Maybe I should…put you on ice." A combination of Ice Dust and a Freeze array did its job, and with a strong kick I tore off the leg. The Major stumbled as it lost its balance, and I tightened my grip as three roars made the presence of the other Grimm known.
SHINK! The roars fell silent, a thud marking the deaths of the unbearable group…
Dammit Tai…and damn my own love for puns.
A shadow leaped over me, and the Grimm was pushed back as a slash of fire and then ice sliced, cauterized and then froze the Grimm neck. I fired with little fanfare, blowing a hole through its stomach.
I froze as a certain future bandit queen landed on top of the still decaying Ursa. Her glare was cold as her eyes met with the darkness of my visor. In an instant I depolarized the visor, making eye contact with the ravenette. Her lips twitched in a half smile and she relaxed her stance the slightest amount.
"So I guess we're partners then?"
There was an actual smile on her face as she nodded. I couldn't hold back my own beam at the fortuitous event.
"It seems so," her eyes turned to slits as she took in her surroundings. "We should get going." I oriented myself using the built in compass, Raven took that time to jump down from the Ursa Major, curiosity lighting up her crimson eyes.
"This things got a built in compass." I said, tapping the side of my helmet for emphasis.
"It's made of an aural alloy yes?" I nodded while we began our trek to the ruins. "My sword is made of a similar material if designed for a blade instead of armor."
"I have some friends in high places…" we entered a comfortable silence as we headed toward the ruins.
"So what is your plan?" I turned, surprised at the willingness of Raven to cooperate.
Get back on track Summer.
"Well first we head toward the temple to grab the relics, destroy or avoid any Grimm in our way. Then we take the relics and head back. We'll have to keep an eye out so we don't get caught off guard."
"Not much of a plan…" I raised an eyebrow. She must have been testing me.
"There's no need beyond those steps right now. We've been given very little information on what could be out here. Right now all I've got is to work within what we find comfortable. You seem to specialize in close range combat, making use of your odachi and its Dust spells to deadly effect." I tapped my armor as I spoke about how I fight. "As for myself I'm a medium and long range combatant, preferring to keep as much distance as is humanly possible from my enemies. But I also aim for maximum firepower as you've seen."
"A bit cowardly isn't it?"
I rolled my eyes. "Why? There's no need to waste more energy than necessary to take down pests like the beast of Grimm. Minimum effort for minimum gain is what I say, unless we need to do both. Wasting energy on flashy and reckless moves isn't a necessity except for…PR or something."
A line appeared between her brows as she thought about it.
"Fair enough, but what about when an enemy gets up close?
"Then I'll fight with this baby here," pointing to my weapon. "Or with my hands or semblance. You don't become friends with someone like Taiyang and not learn some hand to hand."
"That's…" Raven trailed off and out of the corner of my vision I focused in on the gigantic swarm of signatures.
"RRRRRRRRR!"
"Penny do something already!" Jayleen called out to someone.
BWOOM!
"I am always combat ready friend!"
"You already said that!"
"I did?"
"Aghh!"
"TAI YOU BASTARD HOW DID YOU TALK ME INTO THIS?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
BOOM!
Kinetic explosions…
"Blast it!" Umber…
"We should probably help right? I can hear some of my friends and your brother down there."
"It is in our way." Raven murmured in agreement as we broke through the clearing. I had to take some time to process what I was seeing however.
What looked for all the word like a damn medieval Troll was currently rampaging across the clearing. It was a gigantic creature, maybe 15 meters tall. It was hideous, its face inhumanly deformed and its eyes brimming with fundamentally alien malice. A thick mask of bone protected its eyes as well as multiple sections of its body, chest, and back.
Jay was holding it back using one of her barriers, periodically throwing bubble bombs but behind the troll…
P-Penny?! But that's…
"TAI WHEN WE GET OUT OF HERE, THEY'LL NEVER FIND YOUR BODY!" Qrow roared, looking ready to strange Taiyang even while dangling from the raging Troll. Umber and Cassin circled around the troll, firing at its heavy set legs. But their weapons did minimal damage to its thick and dense bone plating. I could see some cracks but…
"I'M SORRY!" The Grimm suddenly twitched and the boys were thrown in our general direction. I sighed and activated an Air array slowing down Tai…Raven didn't bother and her brother crashed into the tree behind her.
"FIRING!" A dozen swords shimmered and a sudden boom announced a pulse of plasma and light crashing against its chest.
"Thanks Sums," I nodded as Tai spoke in my ear. "I really didn't want to smack into that tree." I waved him off focusing on the task at hand.
"Tai?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"What the fuck man?!"
"Hehe uh…sorry?"
Dammit Tai.
(Jayleen POV; several minutes ago)
If you had told me that one of the most prestigious Huntsmen schools on Remnant threw their students off a cliff into a Grimm infested forest to find some dumb artifacts. I probably would have knocked your teeth out for thinking I was some blonde bimbo that would fall for that type of crap.
But jokes on me I guess…
Right now I was just heading to what I…think is the direction of the temple. I had to bring down a few dozen Grimm but that was easy-peasy. A couple of dumb beowolves isn't going to bring me down.
And maybe…after this is over I can have some fun. But who to go with? That delectable snack that is Qrow Branwen, or his sister? Or maybe Summer? Or all three?
Man it's cute how Summer doesn't think I'm serious when I flirt with her. Her ignorance is adorable…
Boosh!
I blew up an Ursa's head with an explosive bubble and stiffened as two loud hisses warned me.
A quick barrier blocked the fanged maw of a white King Taijitu aiming to swallow me whole. I smirked as I added some Block dust, the Grimm's teeth shattering on the reinforced wall.
BWOOM!
"What the hell was—." From behind me, what looked like a laser burned the white half away from me.
BOOM!
Whoever it was moved insanely quick yet I couldn't sense any use of aura whatsoeve—
The Grimm screamed as it was dragged away and my jaw dropped as it was lifted up into the air, the Black half shrieked as it broke the treeline. Before the snake Grimm was violently thrown back to the ground impaling itself on a sharp tree.
The dust cleared and a short figure walked toward me…
"What the f—."
"Salutations!" I made eye contact…
"Oh no…"
"It seems we are now partners friend."
Well, guess there's no flirting with this one.
"Is something wrong friend?" I groaned as the annoying if adorable girl trailed behind me keeping an eye out like I told her.
She was constantly asking me whether I was fine or if she had annoyed me in some manner. I would tell her yes, but I was was adverse to telling her that as I was adverse to kicking orphan puppies.
She was definitely holding some strong insecurities. I would have to knock that out of her…gently of course. Flirting is useless as an ice breaker because while she is cute, my conscience is screaming at me not to. She was too naive and innocent for me to try anything. I lifted a closed fist and Penny stopped at my command.
I know that set of soft and cute bunny ears, and that short brown buzzcut anywhere.
"~Cassy and Umber I see you~" the two dark brownish colored teens flinched and I waved giving them a wide smile. Both emerged carefully with Umber's ears twitching as she listened.
Her eyes widened as did Penny's…
"DUCK!"
Holy shit!
The entire forest line was broke apart by a series of attacks and we were left exposed. I set up another barrier, deflecting a tree away from us.
"A troll…" I turned to Umber and held back a gulp.
Father had told me about such creature of Grimm. Long extinct in most Kingdoms due to hunting parties set up by said Kingdoms, Trolls are among the toughest and most dangerous of ancient Grimm.
Huge…smart…and heavily armored. They can slaughter villages and even towns on their own if they live long enough.
This guy was big…but nowhere near as tough as one of them.
A blonde blur rushed through the clearing and thr Grimm roared as golden fist made its way between the plates of bone on its chest. Another sleeker figure shot heavy pellet, fracking some of the weak bone plates and splattering through grimm flesh.
"You damn morons!" I leaped in with Penny at my side.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
Six blasts of Fire, Ice, and Lightning did their work throwing the troll back.
But…it did nothing…
"RAHHHH!" The whole group was nearly at the point of panic and I finally had enough.
"Umber, Cassin you focus on the legs! Try to look for a tendon to bring it down. Qrow and—."
"CAN'T HEAR YOU SORRY!" A vein popped out and I turned to Penny instead.
"Penny…please did you best to distract the troll so it can't crush any of us. I'll use my semblance to damage it, and deflect any blows if necessary."
"I am combat ready!" Penny leaped crossing the forty meter distance in a single bound.
BWOOM!
The beast roared and it stomped aiming to strike down Umber…
"NO!"
In one instance of slide I met it face to face, my barrier holding steady against the fifty foot tall monstrosity.
"RRRRRRRRR!" The Grimm went berserk, bashing against my barrier with all of its considerable might.
"Penny do something already!"
"I am always combat ready friend!"
I felt a vein twitch. "You already said that!"
Rustling…shit…
Wait, is that…Summer and that cute Raven girl?
Thank…god out of all of us only Summer has the raw firepower needed to pierce through that things armor.
The Grimm twitched.
"Ahhh!"
Oh those poor boys…
(My POV)
"Fucking hell…we don't have damn time for this!" I shrieked loudly as the Grimm roared, and the air between the two of us exploded first with 1000 degree flames and then by adiabatic heated plasma.
Its chest plate was nearly cracked in two and I fired a second time. It rolled into a ball at the last second, and I only clipped its arm. The skin broiled and it landed with an outstretched fist almost crushing Cassin. A kinetic blast deflected the dark fist however.
"This space is too open…we have to go somewhere where it can't maneuver as well."
"That thing can just make a path for itself, and running off into the forest would leave us vulnerable to other threats." Raven countered me and I nodded as I thought about it.
"Then we should go with a fighting retreat. Our primary goal is to retrieve the relics and nothing more. Trolls aren't particularly fast so we can easily outrun it."
"That…would…for the BEST!" Jayleen's barrier was breaking apart under the onslaught of raw Grimm strength. I decided to help out and focused…
My hands glowed as blue electricity burst out using the Universal Zero Contact array. I had rarely ever needed to use the full capabilities of this complex array but this would be a first.
Several arrays surrounded the growling Grimm and Jayleen paled.
"EVERYBODY STEP BACK!" I fed some aura to add a bit of power and—
BOOOM!
The Grimm was engulfed in an explosion and I winced as my ears popped. The sonic shockwave rattling me. I held out a hand to Raven and she raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You wanna see what else Gungnir can do?" I waved my weapon with an open smile and she stared me down. After a moment of eye contact she nodded and I gave her a bigger toothier smile.
I grabbed her waist and she stiffened. I flipped Gungnir around.
"You guys ready?"
Bun-Bun and Jayleen were getting ready for a an aura fueled leap. Much like what Blake could do in her time. The boys were both going to run, since even as slightly above midtier runners we're still talking about 90 mph speeds. Qrow is…you know Qrow so…
"Ready!"
Propulsive shot a go–wait what?!
As we flew up into the air I noticed an odd sight. Penny had summoned several larger than normal swords. They disconnected from their host offering themselves to the boys.
"A-Are they really going to—."
"Woohoo!" Qrow shouted as he flew above the treetops along with Cassin and Tai. Penny did the same avoiding the Astro boy type flying transformation.
"They are." I answered with both weariness and jealousy.
"GRAHHH!"
"SRIEHHH!"
Motherfucker.
The troll now on fire followed us accompanied by a giant stork like Grimm a—
"Stymphalian. Native to Mistral, a very powerful Nevermore like Grimm." Raven answered me, her stance tense.
The stork beast was 80 meters from wingtip to wingtip and it emitted a constant wave of malice and hate. It flew above us before diving toward our direction.
I sighed.
"I guess we gotta blast right?" Her nose wrinkled in the cutest fashion and I scowled just a bit. I summoned an array right into its face, blasting hundreds of grams of high explosives into the joints of one of its feathers.
BOOM! I lifted us higher up, and Raven pointed to the stork with something in mind.
"Are you serious?"
"I am."
I thought I'd get these kind of stunts from Qrow…not his sister.
I've never ridden a Grimm before. It'll be a new experience.
"SHRAAA!" The Grimm shrieked in pain as I embedded my spear deep into its equivalent of a spinal cord. Using the Grimm as flight tool we forced it to drop down into the temple grabbing one of the relics still remaining. A white knight, which was mildly disappointing…I'd thought there be something new.
Umber and Jayleen retrieved the black knight pieces, while Tai had gotten the white knight piece.
So…I knew how things were going to be set. Wait…is that gas why…oh god we need to leave. Raven sighed and grabbed my hand.
"Let's go!" A red and black twisting vortex opened up giving me an idea. We dived through dropping next to Qrow as we ran past a certain set of ruins.
A hundred meters up the flying Grimm was still following us and was now dropping bombs of noxious gas and smoke.
"That's your semblance right?"
"Yes." She looked hesitant to elaborate though it didn't shut down my inner working for a plan.
"How big of a portal can you make?" She mulled it over for a few moments before answering me.
"18 meters…24 if I push it. Why?"
"Because I have a plan."
"You know this is crazy right?" Jayleen told me as she weaved between the injured Troll's blows. "But then again we are training to be Huntsmen so a little crazy might be good in this line of work."
I smirked smugly. "Yeah…I know I'm a genius."
"More of a megalomaniac…" Raven quipped from the sidelines and I frowned.
"You've set up your plan right?" Jayleen nodded being the one to take charge.
Here was the gist of it. Raven, Taiyang and I would be the primary distraction for the Stymphalian while Qrow would hang back with Jayleen. They would keep the heat off of us so the Troll couldn't interrupt. We would get that damn sharp beaked stork to dive bomb us, and Raven could open up a portal to her brother right as hits.
If this goes right…we'll have our little Grimm problem neatly sorted. If we don't then I guess we go out in a brilliant blaze of glory.
"Ready?" I asked my partner as she unsheathed her weapon. She nodded quietly as did Taiyang. His role would be for his sonic roar semblance. I could use my alchemy to boost his semblance into a directed sonic cannon. It should annoy her shit out of our little Grimm bird and drive it mad. A few potshots from me as well as some arrays to burn up its bombs should take away any other option other than attacking directly.
"I believe so." Her sword switched from fire, ice, and finally to lightning. The revolving mechanism, each with a solid crystal of the respective Dust type.
She swung her sword beginning the attack.
Two arrays burst to life, one forming a sonic cannon and the other a selective firestorm. My flame attack detonated every deadly gas bomb while Taiyang's scream rattled the Grimm. An arc of Dust lightning detonated more attacks and melted and incinerated pieces of the old Grimm's form.
It kept trying to use its long range attacks but we thwarted it at every turn. It couldn't get through our triple team attack.
"SHREEEE!"
It dived hitting transonic speeds as it came at us with everything it had. It's sharp beak splintering every so slightly.
"NOW!" Raven breathed deeply before she tore a hole in spacetime wider than the Grimm's body.
Two beastly roars echoed…
(Jayleen's POV; minutes prior)
"Umber aim for the legs!" A burst of elemental bullets struck the Troll and it stumbled in pain. Several puppets climbed over the giant distracting it while I threw my own attacks against it, shaping my barrier into a sharp point and trying to pin it.
BOOM!
I sighed as that Qrow bastard fired his shotgun ignoring my command to keep back. We were supposed to hold it into place not bring it down, much less when we don't have the firepower for it.
"I have to get in close in for my sister."
Oh. Fine. His sw—is it shifting again?
Qrow leaped hooking on its arm with a bigass scythe and crashing the Troll against the cliff face.
"Umber and Cassin go! Penny pin it with your weapons!"
Like giant arrows the swords flew through the air, piercing between its armor and through its thick tough hide. Qrow jumped off using the recoil from his shotgun blast. Cassin roared imbedding the Grimm completely into the wall with a series of kinetic shockwaves. The swords pinned it completely and it screamed in agony.
Oh my god it's working!
It's foot and ankles were frozen solid by Umber and Qrow leaped in front of her.
BWOOOM!
A flash of red light and swirling air opened up in front of us, and both Grimm roared and shrieked respectively as they crashed into each other.
I shuddered at the sound of flesh being pierced and waited patiently for the dust to clear.
The Troll was still standing with the decapitated head of the Stymphalian nesting in a newly made cavity. Just as we moved to attack it imploded not able to handle the strain.
Even Qrow was left speechless.
"Well," oh god Taiyang please don't. The three of them emerged from the portal with Tai having a shit-eating smile on his face. "Well…I guess neither of them were birds of a feather ehh?"
Oh god someone kill him. He turned to face me with a hurt expression and I realized I said that out loud.
And Raven is teaching for her sword fantastic. Summer stopped her grabbing her wrist and shaking her head. There was a mischievous smile on her face…
Oh god her love of puns…
"Besides his pun is a little weak. I should be the one to hold the birden of the pun master." A look of complete and utter disappointment shined on the girl's face. Summer grinned, cocking her head only adding to the cuteness factor. Raven looked away, coughing awkwardly into her fist.
"Right." It didn't stop her skepticism and sarcasm from leaving her voice box. And I didn't blame her.
"Should we be going? We have all we need…" Penny spoke up her eyes scanning the vicinity.
"Yeah let's bounce before those two dorks can make any more bad puns."
"I thought they were good. If poorly timed."
I patted Penny on the head. "No." She frowned at my clear stance.
How can someone my age be so adorable?
(My POV)
"Jayleen Arc, Penny Polendina, Umber Thumper, and Cassin Winchester. The four of you retrieved the black knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team APCT, led by Jayleen Arc."
Apricot? Wait never mind that…
I gave our blonde puppet master the round of applause she deserved and after nudging Raven a bit convinced her to play along.
Also…pfft Thumper…
"And finally…" I straightened as our turn came. Would I be made the leader or would someone else be given the spotlight?
"Summer Rose, Raven Branwen. Qrow Branwen and Taiyang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team SRQT. Lead by Summer Rose!"
Is…is that seriously what he's going to call us? He's naming us after Saurkraut? And he named Jayleen's team after a fucking fruit!
I focused on his face noticed him licking his lips as he took a bite out of…an apricot…with some Saurkraut to his right…
"This is awesome!"
GAHH!
In my distraction Tai lifted me up in his arms twirling me around with all his considerable might.
Woah…no spinning, stop!
"Tai let go of me! Put me doown!" The bastard only laughed and I wanted to strangle him.
For a second I thought Raven flashed me a brief sympathetic smile but it was really hard to tell.
"I will freeze your balls solid if you don't put me down!"
"Meep!" Taiyang gently placed me down, my metal boots clicking nicely against the hard floor.
"So I guess you're our glorious leader then?" There was a teasing tone in Qrow's voice so I played along with birdboy.
"Indeed peasant boy. Now kneel" He quirked an eyebrow and bowed with a smirk painting his face. "Close enough…"
"At least it's better than the other alternatives." I gave her a nod thinking about it myself.
Qrow…god we'd all die.
Raven…that would be even more horribly dysfunctional.
Taiyang might be able to…but he might be a little too naive. A simple soul you could say.
Something I lack, though I do know roughly how people like that think. So I guess I should just hope for the best.
"You need directions huh?" I twisted on the balls of my feet ready to face whoever it was.
Avery Jonquil…
"Uh yes sir." I responded loud and clear mostly out of nervousness.
"I can take you where you need to go."
Good good…
"What are you looking at?" I couldn't answer her clearly as we stood in the room.
After one of the teachers showed us to our room(right next to Team Apricot of course). We had decided we needed a shower after a long day of hunting Grimm and we were the first up. Raven has been the first to get in to my chagrin.
Do you have any idea how much Grimm really stink. Much less the deadly gas of a Stymphalian.
Of course Raven neglected to tell me that she was planning to change in the room instead of the bathroom. So she walked out with a towel clinging to her rather…loosely.
"Well?" She used a second towel to dry off her long hair with question in her eyes.
I rubbed my hands together, unwilling to meet her eyes. She cocked a hip and I sighed.
"Uh it's nothing…don't worry about it." She continued to inspect me and I felt sweat as a knowing smirk formed. The towel covering her form lowered just the slightest bit. My face and ears betrayed me burning red with embarrassment and slight arousal.
Dammit! Why does Raven have to be so perceptive? And I thought she would be better than her brother.
"Shut up!"
I grabbed my clothes before she could go any further, rushing into the safety of the bathroom. I slammed the door shut, breathing out a sigh of relief. I laid down my clothes on the appropriate spot, making sure I had left nothing behind.
Nope…it's fine.
"I really hope no weird shit starts happening later in the year. But I don't have that kind of luck. At least my team is someone who knows what they're doing."
So yeah it's been a pretty good day so far…for now anyway.
(Unknown POV)
"The so called gods of light and dark are fools…it is truly for the best that they are gone."
"If I could I would show them the consequences of life and death."
"My memories of their reign is fuzzy due to their conquest but…are they seriously this idiotic?"
"Unfortunately that answer appears to be yes."
"What in the stars were those children thinking?! They've doomed their own creations for completely arbitrary reasons! Even if my line of silver was born from their interference. This war is utterly meaningless!"
"And since your contract is passed through blood you can not use your warriors to end this war."
"At least this outsider's incidental influence has guaranteed the survival of at least some of them. And with the growing power of the Spirits, the destructive capabilities of the Brothers can be…curtailed."
"Too bad…that the child of silver won't receive the peace she wants. Not until Salem is either defeated or until humanity flees to the stars."
"Well…she won't be alone. She is under the limited protection I can provide her. So she should have a chance."
"..."
"You think she can stop him.?"
"We shall see…"
2nd Author's Note:
Uh if none of you mind please tell me what you think of the change. Because transitioning to First Person for all characters is a bit of a drastic change from before, though there will be periodic 3rd person scenes. If you've gotten this far thank you.