Sup, lovely seeing you again. Kana-to-the-shiiro here up in here! Now I know there is very little to know about Sora as of now, and I don't wanna leave him a complete mystery that rarely say more on two words. So in this chapter, we'll be going into depth into his backstory. Just enough so you guys can get a taste of him. It'll be a small blast from the past explaining what he went through that made him become the person he is today. Enjoy it, I know I did.

Twisted Grimm, chapter 3: Landing stratgey

(Morning, Beacon Academy locker room)

"Hahahaha-hahaha!" Cardin's laughter echoed in the locker rooms. He wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye with a finger. Incoherent words barely made it out of his mouth as he tried to speak..

Sora gave his friend pats on the back to ensure that he wouldn't die of laughter. Though he had to admit, it was pretty funny. So it might be too late to save Cardin at the rate he's going at.

When Cardin's laughter died down just enough for him to talk in between chuckles, he returned to Sora's side to walk with him. "Did you see the look on that guy's face? It was like he's seen a Twisted Grimm or something!" Cardin smacked his knee from the hilarity, regaining more laughs than before.

They came upon an unsuspecting fellow huntsman-in-training who was just minding his own business, when Cardin approached the lone guy and pushed him into his own open locker and slammed it shut. The victim now in captivity thrashed about helplessly in his small confinement, switching between threats and pleas. However, his screams were unheard as there was no one around to hear him.

Cardin motioned for Sora to duct tape the locker door shut to make sure it doesn't open as easily. Sora complied and really started to make sure the captive wasn't going anywhere any time soon. Both of them looked at what they've done as if it were a masterpiece in a museum. After all, his friends told him to do it. And friends never wrong each other and do fun stuff together.

Which brings them to right now. They both came to a stop when Cardin gestured him to halt. "Anyway, my locker is somewhere here. Yours is probably down the hallway. I'll catch ya later, man." Cardin waved goodbye as he left Sora to himself.

Just like Cardin said, his locker was right where he said it would be. He opened the empty locker and placed his duffle bag inside. He was practically wearing his combat clothes already, so all he really needed was a place to put the rest of his stuff. But it also gave him some time to prep other stuff as well.

From out of his bag he retrieved a small pouch that he wears on his lower back. He checked to see if everything he would need was in the pouch, which were a few pellets that were created from different material. Looks about right. With everything in check, Sora made his way to the location of the initiation.

(Noon, Beacon cliffs)

With the students now gathered in the presence of Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch, each one standing on metallic tile waiting for further instruction about their initiation. Some students busied themselves by double checking their weapons and supplies to ensure that will not fail them in the midst of combat. Everyone was more than ready for their initiation. It's make or break time.

A collection of familiar faces allowed Sora to feel at ease, and vice versa. He did get to see Weiss, who was beside him, and Jaune, but he also he spotted the two from before during his pancake incident. The lingering murderous aura gave Sora a cold sweat. He'll have to appreciate what little time he has with his legs.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors. And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin started, breaking the anticipating silence. His godlike eyes looked each of them, as if selecting their fates.

Sora leaned over to his side to get a good look at the dense acres of forest presented to him. It seemed to stretch on to the farthest corner of Remnant. Just a vast sea of green trees as far as the eye can see.

"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion." Glynda paused, adding some dramatic effect to her words. She might be doing that on purpose. "Each of you will be given teammates. Today." It was kind of amazing how she could say that with a straight face.

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with whom you can work well with." Ozpin continued, at the same time informing and giving perfectly reasonable advice. A distant whine could be heard from one of the students among them.

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." The slight amusement in Ozpin's tone did not go unnoticed. Well, that just takes everything they've ever said up until now and just throws it out the window. That's like throwing a mongoose and a snake in the same cage and expecting them not the kill each other. Sora was starting to have second thoughts.

"WHAT?!" Shards of broken dreams could be heard along with the same little squeak from before. Sora cringed as he could hear her from all the way from where he was standing, which was eight squares to his right.

"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path..." Ozpin paused. Not for dramatic effect, as a serious reminder. "...or you will die." They didn't expect peaches and cream, now did they? It's best to throw the truth in front of their faces, rather than give them a false pep talk.

"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation. But our instructors will not intervene." Ozpin informed them. So if someone is on the verge of death, they'll be left there for dead. Cruel, but they're the ones taking the risk to make it happen.

"You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one, and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately." Ozpin finished with his instructions. Everyone seemed to have mentally nodded in unison, fully absorbing what Ozpin has said as a memory.

"Are there any questions?" Ozpin wanted to get things out of the way before he sent his students to their doom.

"Yeah um...sir-" Jaune spoke timidly, raising his hand to indicate he indeed has a question.

"Good! Now, take your positions." Ozpin said, ignoring Jaune completely like he didn't notice his existence.

All students began to shift into their own respective stance, readying themselves for what it is to come. Sora didn't understand why everyone just stood in place, but he followed along for the sake of not looking like an idiot in front of everyone. Seriously, the forest is right in front of them, they could literally walk there.

There was an abrupt sound of working metal and whistle in the wind, followed by screaming students that were suddenly high above the ground. Sora's eyes followed the unidentifiable, airborne students until they became a mere dot in his vision. Clearly the most eager out of everyone in the group of students to get started on initiation. Sora was lost for words. Is Ozpin actually launching his own students into Grimm infested territory?

One after another, sounds of clanking metal, another student up in the air and clearing a great amount of distance. Sora looked to his sides to see if anyone was as confused as he was. All he saw were anticipating faces, looking at the forest. They knew something he didn't.

Sora reached over to Weiss to tap her on the shoulder in hopes that she might have the answers to his questions, except all of his questions were answered before Sora could even touch her. In that second, she was gone. The metal plate that was beneath her feet was protruding from the ground. That told him everything.

Sora's eyes widen in a mixture of fear and excitement. These students weren't jumping! They were being launched! Sora respectful image of the headmaster of Beacon Academy has now changed to a madman that needs immediate mental help. What kind of sick, twisted man does this for his amusement? .

And then his feet left the ground.

(Noon, above Emerald Forest)

The sound of passing wind was almost deafening. It nearly blocked out Sora's perception on the entirety of the world. All he could hear was the whistling at the speed he was going at. A small ringing in both ears greatly disoriented him.

His heart rate was beating at an unhealthy pace in fear that he might ending passing out while airborne. It was the only thing telling him that he's not dead, yet. Sora felt like his body was going to collapse into itself. The natural wind resistance forcefully pushed his limbs close to him. Either that, or have his limbs contorted in awkward angles until they snapped. He submitted in fear that he wouldn't feel an intense pain before he inevitably plummets to the hard ground. The fast approaching horizon where the sun has risen, tree after tree being nothing more than an ongoing green blur. His clothing rustled violently against his skin, like tiny whips throughout every inch of his body.

The scariest part of it all was that he was no longer in control. So he was forced to let the direction and gravity take its course with him. At this rate, it's not looking good for him. His body rattled fighting against the wind, eventually weighing him down. Every bone in his body told him that he was going to die. His lungs could no longer able to regulate his breathing. He was scared out of his mind. He didn't want to die.

He began to catch up with one of the students that was launched before him, only because they started to decelerate and began to drop altitude before disappearing into the green foliage. Sora squinted, shielding his eyes from particles within the air. Although obscure, he was able to see the fellow student land safely on the ground. He'd widen his eyes in astonishment if the wind didn't force his eyes shut.. This is survivable! That student is living proof! Literally.

They called that something here. The words were pretty foreign to him, but not out of reach within his vocabulary. Sora snapped his fingers in realization. "Land strategy!" Despite the deafening whistling in his ears, those words were as clear as day to him.

Except there was one problem for him. He's never developed a landing strategy in his life. Not once in his life had he experienced a situation much like this one. His father had given him a small lesson on how to land safely when jumping from high places, but he never went over being launched at high speeds into a Grimm infested forest and how to survive that kinda fall. He had to figure out a way to slow himself down before he even thinks about landing.

A sudden snap at his refueled his anxiety, as he looked down to see that he was now descending in altitude and was now pretty levelled with the top of the trees. Sora couldn't tell whether the ground was intentionally heightening itself to diminish what little time he has left to come up with a landing strategy. Whatever his landing strategy is, he better come up with it now.

Mistake number one; he began to panic. His eyes darted everywhere for something to grab so he can finally come to halt. Sora flailed around helplessly, only unbalancing himself even more. His leg kicked legs violently, desperately trying to live.

Sora felt himself going into shock when he began to hyperventilate as he struggled to keep himself conscious. Unfortunately, he succumbed to it and felt himself slipping away. His vision failing him and shrouded by darkness.

(Memory, seven years ago)

"Sora! Remember, you must always remain calm at all times!" His father's words bore itself into Sora's head, until it became what he practically ate, slept, and lived those words. A ten year old Sora sat obediently on the floor and listened intently. It was the voice that belonged to his master that worked Sora to the bone through everything he knows in order to thoroughly teach him. His father doubles as his master.

"If you begin to panic and lose your nerves, you've already lost the one thing you need in order to fight." His father informed paced back and forth in front of the seated Sora, never taking his eyes off his son. Otherwise, it would be a sign of submission. He wouldn't be the master martial artist if he couldn't look deep within someone's eyes. Sora on the other hand, felt like he was going to wet himself at any given moment from the sheer intimidation that his father was giving him from a mere stare.

This lecture was also an act of training. Everything he did was training. The smallest task, training. Eating breakfast in the morning, also training. Living on its own, is training.

"And that, my son, is insight." His father said as he stopped in front of Sora. His stern gaze piercing Sora's soul. Sora mentally flinched, and his father saw it. Though his body remained still. But for giving in, Sora will have to make up for it in his next training session. That way he can be trained while he's training.

"Once you lose a hold of that, and give into desperation, you become careless, and weak. How can you begin to protect others when you can't even protect yourself?" His father was practically furious now, though did not carry it in his tone. But Sora could tell. Sora could no longer look his father in the face with the shame and guilt that ate his entire being.

His father knew that he would hit a weak point on his son with his lecture, but it's never had such an effect on him like this one. Sora was still too soft and weak, if he wanted to prepare him for the responsibilities he will bear one day, he'll have to play the part being both a father and master.

"Perception, accuracy, knowledge, and a deep intuitive understanding. You must be able to learn in the middle of battle. Know how your opponent's strikes, steps, and even breathing. Always know their moves before they can carry it out." His father sighed, his tone low enough for Sora to retain the courage of looking up to his father once more.. He is still his son after all, not just his student.

Sora's eyes with puffy and bloodshot, tears he's been holding back all this time on the brim of leaking. Although tears might be a sign of weakness in this situation, they were far from tears that were created from sadness. Sora had a look of determination through his tear stained face.. Sora abruptly stood up and opposed his father, challenging him as Sora readied himself in a fighting stance. Sora could not forgive his father for showing weakness to him by easing his voice. Even more so, Sora couldn't forgive himself for causing his father such weakness.

They were family. Training together was their way of bonding, it was the only way they knew how to bond. There were times that Sora wanted to call it quits from how cruel his father got, but he never did. Because that meant he would stop spending time with his father. It helped him gain a better understanding of his father and why he loved it so much. It also brought them together as they had something in common to do together, as a family.

It made them both happy to be spending time with one another. And at times, they'd go fishing together or go into town to pick up a treat for Sora. Never in his life has he complained or whined to his father. So he's not about to let him ease up on him now.

His father couldn't be prouder of his son, who was growing up right before him. It all happened a year ago on that dreadful day, after that Sora was never the same. He was never this quiet, now even his father can barely get a word out of him. Sora used to be so full of energy and life, and now it was all taken away from him. His childhood was practically robbed from him. Despite all that, he's turned that suffering and pain into determination and drive.

It was no longer Sora's master who was standing in front of him, he was challenging solely his father as a person. The father embraced his son into his large arms. If Sora is going to look past his master and see him for who he will always be, then treating each other like family comes first and foremost. Sora slowly eased up and clenched at his father's clothing to pull him in closer. Sora wailed into his father's shirt, letting his pent-up emotions wash away through his tears that now fell freely.

"Sora Asua, my boy." It was the name his mother blessed him with. For both parents, his name meant their most precious treasure in the entire world. And Sora knew he'd grow with the greatest love that Remnant could ever provide him with.

Sora looked up to his father, dry tears still visible on his own cheeks. He saw the loving smile a parent could provide. His father reached for Sora's face and wiped away the remaining wet trails on his face. Both of them looked at each other with an understanding smile that no words could describe for the bond they share.

And then his father winded back his arm and slammed his fist against Sora's face with all his might, sending Sora flying through the thick wooden walls.

(Noon, Emerald Forest)

Sora snapped back to reality with a racing mind going into overdrive, everything had suddenly become so clear to him as opposed to a moment ago. His trembling stopped as he clenched his hands into fists and began to slow down his breathing. He could do this. Even as memory, his father is always there to help him.

Sora curled his entire body into a small ball posture, keeping his legs and arms tucked close to his chest. As he descended into the tree's foliage, branches of all sizes reached out to him like sturdy whips or broke from the sheer force of a human projectile. Sora's aura was doing a good job at holding, but he didn't know how long his body can endure this punishment. The branches did little to slow him down, but it was something.

Before his body could even touch the ground, Sora instinctively winded back in his arm and swerved to face downward to give the ground a devastating haymaker. Creating an impressively large crater from the force. He tried to bury his fist into the ground to stay in place, unfortunately his arm was wrenched from the ground as the momentum from when he was launched was still present. Although by now he has significantly slowed down, but he was still going at a speed that was hazardous to his health. Just a bit more and he's in the clear.

The ground was once again within his reach. That was all Sora needed in order to proceed to the last step of his landing strategy. He dug his fingers into the ground and clutched at it with all of his might. Sora pulled himself closer to the ground and shoved his foot into the ground. The ground ripped beneath him, stray rocks pelted him from all sides. The rippling ground was difficult to hold onto between his fingers and the pressure on his foot felt like it was being crushed. But he grit his teeth and forced himself to endure until the very end. This looked so much easier and less painful the way he imagined it.

What seemed like an eternity of grinded into the ground, Sora finally came to stop. Half of his body embedded in the ground. He looked like someone half-assed an attempt to hide a body. For one thing, his head was still above ground, lifelessly tilted to the side. His arm and leg pulsated from the strain, beating erratically in pain. Sora couldn't believe that he managed to survive that with an impromptu landing strategy. He'd be overjoyed right now, if it wasn't for the fact that everything hurts. He just hopes that this would be a one time thing from now on.

"Ow." Was all Sora uttered. Well he said something, at least he's alive enough to speak. His aura made short work of his pain. In no time, he could feel his bones reconstructing themselves and wounds beginning to close up. Sora pulled himself from out his dirt bed and stood up before dusting himself off. He stretched his limbs out to ensure each one was functional and still on his person. It appears he's all in one piece.

It was time to go, he has an initiation to accomplish and a partner to make eye contact with. Sora began his journey to the northern end of the forest, just like Ozpin instructed them to. He believes that he'll be able to meet up with someone in that general direction. It'd be killing two birds with one stone. Walking through the dense forest, filled with Grimm that wanted nothing more than to tear you limb from limb. Nothing quite like to start the day.

Just wanna make a quick shout-out to you guys, yes, you guys who are reading this right now. When I posted the first chapter that alone gained over 100 views. Now I dunno if that's a lot in comparison to the average, recently updated fanfics, but it is a huge milestone for me nonetheless. That means 100 people literally read my first chapter. And now with the second chapter posted, the views for chapter 1 have climbed up to over 200 views. And over 50 out those 200 views read the 2nd chapters. That's normal for the views to drastically drop like that, the first of everything will always be the most popular. It still makes me happy that a 1/4 of those readers stuck around to read the second chapter because that's still a large number. So I just wanna thank all of you for taking the time and reading my story. It gives me that feeling that my hardwork and effort wasn't put to waste. And I promise to not to disappoint you in the later chapters, I promise to always keep you entertained and captivated with my story, because this is a journey we will be travelling together. And I hope you'll accompany me until it ends. This is our adventure together!

In response: This one goes out to you Anon-kun! Wow, I can't believe you actually went and read my previous story. Well this is embarrassing. That's my more lengthy and cringey work that I decided to leave behind. It basically a relic at this point. But your wish is my command Anon-kun! I will get to where I left off in the original fic. I can surely promise you that! Now that I look at it too, where I left off was a major cliff hanger. I can see why you're so eager. If something like that were to happen to me, and there wasn't a continuation for years, I'd wanna strangle the author through the screen. Please don't do that to me...