Foreign Exchange

Revelations

He may have had a hard time discerning which of the deities he had heard of in his life were real, thanks to recent developments, but Shavo was damn sure to curse every single one he could think of at the moment.

"Damn sore muscles." He grumbled to himself as he walked briskly down one of Beacon Academy's many corridors, dressed in his school uniform from having just gotten out of his last actual class for the day, Oobleck's history. Now, he only had to deal with three hours of getting his ass handed to him by his so called 'mentor' in their combat course.

Luckily for him, though, there was an half hour break between the two classes for students to relax for a little bit. So, Shavo took the opportunity to get some peace and quiet in on the ledge he and Knk'ahayr had spoken on the day before.

The day he was told that now, yet another psychotic bounty hunter is after him.

B-E-A-utiful.

Taking a quick mix of lefts and rights, Shavo was eager to find his spot quickly enough so as to have a smoke or two before having to go back to the others.

He knew that he was getting lucky so far with this whole sneaking away for a few smokes every once in awhile. While yes, he still had the vape pen, it was now just pretty much just a fancy paperweight now. His crave for tobacco had overpowered his will to resist, simply put.

About three years ago, back when Shavodan still lived with his mother, he had picked up the bad habit of smoking at the young age of fourteen. He got away with it for about a week before his step father discovered him smoking in the woods behind his house. But, where as he thought he was going to get a severe thrashing, quite the opposite happened. No, instead, his stepfather would give him a few of his own cigarettes and buy some for his stepson.

He didn't just pick up the habit out of nowhere, after all.

Unlike most kids his age, Shavodan wasn't doing it to try and look cool, or tough, or anything. No, he partook in smoking simply because from the first time his mother let him take a hit at the age of seven, he became transfixed with the sweet, bitter taste of nicotine.

It was love at first taste, a romance that was still burning strong to this day, even in a separate universe that was once fictional to both the lovers.

Spotting his destination, Shavodan felt his shoulders ease in relaxation as he slowed his pace and let out a sigh of relief.

Right before some unknown person accidently bumped right into him.

With his destination right there in front of him, Shavo had the brief thought that one of his teammates had discovered his hiding spot.

But, his worry flew away as he saw a familiar head of combed dark blue hair.

"Hey, watch where you're going, guy!" Sky Lark barked with fake irritation at his goateed friend.

"I'm not your guy, friend!" Shavo shot back as he lifted a finger to the halberd wielder.

"I'm not your friend, buddy!" Sky growled as he to pointed right at Shavo's face.

"I'm not your buddy, pal!"

"I'm not your pal, guy!"

"I'm not your guy, rapist!"

"Hey, what I do in my spare time is none of your concern!" Sky cried indignantly.

The two stood like that for a few seconds, fingers pointed at each other's faces and over exaggerated frowns on their faces as they glared at each other.

Right before they both broke into a laugh and stepped back from each other.

"Sup?" Sky asked with a chuckle as the two friends shook up.

"Bout to step outside for a smoke." Shavo answered as he stepped out onto the awning. "Care to join me?"

The blue haired teen shrugged as he stepped outside with his friend and leaned against the railing, Shavo wasting no time to get his cigarette lit and taking a drag.

As of the past couple of days, the two teens have been hanging out after class, doing regular teenager things even in this...unordinary place. Shavo had told Sky of his habit, and just like he thought he would, Sky was indifferent to it.

"So, you 'bout to fight with Yang again today?" Sky questioned nonchalantly as he stuffed his hands in his uniform's pockets.

"Yeah." Shavo nodded as he blew out a cloud of smoke.

"You two seem to be pretty chummy with each other." Sky smirked as he looked around. "Something going on between you two?"

Shavo considered joking about fooling around with Beacon's bombshell, but just shook his head as he tapped off some ash.

"No." He answered truthfully as he looked out at their surroundings. The awning was positioned weirdly, being in a sort of alleyway between buildings with the opening to his left. At least it was located in one of the less populated parts of the school.

But, thinking a little bit on Sky's question, Shavo continued.

"At least, not right now." He said as he leaned against the railing with his arms crossed. "I mean, it's been, what? A week since we've came here?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Shavo took a drag of his cigarette, inhaled, then blew the smoke out through his nostrils as he stared at the wall opposite of the two.

"Call me old fashioned, but stuff like that should be given time." He finished. "We're in a school for fighting monsters, not for dating girls."

"Hey, whatever floats your boat." Sky shrugged before checking his scroll. "Seriously though, man. I'd look into that if I were you."

That was when Sky leaned in next to Shavo's ear, a cheesy grin on as he shielded his mouth as if other people were around.

"Besides, with a body like that, how could one resist?"

Shavo just turned and gave his friend a deadpan look as Sky raised a fist victoriously.

"That girl is the pinnacle of every man's dream for a perfect woman: Long, luscious legs, big, bodacious breasts, a gorgeous face, the personality of a passionate fire!" Sky yelled with a big grin as he shed anime tears of joy before wheeling around to face his cohort.

"AND BEST OF ALL, SHE'S GOT THE ASS OF A MISTRALIAN GODDESS! DEFINITELY A TEN OUTTA TEN! "

WHAM!

"Could you be any more fuckin' louder!?" Shavo scolded him with irritation after having had whacked Sky in the head, leaving a smoking lump where he had hit him.

"A novice of women..." Sky breathed out, tears still pouring with that smile of his, "Such as yourself... Wouldn't understand."

"I think I understand perfectly." Shavo sighed out with irritation. "You're just more of a complete idiot than I thought."

Finishing of the last of his cigarette, he flicked the butt over the ledge and stepped back into the building.

"Come on, we've gotta be heading off to class now." Shavo groaned as he dragged Sky along with him by his foot.

"...Would bang..." Sky moaned out happily as his face began to get rug burnt.

"Sky, you'd bang a pile of mud if need be." Shavo rolled his eyes in annoyance as they came around a corner. He debated hefting his blue haired friend up by the collar before he heard the intercoms sputter to life above them.

"Mr. Odadjian, please report to the Headmaster's office." He heard the voice of call his name. "Shavodan Odadjian, please report to the headmaster's office. Thank you."

Shavo looked up at the nearest intercom with a raised eyebrow, a tad bit confused as Sky stood up and dusted himself off behind him.

"Oh Oum, what'd you do this time?" Sky questioned his friend.

"Don't know." Shavodan answered truthfully with a scrutinizing gaze before beginning to walk in the direction of the exit. "Looks like I'm about to find out. Tell everyone i'll be there ASAP."

"Alright man.' Sky gave Shavo a two fingered salute before turning around and making his way to their combat class. "See ya."

And with that, the two parted ways. Shavodan made his way down a couple flights of stairs before reaching the exit and stepped onto the concrete steps. Shielding his eyes from the harsh sunlight, he pulled out a pair of aviators and slipped them on as he began to make his way to the large clock tower nearby.

The way there was mostly deserted, most of the students having had already made their way to their respective classes. He took a turn onto the main walkway and made his way to the clocktower, enjoying the silence as he did so.

Using this time to reflect, he was surprised by how used to he was getting to this whole situation. At first, he was just as how he expected: Constantly on the verge of having a nerdgasm, in complete and total awe of all of the people around him and their cool abilities.

And in a sense, he still was. But anyone would begin to grow used to the customs after a amount of time, and Shavodan was no exception to the rule.

Now, he was walking on the main walkway into the school, it's decorative fountains catching his eye as he walked by. He didn't stop to look at them, though, continuing to make his way towards the large tower.

It wasn't very often that students were called during school time, so he doubted it was just something trivial.

Soon enough, he was craning his neck upwards to try and see the top of the office, it's shadow looming over him as he continued to walk towards the entrance. But, just as he looked down, someone stepped out of the doorway, looking right back at him with an expectant gaze.

Looks like this person was the reason why he was here, if he were to assume.

Before him stood a young woman, standing below him at a height of 5"7 with long black hair done up in a bun with a angular face and a pair of glasses on her nose. She wore a black robe very similar to the yukata Blake wore, a deep dark black with a white sash, but somehow appearing more business like. She had what looked like a sort of notebook held close to her chest, and squinted at him with a hard gaze before seemingly nodding to herself and taking a step closer to him.

"Shavodan Odadjian?" She asked him sternly, as if she had a lot of other things she would rather be doing than be here.

"Uh…" The goateed teen was taken aback at the sudden question, but quickly caught on. "Yes. May I help you, mam?"

The woman looked up at him in silence for a second before pushing her glasses up on her nose. While technically speaking Shavo towered over her at 6"2, he still felt as if he should be the one looking up at her.

"My name is Arisu Eiko." She introduced herself as she held out a hand. Shavo took it and shook, taking note of how stiff it was. "I am 'ahayr's personal assistant."

"Oh, so you work for baldy." Shavo nodded with understanding as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Arisu notably frowned at this remark, but continued nonetheless.

" 'ahayr is a very busy being, having to look over eighty-nine different sectors of the multiverse. So, whenever something occurs that you need to be informed on, and he is too busy, I'm going to be sent here to brief you. Do I make myself clear?"

Shavodan nodded along with the woman to show he was listening. She already seemed like she was displeased enough, so he didn't want to risk irking this woman anymore than she already is. God knows the women here were already scary enough as it is.

"Okay then." He said. "So… What else are you here for then, exactly? I'd imagine you didn't take the time to come here just to tell me you're serving as the messenger from now on."

"If you must know, , there was an incident last night that we believe may have something to do with the new bounty hunter that has entered this universe looking for you." Arisu told him as she looked down at something written down on her notebook. "Yet another White fang group was attacked last night, with eighteen confirmed dead and three missing. The deaths will more than likely be covered up, so don't be surprised if you don't hear about this on the news."

"Geez, again?" Shavo remarked. As he took a seat on the steps next to the woman. She continued to stand, regarding him with a look of slight vexation. "I mean, don't get me wrong: The White Fang are considered the bad guys here, but shit, man. Doesn't mean they need to get killed."

"Indeed." The woman remarked as she started rifling through the papers in her notebook before she pulled out a small picture. "We were able to find a few of the victims of these attacks. We've sent them into our forensic branch, and they were able to give us some information on this new bounty hunter's tactics."

She inspected the picture for a second longer before her expression became a bit less than annoyed as she handed it over to the teen.

"I should warn you, it's quite... Disturbing."

As Shavodan took the picture, he looked at the woman with a quirked eyebrow, having seen many disturbing things in his life already. He doubted this picture would do much.

Then he took a look at the image and promptly threw up a little bit in his mouth.

The picture was a close up shot of a white fang member, a female that looked to be about his age, if not a couple years older. She had short black hair, and had glazed over green eyes as well as a pair of dog ears on her head. She was fairly skinny as well.

At least, she was, before something went and ripped her and half right below her ribs, intestines and blood displayed for the whole world to see in all of their sick glory.

Shavo on instinct looked away, trying to swallow the small amount of puke before he threw up full throttle. He took a second to right himself before slowly looking back at the picture.

"Jesus Christ." He whispered under his breath as he inspected the picture in his hands.

"From the autopsy reports, we were able to deduce that no weapons were used in the dismemberment of the white fang member." Arisu filled him in with her blank tone. "This one was the only somewhat full body we were able to find. The rest were just pieces of flesh, as well as the odd limb or two."

"So you're saying that whatever did this… Did so with their bare hands?" Shavodan asked with fear evident in his voice.

"Yes, but that's not all." she said as she took the picture from his hands and held it up to his face, as if he couldn't see the bloody gore enough as it was. "Look closely at the edge of her stomach."

Not wanting to, but also not wanting to anger the woman, he did as he was told, seeing bits of ribs poking out from under her skin.

"Yeah… It looks torn as hell." Shavo remarked with disgust. This was honestly what he was having to go against.

"That's not all, ." Arisu said as she brought the picture back into her notebook.

"Those are teeth marks." She said. "Human teeth."

Silence followed after that remark, The Traveller shocked with an expression of horror while Arisu had the same expression.

He was starting to get the feeling he was waaaaaaaay in over his head.

"Mother of fuck, man." He muttered to himself, his mind racing with all of the horrible possibilities of who this new horror that has come to claim his soul might be.

And how in the hell he was ever going to survive in this damn place.

"You're going to have to leave the school's grounds sooner or later, ." Arisu interrupted Shavo from his troubled thoughts with the blank expression he was guessing was her norm. "You can't rely on the protection of the school forever, especially if you plan on becoming a true huntsmen."

"What the HELL do you mean by that!?" He yelled unexpectedly at the woman. His features had went from that of shock to on of anger and hysteria

The pressure had been building since his first day here. Shavodan was just an ordinary kid, having expected just a fun time of becoming strong and spending time with people who he once thought were entirely fictional. He wasn't expecting this, to be damn sure. With every nightmarish version of this world's Grimm, every punch to the face during his so called 'training sessions' and his head being chased after by seemingly more and more of these bounty hunters, his limit for the bullshit was quickly becoming shorter and shorter.

Now, the dam was about to burst.

"How in the actual fuck do you expect me to do that, huh!?" He continued, his voice gaining a shrill tone to it. "You expect me to just 'Oh, hah ha! SIlly monsters can't harm me if I just man up a bit' HUH!? Cause last time I checked, that stupid shit gets people like me torn to FUCKING PIECES! I'm not some sort of, of kind of badass or something! Jesus Christ, I'm not John Fucking Cena or anything! I've fought people before, but that's different than this!"

"I seem to remember you once getting suspended from school during your Junior year for slamming a student's head through a glass pane?" Arisu asked him.

"Okay, you know what, he deserved that!" Shavodan pointed an accusing finger at the woman with a snarl. "Dude just slammed a basketball against my friend's head! There's a big, fuckin' difference between a highschool bully and some regenerative monster named after a fucking show host, and a goddamn human cannibal!"

Gesturing wildly with hysteria evident in his features, Shavodan had lost hold of his panic, now being flown for the world to see. Arisu still had the same blank expression, as if the young man losing his grip in front of him didn't faze her at all.

Right before she backhanded him into silence, the loud smack echoing across the school grounds as the ravings stopped.

"I understand that this situation is unfair to you, ." She said monotonically, Shavo just raising a hand to the red mark on his face with wide eyes. "And yes, Knk'ahayr very much should have gave you more information on what you were getting into."

"You can say that again…" The Goateed traveller remarked quietly as he rubbed the red mark.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you're still here." she told him. "What seems like the more logical approach to this; going into hysterics about how hopeless the situation is, ar actually trying to stand up to the problem and face it like a true huntsman? You aren't just enrolled for fun, Mr. Odadjian. You're here to help those who cannot help themselves, and you can't very well do that if you're losing your mind."

And once again, silence was all that could be heard as the two beings from other universes looked at each other, one with a blank stare and the other with one of awe.

"I… I suppose that makes sense." Shavo agreed as he straightened out his posture, beginning to sound more like himself again. "But… How can I start to improve more? I mean, Yang can help me, but at this rate… it's not going to be of very much help."

"Do you want my suggestion?" She asked him with a raised eyebrow. "I know that 'ahayr endowed you with certain enhancements to your reflexes, as well as your speed and strength. How much of this have you actually noticed?"

Looking down at his hands, Shavodan quietly regarded the day before when Knk'ahayr just randomly summoned arrows down from the sky at him. He thought that he for sure would have been turned into a human shish-ka bob. But instead, he somehow dodged all of them, and without even having to think about it at first. He knows for a fact that he should have been hit, but he didn't.

If Knk'ahayr gave him some sort of ability to dodge, he supposed it would only make sense to have endowed him with some other abilities as well.

"I would try my best to exploit those abilities: See what your limits are. From some of the video feeds I've watched of your training sessions, you show a decent amount of skill against Ms. Xiao-Long, despite her...comments of how poor it is. You have these skills about you, you just haven't done anything to test them. You can't afford to procrastinate here, what with being a leader of your own team."

"I was meaning to ask about that…" Shavo questioned. "Why me? I mean… Ruby deserves more the position of leader more than I do. Hell, even Weiss and Blake do. I didn't even do much."

"With that type of attitude, then that might as well should be the truth." Arisu said with a slight bit of annoyance. "While yes, in the universe you're familiar with, Ruby was the leader. But she wasn't the one who took lead here, was she?"

Turning away from Shavodan and beginning to walk away, Arisu asked him one final question.

"You may feel as if you took the position from Ruby, but let me ask you this; Didn't she go through a period where she too was unsure about her position? GIve yourself more credit, Mr. Odadjian. You may not be a fighter just yet… But you just might have the potential to be."

And with that, the woman walked away from the building and rounded the corner, Shavodan watching her the whole time until she left. He stood there in silence, mulling over the woman's words. Letting out a long breath through his nose, he just shook his head and turned to head back to his regularly scheduled class.

"Jesus Christ, what a fuckin' week." The Teenager sighed under his breath.

Still alive.