Dim, golden lights flickered in a massive room of marble as a young woman stepped out from an alcove. She wore a deep red blazer, a black turtleneck, a tight black mini-skirt, dark maroon leggings and black high-heeled boots that stopped just below her knees. She had auburn hair with a dazzling pair of amber eyes. She wore a black fedora with a crimson feather poking out of it. A rapier with a golden handguard was sheathed and held in her left hand.

The room she stood in was vast. Large, exotic columns lined the sides of the room as a wide window overlooked from high above. The floor was divided into tiles, like a checkerboard. On the far side of the room, there was a large, metal door that was sealed shut. Three silhouettes could be seen from the window. Speakers crackled to life as an older voice of wisdom spoke, "Amaranth D'Oro, are you ready?"

Amaranth nodded. The metal door creaked as it slowly rose open. A monstrous squeal could be heard within. Once again, the voice spoke, "For your final test… you must kill this creature."

As if on cue, a large Grimm lumbered out. It looked like a Boarbatusk, but about the size of a small bus. It's armor plates covered most of its body, spikes jutting out and twisting around its body. This "Super" Boarbatusk eyed up Amaranth and squealed out, ready to charge.

Reaching for her rapier's hilt, Ama heard one last message from the speakers, "You cannot use its weak point to kill it. Begin!"

Now having the cue to begin her trial, Amaranth immediately drew her weapon. The rapier's blade was long and thin. The blade was a deep crimson with a gold line down the middle, running from the hilt to the blade's tip. It was single-edged but still maintained a straight and true line. Amaranth flourished her blade then pointed at the Boarbatusk.

The massive warthog reared up for an attack and then lunged forward at a surprising speed. Amaranth dove out of the way, skid to a stop and swung at one of the twisted horns on its right side. Her blade buried itself into the bone-like material but did not slice through it cleanly.

Yanking her blade out, Amaranth was forced to jump back as the Boarbatusk swung its head and its barbed tusks at her. Landing and then taking a turn to the left, Amaranth used her superior agility and small stature to her advantage as the lumbering creature struggled to turn to face her. Closing in at an opportune moment, Amaranth once again struck the same twisted spike. This time, her blade sliced through it, the spiraling bone clattering to the floor.

Roaring in frustration, the Boarbatusk stamped the ground. The whole room shook, momentarily throwing the young Huntress-in-training off balance. The Grimm took its opportunity and struck forward with his tusks. Amaranth barely had the time to throw up an Aura barrier to lessen the blow as she flew across the room and slammed into a pillar.

Sliding down to her knees, a few strands of Amaranth's auburn hair fell in front of her face. She coughed and used her rapier to push herself back onto her feet. A cool, prickly sensation traveled down her left arm as the Boarbatusk once again reared for an attack. With an ear splitting squeal it charged forward, its blood red eyes trained on Amaranth.

As it closed the distance between them, the scabbard Amaranth held in reverse grip began to glow a bright red. When the Boarbatusk was right on top of her, Amaranth swung her whole body clockwise and let the Aura-infused scabbard strike the Boarbatusk. It squealed as it flew back and skid along the polished floor.

Still spinning, Amaranth felt the cool feeling rush away from her left hand and into her right. Her blade began to glow a brighter crimson as she felt her Aura gather along the edge of her sword. As the Boarbatusk came into sight, Amaranth swung her rapier in the direction of the beast. An arc of red energy in the shape of a crescent flew forth and sliced off a few more spikes. But when it hit the base armor, it practically evaporated upon impact.

Annoyed, the Super Boarbatusk got up to its feet and reared back once more. However, instead of immediately charging, it jumped up slightly into the air and began to form a wheel shape with its body. Amaranth's eyes widened as this "wheel" of black fur and bone began to barrel straight toward her. She threw her whole body out of the way, the Boarbatusk only missing her by a few measly inches before crashing into the wall behind her.

Crashing to the floor, Amaranth's scabbard clattered and spun away from her. Scrambling to her feet, Amaranth saw the Boarbatusk narrow its eyes at her. And for the briefest of moments it seemed to be smirking at her. Indignation rose within her, her breathing quicken as she got back up to her feet. Aura collected on the arc of her blade as she stared down the Grimm. With a cry, she swung her sword again at the creature and the energy flung out and zoomed torwards the Grimm's face.

The energy sliced through the Boarbatusk's right tusk. The heavy bone cracking the floor as it landed. Amaranth wore a smirk as she saw the Grimm rear back in awe. However, the moment was short lived as it repeated its charging wheel attack. Amaranth was more prepared, diving forward into a handspring and vaulting clear away from the monster.

As she landed in a crouched position, Amaranth once again gathered her Aura on her blade and shot another blade beam out at the Grimm. More of its twisted spikes clattered to the floor. Irritated, the Boarbatusk once again charged at her and she dodged.

For several moments, Amaranth repeated this process. Dodge, blade beam, dodge. The warthog was frustrated at how it was unable to kill this prey. As Amaranth rolled up and shot out another beam blade. This cut the other tusk the Boarbatusk had, the ground shaking as it landed. Despite her success, Amaranth was feeling the pressure on her body. The overuse of blade beams was draining her Aura, as well as Aura barriers that were meant to deflect blows too close to her body.

"Finish it."

Nodding, Amaranth stood tall and narrowed her eyes at the Super Boarbatusk. The Grimm, in turn, faced the Huntress as well. There was a moment of stillness before the dark warthog prepared for its final wheel attack. Amaranth quieted her mind. Sound drowned out and she closed her eyes. As she did this, she focused on the sword she held in her hand. Aura traveled down her arm once again, but stopping at her hand.

At first, nothing happened. Then, as the crimson glow around Amaranth's hand began to shine brighter, her sword seemed to vibrate. It was a slow build up, swaying back and forth in a small pattern before picking up speed and then becoming a blur in the shape of her rapier. When Ama opened her amber eyes, they seemed to shine as she brought the blade in front of her face.

The Super Boarbatusk rolled forward, barreling towards Amaranth one last time. However, Amaranth remained calm. She grasped the sword with both hands and raised it overall. Time seemed to slow down, the Boarbatusk's face just within range of Amaranth. With blinding speed, Amaranth swung her blade straight down and struck the Grimm.

The room was still for a moment, the Boarbatusk stopped in its tracks. It's face was only a mere few feet from Amaranth who stared it down in its blood red eyes. Then, without a sound, it fell in half right in front of her. It was a clear cut, straight through the middle. Amaranth's arm's dropped, her grip weakening as she panted heavily. Footsteps made her look up.

Walking up on her right were three people. The silhouettes from earlier. There was a girl with lilac hair, a boy with darker blonde hair and a man wearing a hooded, golden robe. The robed man carried Amaranth's fedora in hand as he walked over to her. As the trinity of people gathered near her, the man offered the hat and smiled from underneath the hood, "You are ready."

End