Authors Note:

I want to thank everyone who read, reviewed and like/favorited my story. I've work hard on writing this proper first chapter, and I hope you all enjoy it.

Small Disclaimer: If you don't want to be spoiled, don't translate the Grimm.

"I don't own any of the series I write FF of. I only own my OC's and my unique aspects added to the story. I don't own any music or songs possibly mentioned, they are just recommendations. All credit of Rwby goes to RoosterTeeth."

Chapter 1: Ins Licht.

The galloping of hooves thundered down the road as two Horsemen rode fast. Black and blue capes fluttered in the wind as they approached a burning settlement. Armor clinked, both theirs and their horses. On a black stallion, Duncan rode, both wore obsidian black armor. His warhammer he named Vulcan was holstered on the side of the horse. Behind him to the side, upon a white Stallion sat a Young Man adorned in silver armor with gold inlays and designs, along with his steed. He wore a silver helm that had two long wings attached to both sides of it, a visor obscured the top half of his face but his chin and jaw was square. A light blue cape flew behind him, under it was holstered an azure great sword.

The Village ahead was on fire, Grimm were on the scene. A few gunshots rang out as screams erupted. Barren oak and green pine trees along both sides of the road juxtaposed to the yellow glow. When they got closer, they noticed all the buildings were burning as if deliberately set. The armored young man cussed and spoke aloud, "We're too late!" He shouted over the noise, "Hunding's Men have already taken flight!"

"We can worry about that later," Duncan shouted back, "We need to look for survivors!"

[Play 'Knight's Charge' -Morrowind OST]

"Alright!" He said as they rode into town, many slain already covered the ground, some being devoured by Grimm. Both Knights drew their awesome weapons. Duncan's hammer smashed into the skull of a Beowolf as it lifted its head up. The Young Man twisted the handle of his great sword, and it shifted into a smaller, more manageable blade. Slashing the throat of another Beowolf who roared at them. Their steeds were brave and steadfast when by Grimm, contrary to many other lesser ones.

He saw a couple of people running from the carnage, "Survivors!" He shouted to his Mentor, pointing with his sword. They galloped towards them, weapons at the ready. A woman holding her child tripped, a Beowolf with a drooling maw was behind her, ready to pounce. The Young Knight leaped from his steed, into the air, transforming his sword back into its great sword form once more. The Woman looked back to see the Grimm go flying in half, cleaved into two by the Knight with a Azure Sword.

Two others came at him, he ducked under a Beowolf's claw and stabbed upwards through its throat. Swiping it free, the creature's head fell off. The Knight back-stepped from a bite from the other, slashing two times, cutting an X on its chest. The Monster leered back in pain, right as he thrust forth, piercing through its chest and out its back. Pulling his glorious sword from the demon's corpse, he slung the black blood off it.

He looked back to the Woman and her little boy, blue eyes glowing under the visor, "Get to safety!" He ordered her firmly, they both looked up in amazement as she did as he asked. Turning to the Grimm, they were snarling, salivating. There were Beowolves, Ursai and Ghouls. One of the latter looked up from a meal at him, a fresh bloody piece of tanned skin in its mouth.

[Stop 'Knight's Charge'-Morrowind OST]

It's black ears long like a mythical elf, the top part of its face was like a human skull with red eyes, but the bottom had a large mouth with rows of razor sharp teeth. Sucking the flesh into its mouth like pasta and swallowing it, it's long Crimson tongue slowly came out, dripping with blood and saliva. They had long black arms and legs with long white sharp claws, their torsos had white bones the shape of a ribcage over it. The ones that stood at average were about six feet tall, most were crawling around or resting on all fours like an ape. They all eyed him, a ghoul started to let out an awful earring shriek.

"Gaaaagggggaagagagagag!!" He flinched at the sound, but stood fast as they came. There were at least thirty Grimm charging him, but he had to protect those people behind him. Lifting his blade up with two hands, he held it out to his right side, ready to cleave. His Mentor, however, jumped into the horde from above off a rooftop and slammed his mighty hammer down. A large fiery explosion sent sixteen of them flying, flailing on fire. He lifted Vulcan up and swung it around in a wide arc, smashing any Grimm in its path.

Not wanting to be left out of the fight, he dashed forward with his sword, cutting through Beowolf after Beowolf. Then jumping into the air and impaling an Ursa, twisting his sword's handle to the left, the Bear Grimm roared out in pain as it burned from the inside out. Its skin bubbled, under its black fur. Pulling his blade free, he jumped off the Grimm's boiling body.

He looked as seven Ghouls rushed towards him, a few in a haphazard bipedal run, others in a disturbing feral ape-like dash. One jumped at him only to divided in half at the waist. Another flanked him from behind, intending on biting his head or neck. He turned, bring his dark blue sword around, it cleaved through the open maw of the Ghoul and separated the top part of its head off. Leaving only a flailing tongue and a convulsing body. A claw hit him on the right side, just scratching his aura.

He elbowed that Ghoul right in the face, breaking some of its teeth. It hissed as he back stepped and brought his greatsword down on it, splitting it in two from the right shoulder down. He turned a rainbow dial in the middle of his sword's handle and twisted it leftward, a white glow emitted from the blade, the tunes along it glowed pale green. In a twirl, sharp lines of wind cut through the air. Some Ghouls were cut in two from the dust, but one ducked and ran at him. It leaped into the air and wrapped its arms around him.

It scratched and sliced, trying to breach the shield of his soul and armor to dig into his flesh. Annoyed, he grabbed it by the ear and threw it off, slamming it into the ground. It shrieked as he lifted his armored foot, slamming it into the fiends face. Its skull caved in and black ichor and brains mixed with white bone poured out of its crushed head, it's body misting. He turned and pointed his sword at the rest that charged at him, a few Ghouls with a couple of Beowolves. Turning the dial to yellow, the runes glowed gold and sparks of electricity formed along the blade. He swung his blade horizontally and a wave of lightning shot out at his enemies, turning many of the weakest into ash, while others fell convulsing.

Duncan jumped back into the air and smashed his hammer down, fire erupted in a shockwave, burning the electrified Grimm. As they started to evaporate, Duncan turned to the Young Knight, looking around it seemed to be clear. Walking over he said, "Good job Siegfried," He slapped the tall Boy's shoulder.

He lifted up the visor to reveal his mature face and dark blue eyes, "Thank you, Duncan." His voice was strong but regal, like a prince (A/N: If you want to visualize what his voice sounds like, he basically sounds the same as Siegfried from Soul Calibur VI).

"Don't let your guard down yet, there still might be-" A loud gurgling roar reverberated across the Village. Both lifted up their weapons to see a figure emerging from the tree line, it was ten feet tall, obese and ugly. It had black pointy ears, a white skeletal face with long tusks jutting out from its lower jaw. Guts hanged from its mouth, and blood dripped down its chin like a child eating spaghetti. Its arms were long and thick with muscles, juxtaposed to its big belly that jiggled with every step. It legs were, compared to the rest of its body, short and stubby. It's hands had medium length laws. In its right, it dragged a long club, in its left, it held a corpse with guts dangling out of it. Duncan cussed, "Shit! An Ogre!"

[Play 'Hunt or Be Hunted' -The Witcher 3 OST]

Siegfried slammed his visor down and held Balmung to the side, he looked over to Duncan who mirrored his pose with his hammer. "I'll go for its stomach, you go for its hand, at your move."

"You're learning, boy," Duncan grinned. The Ogre gurgled with scorn, it raised it club high into the air. "Follow my lead!" They took off towards the monster, their great weapons ready to spill demonic ichor. The club came down in a horizontal swing, Vulcan met it with a direct strike, knocking it back. The Grimm about stumbled, but regained its balance just in time as Siegfried slashed at its plump belly. It leered back as the blade struck true, but only scratched the surface. The Ogre retched stomach acid and red blood at the Young Knight, who rolled out the way with a curse.

"Keep your eyes on me, ugly!" The older Knight shouted as he slammed his warhammer into the monster's side, a small fire dust explosion sent it back. It spat out some of its own blood as it thrashed forward, swinging its club chaotically.

"Grrraaasahhhhh!" It roared in its rage, Duncan baited it as Siegfried ran behind it, slashing its back. It turned toward him with a sling, but he met it head on with Balmung. The azure blade cut through the crude club made from a dead tree, as the beast looked at its broken weapon confused, he slung his blade at its ankle. "Craaaaaasaaawwwwww!!!!" It screamed it pain, throwing what was left of the club onto the ground like a petulant child. Duncan came forth with Vulcan, jumping into the air to nail its head.

What nobody expected, however, was for the Ogre to grab the shaft of his Hammer while he was in the air. The Old Huntsman hanged on his weapon as the monster smirked, "Shit balls..." He muttered, before it flung him away, rolling onto the ground. It looked at it like a little boy at a new toy and grinned from ear to ear.

"Duncan!" Siegfried shouted in furry, he charged the beast as it slammed the hammer down like a crazed man. He shifted Balmung back into a smaller sword, turned dial to red and activated its fire dust. The runes along the blade turned crimson as flames covered it like gasoline. The Ogre came at him with Vulcan, aiming to nail him into paste. He ducked and weaved, slashing his blade in the air. Sending waves of fire at it, striking true.

Its flesh was burnt and bubbling, "Alzaaaaahl!!!!" It gurgled in pain, flailing around. The hammer shaking the ground as it pounded it. It missed him as he slid under its legs and slashed the anus, as it cried out he stood up and slashed upwards with flames. It's back caught on fire as it turned to him with its stolen weapon raised. He jumped back as Vulcan smashed into the ground, sending dirt flying. Then ran forth, shifting Balmung back into a greatsword. Leaping into the air, slashing upwards as the blade cut deep into its right, muscly arm.

The arm flew, the Hammer falling to the ground as it grasped its bleeding stump, roaring in pain. He landed on his feet, and turned back to the Grimm. It looked at him with absolute bloodlust, turning and stumbling forth like a disorientated giant. "Raaasaaaahhh!!!" He readied his blade, as it came close, Vulcan smashed into its back.

"This is for touching my hammer with your greasy hands!" Duncan shouted, the Ogre stumbled forward in confusion as Siegfried dashed to its right and then ran in front of it, slashing its stomach open. Guts, crimson blood, black blood, green stomach acid with Human and Faunus body parts came rushing out as it groan in pain. It fell to its knees, the Young Knight ran up a burning building and launched himself at the monster. The last thing it saw, was Balmung coming for its throat.

[Stop 'Hunt or Be Hunted' -The Witcher 3 OST]

As its head flew and hit the ground, he landed on his feet, slinging the black ichor off his sword. A deep exhaled from his lips as he looked at Duncan walking towards him, "In all my forty-one years, I've never seen a Grimm take a Huntsman's weapon from their own hands before and use it." He said with a chuckle, "I'm pretty lucky."

Siegfried smiled, "I wouldn't call getting your weapon stolen by a Grimm lucky, Duncan."

"It's not about what's good fortune," He raised his hammer upon his shoulder and pointed his left finger, "It's about what makes an excellent song."

"Sure," He sarcastically riposted, "I'll keep that in mind when we finally track down Hunding." The mood soured upon that name being muttered. Both frowned as Duncan turned to where the people ran.

"We should check on the survivors to make sure their safe." He spoke stoically, all the joy drained in an instant.

"Right."

Both Knights walked over to what seemed to be a storm cellar. Knocking on the iron hatch made a booming sound, "Open up! It's safe!" The Old Huntsman shouted. The sound of a latch being undone was made as the hatch swung open. An old wrinkly man wearing a brown hat, thick round glasses, green overalls and holding an Atlesian Sturmträger-100, a Military grade assault Shotgun strong enough to blow an Ursa Major's head off, came out and aimed it at their faces.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YA WUNT?!" He screamed, both Mentor and Student raised their hands up in shock.

"Woah! Take it easy, we're not Hill Clansmen!" Siegfried tried to calm the Man down.

"DO YA THINK I'M GODDAMN BLIND BOY!" He shouted, "But for all I know, you two could be different Bandits!"

"Sir, I'm Duncan Blackburn, a Huntsman-"

"AND WHOSE THIS?!" He aimed the Shotgun in the Young Knight's face.

"I'm Siegfried-"

"LISTEN HERE SIGFUCK, I WUNT TO HEAR IT FROM HIM!"

"That's my apprentice Siegfried Walsung, a Huntsman-in-training."

"Ok, Hr-untshits, what do you two want?!" He asked with scorn.

"We've eliminated the Grimm for now, we came to check up on the survivors." He explained, "Grimm still might come, we're here to keep you lot safe until the VDF arrives."

"Well we dunt need ya, Cockburn, so fuck right off!"

"Eustace! Stop antagonizing the Huntsmen for Lord's sake!" An old woman's voice echoed from deep in the cellar.

"God dammit Woman!" He turned and shouted down the stairs, "I'm trying to keep everyone of YOU ungrateful SHITS safe down there!"

Siegfried couldn't help but notice the irony.

Duncan tried to calm the Man down further. "Listen, I know your stressed right now and anxious, I got a family of my own back home." He pulled out a photo out of a pocket to Eustace's anxiety, it was a Photo of Duncan with a brunette woman with golden eyes. Two boys stood with them. The Old Man took it from his hand and looked at it. "We're hunting down the Warlord responsible for this, a terrible man named Hunding."

"Hun-ding..." The Old Man said, mulling it over with his tongue. "When those faithless Heathens attacked, one was screaming praise to a Hunding before I blew his head off." Handing the photo back, he turned and said, "You can come in, but no funny business!" They followed him down the steps, into a decently sized chamber. There were around...seven people, one boy, four men, two women.

"Is this all that's left?" Siegfried asked.

"That we know of, those Barbarians just came in out of nowhere and started killing folks. Then they carried others off, the rest of us were left for the Grimm."

Duncan stroked his beard, "When did this happen?" A Younger Man with light brown hair and green eyes answered him.

"About an hour ago, they left-" Looking down at his watch, "Forty minutes ago, out our Northwestern gate."

Siegfried then turned to Duncan, lifting up his visor. The Older Man saw the sparkle in his eyes, he knew what that meant. "No, I'm not letting you go after them alone."

"If we do nothing, then both our chance to rescue those people and get information on Hunding's location slips out of our hands!" He protested, Duncan gestured to the few people in the room.

"We have to protect these people from the Grimm until the VDF arrivess."

Siegfried folded his arms, "You don't need me to do that Duncan, you're more than capable yourself, so am I."

"What if you don't find them? What if they've already rode off into the sunset?"

"You and I both know they have at least camped somewhere tonight," He said with eyes filled with determination, "I can do this." The Old Huntsman facepalmed and wiped the grime off his face.

"Fine..." He reluctantly decided, "Go search for them, but don't ride off too far." He finished while patting the Young Knight's shoulders.

"Thanks, I won't let you down." He said, a breath of relief exhaled from his mouth. He turned towards the steps.

"I'll contact the VDF while you're gone," Duncan told him,"Keep safe."

"I will." He began to walk up the steps as a voice called out to him.

"Wait!" He looked back to see the Man with green eyes, he showed him a photo of his family. He stood by a older man with a longer white beard and a woman with gray and brown hair, opposite of him stood a young woman, around twenty with dark brown hair and green eyes. "Take this! My Mother and Sister were taken in the raid, please rescue them."

"What about your Father?" Siegfried asked solemnly, the man looked away with a restrained look.

"He didn't make it." He could see the Man struggle to maintain appearances, the Young Knight took the picture from his hands. Everything was reminding him of that fateful night.

"I'll rescue your Mother and Sister, I swear upon my Honor." He said, firm and true.

"T-Thank you! And good luck!"

He nodded back as he went up the stairs into the late night air. The town still burned as he looked around, it was safe to assume it was lost and will take years for some ambitious person to buy, rebuild and populate again. He saw a sign hanging by one hinge, 'Mossshire Inn', the building it was attached to had already collapsed. Visions from that night haunted his mind, a thunderous roar still echoed in his head. He clutched his fists tightly as he took a deep breath and released it shakily.

He closed the hatch, and whistled. A loud neigh followed by galloping made him flinch, but relaxed as he saw his white steed approach. When he came to a stop, Siegfried patted his side with a smile. "Sorry Grane," He said as rand a hand through his stallion's mane. "But it ain't time for a rest yet."

On a lonely road...

He rode upon Grane for an hour along the northwestern road, searching for any sign of Hill Clansmen activity. It was dark, almost pitch black due to the surrounding forest, the only light from the almost full moon. He scanned the woods, for any sign of light or Grimm. It was always dangerous to travel the roads at night across Remnant, especially those far from the main cities. Grimm were more active at night and in darkness in general, not to mention Bandits and Hill Clans laying ambushes on the most unsuspecting of travelers.

Life was harsh out here, arguably more so than even the most destitute people in a city have to go through. Death, was an everyday thing. Only large towns and cities had longevity, little villages and hamlets on the frontier like Mossshire get destroyed all the time, by Grimm and by People. He came around a bend and saw something over a hill.

Smoke, a long trail, sort of the same he and Duncan saw long before reaching the village. This was less dense, a sign of campfires perhaps? He rode Grane cautiously along the road towards the smoke. After six minutes of riding, he came upon lights in the trees, a camp. He stopped his horse and steered it into the trees on the side of the road. He knew that any closer, and he'd be spotted or heard by a lookout, if they don't have a Faunus that is-then they'd possibly are preparing to attack him right now.

Hopping off his steed, he patted its side. "Wait here, Boy, run if you see Grimm." It neighed in response. He turned to the direction of the camp and took out his sword, transforming it in its smaller state. He crept forward as best as he could with plate armor and his weapon held out behind him. His eyes darted back and forth the surrounding area. He saw the camp ahead with more detail, it was large. There were at least twenty tents, a few horses tied to a tree, and fifty or more Hill Clansmen and even a few Sea Reavers. Quite a few were drinking in merriment, for celebration and warding off Grimm. Others either slept or patrolled with their archaic weapons.

He saw to the left, a man sleeping against a tree with a bow in his hands, slumped over. A beer bottle in his hand. He had short hair, a little long on one side, but shaved thin on the other. He snored loudly and seemed to be in deep sleep from drink. A dark part of his mind told him to take him out while he dreamt, his Honorable soul rejected that, however. Deciding to take the Man prisoner if he did not wake, he went forward towards his target.

As he got closer, he heard the laughter of some raiders as held up bottles, goblets and cups of ale. The Men and few women were a diverse bunch. There was no standard uniform among them, some wore plaid cloaks, others fur cloaks. Some wore armor, others tunics, even some who wore nothing but britches and the tattoos on their bodies. Many wore helmets, others with chain mail attached, others wore Bear and wolf skins on their heads, there were also those who had none.

He leaned behind a tree, and took a deep breath. Closing the visor over his face. What he was going to do next both excited him and scared him. It was a stupid idea, but...it made for an excellent song.

He ran out from behind the tree, shifting his blade into its great form. "HUNDING!!! I'VE COME FOR YOU!!!!" Three of the Raiders turned to see him just in time to lose their heads. Everyone jumped up to his, shocked, entertained and a little afraid.

"TO ARMS!" A Man shouted, picking up his dane axe. Siegfried leaped up into the air and cleaved through a bald man like butter, as he fell, the Knight raised up in a sweeping manner, slicing through at least four surprised warriors. They fell, squirming as their Comrades joined the fray.

"The All Father will have your blood!!" A bearded man with a braided ponytail shouted as he brought his axe down upon him, he sidestepped out of the way and stabbed him through the back, "Gaaaahhh!" He screamed in pain as he kicked him off his blade, he parried a scantily clad woman with a spear. She tripped backwards as he divided her at the waist. As she squealed, he grabbed her spear and with a twirl threw it at a shirtless man coming at him with two axes, throwing him down and piercing his chest. Killing him instantly.

He activated wind dust and swiped in a wide arc, several of the no-aura warriors fell, most in half. A man in leather armor with a Dane Axe charged at him. Siegfried back stepped his chop and thrusted forward, impaling him in the chest. As he gasped, he pulled out the blade swiftly. Swiping the blood off his blade. Five charged him, a tattooed woman with a sword, a redheaded man with a braided pony-tail and a claymore, a guy with two axes, a man with a spear and finally, a younger girl with a battle axe.

The Tattooed woman had a shaved head, she brought her sword at him with a swiping motion. He shifted his blade back to its smaller form as their blades clashed. "Die Kingdomer!" She shouted, he broke her guard with an elbow to the face. Knocking her down, as she opened her eyes, she saw an armored boot coming down on her head. Her skull cracked from the strength, blood poured out from as it collapsed in .

"I'M THE LIGHT's RETRIBUTION!!" He shouted, adrenaline pumping, turning and shifting Balmung back into a great sword. The man with a claymore had no top on, he had rows of tattoos of strange symbols. They looked like the ones he saw so long ago and the ones on his family sword. He had light orange hair, with a braided beard and ponytail, blue eyes.

"I'll offer your head to HUNDING!!" He shouted as their blades clashed, they traded blows as sparks flew. Siegfried's blade rose high into the air and came down swiftly, the clansman raised his claymore up to block his strike. To both their surprise, the azure blade shattered the low quality sword, and cleaved through his shoulder and down into his chest. The Man spat up blood and gasped as the Young Knight wretched the sword free. As the body fell, he turned to find himself flanked by the Girl and ten men.

"You're strong, for a Kingdomer." She said with a smirk, her voice both thick with an accent and feminine. She looked around his age or slightly older, with pale blonde hair and light blue eyes, like his own mother did. On one side of her head, she had a long knotted braid while a leather band was around her head. She wore sleeveless leather armor with two leather fingerless gloves, a two-sided battleaxe rested on her shoulders. Her posture was relaxed, her free hand on her hip. "Brave too, charging into our camp like that."

"Brave of you all to surround me." He said as he raised his blood covered blue sword. She didn't flinch.

"Bravery isn't all there is to being a great warrior..." She uttered, he saw her eyes flicker to the left and right. Two sets of footsteps flanked his sides, stepping back, he narrowly dodged a spear aimed for his side by a long haired guy. He saw the other with the axes coming from his left and threw his sword into the air. He yanked the spear right into the other man's stomach, both of their eyes widened. As the axe-man dropped his axes, Siegfried snatched one out of the air and slammed it down upon the Spearman's skull, he could see his eyes bulge out of his head from the hard impact as he fell.

They all descended upon him like vultures, he grabbed Balmung as it fell back down and swiped in a twirl. Eight men fell, their guts and blood splashing the ground and some of his armor as their torsos flew into the air. He turned back to her, she was unfazed. "You know, your pretty good." She complemented. "Why don't ya renounce that 'Lord of Light' and follow the path of Odin?" She asked, he felt the blood in his veins boil. "We could always use more strong warriors in our ranks."

He pointed his sword at her, "I WOULD NEVER FORSAKE THE LORD!" He shouted in fury, "I swore an oath to Dagda, I intend to keep it!"

"Shame," She raised her axe, "Looks like I have no choice but to send you up with the Valkyries." He charged forth, swinging Balmung at her, she blocked it, her arm shaking as she did. He swung at her again, she blocked and kicked him in the right leg. Likewise, he fell to a knee from a loss of balance, only for her to swing her axe at him, he rolled to the left. She tried to follow him, he swung Balmung upward, she locked his blade under the beard of her axe.

A wild grin came over her face, "You're a real good fighter," she said, "You're better than most of these grunts too!"

"Thanks," He said with a smirk, "But I'm not just a good fighter, I'm the best." He twisted his sword's handle, and it shifted back to a shorter size, he slipped out of the lock to her surprise and slashed her in the face. She tumbled back but caught her footing, looking back at him, he was surprised. A long cut on her face slowly healed as she grinned once more.

"What?" She asked smugly, "Didn't expect me to have an aura?"

"To be honest," He said, raising his blade, "I didn't."

She snorted laughter as she swung her axe. He deflected, pushing her lightly off her balance. She laughed even harder as she regained it. Siegfried feigned a weak lunge, she immediately sidestepped and tried to parry, only for him to turn with a swing of his sword. She was knocked back as Balmung scrapped her Aura. Laughing as she blocked his next blow, she pushed him back and slammed her axe into his shoulder, blocked by his aura. He used her momentum to slam his armored left elbow into her chin. She took a few steps back from the blow.

He went to the left and swung his sword at her. She jumped to the side, his blade missed her and only hit the ground. She planted her foot and aimed a kick at him. He raised his sword to parry it, she instead brought her axe down on him. Hit hard, he fell to the ground on his back.

"You're pretty fast." She complimented, she swung her axe down at him, and he rolled out of the way. "But I'm still faster." She swung it at him again, he countered with a swing of his own, only to be blocked by her axe.

He swung at her again, she deflected it and pushed him back, she followed up by kicking him hard in the stomach and swinging her two-sided battleaxe at his chest. It struck true, getting a grunt out of him as it collided against his aura, knocking him down. "That's right! Scream for me Kingdomer!" Shouting as she slammed it down on him two more times, a dark blue sparking as the axe hit. The third time, his azure sword met her battleaxe. His foot jutting into her stomach, kicking her off. He arose and shifted Balmung back into a great sword.

"What? Is that all you got?" He commented with a measuring look and sneer. She was tough, he'll give her that, but, "I've faced Grimm more challenging than you!"

She growled and charged at him, he turned the dust dial to light blue and twisted the handle, a cold mist emitted from the blade as the runes glowed light blue. He stabbed the ground, before him, ice formed over it. Wrenching it free, he turned the dial to red. The Barbarian Girl slid towards him, he swung his flame coated blade as she came close.

She flew to the side, rolling on the ground and landed flat on her ass, her white aura flickering. Inspecting him with a smug glare, her lip curled a little as she sat on top of the ground, her breath clear and lungs air pumping in and out. "Gods...I want to fuck the shit out of you."

He blinked, "What?!" as he was taken by both confusion and the primal instinct to become aroused.

"Let me spell it out for you, bitch." She spat, slowly getting up with her axe. "Surrender, and I'll make you my personal fuck toy, I'll ride you like a stallion every night." She finished with a devilish grin.

"Thanks for the offer," He said as he raised his blade, "But I'm not interested in being made a Sex Slave."

"Looks like I'll have to break you in then!" She said as she charged him. "You stubborn dog!" She swung not once, but twice, Siegfried blocked them both with Balmung. She sidestepped to his left and slammed her axe into his back. He gritted his teeth as aura sparked. He snarled as he brought his blade down in an overhead, horizontal arc. She dodged, the slash taking her in the left arm. She coughed as she ducked behind Balmung. Siegfried lunged at her, her axe coming down on the back of his neck.

Ducking under the blow, he stepped back. Raising his sword again, this time it was to parry. She swung her axe back at him at the last moment, he shifted his sword and countered. She was knocked back as her axe went flying, he held his sword at her chest, "Surrender, now!" He commanded as she smirked. She took a few steps back, raising her left hand defensively.

"You wouldn't hurt a girl now, would you, Sir Knight?" She looked down at her arm, "You wouldn't, right?"

"I said," His grip tighten around his sword, "Surrender."

"Never." She spat, drawing a knife from behind with her right hand, she lunged at him. He back stepped and swung his blade horizontally to the left, it hit her right in the side. Balmung went wild digging into her Aura, as she was sent flying away, right into a tree. Her aura shattered, as she hit the ground. She weakly looked up at him. "Gods..." She choked, wheezing and breathing hard. "I-I'll kill you!" She growled as she raised her arms and clenched her fists, before passing out.

He turned and faced the rest of the camp, the Clansmen watched with weapons ready, using his battle with her to regroup and get into a formation. He sighed as he raised his sword, and activated the dust. As fire covered his blade, he charged forth.

After a long battle...

Siegfried took a deep breath as he made towards the end of the camp. Bodies followed in his wake, most of the Raiders dead or dying behind him. Blood splatter covered both his armor and sword as he took steps forward. He could see the carriages now, the ones containing loot and the ones with cages, filled with people. They all reached out their hands through the bars holding them, shouting for him to save them. He was so close, he had to keep pushing onwards. Two men came at him, one wore a bearskin and the other a simple tunic.

The Berserker swung an axe at him wildly, he leaned back from a swing before disemboweling him with a quick slash. The second Warrior thrusted a spear, only for him to turn out of the way and stab him right in the stomach. The Warrior spat out blood as he pulled the blade free and decapitated him with continuous motion. Blood stained the ground before him as he walked forth to the carriages. When he got to the cages, he saw at least twenty or more people in them. Some Men, mostly Women and Children.

"I'm here," He said with a heavy breath, "To save you all." He walked over to the back door of a carriage to find it locked. 'Shit.' He should've expected this, but it's been a long day.

"He has the keys!" A Woman shouted, pointing over behind him.

"Who?" He asked, tired.

"I do." A new gruff voice entered the fray, a voice thick with the accent of the Clansmen.

[Play 'Battle for Kattegat' -Vikings OST]

He turned to see a Man in golden armor walk towards them, he held a sword with a golden hilt in his right hand, a golden round shield in his left. He wore a helmet in the style that many barbarians around the world favored, but more fancy with gold designs (A/N: Basically the Valsgarde 8 helmet). It had a weird visor with a ridge on top like a jutting spine. There were small images in squares showing scenes all around the helmet of stories he did not know. The man had hazel eyes and golden blonde hair with a long beard.

"Who are you?!" He asked as he raised his blade, ready for battle.

"My name is Agnarr Gold-Tooth." He introduced himself with arms wide, "Brother to Hunding Blood-Axe." He banged his sword against his shield. They both started to circle each other.

"Where is the Warlord Hunding?" He asked, darting his weary eyes back and forth.

"Not here Kingdomer." He chuckled, twirling the sword in his hand, "My Brother wouldn't waste his time on a small raid like this."

"Then why are you here?" The Knight asked suggestively, "I'd expect the Brother of the renowned Hunding not to be Dead Weight." The Warrior gestured all-around with his sword.

"To get all these weaklings some experience, but you sent them all to Valhalla." He said with a smirk, "And I think you're about to find out that I'm the strongest one here."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," He slammed a fist against his chest plate, "After all, I'm here."

"And who are you, Kingdomer?" Agnarr asked, intrigued.

"My name is Siegfried Walsung, I'm a Warrior of Light." He stated with pride.

"That name and accent, you aren't a Valean are you boy." He inferred.

"No, I hail from Solitas."

"Then why do a bunch of dead Valeans matter to you?" He asked curiously, "They've done nothing but ruin everyone's way of life, my people, your people, everyone. They're ugly and disgusting tongue is spoken everywhere, even me and you are speaking it right now. The languages of our ancestors forgotten out of convenience for their world order."

"Because you and your People are harming innocents, in the last four weeks alone you have razed at least twelve villages, thirteen if we count Mossshire." Siegfried explained, "No innocent person ever deserves to be harmed, no matter their heritage, to do so is to feed the darkness."

"And that is weakness." He argued, "The world is meant to be for the taking by the strong, not submitting to the weak."

"It's the duty of the Strong to protect the Weak." The Young Knight challenged.

"What stereotypical nonsense, you really are a Knight, aren't you? Those old Warriors that a few Kingdoms used before their even more pathetic Huntsmen."

"I'm more than a Knight or a Huntsman," He readied his sword, "I am a Hero!"

"Then die as one!!" The Raider shouted as he charged him shield raised, he raised his sword to block the impact from the shield, he was knocked backwards as the raider's sword slashed across his chest, aura blinking. He swung Balmung in retaliation, but Agnarr parried it with his golden shield and slashed him twice with his sword before kicking him back. Falling onto the ground, he looked up to see the glint of a blade headed for his face.

He rolled out of the way, bringing his great sword up in a diagonal slash. Golden sparks flew off both armor and aura as the warrior was pushed back. Siegfried swung his sword two times in retaliation and twirled into a great swing. Balmung hit the shield in an ear-piercing clash, the blade thrown back from the impact, he was met with a shield bash and two diagonal swipes. "Come on, Kingdomer, is that the best you got?!" Agnarr shouted jovially as he planted another kick into the Knight's stomach.

He skirted across the ground and planted his sword into the ground, coughing, he said, "You haven't seen anything yet barbarian!" He twisted the dial to gold and revved up his sword and shifted it to its smaller form. Swinging it wildly in front of him, arcs of lightning shot out from his blade. The Warrior lifted his shield up and blocked every hit, the electricity still splashed over it and impacted his golden aura.

"N-Not bad Kingdomer!!" He grunted from the minor shocks, "But not good enough!!" Charging forth with sword raised, Siegfried readied a parry only for the Man to feint and slam his shield right into his face, disorientating him. The Barbarian took the opening with three slashes and a smack across the face, once again with the shield. He fell once more to the ground, the one-handed blade was flipped in his attacker's grip and was brought down in a stabbing motion. "DIE!!!"

He rolled to the right and swiped out with his sparkling blade. Agnarr raised up his shield to block the bolt, but tumbled back from its strength. The Knight jumped up to his feet and turned the dial to dark orange, and shifted the blade back to its longer form as he raised it high into the air. "I SHALL NOT-" The blade fell upon the ground, "YIELD!!!" Rocks jutted our of the ground in a straight line, the Barbarian rolled out of the way as a long sharp stone pillar came out of his old location.

As he stood up, he was met with a U sharp cross guard hooking around his round shield. He was pulled forward into a charging armored shoulder, as he pushed back from the impact, a blue blade struck him thrice with powerful swings. The last blow landed hard upon his right shoulder, forcing him down. His bearded chin was met with an armored knee, launching back upwards where he saw a flaming greatsword was coming at him in a horizontal swing.

Agnarr was batted away when it collided against his left arm, his sword and shield rolling across the ground with him until he landed into a table, splintering it upon impact. His aura faintly shimmered as he looked up. He could see bright blue eyes glowing under the silver helmet's visor, a blue cape flowing in the wind behind him. He held out an Azure Sword, pointing it straight at him, "It's over, surrendernow." Cheers from the prisoners echoed through the air, along with craws of ravens.

[Stop 'Battle for Kattegat'-Vikings OST]

He breathed heavily as he looked up, there were ravens. Two of them circled over head, watching, waiting for the outcome. He smiled, this was it, this was his destiny. "The All Father is here," He said wearily, what remained of his aura working to heal him. "His Ravens are watching us..." He finished, pointing up to the sky.

"Sure," Siegfried said sarcastically, "Now on to real matters, where is Hunding? Where is he located?!"

"I'll never betray my shield brother!" He shouted, slowly getting up,"I'll die before that, that's how strong our bonds are!" He spat, "A chain that can never be broken, something you Kingdomers can never understand!"

"Then you are both a fool and a dead man."

[Play 'Battle for the Hill of the Ash'-Vikings OST]

"No," He said, grabbing his shield off the ground. "I AM AGNARR!!!" He threw the shield at him, he deflected it with his great sword. As it flew back, the Barbarian grabbed it out of the air in a twirl and came back at him with renewed resolve. He charged at him with both sword and shield, "HAIL ALL-FATHER!" He shouted as he slammed into the Knight, knocking him back, "On this day, I may die! But I shall give you a glorious show!"

Siegfried ducked and weaved as the sword came at him like a frenzied serpent, it along with the shield struck true several times, causing blue sparks to fly from his aura. He swung Balmung horizontally again, one for the Warrior to duck under the blade and slash at his right leg and bash into his back. Pushed forward, he turned with a swing, his sword set aflame once more. The Barbarian blocked with his shield, the flames washing over him and burning his aura.

The Knight ran forth and planted his great sword into the ground and jumped forth into a drop-kick, planted both armored boots into the shield, sending Agnarr skirting back on his feet. He landed on two feet, pulling it out of the ground and bringing his sword high above them both, slamming it down on the ground. A large wave of fire came forth at him, he sidestepped and threw his shield at Siegfried, who batted it away.

"Raaaaagghhhh!!!" The Golden Warrior ran forth, pull a small golden axe from behind him. He was fast like the wind, Siegfried hardly could keep up with his defenses as the duel wielding berserker assaulted him. Sword cuts and axe chops struck him multiple times from the tornado in front of him. He leaped back and thrusted forth in a lunge, but the savage ducked to his right and chop twice into his aura along with a slash, then kicking him.

As he turned, he saw him leaping in a twirl with both sword and axe. Acting quickly, he rolled forward out of the way. As Agnarr landed, he looked at the Knight, who raised his sword defensively. Siegfried was breathing heavily, his aura was low, one good strike, and it would be over. The same was true with the Warrior in front of him.

Said warrior raised his arms out wide, shouting "Come Siegfried!!" His mouth was wide in a crazed grin, "Valhall awaits me!!!"

The Knight's blood boiled, "No paradise awaits any Warrior who harms innocents!" He shouted, gripping his blade tightly.

"WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT!!!" He screamed, "OOOOODDDIIIIINNNNN!!!!!" Running forth, twirling the weapons in his hands. Siegfried countered his charged and planted his blade into the ground, jumping into the air. As Balmung was lifted above his head with dirt trailing behind it, he could see, for just a moment, a figure in the tree-line. A familiar cloaked figure, holding a wooden staff.

When Balmung came down, it struck true. An arm wielding an axe flew into the air, a stream of blood following it. A golden light flashed as the sound of breaking glass echoed throughout the night. Siegfried panted as he looked back to his enemy. Agnarr was on one knee, sword in one hand, as blood squirted out his other arm. The Knight raised his sword with his right hand, "Surrender, this is your last chance."

"V-Valkyries..." The Barbarian wheezed, slowly getting up. "TAKE ME UP!!!" He ran forth, sword high, ready to die. The Knight simply parried, the blade soared up out of the Man's hand. He grabbed it out of the air, and stabbed Agnarr right in the stomach with his own sword. Blood spewed forth from both his mouth and stomach as Siegfried came past him and brought Balmung through his back. The azure sword came out his chest in a splash of crimson ichor, the Barbarian gasped as he died. The blade was wretched free from his body in a single swipe.

[Stop 'Battle for the Hill of the Ash'-Vikings OST]

As the Golden Warrior fell upon the ground, the Knight fell to his knees, held up only by his sword. He was tired, worn out from all the battles he had fought that night. The lack of sleep started to get to him as his eyes fluttered, the urge to collapse immense. He had very little aura left out of his large pool, but it had to do him. Raising up from the ground, he heard the people cheer, turning to the carriages to see the Men, Women and even the Children clap and holler in joy. He smiled, he had saved them. All that was left now was to find the keys...

He stumbled over to the corpse of Agnarr, there already was a large blood puddle around the man. He kneeled down and searched his satchel on his back, finding some lien and the keys he was looking for. Standing up, he saw ravens circling over head.

"Well done..." An old voice whispered in his ear, he felt a hand on his right shoulder for just a second as he turned around with his sword ready.

There was nobody there, just dead corpses and a near empty camp. He looked all the way around for a second before lifting his visor up and rubbing his tired eyes. Sighing, he made his way back over to the carriages. Step by step, his legs wobbled as he got closer and closer. When he made it to the back of one, he pulled out the keychain. Setting his sword down, he fiddled with it and the lock, trying to find the correct key. He was getting frustrated, there was at least thirty keys on the one ring.

"BEHIND YOU!" Someone on the caged carriage he was trying to open shouted, he turned just in time to see a man coming at him with an axe. Before he could raise Balmung however, an arrow pierced his attacker's skull in a whoosh. As the body fell over, he turned to find a new but familiar man holding a bow.

"Who the hell are you?!" Siegfried shouted, readying his weapon for battle.

"Woah, woah, relax..." The Stranger spoke with an accented voice thick and smooth like honey, "I'm on your side, see." He laid his bow down and raised his hands into the air. He had short black hair, a little long on one side, but shaved thin on the other. His eyes were green, his skin tanned, his face had light stubble. He smiled eerily.

"You're that lookout I saw earlier..." The Knight concluded, "Weren't you sound asleep?"

"Well, to be honest, I was awake the whole time." The Man revealed, "Saw you coming and figured that if I did anything else, I would be dead, like all these fellows around here."

"What made you come to that conclusion?"

"Well you had fancy armor, a purebred stallion and a greatsword on your back. In this day and age, that usually signals a Huntsman." He explained, "I wasn't going to put what skill you had to the test." His hand gestured over to the dead Golden Warrior and everyone else, "Instead I left that to poor little Agnarr, and all the buffoons around here." Shrugging, he said, "Guess I was right."

"So...you're surrendering to me?"

"Sure am, if I go back to Hunding now, I'm dead." He said nonchalantly, "He doesn't take kindly to cowards."

"You are a coward, Floki!!" A feminine voice called out, they both looked to see the blonde girl from earlier stumbling towards them with her battle-axe behind her. Her face bore a furious scowl, her eyes burnt with rage.

"Ah, dear Sister!" He said surprised, "You're...still alive..." There was audible disappointment in his voice.

"I'm going to kill you, you worthless shit stain!!!" She snarled, her eyes met the Knight's, "And then, I'm going to fuck your brains out before I slit your throat!"

"Come now, there's no need for-"

"SHUT UP!" She swung at him haphazardly, he simply dodged out of the way. She turned back towards him, "Stand still, and let me KILL YOU!!"

"And let my dear sister become a Kinslayer," There was fake concern in his voice, "No thanks."

"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!" She shouted as she swung again, he simply ducked. "DIE!" Another swing came at him, he back stepped. Suddenly, the axe was pulled out of her hand. She snapped to the Knight with a growl as she jumped at him, "GIVE ME MY AXE BACK-uggh!" He simply pushed her down.

"You have no aura, calm down and surrender." Siegfried was unamused.

"I don't need an Aura to take that rodent's head and to fuck you!"

"Calm down, you horny beast!" Floki said as he strolled over.

"Shut up-"

"How about you both shut up!" They both looked at him, "You're both my prisoners, so do as I say!"

"I'm n-no one's prisoner!" The Girl shouted as she tried to push herself up.

"You have no aura to be able to resist, and your brother already surrendered." He lectured, "It's over."

"He's got you there, Astrid." Immediately, he took a step back, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. Images flashed through his mind, a loving mother, her skull crushed under hoof.

"What's wrong, Kingdomer?" Floki asked, still smiling. "You look like you saw a ghost?"

The Shieldmaiden smiled deviously, "Does my beautiful face frighten you?"

"No," He responded, regaining his composure. "I just knew someone with that name once..."

"Ooookaay..." The sly Man said drawn out, "Anyway," He looked at his Sister, "Astrid, just for once, do as I ask?"

She sighed and closed her eyes, "You will owe me for this."

He clapped his hands together, saying, "Splendid!!!" He turned to the Knight, "Now what do we need to do as your prisoners?"

"Get down on your knees and put your hands behind your heads." He instructed, they did as they were told. But, the caged villagers erupted into protests.

"KILL THE SAVAGES!!" One Man shouted with bared teeth, shaking his fist through the air outside the bars.

"THEY MURDERED MY HUSBAND!!" A Green Haired woman shouted, his hands gripping the bars.

"Please Huntsman, don't let them live!!" A Younger Man pleaded, shaking his hands together in a begging motion.

Slowly, a migraine formed in his head, from the stress and the exhaustion, and the endless bitching. It was too much, he was past the limit of the shit he was willing to take.

"EVERYONE, SHUT UP!!!" He shouted like thunder, everyone went silent and flinched, "I WILL NOT dishonor myself by executing those who surrender to me in cold blood!" He turned to the people, still captive behind bars. "They are under MY protection until we return to my master, a fully licensed Huntsman. When I unlock your cages, NONE of you better lay a hand on them until we get back to what's left of your village! If one of you does, you will lose a goddamn hand, do I make myself CLEAR??!!"

The people shook their heads, saying 'Yes' begrudgingly, some out of fear, others with spiteful glares.

"AND YOU TWO!" He turned to the Clansmen, "If either of you DARE to pull something until we get to that village, I WILL indulge this rabble in their MOB JUSTICE!!" He pointed at them, "ARE WE CLEAR?!!"

Astrid frowned and said, "Fu-"

"Crys~tal!" Floki sang as he covered her mouth with his hand to her protests.

"Good." Siegfried then went about unlocking all the Carriages, letting the people out if they chose. He found some rope and tied the Barbarians hands, they were locked in their own private carriage with four Men he had chosen to guard them and make sure no escape was made. Everyone prepared to drive out with both the cage and loot carriages, many stretched their legs before the long ride back.

The Knight pulled out a photo and looked for both the old and young woman, he regretted that in his haste he forgot to ask the Man both his and their names. Walking over to a random man and getting his attention, he showed him the photo. "Have you seen either of the Women in this photo?"

"Laura and Layla?" He said with a raised eyebrow, he then pointed over to a crowd of women. "I saw Laura over there somewhere, her mother on the other hand, I have no clue."

"Alright, thank you for your time." He said before walking over to where the Man pointed, his armor clinking and cape fluttering behind him. A couple of the women turned to him as he came.

"Sir Knight?" One of them addressed him, "Is there something you needed?"

"I'm looking for a woman named Laura?" Clarifying as he showed them the photo.

Taking one look at it before answering, a ravenette with freckles said, "She went to go find her Mother."

His eyes widened, "Is something wrong?" Concern in his voice.

"Her Mother was taken away with some other older people by some Clansmen before you came to our rescue," One of them explained, "We don't know where they took them."

"What direction did she head in?" He popped his hands as he mentally readied himself for any outcome.

"Over there." Another of the ladies pointed over to the woods.

Sighing, he said, "Thanks, we'll all head out when I return." He trekked over and into the woods, breathing in and out his nose, trying to keep calm. He was afraid, afraid of what he'd find. "Laura?!" Siegfried shouted for the woman, there was no response.

His eyes scanned the area around him, she was nowhere in his sight. Concern betrayed his mind, he feared for his honor and the family. "Laura??!!" He shouted again, there was nothing but a wail in response. He ran in its direction, drawing Balmung from his back. His feet hastened over tree roots, grass and sticks.

Finally, he came upon a clearing. The scene before him, made him take a step back. There, on her knees before a great tree, was a woman with dark brown hair put up in a braided ponytail. She looked at him with watery, tear stained green eyes. The large tree was distinguished by both the runes carved into it and the bodies hanging on its branches by rope. There were skeletons, half rotted people and fresh sacrifices. He saw the Woman's mother among them, along with other old people.

"No..." He fell to a knee, a feeling of failure washing over him. All he heard was ringing, as he hurled in disgust. His heart gripped with sudden misery, the thought that people could do such a thing to innocent people, older people that couldn't even defend themselves. It enraged him.

Standing up, he made his way over to the sobbing woman, she had her hands on her face as she wept. Kneeling down beside her, he put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, tears still streaming down her face, and wrapped her arms around him. She cried into his shoulder, he reciprocated her embrace as he looked at the tree closer. There were cloth streamers hanging all over the branches as well, and an offering bowl on a small stone altar.

Looking up, he met the dead green eyes of the Woman known as Layla, they judged him.

On the road back to Mossshire...

As the horse trotted alongside the carriages, it had been a somber ride back. His eyes begged for sleep, but he wouldn't comply just yet. The Villagers had cut off the bodies hanging on the sacrificial tree, burying the skeletons and unknown people in a mass grave, taking their folks and putting them together on a solo wagon. The last thing he did before everyone headed out was set the accursed tree ablaze.

That had been an hour ago, the caravan neared close to the ruined village, the smoke still could be seen over the trees. His visor was down, and he was on high alert for Grimm, he gripped his reigns tightly. The Negativity that both the town ahead and the Villagers still display could draw more of the foul beasts to them. He rode by the carriage with the two prisoners, he had to keep watch on them as well, much to his distaste.

"So Kingdomer," The Sheildmaiden spoke, breaking the awkward silence, "Am I now your thrall?" She turned and winked at him suggestively.

"Sorry," He turned to her, "I'm not interested in a worn-out-rag." She ignited.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A WORN OUT RAG?!" She shouted, making many of the people in the caravan look forward or back to her.

"The Barbarian sitting right where you are."

"Do you know how many Men would kill to get that type of offer from me?"

"For one," He began, "I'm not like any of those guys who would be interested in you, I have standards."

She seethed, "Just you wait, Kingdomer..."

"Yeah, Yeah, whatever..." He looked up ahead and saw the Town come into view. He kicked Grane lightly, and they ran forward, towards the Village. Hooves galloping like thunder as they passed all the carriages carrying people, valuables and the one that carried bodies. Soon, he was way ahead of everyone as he entered through the broken gate. The Knight made his way through the town upon his steed until he came upon Duncan, who lifted his hammer from an evaporating Grimm and smiled.

Despite his few failures and shortcomings, Siegfried couldn't help but smile as well. He had done it, he had saved as many people as he could and led them back home. In the end, he supposed, he did well for a Huntsman-in-training. He stopped his horse as he came close, and climbed down while his Mentor walked over. The Caravan rolling up on the road he came from.

"I see you did it, Boy." Duncan grabbed his hand in a firm shake, after they parted, he unstrapped his helmet.

"It wasn't easy," He said as he took it off, revealing dark red hair, veins combed to his left. "But yeah, I did." He hooked the winged helmet to the side of Grane and turned back to his Mentor. "I also got us two prisoners, they might know where Hunding is."

"Now that is some good news." The Old Huntsman said as he rested his War hammer on his shoulder.

Siegfried took a drink from a flask and then asked, "When is the VDF supposed to get here?"

"That is the bad news." He frowned, "I got a message saying that a Airship is on the way in six hours, that was two hours ago." He wiped some grime off his face, "They're sending one from Fort Redding, basically all the way across the Kingdom instead of somewhere closer..."

"Just great," The Younger Knight wiped the sweat off his brow, "At least that gives us some time to rest and to interrogate these Barbarians I've captured."

The caravan came to a stop as the other Survivors came out of the storm cellar. There were some heartfelt reunions, the one mother and her boy hugged their husband and father. Two brothers clasped hands as a man and his returning girlfriend kissed passionately, the other woman from the cellar doing the same. A man picked up his son as he cried tears of joy, while another man gets a pat on the back from the Old Man with a shotgun, his wife hugging their middle aged son.

He looked on with a smile until he saw the Man who gave him the photo reunite with his sister. They embraced each other tightly, until he pulled away to look for his mother. Laura looked away with tears in her eyes. He frowned as he marched over there, his head hung low in shame. They both turned to him, hearing his clinking armor, to see him kneel.

"I'm sorry Laurence," He uttered regretfully, "I wasn't able to save your mother, I...I was too late."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, eyes going wide.

"I was too late to save her," He told him, eyes shut as he clinched one fist tightly.

"They killed her, Laurence," Laura said with tears falling down her cheeks. "T-They sacrificed her to their Heathen gods!"

"N-No," He shook his head, "Not her, not her-" As Laura cried, she pointed over to a wagon with a tarp over the back, "NO!" He shouted, horrified with tears streaming down his face, "NO!" Everyone turned to them as the Man fell to the ground, unable to take the fate of his Mother.

"I'm sorry Laurence," Siegfried said, his head hung low, "I am so sorry."

The Man covered his face with his right hand as he sobbed, "It's my fault, I wasn't here to protect her, I didn't fight, I ran and hid like a coward!"

"It was my fault," The Knight said solemnly, "If I had only been faster..."

"No!" Laura turned to look at Siegfried, "You did everything that was in your power and still she died, it wasn't your fault, it was no one's fault."

Laurence curled up into a fetal position as he wailed, "I should have been there for her! I should have fought! I should have-"

"No! YOU didn't do anything wrong Laurence! IT WAS HIS FAULT!" Siegfried screamed, a fiery fury overtaking him, his head facing down to the ground, so they wouldn't see the tears, "I promise that I will find Hunding and bring him to justice!" He looked up with furious, glowing bright eyes, "I SWEAR, I will end Hunding's reign of terror!!!"

He stood up with tight fists, "I'm going to find him," He said with determination, "I swear upon what's left of my honor, I will find him and end his evil, once and for all." He turned, leaving the broken man and his Sister, ignoring her words as he marched over the Carriage where the Clansmen were caged.

They both turned to see him as he pulled out the keys with furor in his eyes, fiddling with the keychain, he became frustrated and threw them away to the side. He drew Balmung and revved it, fire sprouted from the blade as he sliced through the cage door.

"What in Hel are you doing, Kingdomer?!" Floki asked, surprised as the Knight entered the broken carriage. "Calm dow-" He was silenced by an armored right fist colliding with his face.

"Shut up!!" Siegfried shouted, he grabbed the male prisoner as his Sister watched wide-eyed. He pulled him from his seat and threw him out onto the ground. As the Barbarian tried to turn to face the sky, a feat constricted by his hands being bound behind his back, he was forcibly turned and came face to face with bright glowing eyes. "WHERE IS HUNDING?!" Hands gripped his throat tightly, "TELL ME!!!!"

Floki couldn't respond as he felt his windpipe and neck slowly being crushed, his aura the only thing preventing him from death. "Ga-ugh-cth-ah!!" He choked. Suddenly, he was freed as the Knight was ripped away from him by one in obsidian armor.

"What on Remnant has gotten into you Boy?!" The Old Huntsman asked, appalled by his ruthless behavior.

"Let go of me!!" He pushed his Mentor off of him, only to find a hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down, unfocused fury leads to many blunders." Duncan scolded him.

Floki cough and hacked, before speaking, "Y-You about killed me..." The Redheaded Knight blew up in rage.

"Your life doesn't mean shit!" He shouted as he pointed in his face, "Look around!" He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the still smoking ruins around them, "You and all of Hunding's followers are responsible for countless innocent lives lost, and a dozen villages burnt down! Most survivors taken as thralls, the rest you leave for the Goddamn Grimm!" He pointed back at him, "For all that matters to me, your worthless. You and all you're comrades lives are forfeit." He clutched his fist tightly, "Me breaking your neck is the best thing you could hope for compared to what I want to do."

Floki gulped, "Well..." He looked up at his captor, "I'm not sure what you want from me." He smirked, "Could you repeat your question?"

"I want you to tell me where Hunding is." The Knight demanded, his teeth gritted in subdued anger. The older Knight to his right looked at him, concerned.

"And if I don't?" His tone was sarcastic.

"I'll kill you." Siegfried replied in cold blood.

"I'll keep that in mind." The Barbarian smiled as he looked over at his Sister sitting on the carriage behind them. She sneered at him, he looked back at the two Huntsmen. "It's just so happens that my Sister and I know where Hunding is." He told them.

"Where?!"

He simply shook his head, and said, "That information doesn't come free..."

"Why you-" His Mentor put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"What is it that you want?" He asks stoically, the Redheaded Knight turned to him with a stunned face.

"Duncan, are you serious?!" His mouth was wide open as he was aghast.

"Sometimes you have to make compromises, Siegfried," He looked at his Squire, "You can't always brute force your way through everything."

"Wise man." Floki said with an approving nod, then gasped dramatically, "I just remembered, none of us are properly introduced." He smiled devilishly, "I'm Floki, the girl behind you two is my sister, Astrid." Duncan's eyes went wide as Siegfried looked away with clinched fists. The Barbarian continued to smile as he spoke,"What's wrong? You both seem to have a problem with my sister's name."

"We...just knew someone with that name once..." The Huntsman answered as he regained his poise, "I am Duncan Blackburn, a Huntsman." He gestured to the Redhead, "This is my apprentice, Siegfried Walsung." The Boy looked at Floki sternly, his eyes like ice daggers. The Prisoner whistled.

"Wow," He said with fake amazement, "I didn't expect you to be a Huntsman-in-training, seeing how effectively you killed my brothers-in-arms." He shook his head, impressed. "Not to mention how you defeated both Agnarr and my Sister, well done." A chill went up the Knight's spine as he pushed to change the subject.

"That's irreverent right now." He said, taking a step forward and pointed, "Get to the point already!"

"Gee, what's the rush?" He asked innocently, the Knight ran a hand through his crimson hair as he explained.

"We've been searching for Hunding for weeks now," He took a step back, "I'd say we're both tired of being on a goose chase."

"Fair enough," The Balck haired Man nodded his head in understanding, "My requests are simple: One, I want the freedom of me and my sister assured. Two, I want the same for our well-being and lives. So no turning us in to the Authorities nor stabbing us in the backs after we reveal Hunding's stronghold." It was honorable...it made sense to the two Knights.

"Ok," Duncan stroked his beard, "I just want to know one thing, why were you fighting for Hunding to begin with if you would betray him this easily?"

"We were forced to joined Hunding's army when our Clan's Jarl swore loyalty to him. If we didn't heed his call, we'd been outcasted. That, in case you know nothing about our culture, is effectively a death sentence." He said matter-of-factly, "I don't know if you've noticed, but he's building himself a grand army. Fifty-four Clans have sworn allegiance to him thus far, that number is growing. Many of those Clansmen don't even like him either, but they have to follow their Jarls."

The Old Huntsman put his fists on his hips, "Are you certain you know where he is?"

"Positive, we were there just a few days ago. He was feasting, drinking and screwing." His eerie smile was ear to ear, "There's just one final condition; we have to lead you to him."

It felt as though a bucket of water was splashed on Siegfried as he bursted out, "Are you kidding me?!"

"Afraid not Ginger," Floki continued seamlessly, "Even if we told you directions, you'd be lost and ambushed in Hill Clan territory. We know the way, the land and how to avoid ambushes and Clan Settlements." He pitched, "Even If you brave Huntsmen avoided all of that, it'd take you weeks to find the one wooden stronghold that Hunding is at, which by then could change." Both Huntsmen became lost in thought, "We're the best shot you have at killing or capturing him."

"I just have one last question," Duncan scratched his chin, "How can we be sure you won't stab us in the back? Why would you help us against Hunding?"

"Because if he dies, his army, his new vassals, they'll all dissolve and disband." Floki lectured like a professor, "Which means there wouldn't be a price on our heads anymore for our failure, and some new opportunities in the chaos." His grin gave off a sinister aura, "It's a win-win for everyone, except for Hunding of course." He raised an eyebrow, "We have a deal?" The explanation made Siegfried shake his head in disgust. It had some merits, but something...felt off about it. There was no way that Duncan would agree to this risky arrangement.

"You're such a-" He was interrupted by a sentence that shocked him.

"It's a deal." His Mentor agreed with a straight face, he turned to him with a mouth open wide, his jaw about to fall and hit the floor.

"What the hell Duncan?!" He bellowed, "Are you seriously agreeing to letting these Savages lead us into their people's territory?!"

"Beacon's new semester is in three weeks," The Man explained his reasoning, "If you want to be in time for initiation, we have to stop Hunding as soon as possible."

"And trust these Strangers we just met, to not backstab us when we aren't looking? To not slit our throat when we sleep?"

"Yes," He affirmed, "I don't detect any maliciousness nor roguery."

"Did you not listen to the same Man I did?" The Redhead said, confused.

"Calm yourself Siegfried," Floki said elegantly, he looked back to him to see a smile. "This is a wise decision your Master is making, you should listen to him." The thought entered his mind, it did make sense. But...of all people, should they trust two Hill Clansmen?

"N-No!" He shook his head, "Why should we trust a word you say? Your as slimy as a snake!!" The Man didn't frown, he just kept on smiling.

"You should know that's offensive to me, I have a half-brother who is a Faunus." He chuckled, "But then again, your as stubborn as a bull."

"I'll take that as a compliment, at least its better than being as sketchy as you." Siegfried threw his arm to the side, as to dispel his words.

"I assure you, both me and my sister are honest in our dealings." His honey voice spoke like a rich boy feigning innocence.

"That's another thing!!" He snapped his fingers, "We've not even heard anything from your dirty minded sister!" Looking back at her, hoping to create a divide. She smiled and nodded.

"I full-heartedly support and affirm everything my dear brother is saying." She said with audible sarcasm.

"Enough!" Duncan shouted, silencing everyone. "I've made my decision!"

The Younger Knight threw his arms into the air, "This is the most credulous thing you've ever done!"

"You need to think, Boy." He fingered the side of his own temple, "I thought I taught you to do just that, perhaps you need some sleep."

"Screw this!" Siegfried turned and strode away, "Keep talking to your new, Savage acquaintances. I've had enough shit for one day."

He went and found a place to take a nap in the Storm Cellar, as people others who were tired slept down there too. Setting down against a brick wall, he held Balmung in one hand as he wiped the sweat and grime off his own face. It always felt like one victory was always set back by an equal defeat, he had saved the villagers but failed his promise to save both the woman and her mother.

He was so close, but like always, an unknown variable always ruins the day. He felt his eyes close as his energy left him, soon he was asleep.

In Darkness...

He awoke to the sound of thunder, in a puddle of his own blood. He was a ten-year-old boy again, in his torn and bloody clothes. Fear took him as he didn't want to look up. There was a chorus of moans, screams, roars and cries of the damned. It was dark and storming, crimson rain pelted the ground. He bit his lip as he rose up; it was Hell all around him.

There were hills of corpses all around him, an untold amount of people from all walks of life. He saw soldiers both ancient and new, men, women and children dressed in both modern and vintage clothing. Humans and Faunus. The sky was coated in black, thick clouds, with red lightning on the horizon. There was a crimson light above him in the sky, when he turned to look at it, a primal fear made him look away. His heart was beating fast as he walked forward.

He was in a trench between stacks of bodies, blood soaked the ground and splashed as he took steps. There were whispers, echoes of the dead, he couldn't understand them as he quickened his pace. After making his way through some turns and paths, he found himself in a small opening. There were only two bodies in it, walking forward, he saw them.

His Mother and Sister, their dead, rotten corpses were strewn about. Astrid was crushed, her skull caved in and her body busted like a balloon. Isolde however, was torn apart, limb by limb. Her Inards lay around her like worms in mud. He fell to his knees, in horror. "No..." He croaked, tears ran down his face as he felt powerless. His breakdown was only adverted by one new hope.

"Siegfried..." A voice echoed, a voice he hadn't heard in so long. He turned to see a silhouette stand down a trench, it raised a hand, beckoning him. "Come." It was the unmistakable voice of his Father.

"Dad?" The shadow turned and walked down a path to the left. "Wait! Come back!!" He stood up and ran after him, navigating twists and turns through the grotesque labyrinth, always seeing him at the very ends of the twists. He was starting to feel lost, he had no idea where he was, but pushed forwards nonetheless.

Eventually, he found himself in a large clearing. His Father was in front of him, looking forward away from him. His curly red hair flowing in the wind. "Father?" He said as he took a step forward.

"Do you see it?" Siegmund asked with a distorted voice, "The Eclipse above, the herald of our end."

"F-Father, w-what are you talking about?"

"He is coming." He slowly turned to him, revealing a rotten corpse with no eyes and blood streaking down his face. The Boy fell back, "Look up, and behold our Despoiler." He slowly pointed up to the sky, to Siegfried's horror, he wasn't the only one. Arms slowly rose from the piles along with some people, they all pointed up to the sight above. "He is coming, he is hungry."

He looked up and saw it, a swirling crimson vortex, a black void in its center where the sun used to be. He felt his blood run cold and his body start shivering. Looking into that void, it was like looking into a face. A face of nothing but despair. Something was staring back at him, he was panicking. A large black skeletal hand slowly came out, he screamed as it reached out to the earth. It had long white talons, and scaly skin visible to the naked eye.

Everything began to become like static as its arm reached towards the world, towards him. He was thrashing around, covering his body with his arms, wailing as its hand blocked out the crimson light and covered the sky. Soon, there was only Darkness.

The Waking World...

He awoke to find himself sweaty with a pounding heart. He could feel goosebumps along his arms, and a chill up his spine. That dream was too real, too surreal. Taking a deep breath, he wiped the sweat from his face. "It was just a Nightmare, nothing more..." Looking around at the few other people still sleeping, he appreciated having aura and being from Solitas. Many of them were bundled in sheets and blankets, some shivering from the cold. He pitied them, but he couldn't manifest cover out of nowhere.

His armored hand reached into his small satchel on his side and pulled out his scroll to check the time. Pressing the yellow diamond button, he pulled it apart. The translucent screen showed a snowy background from pictures took on Solitas, a photo of the Holunderwald and the Schwarze Berge. Valeanized as the Elder Forest and the Black Mountains. Over the photo, was both the time and two notifications.

4:13 AM

Saturday, March 13th

VNN: SDC Cargo Train blown up in White Fang attack, Forever Fall Forest. 102 Killed, 11 wounded. ~ 4:37 PM.

Messages:

Sis: Are you alright? ~ 11:26 PM. 4 more messages.

He sighed, not surprised, clearing the news about the train and opening the messages from his sister. He dreaded reading them.

Sis: Hey, how are you and Duncan doing? Did you two take down this "Hunding" guy yet? Beacon's initiation and new semester is in a few weeks you know...do you? ~ 9:22 PM

Sis: Are you ignoring me Sieg? Too busy being a 'Hero' for your own Sister? I swear, my Boyfriend is more garrulous to me than you! "Sorry Isolde, I'm too busy trying to be a fairytale character to text right now." For the Lord's sake, you need take to off that helmet time from time and let people know your alright! ~ 9:49 PM

Sis: I'm sorry, we've just not heard anything in a week from you guys, the least you and Duncan could do is give us a update. ~ 10:33 PM

Sis: Keeva got a message from Duncan. I'm sorry for being bitchy earlier, but I also just found out that YOU went to go rescue a bunch of people by YOURSELF!!! ARE YOU INSANE?!!! ~ 11:14 PM

Sis: Are you alright? I'm sorry, just please be okay. If you're alive, please message me before the end of tomorrow. ~ 11:26 PM

He just rubbed his forehead, letting out a groan. She is always like this, for better or worse. He typed a reply and sent it.

You: Yeah, I'm alright Sis. I'm sorry for not responding earlier, but we had to save a village. And on me rescuing those people by myself, Duncan had to protect the survivors here. I did rescue everyone I could, and we potentially got a solid lead on where Hunding is located through two Hill Clansmen. Though, I don't trust them. If all goes well we should be back in a week or two. ~ Now

He exited out of messages and checked the calendar app, the date for orientation was the 3rd of April, Initiation was the 4th and if you pass, the first day of classes was the 5th. He had approximately twenty-one days until the 3rd. They've been on this Hunt for five weeks, all across the very edge of Vale's official territory. They were in a large area in the middle of Sanus divided by the border to Vacuo's claimed territory, a region known officially as the Frontier. In reality, it was an area mostly populated by Hill Clansmen, the nearest cities being a good hundred or so miles away.

Suddenly, the loud sound of footsteps coming down the steps echoed. "Get up!" It was the Old Man, Eustace. He held the powerful shotgun in his hands, "Wake up! The Calvary has arrived!!" Everyone still asleep stirred as Siegfried closed his scroll and stood up, putting Balmung on his back. He walked past the Old Man as he continued to wake everyone up.

Reaching the top of the steps, he saw a small Airship and at least a dozen Bullheads descending upon the town. A few circled around, with guns on the sides. But most landed and had soldiers dressed in white and green combat uniforms, an exact reskin of Atlas' uniforms, hop out and secure the area. He heard clinking as he turned to see Duncan approach him.

"Rest well?" The Old Huntsman asked, like their fight earlier didn't happen at all. Siegfried scratched the back of his head as he looked away.

"Not exactly..." The faint images of his dreams still fresh on his mind.

"Well, that's a shame." He frowned then walked ahead, waving for him to follow, "We need to talk with these men's Lieutenant, come on." They walked over to where a couple of the Bullheads were landing. There in the center, a squad of soldiers jumped out with assault rifles and spread out in a circular formation as a man in a dark green uniform stepped out behind them. He wore knee-high black boots with a pistol strapped to his side, on his chest was a rainbow of ribbons and a few medals, on his head was a dark green peaked cap with an insignia of two crossed battle-axes within a laurel. His hands were behind his back as he looked around at the smoldering village.

Eventual, heard them approach as their armored clinked. One of his men stoop up and aimed at them, saying "Halt!" He turned and saw two armored men, one was older, the other way younger. He strode forth and placed a hand on the Soldier's shoulder.

"At ease, Corporal." He said, his voice firm and rough. The Man breathed a sign of relief and stopped aiming his rifle at them.

"Yes Sir!"

The Officer looked the two armored individuals up and down, they did the same to him. He had dark green hair and bright green eyes and tanned skin. His face was freshly shaved, his smile was kind. He reached out for a handshake.

"Huntsman Duncan Blackburn I presume?"

"Aye," Duncan affirmed as they shook hands, then gesturing to Siegfried, "And this is my apprentice, Siegfried Walsung."

"I'm Lieutenant Douglas Shamrock of the Valean Defense Force," He put his hands behind his back again, "I'm the Man they sent to respond to your call."

Duncan's eyes widened, "You're the son of General Shamrock?

"Grandson," The Lieutenant frowned, visibly annoyed. "But that's not important right now, these poor sobs need to be evacuated." He gestured to the mass of people forming. "We're going to sort them out, take them up to the airship by Bullhead and then take them to the city of Venta where they will be helped with their destitution."

The Villagers all stood together as soldiers began to direct them to board the Bullheads in groups of ten at a time, the Women and Children getting top priority. They carried what they could, many had solemn faces about leaving their home, others relived at surviving and being free. Then there were some still sobbing, mourning the loss of their families and lovers.

"So this was the work of Hunding?" Lieutenant Shamrock asked, Siegfried's fists balled tightly, and spoke before Duncan.

"No," He spat, his voice brimming with anger, "This was the work of his Men. He's been building an army while you and the rest of VDF do nothing but watch as his forces have razed several towns to the ground!"

"Sieg-" Duncan was ignored as the Young Knight walked forward as he ranted.

"The blood of the dead are on YOUR HANDS!" He shouted, his blue eyes glowing, "On ALL of your hands!!" He got in the face of the Valean Officer, "WHERE WERE YOU?! Where were you supposed Soldiers when these people needed you? Where were you when a dozen other villages burned, their people slaughtered or enslaved!!" He was face to face with the Lieutenant who didn't flinch, around them VDF soldiers aimed their guns at him.

"That," He began, raising a hand and waving to them to disengage, "Isn't our problem." The Knight was aghast in shock, "These people knew the risks when they settled on the frontier." He explained, "We cannot have soldiers stationed around here because of the Vacuoan Border and Hill Tribe Guerrillas."

"Then why can't you do something about the Hill Clans?" The Officer chuckled.

"Blame the fools in the Cities and Parliament." He said with a sad smile, "The last time that our government tried to stamp out the Hill Clans, it lead to protests and a Prime Minister resigning." He then pointed a finger in Siegfried's face, "So listen here Atlesian, next time, research what your talking about before bitching about it to the wrong people." The Knight took a few steps back, defeated. "Hunding isn't our responsibility to stop until he attacks a city or a moderately sized town outside the Frontier." He turned to the Old Huntsman, "Now, Mister Blackburn, I need you to fill out a report."

"Aye, let's get this done..."

Siegfried looked away, dejected. He turned and walked off, leaving his Mentor to deal with writing a report for both the military and the Hunters Bureau. His head hanged low as he passed smoldering ruins, his mind was filled with memories from that day. Everything was serving as a reminder, from the ashes, the smell, the burnt and mutilated corpses. It was like Einsam, except that Monster was not here. Rubbing his mouth, he took a deep breath before exhaling. Then, a female voice caught his attention.

"H-Hey..." He turned to Laura and Laurence, along with a few others walking towards him.

"What's wrong? I'd thought you all would be rushing to board Bullheads."

"We just wanted to thank you for saving us." Laura said, looking away nervously. He noticed her brother had a bland look, the Light faded from his eyes. She lifted a cloth bag, "This is some money we all scrounged together to give you." She brought it over to him, "It's the least we could do for you."

He looked at the bag of lien with sorrowful eyes and gently pushed it back to her, he closed his eyes and said, "I don't deserve it, I did not save everyone and I failed in my promise."

"But," She looked down at the bag then back up to him, "You did the best you could!"

"My best," His Eyes opened, she could swear she saw them shine for a brief second, "Wasn't good enough." He turned away from them in shame, "Besides, you all need the lien more than I. Keep it and use it to build yourselves a new life." He looked back to her, "And if I defeat Hunding, there should be more than enough reward money to suit me." He began to walk away, "Not to mention, regain my Honor."

They watched as the Knight with the Azure sword walked away from them, in both amazement, pity and admiration. For him, all he could think of was the tree of those he failed to save.

Two Hours Later...

He had sat and watched as slowly, all the villagers were evacuated and some bodies hauled. The Bullheads went up and down like a hummingbird to a feeder, until all was left was the soldiers who boarded them last and flew up to the airship for the final time. Then the leviathan in the sky listlessly turned around and began to fly off eastbound. His eyes followed it, rays of light curving around it as it blocked the sunrise until it became like a small dot in the distance.

He scratched the back of his head and took a deep breath. The morning air was crisp, the birds started to chirp. The Sun had turned the sky dark orange and gold mixed with blue as it rose up with the march of time, a banner of a brand-new day. If it wasn't for the faint smell of smoke and flesh, it would be another beautiful late winter morning. He closed his eyes and remembered what the horizon over the tundra looked like, the radiance that gleamed off the snow, the pine trees ever strong and stout, the mountains like stone-ice-giants. Opening them, he saw he was still far away from home.

Siegfried looked down at his right hand, and opened and closed it, contemplating existence itself. What did fate have in store for him? What was his destiny? Why did the memories always eat on the edge of his mind? Why did-

"Hey," He looked up to see Duncan walk towards him, "It's time we hit the road."

"Are those two ready yet." The Boy asked spitefully, Duncan sighed.

"They are," He answered, then pointing at the Younger Knight, "All we need is you."

Rubbing his eyes, he said, "I cannot believe that you of all people would trust them, Duncan..."

"It's only until we find Hunding, then they're going to leave. And then, neither you nor I will have to interact with them again."

"Whatever..." He grumbled as he got up and stood straight, "Let's go meet our 'guides'."

The Two Huntsmen made their way through the ruins of the town to the northwestern gate, there stood the two Hill Clansmen with Hooded cloaks on, Floki in a dark green one while Astrid was in black. Grane and Obsidian stood dutifully in armor, towering over the lesser steeds took from the carriages and saddled. Floki clapped as they approached, "Nice to see you've finally decided to grace us with your presence, milord."

"Why are you two cloaked?" The Knight asked with a raised eyebrow. The Barbarian cleared his throat before speaking.

"Because my Sister and I are technically fugitives with potential bounties now and if we get caught helping you get Hunding, we'll have to contend with them remaining with added bonuses." He explained with a smile, "So please, don't be nervous."

"I'm not nervous." Siegfried said with visible annoyance, "I just don't trust people like you in cloaks."

"Let's get this show on the road already!" The Clanswoman was annoyed.

"Agreed," Duncan walked over to his steed and climbed atop Obsidian, the barbarians did the same. Siegfried walked over to Grane and patted him before climbing on. Both Knights looked to their wards, they looked back with frowns. "I may have agreed for you two to lead us, but I'm not gonna let you ride behind us." The Old Huntsman said with narrow eyes, pointing forward, "Get moving."

Floki had a sneer for just a moment before smiling, "That's fair." Kicking his horse lightly, he rode out in front of them. "Come dear Sister," He looked to the Blonde as he passed, "Let us lead our dear Hunters to their prey!"

She blew air out of her mouth in an annoyed manner before following along and saying, "As you wish, Brother."

[Play 'Ravens'-Baldrs Draumar]

Duncan spurred Obsidian forward behind them. Siegfried kicked his stallion lightly, as he and his horse exited the Village, he noticed that light had covered the land. He smiled as he followed along, until he heard a caw. Looking up, he saw two ravens watching him on the branches of a tree. They took flight to the air the moment his eyes met them, they by themselves weren't what caught his curiosity.

It was their seemingly glowing blue eyes.

They flew off in graceful motions, circling around each other until they were high into the sky. Then, they circled around him like buzzards do dying prey. Cawing as he watched, mystified.

"Siegfried!" He looked down from them to see his Mentor and companions looking back at him. He spurred Grane forward, the horse galloping away from the Ravens above. Little did he know, they turned and flew after him from above.

Authors Note:

16,050 words as I write this...I have a problem condensing chapters. But, the next two shouldn't be a long as this one on their own.

I'm open to any and all criticism (I'm writing Fanfiction to improve my writing after all), So please review and give me your honest opinions. If you like it, please be sure to favorite or follow.