Author's Note:

I know it's been a long time, but here it is, Chapter 2. I've been stressed a lot recently, 2021 was not my year. Let's hope 2022 is better.

Reviews:

Augustus Arc: Thanks, I've been planning this story out for the last couple of months now. Let's just say the canonical moments will be vastly different from the show.

FromThereToHere: The argument was stupid, but it was meant to be. Siegfried was upset he screwed up, and the Officer doesn't like Atlesians. Shamrock cared about the villagers, he just didn't like the fact it was some Foreigner getting onto him-some guy who cannot make the big decisions yet-and treated him like it was his fault. Where he would do things very differently than his superiors.

Raph Bradley: Siegfried isn't perfect, you'd think he would be, but he isn't. One of his main flaws he'll have to overcome in this story is ignorance of things that goes against his beliefs. He does see the Hill Clans as heathens, he's devouted to a certain religion we'll get into later in the story that's gonna conflict with him as he starts to learn some 'truths'. He's hot headed, quick to anger with certain topics or events.

"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 2: Geheiligte Tote.

The rays of the sun washed over the forest as they rode, four horses with four riders. Two brown steeds dwarfed by two armored stallions behind them. Floki rode in the front, Astrid slightly to the side of him, Duncan was behind the former while Siegfried the latter. They had ridden for an hour, mostly in silence. The air had been tense with the two Barbarians and Knights. The latter had their weapons in reaching distance, while the former two would look back from time to time. Trees flanked them on both sides as they went up a hill.

The Young Knight kept his eyes on them sternly, he didn't trust them one bit. His Mentor, on the other hand, watched far more laxly. Hand gently on the shaft of his hammer, while Siegfried had his sword shifted it its smaller form on his side, holstered in a makeshift holster. When they reached a bend, the Girl turned and looked at them.

"I have a favor to ask..." Astrid spoke, both Huntsmen looked to each other her as Floki huffed in annoyance.

"What is it?" Duncan questioned as he ran a gauntleted hand through his beard.

"We're nearing our old camp," Her voice was solemn, "I want to burn my friend's bodies, I don't want them left for Animals and Grimm." She looked forward, "That's all."

"How can we be sure that this is not a trap by you two?" Siegfried enquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Because I do not approve of this myself," Her Brother interjected, "We shouldn't waste time on the corpses of failures."

"Oh shut up!" She spat with contempt, "You don't care about anybody but yourself!" Her voice became tense, "I knew some of those warriors, I trained with them! Agnarr was my mentor!"

"Yeah, might want to find a new one, Sister." The Man said with a chuckle, "Because I don't have much confidence in your skills if that dead guy was your teacher."

"Shut up Floki!" Astrid was livid, "You dare insult the honor of the valiant dead!!"

"Yeah, they're dead," He smiled, "They can't do shit to me. Thanks to your incompetence of course, dear Sister."

"You snake!" She screamed, "Your the one to fault for all their deaths! All you had to do was blow the damn horn!!" She wiped her face and looked away from everyone else and tried to calm herself down, "I just want the bodies consecrated, not a huge funeral or anything."

Duncan and Siegfried exchanged a glance.

"What do you think?" Siegfried questioned.

The Old Huntsman turned his head slightly, "I think we should listen to her."

"Why?" The Young Knight asked, deadpanned.

"Because she's right to want to lay her Comrades souls to rest," He replied, "Let's help her out of her misery. We could bring the bodies to a circle, or something. After that, she can do whatever she needs to do, light 'em on fire or say a prayer"

"You're willing to help me out with this, Duncan?" Astrid spoke softly, looking back at him.

"It's what we do as Huntsmen," He replied, straightening his back and then spoke with pride, "We are supposed to be Paragons of virtue and glory, rising above all, infinite in distance and unbound by death." He raised his right hand, "At the very least, we should uphold our honor and assist you in laying your Brothers and Sisters in arms to rest."

"Why should we?" The Redheaded Knight asked, "These Raiders didn't care one bit about the slain corpses of both friend and foe they left at Mossshire, nor about the lives they took." He raised a finger, "Not to mention, this very well could be one big ambush. We can't trust these barbarians, these Savages, to not play dirty."

"Siegfried," The Old Huntsman began, "If it is, I will kill these two myself." He looked to Siegfried, "They have nothing to gain, we are Huntsmen. Not weak grunts of some army." He turned his head back to the two riders in front of them and said slowly, "It would be incredibly foolish for you two to try anything."

"I promise this is not a trap," She promised, "I'll honor my word or suffer the wrath of Vár."

"And mine as well," Siegfried spoke, "You better not try anything."

"She promised Sieg," Duncan reproached, "At least give her a chance to uphold her word."

"Thank you," Astrid said, "You're a good man Duncan, an honorable and decent man, unlike the other two here."

Floki scoffed, "Like your any room to talk, Pig faced whore." He sneered, "You act like you have any honor, yet you would lay with anyone who looks at you."

"Enough!" Astrid screamed, "You shut your slithery mouth!"

"Ooh," Floki scoffed, "My Sister, the biggest Whore, scolds me." He laughed, "How cute."

"SHUT UP!" Astrid said with fury. "How dare you speak of me like that!" Her eyes were wild as she struggled to control her anger, "You're the worst brother I have!"

Floki laughed, "I don't care about your honor, Whore."

"I'M NOT A WHORE!" She screeched angrily, the Young Knight watched the exchange with disgust.

"She's your little sister," Siegfried said out of the blue, "I may not like her myself, but how can you talk to her like that?"

"Why?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, "She's a slut, a whore, and a boasting liar to boot. I'm just letting her know what I think of her."

She gritted her teeth and spat, "You're a hypocritical, foul slanderer!"

"Slander?" He said mockingly, "What are you talking about? It ain't slander if it's true."

"You're a pig!" She yelled enraged, her grip on her reigns shook in anger.

"And you're a Whore," He laughed, "You can't even control your own Temper."

"Show some Respect!"

"Show Respect?" His eyebrow scrunched up, "You don't respect yourself, Sister." The Knights felt the tension get worse as the siblings arguments got more heated, if this didn't stop, violence was soon to come. Or Grimm Beasts, thirsty for negativity.

"That's enough," Duncan interrupted them, "If you two continue this spat, Grimm will soon be drawn to us like moths to a flame."

The Redheaded Knight nodded and said, "He's right, Grimm love drama and spite, so it would be best for everyone if you two would calm down and save your petty arguments for when your no longer in our company."

Floki nodded, "That's fair," He then looked at his Sister with a shit-eating grin, "We'll continue this later, kay Sister?"

She shook her head and said, "I hate you."

Her Brother put a hand to his chest mockingly, "How sweet, I hate you too."

They rode in silence for a bit until Siegfried fetched his helmet off the side of his horse and put it on his head, Duncan looked at him and asked, "How far away from this camp are we Siegfried, do you remember?"

"At least a turn or two, I think." He answered as he strapped the winged helmet on. His Mentor ran a hand through his black beard in thought.

"If there's regular Grimm, they would've been here by now due to the argument." Duncan said as he pulled a helmet off the side of his stallion, it was a obsidian black barbute helmet with no visor, its edges were orange and shaped like fire around the eyes. "There's a good chance the camp is full of Necrophages."

"Necro-what?" Astrid gapped.

"A Type of Grimm." He looked to his apprentice, "Siegfried, would you please explain to them what a Necrophage is?"

The Young Knight sighed as he began, "Grimm don't kill and eat to survive, they kill and eat for pleasure." He stretched his arm as he continued, "Most Grimm prefer to eat Prey that they've killed. Some Grimm however, love to eat Human flesh so much, that they'll devour it in any state, even rotten or mummified." He popped the joints in his hands and said, "We call them Necrophages."

"And the most common type on Sanus is Ghouls." Duncan added, "So we should prepare to deal with Ghoul packs."

"And what are we supposed to do?" Floki asked, his hand waved in frustration. "You two have our weapons, we cannot fight without those."

Duncan nodded and responded,"You'll get your weapons back, temporarily." Raising a finger, he warned them. "If you try to stab us in the back during the battle, or try to run, our deal is off." The Shield Maiden growled and looked back towards them.

"I have no intention of running like a coward, I must burn my friends to ashes and have their souls joined in Valhalla."

"And you will," The Old Huntsman looked to his protege, "Sieg?" The Young Knight looked at his Mentor who gave him a nod, he sighed in response.

"Fine," Siegfried said, grabbing the two-sided battleaxe he had strapped on the side of his horse. "Now, let's quit this small talk and get this over with." He tossed the axe to Astrid, "Here Fair Maiden, catch!" She caught it perfectly in her hand without looking back. At the same time, Duncan rode up beside Floki and handed him his bow, arrows and dagger.

The Barbarian grinned, "It's nice to have this back, I was afraid I was never going to see my beautiful Bow again." He carressed the bow, running a finger down the runes on it with a smile.

"Please wait until after the battle to make love with it." The Redhead quipped, Floki looked back at him with a wide grin.

"I will," With dramatic flair, he waved his hand and said, "And your more than welcome to watch Ginger, though be warned: my bow may be long, but it is shy." Siegfried shook his head as the Barbarian laughed heartily, his Sister sticking her tongue out in disgust.

"Quiet!" Duncan ordered, then shifting his voice to a quieter tone, "If your memory is correct, then we should silence ourselves and approach this camp cautiously."

The Boy nodded in agreement with his Mentor as Astrid removed her hood, Floki huffed before shutting up. They rode in silence for the next turn, until they saw the camp in the distance. Like the two Huntsmen expected, it was full of Ghouls, dozens of them. Siegfried waved to his companions to follow him as he steered Grane into the woods.

In a quiet whisper, he said, "This is the spot I hitched Grane last night, it should be a good spot for the rest of the horses as well." Hopping off the horse, he tied its reins to a tree branch. The others did the same, then they all gathered together and faced the direction of the camp.

"All right," Duncan began, his thick voice stern, "Sieg, Astrid, you two are with me in the front." His orange eyes flickered over to the Hooded archer, "Floki, we need you to cover us from behind with your arrows." Then, he looked everyone over and said, "Throw out any negitive feelings, don't let fear consume you, steel yourselves. All it takes is one bad thought for us to loose the advantage of surprise, one shudder for them to swarm us like bees." He cranked his neckas he gestured to his student, "Lead the way."

"Right, follow me." The Young Knight closed his visor over his eyes as he carefully walked through the woods, the others followed behind. Pine Trees all around them as they stalked forward, carefully as possible. The Huntsmens armor clinked slightly, and a few twigs snapped by Astrid's careless steps, but Floki made no sound. Soon, they were hiding behind trees and some bushes, with a clear sight of the camp before them.

Ghouls were devouring the corpses of the Raiders felled by Siegfried's blade. Jagged teeth tearing into arms and legs like fried chicken legs, intestines pulled out of lacerations and bit into like twizzlers, flesh being rended from bone and eaten as the Grimm bore disturbing smiles. Closer to them by the corpses of the three Clansmen he first ambushed, five Ghouls partook in a macabre feast.

The Barbarian Men were nothing more but gore, a bloody mess. Two of them were being shared by two, but one was host to three. One Ghoul bit into a skull like one would an Apple, blood, bone and brains covering its demonic face as it grinned. Chewing with loud crunching, then swallowing the bite with a cartoonish gulp. Then it went for another bite.

Siegfried had to swallow down bile, the disgust great at the horror in front of them. He heard a muffled gasp to his right, looking over, he saw Astrid holding her mouth with her left hand. There were tears in her wide eyes and her body shuddered, a deep primal fear he once experienced himself took over her. He knew what was about to happen.

The Ghouls in front of them dropped their meals from their maws and claws, others raised their heads up, their ears twitched. The one with the head in it's hands threw it down and let out a ear piercing roar, "SSSSSEAAAHHH!!"

[Play 'Blood and Steel' -Skyrim OST]

Without time to lose, the Knight ran forth and sliced through three Ghouls with Balmung, shouting "Attack!!" As the Monsters fell squealing, Duncan charged with his war hammer. One Ghoul was thrown by a direct hit to its torso, it's body combusting from the impact, its innards gushing out like a crushed bug. The next's head was met with a downwards strike, it's skull breaking under the night, its body kicked forward by an armored boot.

The Monstrosities counter attacked in a swarm of twenty, rushing in a haphazardly. Siegfried turned the dial on his sword's handle to pale green and shifted it to its greatsword form, swinging it forth. Sharp gusts of wind sundered four Ghouls, their torsos divided from their legs, killing half instantly and mortality wounding the rest. Duncan slammed Vulcan into the ground infront of him, sending eight flying away in flames.

The other eight however made it to them, three came at his Mentor with raised claws as five encircled him. He lunged forth with Balmung in a thrust, the Ghoul infront of him jumped back with a growl before countering with two claw swipes, knocking him back. He felt one jump onto him from behind, its long gore covered claws scratched at his chest and throat, sparking against aura and armor. It's comrades struck him from all sides as he struggled to get it off him. He dropped his sword and wrestled with its claws, in anger he pulled the beast over his head and slammed it into the ground.

It looked up at him with hate in its red eyes as it roared, only for him to silence it with a stomp to its face. The white skully countenance shattered, black ichor and brains of the demon spilled out as it whined. He stepped back to avoid a swipe for his head and grabbed the black arm, lifting a Ghoul and slammed it into another with an arm throw. He ducked under another claw and uppercut an Ghoul with a foaming mouth's chin, it's teeth went flying as it took a few steps back. He heard the other standing one behind and elbowed it in the face with his right arm, then ducked down fast to grab his family sword. Slicing upwards, cleaving it's arm off and then it's head. Turning to the one with broken teeth with the same motion, he brought the azure sword down on it, cutting deep into its flesh, until it's torso was divided in half.

The two that were slammed into each other had risen, their mouths foamed with hunger and rage. Turning the rainbow dial to yellow and revving the handle, sparks lit up the blade. Balmung was slung back as the two Grimm advanced, an arc of electricity struck them. They were stopped in their tracks as they convulsed, their bodies jerking as they shrieked. Siegfried then stepped forward with an reversed slash, lopping their demonic heads off. He looked around quickly, more Ghouls were coming from across the camp. His eyes shifted over to Duncan, two of the Grimm evaporating as he cracked the Ghoul's boney face with a strike from his shaft.

As it fell, he raised Vulcan high into the air and finished it off with a slam into its rib cage like chest. Black blood splattered out its sides, then he wretched it free like tearing an Apple from a tree. The Old Huntsman looked at the Ghouls ahead, they were charging them just as carelessly as the dead ones around them, "Here they come Sieg, time for an AOE attack! Let's burn the bastards!!!" Vulcan's round gem's on both sides glowed bright orange as Duncan twisted the shaft, lighting the horizontal line and spreading throughout the hammer like poison in veins.

"Right!!" Siegfried turned the dial to red, revving the great sword once more. There were fifteen to twenty Ghouls heading straight for them, like rabid rats swarming a lone man. The Knights ran forth, Duncan leaped into the air and slammed Vulcan down upon the crowd while Siegfried swung in a complete rotation. The Dust in Vulcan combusted into a explosion, throwing the Ghouls into the air on fire. Balmung sent out a large fiery wave in front of him, washing over his Mentor and incinerating what was left of those Grimm. They both regained their composure and the evaporating, charred bodies fell back to the ground.

[Stop 'Blood and Steel' -Skyrim OST]

Around fifteen feet of the area in front of them was scorched black, the corpses of the few Barbarians in that particular area burnt to ashes. But beyond that, there were more Ghouls watching them, calmly. Like gothic statues, giving them a evil-eye. They both raised their weapons, ready to fight. The Grimm just sat and stood, the only sign of life was the slight breathing and the foam and saliva dripping from their razor sharp maws.

"This isn't right..." Siegfried notesd, unnerved by their reluctance to charge them blindly out of bloodlust. "Why aren't they attacking?"

"These aren't your average Ghouls," His Mentor answered him, "They're old and experienced, you can see it in their eyes." And indeed, you could. Their eyes watched them cautiously, like Wolves watching Deer grazing from bushes. Red and black daemonic eyes, filled with hatred, lust and hunger.

"What are they waiting for?"

"I have no bloody clue." His Mentor narrowed his eyes, "But that's way too many for a normal pack, which means..." Their eyes widened as they heard a terrible roar, the Ghouls all got on all fours as it echoed out. Loud, thumping steps thundered as a tall creature walked out behind some Tents. It walked bipedal casually, standing at 6'6 feet, with a severed arm with missing fingers held in its left hand. It was jacked with bulging muscles like a body builder. Scars covered its arms and torso, with one grisly one across its skeletal face. It's right ear was missing it's tip and two long canines draped over its chin. Behind it was four barbed tendrils coming from its lover back, three swaying like tails while the forth was still, the familiar body of Agnarr Gold-Tooth dangling while it was speared through him. One arm missing and sword still stuck in his gut.

"A damn Alghoul..." Duncan muttered as the Monster bit off more of the hand, tearing fingers off with its rows of razor teeth and chewing slowly. They stood still, both Huntsmen and Grimm locked in each other's gaze. The Alghoul just stood there casually, eating the arm like a burrito.

"What's the plan?" Siegfried asked in a whisper, his Mentor gave him a quick glance.

"We-"

[Play 'Tooth and Claw' -Skyrim OST]

"RAAAAHHH!!!" They both saw Astrid run past them, battleaxe raised high, eyes going wide.

"Wait!" He called out to her, but she ignored him as she dodged a swipe from an Ghoul who moved to intercept her, and decapitated it as she went for the Alghoul. She brought her axe down upon the Alghoul straight for the face, but it's free hand caught it. Her eyes then went wide, the Monster didn't even flinch, it's grip ironclad. It looked down at her with scorn as it dropped its meal from both its left hand and tendril. The Shield-Maiden looked up, her body frozen in fear.

The two Huntsmen couldn't believe it, before they even had time to react, the creature reached forth and grabbed her by the throat with one hand, taking her axe with the other. Her hands grabbed its muscled arm and struggled, she was pulled back. It roared in her face and then it choke slammed her onto the ground like a rag doll. The Alghoul let out a roar as her battle axe was raised high in its hand, ready to shed its owner's blood.

Without thinking, the Young Knight rushed forth. She may have been a heretical barbarian, a ruthless raider, but the oath he made to his God still binded him. That above all else, he would stand against the darkness and beholden to protect all before its shadows. Human or Faunus, Rich or Poor, Atlesian or Valean. Against all evil, his blade was sworn. And the greatest evil of all was the creatures of darkness, of destruction, the Grimm.

The Azure blade clashed upwards against steel with such strength and speed, it flew out of the Alghoul's hand. Then, he brought Balmung down, aiming to divide the monster before him. It's tendrils quickly reached back and stabbed into the ground, pulling it through the air back, avoiding the downwards strike. It screeched as its underlings flanked Siegfried on both sides. Revving Balmung as he swung horizontally in a complete turn, he shouted "By the power of my sword, become ash!" As a wave of fire knocking knocking many back, catching them on fire. Six Ghouls flailed in flames, while two had ducked.

His greatsword burnt through one like a hot knife, but the other slammed into his back, knocking him down on the ground. Rolling over, he found himself face-to-face with the Ghoul he missed. It went for his throat with its maw, but an arrow slammed into its skull. As it squealed, he pushed it off of him and grabbed his sword. Looking over Duncan had gotten Astrid up on her feet, and handed her axe to her. Behind them, still wearing his cloak's hood, Floki waved with a smile.

He fell back to the Old Huntsman, reaching his side as the girl coughed. Duncan shook his head disappointedly, "Your both lucky to still be alive, that Alghoul doesn't look to be the type to play around." The Alghoul ahead of them screeched a howl, it's arms back and it's head convulsing, it's four tendrils flailing behind it.

[Stop 'Tooth and Claw' -Skyrim OST]

"Save the lecturing for after the battle," Siegfried said as he raised his sword, "It's rallying what's left of its pack for a counterattack."

"Aye," His Mentor agreed, but beside them, the Barbarian was shaking. Her eyes wide, her lips quivered, her body tense. They both recognized it as a sign of somebody facing Grimm for the first time. "I know your afraid, Girl, but you need to steel yourself." Duncan said as he raised his hammer, "If we stand together, we will not fall."

"B-But i-its, th-they..." She stuttered, tears were streaming down her face. It was a complete contrast to the cocky Maiden hours ago.

Siegfried went her side and put a hand on her shoulder, "I know that they may look daunting, but they die just the same as anything." She looked at him, staring into his blue eyes behind the visor. "Be our support, we'll be the vanguard. We'll protect you, you cover our flanks from any tricksters."

"Ok..." She answered with a sigh, he patted her shoulder then walked out infront of her, raising his sword. Ahead of them all, the rest of the pack gathered, surrounding their Alpha. A chorus straight out of hell echoed through the woods as the Ghouls acted like monkeys. Smacking the ground and baring their canines.

"Sieg," Duncan spoke to him with a smirk on his face as he moved Vulcan into an awkward position, "Give me some air." The hammer's head attached to the side of his belt, and the whole weapon began to shift. The shaft elongated into a hose and a nozzle, a grip formed with a trigger under it. "Time to let it burn."

Turning the dial once again to pale green, Siegfried cocked a smile and said, "And time to fan the flames." The Ghouls rushed forth towards them in a mass charge, their Alpha holding its position behind them, Vulcan's nozzle spewed flame out to counter them, with a light swing towards the fire, a small gust wind shot out of Balmung-amplifing it.

Flame enveloped the charging Grimm, almost every one of them fell flailing. Their skin melting, like burning tar and oil. The sound of sizzling flesh echoed throughout the forest. Grimm caught in the inferno shrieked in pain and agony as the fire consumed them. Those who were still moving had slowed to a crawl. Most of them didn't make it far before being burnt up, their demonic bodies starting to evaporate.

As they watched, the last few of the Ghouls, now decimated by the fiery blaze, headed for their flanks to encircle them.

[Play 'Death or Sovngarde' -Skyrim OST]

The Alghoul roared, its limbs twitching and its neck thrashing, its razorsharp teeth clattering as if trying to snap its jaws closed. Its voice rumbling throughout the trees. A torrent of black smoke billowed around it, it's demonic hissing echoing across the clearing. It looked over to the two Huntsmen. "Deyja!" It yelled out in a deep raspy growl, it took one step forward, then it charged toward the pair, talons outstretched. It's tendrils straightened out like spears.

"Come at us you filthy beasts!" Siegfried shouted as he gripped Balmung's hilt and raised the sword high into the air, shifting it back to its smaller form. With a collective roar, they did. The Alghoul and four of it's lessers charged. An arrow zoomed through the air and pierced the skull of one, it's body fell to the ground. Duncan smashed a Ghoul into the ground with one overhead blow, it's body busting like a squashed bug. Siegfried and Astrid faced the last two with precise strikes, felling them with one blow each.

They turned just in time to dodge the Alghoul, it's tendrils smash the ground they just stood on, reducing it to a crater. It's head snapped back around as it looked at them with furious red eyes, "Rrrrrrraaaahhh!!!" It roared as it came at them again, Duncan countered it with a charge of his own. Thrusting the head of Vulcan into the Alghoul's chest, halting it with a brutal crunch, sending it stumble back. It hissed as it came to a stop, Siegfried took his chance. Rushing pass Duncan, he faced the Grimm head on.

It sent two tendrils at him, he sidestepped and cleaved them off. It screamed in pain and rage, he barely dodged its vengeful lunge. He was blocking and backing up from its assault, two tendrils and claws coming at him with intent to rip and rend. His sword blocked what it could, but his aura was taking a beating. It grew thinner by the second. The Monster grabbed the blade of his sword with both hands, and wrapped its tendrils around his neck, trying to strangle him. He struggled, trying to break free. But it wasn't working, it was too strong and had more limbs than him. The Ghoul pulled him towards itself, and it started to crush his throat. The pressure made it hard to breathe, his Aura the only thing preventing his neck from being snapped like a twig.

His vision started to blur, all he could see was the infernal face of the Alghoul. The glee in its eyes, it's bloodlust. It's salivating mouth came closer, ready to bit into his skull the moment his aura breaks like an apple. Just as it seemed hopeless however, Astrid rushed to his rescue.

"Let go of him!!" She shouted as she smashed her axe into its back. Suddenly, it's tendrils grip around his neck loosened as it reared it's head back in pain. She wrenched her axe free as a tendril came for her, and back stepped with an upwards swing, severing another tendril. In a nanosecond, a thought rushed into his head and he quickly turned the dial on his sword and revved it. Flame coated his blade and burnt the hands of the Ghoul. It wailed in pain as it removed it hands, which had caught on fire.

"Die, fiend!!" Siegfried shouted as he kicked it back and brought his sword down upon the beast. It raised its right hand defensively, only for the azure blade to slice clear through. The blade carved a path through its arm and down its torso, wounding it greatly. Then, Duncan suddenly slammed his war hammer into its right side. It flew back, rolling in the dirt and collided with a pile of Ghoul and Barbarian bodies.

The two Huntsmen and the Shieldmaiden regrouped as it slowly rose off the ground. The Alghoul was badly wounded; it had only one tendril and arm left, it's face plate was cracked and a couple of its once fearsome razor teeth were broken. Black blood oozed out of its arm and cut along its torso, it cough some up as it straighten its body out the best it currently could. It was furious, it's red eyes glowing in outrage. It roared out in a blood curdling cry of fury, a bloodthirsty howl.

"It's on its last legs," The Old Huntsman spoke as he popped his neck, "If we coordinate our attacks at once, we can fell this Grimm here and now."

"Alright," Siegfried shook his head and then looked to his companions, "You two flank it, I'll draw its attention." They both gave a nod. The three of them moved in step towards the creature, spreading out into a V formation. Then they took a stance, with their weapons raised. They all stood ready, ready for the Alghoul.

The Grimm was still for a moment as it watched them, it's crimson eye's narrowed, and its mouth curled into a snarl. It opened its jaw and let loose a deafening screech of anger. Then, the Alghoul launched its attack, charging forward and flailing its tendril and claw.

"Now!" The Young Knight shouted as he ran forth to meet it, the Alghoul sent its tendril forward only for Siegfried to back step and block. Astrid and Duncan passed them, and flanked the Grimm. It's eye caught them and then it tried to moved back, but the Redhead grabbed its tendril, surprising it. As he pulled it back towards him, it swiped out with its claw, only for an arrow to slam into its forearm. As it looked down, another hit it's right knee and then it's torso.

Astrid slammed her battle axe into its back, forcing the Grimm to take a knee. When she tore it out, Siegfried let go of its tendril. It raised its head and screeched, then rose up its body-only for Vulcan to smash down upon its head. Black mist, white bone and black blood were busted out when it's once fearsome head was smashed like a watermelon. It's body fell backwards, into the mud with a thud.

[Stop 'Death or Sovngarde' -Skyrim OST]

Duncan raised his war hammer once more and brought it down upon its chest, caving it in. As he ripped it out, the three let out a sigh of relief as it began to evaporate. A slow clap began, they turned to see Floki approach them with his trademark smooth smile under his hood. "Excellent, I guess the stories they tell about Huntsmen are truly true." He stopped clapping and pointed to his Sister, "And I guess Father was wrong about you Sister, you actually faced a Grimm and survived."

She didn't respond, instead she wearily walked over the corpse with golden armor and the sword impaled through his gut. She knelt down to pick up his severed arm and then went over by his side. Astrid placed his arm where it would be still attracted and then grabbed the hilt of his sword still stuck in his gut. She pulled and wrenched it free, stagnant blood and raised guts came with it. Ignoring the rancid smell, she placed the sword upon his chest and grabbed his right arm, wrapping his hand around the hilt.

Then, she cried. Placing her head upon the chest of the Man, and muttering so quietly that they couldn't hear what she was saying. The Two Knights watched on in sympathy, Siegfried reflected on his actions. The one thing he hardly thought about anymore when he felled enemies is their loved ones, the people they leave behind. He used to dwell on everything about it, the guilt and inner disgust he felt when he first killed a man years ago flushed back into his mind.

He took a deep breath and then walked over to her. She rose up from his chest and gently shut the man's eyes, then she looked over her shoulder to see his killer. "I'm sorry, I wish it didn't have to come to this...I can see that he was important to you."

She looked away, back to the Corpse infront of her and the choked out a reply. "He died the way he wanted to, fighting. You sent him to the hall of the slain..." Her hand came up and clinched into a fist, "You're the not the one to blame..."

"Come on! Are you still crying over Agnar?" Floki rudely interrupted, Siegfried turned to see him strut over with hands on his hips, a smile befitting the devil, "Your prestigious Mentor? The one Man who had faith that you could be a warrior? The Great Warrior slain by a lone Huntsman-in-training?"

"Shut up!" She shouted, still looking at the man before her. He walked over to her, like a taunting demon.

"Come on, dear Sister, I thought you believe that the weak deserved what they got?" He knelt down and said, "Agnar died a pathetic excuse of a warr-OOF!" He was silenced by a punch to the face, falling back on his ass.

"YOUR THE REASON HE'S DEAD, THAT EVERYONE IS DEAD, YOUR A COWARD FLOKI!!" She shouted with absolute fury, her eyes wide and her teeth clenched. "YOU HAD ONE JOB! ONE JOB! AND YOU PURPOSELY FAILED IT TO SAVE YOUR OWN HIDE!!" She clutched her face and gasped as a few tears streamed down it, "Because of you, the only person who believed I me is dead..."

Floki rubbed his face and began to chuckle as he rose up, "I'm the reason he's dead? Really dear Sister?" He then placed his fists on his hips, his smile gone. "No, I am not. The reason he and all these fools are dead, is because they foolishly believe in our cultures primitive beliefs about glory in death. If you all wanted to live, then you all shouldn't have raided that village. This entire situation was bound to happen anyway, Hunding has been doing nothing but daring Vale or a Huntsman to do something and behold, it has happened!" He took a step forward, "I didn't participate in the raid we were sent to do, you on the other hand gladly did so. I didn't stop a huntsman from entering this camp because I didn't want to die like a fool. I, unlike the morons like you and the rest of our brothers and people, don't have any intention of dying anytime soon. Valhalla isn't real, there is no afterlife, only a black, dark, endless void that consumes our souls unto nothing." He took a step back and raised his arms up, "So yes, I am a coward, and I am PROUD."

"Y-Your wrong, your nothing but a snake."

"Perhaps, but at least I'm not a worthless slut who let one of her brothers fuck her." She fell to her knees and grasped her head, "You are worthless, Astrid, a worthless, pathetic whore. You let him fuck you for months and it took me finding out in order to stop it. You call yourself a strong woman, a warrior, yet you let yourself be used. Then, when he couldn't fuck you anymore, you began to lie with every man who glanced at you." Siegfried glanced at Duncan, they gave each other a knowing look of shock. He couldn't believe what he witnessing.

"I-I didn't..." She muttered out.

"Oh yeah, I didn't want to! Blah, blah, blah! Then why did you present your ass to him then? It's not rape if it's consensual." He waved a finger, "But Father's gotta keep this secret, in order to marry you off for an alliance. After all, who would marry sloppy seconds?" She began to sob, Siegfried began to fume.

"What is wrong with you?! She's your Sister!" He shouted as he got into the Man's face.

"Oh, don't worry Huntsman, I talk this way to everyone."

"Stop this! Stop talking down to her!"

"Or what? Are you gonna beat me? Don't worry, I'm used to that. She, our brothers and good ole Dad did that to me all the time when I was younger-all because I dared to think."

Siegfried faltered, but redirected him, "That's...terrible, but still, there's no need to disrespect your sister in such terrible ways. What kind of brother are you?"

He just smiled and said, "I'm the only smart one."

"You call yourself that, yet here we are, in the wild. And you are causing drama and making your Sister cry. We just killed a lot of Grimm, more could be on the way."

"Siegfried is right," Duncan interrupted, "You need to shut your vile mouth Boy, least it bring them upon us."

Floki sneered, "Fine, go ahead and pamper the Princess." He turned around began to walk back to the Horses. The Old Huntsman walked over and knelt down beside the Sobbing Woman.

He began to reach out and gently lay a hand on her shoulder, but he refrained. Instead he said, "It's okay now, he's not going to bother you anymore on this journey, I promise." She just stayed quiet and wiped her face, there was a cold gaze in her eyes, not the playful gaze that annoyed Siegfried hours ago.

"Just burn them, burn their bodies so they aren't left to be eaten." She said as she got up from the ground, picking her axe up. Walking off without a glance back, both Huntsman turned to each other, Siegfried lifted his visor and shook his head.

"That was a awkward scene..." He said, resting his blade on his shoulder.

"Indeed, I pity them. They always said Hill Clans had 'complicated' families, and I'm disappointed to see the stereotype proven true."

The Young Knight sighed, "Like it is any different for anywhere else? But then again, I still can't comprehend the animosity they have for each other." He wiped the sweat off his brow, "Me and Isolde don't always get along, but I'd never demean her like that."

Duncan scratched his beard before saying, "No, you save that for her Boyfriend instead."

"Hey, that's just doing my duty as a big brother." The mood lightened a bit as he laughed, "As much as I like Jaune, he basically worships her. He needs to better himself if he wants to be with my sister, I need to know if he'll be able to protect her."

"You know how his parents think of him training." His Mentor mentioned while checking the dust in Vulcan.

"I don't care, learning to defend oneself in this world is paramount." He shook his head in mild anger, "They need to stop sheltering him."

"From what I've seen from that boy, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be Isolde defending him against Grimm. And it seems that's what she likes."

He shook his head, "You're not wrong...my Sister seems to like him being under her. I don't know what they see in each other..."

"We need to get back on task," Duncan gestured to the battlefield around them, "She wants us to burn her comrades."

"Should we really waste our precious Fire Dust over a bunch of raiders?" The Young Knight questioned rhetorically

"It'll be my dust and I agreed to." The Old Huntsman put his hand on his Apprentice's shoulder, "Sieg, it is a Huntsman's duty to overlook those they help and be tolerant of all cultures and peoples."

"That's easy to say...I understand protecting them from Grimm, but do we have to go out of our way to lay their dead to rest?"

"Would you disregard a Valean or Faunus' sincere request?" Duncan then asked, rhetorically.

"Well, I am honor bound to help them...but..." He sighed, "Your right."

Duncan began to walk away, before turning and saying, "Go watch over the Siblings, I'll burn her comrades like she asked and put the fire out with Water Dust."

Before he did as he was told, Siegfried took a step forward and whispered, "Duncan, are you sure about this?"He looked behind them to see if they were close as he said, "If you do this, your disregarding your semblances utility."

"Let me tell you something about Semblances," His Mentor said with an annoyed tone, "You can only rely on them so much, mine is only good situationally. Fire Immunity is something I can only use to my advantage when I create fire with dust ninty percent of the time." He slammed his chestplate, "I know how to fight without it."

"Ok..." The Young Knight turned and began to walk to where the Barbarian Siblings are. He heard the burst of flame coming from Vulcan's nozzle as he left the battlefield. Eventually, he came upon the two gloomy Siblings sitting upon their brown mounts, booth cloaked and quiet. If he didn't know them, he would've thought they were poor Kingdomers. They didn't say anything as he went up to Grane, "Hey Buddy," He said as he patted the horse before climbing up on the saddle. The Stalion looked back at him before giving a huff. The young Knight gave a chuckle, "I know that look, your hungry." He sheathed Balmung on his horse as he turned and opened a saddle bag, pulling out an apple. "Here you go Boy," He offered the fruit to Grane, his steed tore it from his hands.

As it chomped and chewed it's snack, Siegfried petted the white mane of his companion. A voice from his right spoke to him, "Your horse is beautiful." He looked to see Astrid looking at him with a smile, "I've never seen one like it before, Mare nor Stallion."

"Thanks," He looked back at his horse, "Grane is one-of-a-kind, there's no their horse like him."

"Why is that?" She asked, curiosity clear in her voice.

"There's no other horse I can stand, he's the only one I can ride..." He bit his lip and his hands tightened around the reins. She looked him up and down for a moment, before turning her head towards the desolate battlefield in the distance. Fire and smoke was rising, streams of a flamethrower was visible.

"Tell me," She asked curiously, "How do they tend the dead up north, from where you're from?" The Young Knight rubbed his face before answering.

"We bury then like they do in the cities everywhere else. The ground of Solitas is too thick for Grimm to dig them up easily." He looked at her, "In our cities, we entomb our dead along with their families." Their eyes met for a moment, then she looked forward again.

"We just burn our dead." She answered straightforward, "Too many tombs were looted or made into Grimm dens for our people to continue the practice." He looked forward, the smell of burning flesh reached his nose.

"There's too many things ruined by Grimm and People..." Siegfried awkwardly said as he took off his helmet.

"At the end of the day, Grimm are more honest than we are."

"Yeah..." They both watched as the fire waged infront of them. The horrid smell and the fire ahead brought back images of purple flame, the screams of the damned. And the black wings overhead, the voice of ancient monster...

That Evening...

They had ridden far, deeper into the frontier, the blazed battlefield hours behind them. The forest still surrounded them on both sides of the dirt road, there was no village not town in sight. The Sun was beginning to set and the Forest started to darken, they all knew Grimm would soon be more active. The Two Huntsmen scanned the woods as their horses galloped softly, their two guides were silent and sullen. Siegfried rubbed his face as he yawned, he could feel the slight beginning of stubble. He wasn't looking forward to shaving, but his ability to grow a good beard hadn't yet emerged. The last time he tried to grow it out, it was patchy and not complete.

He scanned the darkening woods and sighed, "Where is the nearest town?"

"We won't make it to one tonight." Floki answered, not even looking back.

"Then where will we camp?" The Young Knight asked with a raised eyebrow. Astrid looked back to him and answered precisely.

"The area is just up ahead," She looked forward, "Try not to panic." Both Huntsmen glanced at each other, skeptical of what was ahead of them. The trees began to thin and the ground became uneven, the forest floor covered in pine needles and leaves. It seemed to become even darker in the distance. Astrid urged her horse forward and she slowed to a trot. They followed closely after. It seemed an eternity before they came upon a large clearing.

In the middle was a large tree, bare of leaves but covered in runes. Rope and colorful streamers wrapped around the branches. A shrine was located at its base, bowls and plates of gold and silver. The most prominent feature, the familiar horror, was the bodies hanging from nooses tied to branches. Skeletons, mummies, rotted cadavers and fresh meat. Just like that tree he burnt last night.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The Young Knight shouted at the sight, "Why would you dare take us to some witch's tree?!"

The two Barbarians looked back at them, Astrid sighed before explaining. "These trees are sacred, they protect those who take shelter on their ground from Grimm as long as sacrifices are maintained."

"Was this whole thing was just to lure us here?! Is this some sort of trap!?" Siegfried shouted, his anger taking hold of him. "Are you two planning on sacrificing us to your false gods?!"

"No." Floki said with a groan, "Listen to my Sister, she's right about these trees."

Duncan then spoke up, "I have heard of such trees and holy sites, yet I've never witnessed their effectiveness." He then looked at Astrid, "How can you gurrentee our safety? Many superstitions are false..."

"These trees are under the Goddess Ygg's protection," She looked forward, "In exchange for life, she protects life. She claims a tree and makes a dead zone around it where no other trees or big plants can grow. Only grass and flowers."

"What happens if Grimm were to try to enter this ring?" Siegfried asked, "How can you be sure they can't?"

Floki rubbed his face, "Because we've seen them just stare before," He kicked his horse gently and moved it forward, "They can't enter." Duncan then followed, then did Astrid. Siegfried groaned as he kicked his horse to follow her lead. As much as he hated this, if there was safety then he needed to take it. His father always used to say to never let fear and biases win over reason, that sometimes you have to compromise with others.

That Night...

The Sun had set and the Shattered Moon had risen. The four travelers were set up around a fire. Duncan and Siegfried had set up a tent while the Barbarian siblings started a fire on an already preexisting fire pit with some of Duncan's spare firewood from his saddlebag. After that, they had sat down on some logs surrounding the fire infront of them. It was silent as the wind blew through the grass and woods, making the flames dance.

Finally, as he was cleaning his sword, Siegfried broke the silence and asked one question that he had been meaning to ask for quite some time. "So, what is our destination? Where is Hunding staying at?"

"Thórsteinn." Floki answered immediately without care, "A shitty little wooden stronghold, famous for a crappy stone depicting the God, Thor."

Duncan scratched his beard as he asked "How much longer will it take to get to this stronghold?"

"At least another day," Floki explained, "And we should encounter a small town tomorrow called Fridarheim." He stretched before adding, "Is that all for the twenty questions? Can I go to sleep now?"

"We will sleep in shifts of two, to watch out for Grimm or people." Duncan began in an authoritative tone, "Me and Floki will sleep first. Siegfried, you and Astrid will have first watch." The Young Knight nodded diligently. "That settles it." The Old Huntsman got up, followed by the Barbarian. They went into the tent to begin their sleep as the boy and girl were left in silence.

The Redheaded Boy pulled out his scroll and opened it to check for any messages.

8:45 PM

Saturday, March 13th

Messages:

Sis: You really need to turn on your notifications...~ 8:36 AM. 2 more messages.

He dreaded opening them, dreaded the can of worms he'd have to deal with as she would message him just for leaving her on read. Thankfully, he was distracted by a simple question. "Is that a scroll?" He looked up from the translucent screen to the barbarian girl sitting across from him. She had a curious look on her face as she eyed the device.

"Yes, it's the series six model." He answered her, "Why do you ask?"

"I've never seen one up close, only once on a merchant." She explained, coldness in her eyes. "My Father forbade me from getting one, he called it pathetic Kingdomer magic."

"I'm sorry to hear that, they're very useful devices." Siegfried looked his scroll over, "Infinite information at a fingertip as long as you have service from the CCTS."

"CCTS?" She said confused.

"Cross Continental Transmit System, it's how the Kingdoms can communicate from vast distances. The Internet, voice calls and texts all rely on it." The Redhead explained.

She shook her head and sighed, "Why are you out here, Huntsman? Why would you want to waste your time on pathetic villages when you Kingdomers have cities with huge walls and such technology within them?"

"I'm here to protect our home and countless other villages from being slaughtered." Siegfried answered, firm as steel.

She raised an eyebrow, "Your from a village? I thought you were some Atlesian?"

"Atlas is more than two cities, and me and my Sister now live in a Valean Village."

"Why did you leave the Northern Kingdom? I heard that they have the best modern military in the world and the most advanced technology. Vale and it's people are second rate in comparison, they can't even stop us."

"Because our home was destroyed by Grimm, Duncan and his family took us in." He spat out, his face scrunched up in anger. "Now, your people threaten our new home with your raids. I knew people in some of the villages that were razed. There were whole families slaughtered, by the will of Hunding." He raised his right hand and balled his fist tight, "I refuse to let my sister go through what we experienced again, especially at the hands of savages. I would face Hunding and hundreds of his Men alone to protect her and everyone that we've come to call family and friend. I will stop him, no matter what."

"I'm sorry..." She said with a deep frown.

"It's one thing to loose your home to Grimm, creatures of pure malevolence. It's another to loose your home to other people, who choose to harm you with their own free will." He shook his head in disgust, "I saw the savagery of the Grimm with my own eyes when I was just ten, I saw what Men could do when I was just fourteen. And I would die a dozen times before I'd let your People touch my Sister."

"Mossshire was the first raid I ever took part in," She revealed, "My Father, he's different from many men of our people. He doesn't think Women should have the right to fight on the battlefield, he always told me I'd be married off to secure an alliance. That I should give up the dream of glory, that my destiny was to be some old man's wife. I rebelled, and began to teach myself to fight." Tears began to streak down her face, "Agnarr was the only one who supported my dream to become a warrior, it took so long for him to convince my Father to let me fight like my Brothers. Me and Floki were supposed to prove ourselves in that raid...I did my best, I tried to ignore the disgust in my stomach as I struck down unarmed Men whose only crime were defending their families." She wiped her face, "When it was over, I cried alone in a room, I had felt guilty. Then, after we left, you came." She looked up into Siegfried's eyes, "You were unmatched, you nearly killed me, you killed my mentor and so many others I knew. So tell me, Huntsman, what did you feel when you struck down so many? Did you feel a thing?"

"Truthfully, I didn't." He answered with a sigh, she was left in stunned silence, "When I was fourteen, I killed my first Man-a Bandit that tried to sneak up on our camp. When I struck him down, I didn't feel a thing about the act. It was like I had done it thousands of times." The Young Knight explained as he looked at his sword, "What bothered me about was the guilt I felt for not feeling bad about doing it. I was tormented about the thoughts of orphans that never learned about what happened to their father, or a poor family doomed because they lost the one doing nefarious deeds to survive. The only times I ever feel a thing when I do it was when people were in danger, when I was angry or when I faced something or someone tough. But when it comes to everyday Grimm and Men, I feel nothing in the act of killing. Just a robotic sense of déjà vu."

"Did you feel anything when you defeated Agnarr?" She asked coldy.

"I did, triumph at my victory, relief for the people that were locked up." He looked into the fire, he could feel something looking back. "For what its worth, I'm sorry it came down to his death. But he gave me no choice."

"I know." She said starring into the fire, before calmly getting up and striding over to him and sitting down. She laid her head on his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Surprise ran through him as his eyes widened.

"I want you to hold me."

"Why?"

"Just do it." Astrid demanded, Siegfried reluctantly wrapped an arm around her shoulder. They sat in silence for what seemed to be forever, until she said. "I want to see the world one day, I want to visit your homeland and see the aurora streak across the sky."

"Maybe I'll take you there someday." He said as he stared into the fire, he could see the faint images of the Dragon and of a Sword.

Authors Note:

Finally, this is finally done. You have no idea how long I've worked on this chapter alone.

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.