Author's Note:

Well, I'm done with this one. Sorry it's been a while, I was motivated to start writing more often, but two things have greatly distracted me for the last two months. The "Special Operation" in Eastern Europe and Elden Ring. I swear, every time I get hopeful things will get better, something happens that eats at my anxiety. The last two years were bad enough, now we have to worry about the COD: Modern Warfare games becoming reality.

At least I've had Elden Ring to distract from that. Ironically there's a few things from its lore that's similar to this story's lore I've come up with.

I'm gonna try to write more frequently, but forgive me if I am slower to pump chapters out. Real World crises make writing fictional ones harder for me, it gets depressing.

"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 4: Schatten im Wald.

They had left Fridarheim without issue, but Siegfried found his mind troubled as he rode upon Grane. His dreams, whether or not were they real, concerned him. It was blurry and hurt to try to think and comprehend, but he remembered the Wanderer's warning about Duncan. That he was under some spell and that if he broke it prematurely, Duncan would die. Then there was the myriad of visions or hallucinations he saw, there was too much to be able to comprehend. It was like staring at a flashbang as it went off, he remembered his head hurting like someone was dissecting his brain. It still hurt, though it went from the feeling of nails being driven into his skull to the light throb of a migraine.

Then there was the last thing he saw, the clearest of the visions. A talk with that Dragon, that beast which haunted his dreams for seven years. Fafnir, he had remembered it say in that old tongue so long ago. Was that really it's name? Was that dream real? Or was everything driving him insane? Could the stress against Hunding be causing it? And finally, there was the symbols on his shoulder. The same he remembered the Wanderer painting on him seven years ago with his own blood.

It hurt to ponder about it, but he couldn't help but be worried. He was either going mad or he was shown a bunch of stuff his mind could not comprehend. Why couldn't he? Why did this hurt him? What is going on?! He was trying to force the star into the square shaped hole, and it refused to cooperate.

"Are you okay?" Siegfried was woke out of his stupor to see Astrid beside him on her horse. Her hood was down, her pale blonde hair was loose, the braid undone, the leather band was out of her hair. She looked like a normal girl now in his eyes, her eyes seemed to sparkle more than they did before.

"Yeah," He lied, "I just still have a headache." He hadn't told anyone about the dreams nor showed the symbols. There was...a fear, a true fear to reveal it. It was like he knew the moment he did that he would have to look over his shoulder the rest of his life. It was a strange feeling, he had felt fear before-nothing like this. A cold chill crept up his spine as he thought about it. Images of Ansel in flames, all the people he cared about, friends and family, dead.

"Well, I hope you feel better." She said solemnly, "Your gonna need all of your strength today."

Duncan then asked Floki as he scanned the woods in the distance, "How much longer till we reach Thórsteinn?"

"Another hour or two, maybe three." The Barbarian answered, "We have to cut through this forest for a bit before we reach the plains where it is."

Hunding, the Warlord that he sought to defeat. How he had seemed to fall into the background of his mind, his focus on insane matters. Curiosity crept into the forefront of his mind, "Why is Hunding even trying to form a Kingdom?" The Kingdoms themselves were hard enough to maintain with technology, how would some barbarian keep one together?

"Because he wants more than just Power, Kingdomer." Floki looked back, "Hunding wants a Legacy and a Empire, becoming Hunding The Conquerer has been a life-long goal for him." He looked forward again, "That Man won't be satisfied with uniting the Clans and ruling over these backwards lands." The Barbarian waved his hand around as he spoke, "Right now, his Sons are traveling around, trying to forge alliances with clans across the sea to the north west and the rest of the world."

The Young Knight scoffed, "How does he expect to win against the Kingdoms when his forces are backwards? Regular swords and shields won't be able to face the legions of Hunters, Soldiers and Mechs from one Kingdom alone." The last time they might've stood a chance was over two hundred years ago, but guns and canons became more advanced and the Royal Knights of Vale started to use the first mecha-shift weapons that his people had invented in the far north of Solitas.

In a way, his People-or at least the ones who followed Kaiser Hulderich north-had been blessed. Solitas was a nearly abandoned continent, the few people that lived on it were remote Nord tribesmen who had nearly driven each other extinct to war. Not that his forefathers knew they lived there, it took fifty years before the Imperial Knights met any of the Clans-but that was beside the point. Solitas was a Goldmine of Dust, Gold, Silver and Dwarven Ruins.

It took a long time, but through the study and research of Dwarven Technology, they had advanced Mantle's every so slowly. First it was advanced forms of heating, then electricity-which propelled their people's expansion across the continent and the growth of the population exponentially. Then, they had developed more advanced guns and forms of artillery. Then, more advanced airships. Then, mecha-shift weapons for the Imperial Knights. And more and more, soon the Exiles had become the strongest nation of the world once more, and Vale looked on in envy yet again.

Now, all four kingdoms and the Hellenic city states had access to a bit of their technology now. Of course, it was labeled Atlesian-but it's spirt was truly Mantlean. How were a bunch of backwards tribesmen gonna bring the Kingdoms low?

"Aura," Floki answered with a smirk, "Hunding is trying to give his whole army Aura." Siegfried blinked, a whole army of Aura users? That hadn't been a thing since ancient times, and for good reason. Aura made people ten times harder to fight and kill. It made people faster, stronger and more robust. And it made people harder to control... It eventually became an universal law across the world hundreds of years ago that only Knights (or their foreign equivalents), Nobles and Royalty could have Aura. If you were a adult peasant and you unlocked your aura, you were executed. If you were a kid and you unlocked it, you were taken away to be raised by an Order of Knights or Monks.

Things only started to change when his Nation under its second and best ruler, Theodorich, allowed anyone to have aura at the cost of a small tax. Aura was a boon on the Tundra, it could keep people's bodies warm in the blistering cold. It was instrumental in the exploration and settlement of their continent.

After the Great War, anyone could have aura legally-if you get a Aura license...anyone with illegal aura could be sent to prison from five to twenty years. Thankfully it was very easy to apply and get one, but Civilians and Military personal had to renew them every five years while Hunters didn't have to. He thought that was bullshit, but he could understand why it was like that-though it didn't stop people from getting Aura and never admitting it. The thing was, for a bunch of barbarians, how was there going to be enough control?

"Wouldn't that be a risk to him?" Siegfried pointed out, "Some underling with Aura and ambition..." The Barbarian chuckled while looking back and waving his finger.

"The dumb ass doesn't think of that," His face was wide in a grin, "He only thinks on how to conquer the Kingdoms without your technology. A army of Aura users would be the only thing he could manage."

"A man too proud to think on his options or alternatives is a doomed one." Siegfried suddenly said, his eyes widened. He didn't say that, it just blurted out of his mouth.

"Indeed," Floki's eyes widened in surprise, "That is perhaps the smartest thing you've said in my presence Ginger." He gave the Redhead a thumbs up, "Well said!"

"Uh, thanks." He answered as they entered the forest, the road was a well trodden dirt path. They were flanked by dense pine trees and tall grass. The light from the sun struggled to illuminate the woods around them as they traveled down the dirt road. It was as if they had crossed over into another realm, another plane of shadow and whispers.

Minutes passed by as they headed deeper in, the darkness seemed to thicken and the sounds of birds died out. "This is too quiet..." Duncan said with a raised eyebrow, his eyes scanning the woods.

"Grimm, Bandits or a Predator?" Siegfried asked as his eyes scanned along too.

"Don't know, keep a eye out." They continued to trot along, the forest became more oppressive as light was restricted by the thick pines. Siegfried swore he could see movement out of the corners of his eyes, yet he couldn't see anything concrete. Everyone became more nervous as they heard rustling in the woods. Astrid brought up her axe while Floki had grabbed his bow, Duncan and Siegfried held the handles of their weapons.

"Something is wrong..." Astrid said with a trembling voice, "This wasn't like how we all traveled through here before..."

"We were in a entire Warband, Astrid." Floki told her, "This could be just tricks of the mind." They rounded a curve, shadows in the woods around them. Upon turning into a straight road, they saw a grisly scene before them about thirty feet away.

Barely visible, was a bloody nightmare. A carriage was toppled, torn open on the right side of the road, a dead Man was slumped out the back, his head missing. Blood dripped out of his torso onto a covered ground below. On the other side, hanging from a tree upside down from a rope was a naked woman with no arms nor head, swaying in the wind. In the road ahead illuminated by sunlight, was a headless mutilated horse. It's head five feet infront of them, on the road staring blankly at them. Behind that, the most horrific sight, was a little girl laying in a pool of blood on the road.

"By the Gods..." Astrid whimpered, looking upon the sight in horror.

"Dagda's Light..." Duncan said, wide eyed. Siegfried and Floki were speechless. The Redhead held back the urge to vomit at the sight before him as he saw the girl move.

"She's alive!" He about kicked Grane forward, but a hand fell upon his shoulder.

"This is a trap Sieg," Duncan said with a quiet voice, "Either by demented Humans or something worse."

"That girl needs our help!"

"We need to approach this cautiously-"

"Screw that, you hypocrite!" Siegfried jumped off his horse and ran forward, "I'm not letting her die!"

"Siegfried! Wait!" He ignored his Mentor, all he focused on was the Girl ran towards. Jumping over the horse head and it's body, he ran to the left of the girl. Kneeling down, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder and turning her around he was met by a bloody tear stained face with bright hazel eyes.

"It's alright, I'm here to help. I'm a Huntsman." He told the girl as he checked over over for injuries, there was a deep laceration on her stomach held by a makeshift bandage of cloth soaked through. She opened her mouth to speak, but only blood came out. He looked on in horror to see that her tongue was missing.

Suddenly, he heard something step out behind him and jumped away with her in his arms as a blade fell upon where he was. As he turned, he saw it.

It was about as tall as he was, face skeletal and demonic. It's head was like a human's white skull, but it's eyes was a crimson red upon a field of black. It's body was encased in white bone like an exoskeleton, it's chest plate like a rib cage. In its hands was a white scimitar and a white round shield made of bone as well. There was no doubt in his mind, this was a Draugar. (A/N: Basically, the combination of a Hurlock from Dragon Age Origins, a Dark Wraith from Dark Souls I and Skull Knight from Berserk.)

Reacting quickly, Siegfried whistled with his fingers. The quick thunder of hooves made the Grimm look just in time to be thrown down onto the ground by Grane. It looked up just in time for a hoof to crush its head. He hurried and placed the girl upon the horse, "Just hold on, we'll get you some help later." Siegfried told her after grabbing Balmung off his horse, then slapping it forward. Grane ran forward down the road as Duncan jumped off Obsidian, his steed following behind. The two barbarians were behind them, but arrows shot out from the trees, striking their horses down.

They were threw off their horses and into the dirt. The Hunters helped them up quickly as they heard singing.

"Við erum svöng, við erum að koma..." Raspy and nasally, daemonic voices chanted slowly from the woods around them, "Við erum synir Heljar, við erum komin til að seðja hungur okkar." They heard rustling in the woods matched to the sound of shield banging, "Öxatími, sverðtími, vindtími, úlfatími!" They slowly descended from shadows, monsters crueler than man, "Hvergi að fara, hvergi að fela sig. Við erum Gríma." They all bore skeletal grins, and mouths drooling with hunger, "Öxatími, sverðtími, vindtími, úlfatími!"

They were surrounded, the Draugar had emerged from the woods all around them. Most were vastly different from the one that Grane had dispatched. A lot of them had a black fur come out of the edges of their armor, some grown out as a natural but unholy cloak that shrouded their heads or a cape that gently fluttered in the wind. They had a variety of weapons and armor, both Grimmish and Human. Scimitars, straight swords, greatswords, spears, axes, bows and arrows-both bone and steel. Some wore armor that had to been a human or faunus' before, primarily helmets and shields. Their natural shields were either round shields or tower shields. But the most disturbing variety among them was the red paint or blood that was smeared on some, painted into symbols on others like body paint or tattoos. There was a symbol on their shields of a red circle. Blood caked a few of their mouths, some was still fresh.

"Við erum synir helvítis, við erum komin til að sigra!" They sung as they slowly spread out, the Humans felt their nerves tingle. "Öxatími, sverðtími, vindtími, úlfatími!" The ones with shields banged again, "Við erum tóm, við erum hyldýpið, við erum synir hins volduga dreka." Their voices soared with pride, "Öxatími, sverðtími, vindtími, úlfatími!" They banged again, before they all shouted at once, "Við erum doom!" Then they were silent, their crimson eyes piecing the very souls of the Huntsmen and Barbarians. There was around thirty something, from what Siegfried could guess.

Suddenly, three things were thrown and landed by their feet. Astrid screamed bloody murder as Floki gagged and Duncan cursed. Looking down, it was horrific. Three heads with three faces with lifeless eyes staring back at them. A brown haired Man, a blonde Woman and a brown haired Boy. Their last expressions that of shock and horror.

The Grimm began to roar and laugh, laugh like a group of friends that had just pulled a prank on someone. Banging on their shields, stomping the ground, raising their two handed weapons up into the sky like barbarians. Siegfried took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the horde. From behind them all came a Grimm swaggering around the mass, long sword in hand, shield in other. It was different from the others, long black cape of midnight fur, barbs of bone around it crown like a crown. It raised its sword and slammed its pommel into its round shield, producing a sound loud enough to silence the boisterous Draugar.

"A Wight..." Siegfried mumbled, reflexively readying to activate his sword's dust. His finger slowly turned the dial to black.

"Jæja, jæja, jæja ... Hvað höfum við hér?" It spoke as its brethren opened a path for it, it strode forward with a grin, "Þið Mannfólk félluð fyrir agnið. Alltaf svo samúðarfull...en svo heimskuleg." It's voice was full of mockery as the others chuckled. The Wight looked to its sides and shouted, "Kjöt er aftur á matseðlinum, bræður mínir!" Then banged its shield with its pommel, "Berjast, berjast! Dýrð til Helvítis!"

There was a mighty roar, a battle cry that would forever ring in his ears at night, "Sigur til Helvítis!"

"Duck!" Siegfried shouted as he revved his sword, runes glowing purple, his companions did so as he slashed around in a complete twirl. The Draugar that lunged and charged were pushed or thrown back by waves of purple. Some fell down onto the ground, others tumbled into their comrades. Most kept their footing.

Duncan sprang forward with Vulcan, slamming the Warhammer into the side of an Draugar armed with just a spear, it hissed in pain as it fell to the ground-it's side caved in. Then, he turned and slammed it into the head of another, it's skull shattering on impact.

"Fyrir myrkraherra!" Siegfried heard as he turned just in time to intercept one with a one handed axe and shield, he parried the strike and slashed down diagonally, his blade cleaving into the Draugar's right shoulder. It hissed and slammed it's shield into his gut, knocking him back as it counterattacked with its axe. The bone blade sparked against both armor and aura, the redhead winced as he kicked the Grimm in the leg, ducking around it as it fell forward and shifting his blade to its shorter form. He stabbed down into its shoulder wound and revved his blade.

The Draugar looked up at him just in time, "Skítt-" as it was torn apart from the inside and combusted in purple rays. He looked around and saw that Duncan had claimed several in the time he only felled one, the Siblings had fought with him-but mostly behind him.

"Við erum óstöðvandi!" Siegfried saw three coming for him, one with a great axe and a horned helmet, another with a spear and lastly, a hooded one with two bone scimitars. Sidestepping to the left, he shifted his sword again to its greater form and was quick enough to decapitate the Grimm with the spear. It's Comrades however, were faster.

The Hooded Draugar duel wielding scimitars rush in from behind him and slashed him in a X. Aura sparked off his cape and armor as he was knocked forward, turning only to meet the great axe coming for his head. He ducked at the last second, but it's haft slammed into his face. Falling to the ground as he saw it raise its axe high, shouting "Ég mun eta sál þína, ég mun drekka blóð þitt!"

"Hann er minn!" The Hooded one shouted as he rammed its shoulder into its brother, knocking it aside onto the ground as Siegfried rose. His sword came up, and came down upon two blades. "Ég mun vera sá sem drepur þig!" The Grimm hissed, it's shrouded face bathed in fresh crimson. The Redhead felt fire in his veins, the sight of the girl and the heads that were her family.

He shoved the monster away from him, it caught its footing and twirled forward with its blades. Siegfried crouched low and slashed horizontally with a roar. A scimitar's blade struck his head in a spark, but Balmung cleaved through the Draugar's body, dividing it at the waist. It shrieked demonically as it fell, black ichor gushing out along with the dissolving remains of human organs and blood.

Despite his victory, there was still a war to win, as the Helmed Draugar with a great axe rushed at him. He stepped back and blocked its strike and pushed the demon back, countering with a diagonal strike. It blocked with its axe's haft, and pushed with all its might, growling. Siegfried maneuvered in and walloped his right elbow into the Grimm's face, making it stumble back as he reared his sword.

The azure blade flew leftwards and struck the Draugar right on the horn helmet upon its head, knocking it off as he then swung rightward. Balmung cleaving deep into the Grimm's side, black blood spilling out onto the ground. Wrenching it free, he back stepped a retort from its axe and countered with an percise lunge at it's right knee. It feel to a knee as it grunted, it looked up in fury as it couldn't get up. Symbols painted in dried blood covered it's face as it snarled.

"Kláraðu það!" It shouted, as it tried to force itself up, "Þú fjandinn maður-" He silenced it, his sword cleaved deep through its skull like a knife through butter. Ripping it free, the Grimm fell with it's brains leaking out onto the road, it's body instantly misting.

The Young Knight instantly turned to glance at his Mentor and Companions, they were doing well. Duncan and Astrid were cutting them down like trees, and Floki was sniping the Grimm from behind those two. At least half of the Grimm were slain, there were only fifteen more or less. He needed to join with the others and end this-

"Mannlegur!!!" Siegfried looked and saw the Wight walking towards him, pointing to the others with his sword and ordering its brethren to focus all effort upon his conpanions. "Þú ert sterkur, Mannleg." It's skeletal face was scrunched up unnaturally in fierce hatred, "Ég mun vera einn til bestur þig."

He readied himself, raising his blade to meet the Draugar's challenge. It raised its sword and shield as well, and approached slowly. The sound of his companions battle seemed to be deafened as he focused purely on the Wight in front of him. The Young Knight made the first move, moving forward with an blade raised high into the air over his head and then bringing it down upon the shield. The Grimm stood fast from the impact and countered with a swipe of its sword, it barely scraped against his aura as he back stepped.

Siegfried formed the ox stance as he raised his greatsword up to his left, arms and sword above his head, and then thrusted with an step at its neck. The Wight's right shoulder was scraped as it pivoted rightwards away from it. It's sword came around in an attack, cracking against his side with the clash of aura. The Redhead grunted as he quickly brought his diamond pommel down upon the skeletal face.

It collided with the Draugar's right cheekbone, knocking its head back as a small bleeding crack formed. As he tried to press his attack however, it thrusted its blade into his stomach, and swiped upwards across his face as blue aura sparked. He felt blood splatter on his face as it poured from a long cut across his cheek, and he felt his aura immediately close it and begin to heal.

It capitalized on its opening and slammed its shield into his stomach, and slashed chaotically with its sword, shouting "Hel bíður þín!"

"Shut up!" Siegfried roared as he grabbed the blade of his sword with his left hand and push the monster back, its back collided against the carriage. His right leg came back a step and Balmung was lowered to his right. "DIE!!" He shouted as his weapon came up in a vertical slash, colliding against its shield, knocking it from its left hand. It was no victory.

Black fire engulfed its free talons and a demonic grin widened on its face, "Brenndu!" It lunged forward and smacked its skeletal hand upon his chest plate. In a instant, everything burned. His soul felt like it was being devoured, a black flame seeking to engulf a blue one.

"Aggghh!!!" He screamed as he dropped his sword and clutched the arm that conjured the black flame, he heard it cackle like a Madman as his vision darkened and his body and soul winced in great pain.

"Brenna, brenna! Megi sál þín brenna-" There was a spark, he could see and feel it within. Seven azure sparks like the hammer striking a anvil, followed by a bright flash. And he was free, his vision was clear, and the Grimm was jolting in pain as its left hand was aflame in bright blue fire. It's hand was melting, it's eyes wide as it roared in pain.

"Hjálp! Hjálpaðu mér!" It shouted as it literally shoved him aside and ran, "Þessi sársauki, þetta bjarta eitur!" Siegfried was too shocked to take advantage of its panic, the Grimm was flailing its left hand around like a Chicken its wings. "Það brennur! ÞAÐ BRENNI!"

"Rallið, til Drottins okkar!" A hoarse voice called out, and the Redhead bent down quickly to grab Balmung as four Draugar came rushing at him while their leader panicked. He shifted his blade to its shorter form and turned the dial on his grip to light blue and revved it.

Siegfried swiped downwards towards the ground in front of him, a wave of ice covered it. It was too late for the Grimm to halt their charge, they had slid and fell as he rolled out of the way to his right. They slammed right into the side of the carriage, and he turned the dial on Balmung to dark orange and swiped upwards with it. Four sharp pillars of rock shot up from the ground and impaled the four Draugar, instantly. They hissed and then went still, their bodies emitting mist.

"Raah!!!" His attention was caught by the loud sound of chopping flesh, looking over to the Wight, he saw that it had removed its left arm from the elbow down by way of axe. "Aaaowwwaaa..." It moaned as black blood poured from its stump, the arm still burning on the ground, melting into a flaming black puddle.

"Þú maðkur," It said scornfully as it dropped the axe, "Ógeðslegt Ljósfæddur, Morgunprins...Stolt Volsung!" It slammed its fist into the mud with a snarl, "Að halda að ég yrði bæði bölvaður og blessaður að horfast í augu við þig." It grabbed the handle of its sword as it rose, "Þú hefur breytt litla trúboðinu mínu í það mikilvægasta." It swiped the air with its sword, "Ég verð að sigra þig í nafni Mantus lávarðar." It took a single step forward, "Og fyrir okkar Grímfaðir..." It then pointed at him with its sword, "Ég verð að slökkva logann þinn."

"You know what, Grimm?" He smirked, the Wight tilted its head, "I didn't understand a damn thing you said." He stabbed Balmung into the ground, "You talk too munch!!!"

"Hvað?!" It shouted as a spike of rock thrusted out of the ground from behind, the Wight narrowly dodged it to the left. The spike slashed into its side, shedding more of its blood. It regained its composure only to find the Redhead upon it with sword in hand. Their blades met in a instant, but the battle was uneven. Siegfried used the strength of both arms against its one, and pushed it back with a shove.

"Grímfaðir taka þig!" The Wight bellowed as It lunged forward with its sword, but he parried it instantly to the right, sidestepped to the left and riposted into the wound on its side. "Það getur ekki verið!!" It roared as Balmung dug deep into its torso.

"It's over!" Siegfried shouted as he cleaved outwards from its stomach, disemboweling it. It dropped its sword as black blood and dissolving limbs poured out. The Wight fell forwards, landing on its one hand. It looked up at him, it's red eyes piercing his soul.

"Góð barátta...Mannleg..." It collapsed, mist started to emit from its body. There was a stillness, he looked at his companions and they watched the five Draugar that remained slowly back away.

"Falla aftur! Falla aftur!!" One shouted as it turned and ran into the woods, it's comrades in tail.

Siegfried let out a breath of relief, the battle was over. Astrid broke the silence with a question, "Why are they retreating?" She wiped the sweat off her face, "They still outnumbered us by one."

"Draugar aren't stupid, but they're very dependent on their chain of command." Duncan explained, leaning on Vulcan's shaft, "If a leader falls, they flee to find another or to regroup with their forces." He looked over to the evaporating corpse of the Draugar his apprentice had slain, "A Wight is nothing compared to the more advanced Draugar above them, but they're everything to their underlings. Unlike Orks, they don't fight a loosing battle to the death-only if they have a leader to stand beside them."

Siegfried walked over and asked, "Do you think that there might be another Band of them nearby?"

"Not one that will have time to attack us." Duncan turned and frowned at him, "Why didn't you listen to me?" He changed the topic, "I told you it was a trap!"

"The Girl!" Siegfried turned and ran, the memory of the wounded Girl flashed in his mind as he whistled for Grane. He looked down the road, and saw the two Stallions come galloping around the corner. The little Girl was still laying across Grane's back. His faithful steed came to a halt infront of him and he raced to its side.

She was still, and her right hand clutched Grane's mane, her left his saddle. He gently grabbed her to lift her off and see to her wounds, but she wouldn't budge. The Young Knight had to pry her fingers off his horse, and then took her into his arms. She was cold, and her hazel eyes were wide and glossy. He quickly put his fingers to her throat and found no heartbeat.

He shut his eyes and shook his head, "No..."

"She's dead?" Duncan asked, walking up to him. A solemn look on his face.

"Yes," Siegfried answered, cradling the poor child in his arms, "Not even Red Elixir can heal her now."

"What now?" Astrid asked, her voice calm. He sighed, looking down at a Girl that reminded him of his sister.

"We need to put these poor people to rest," He spoke firmly, leaving no room for retort. "There's not enough time to burry them, but we can burn them." He looked at the carriage, "When the fire is done, we can put it out with water or ice dust like we did at that camp."

"That is a waste of time," Floki spat with crosses arms, "We should just continue on our journey to Thórsteinn and leave them to rot, we are very close-"

"No." His voice was iron and ice, "We will make sure these poor people are not left to be carrion." He turned to them, "Gather them up, we'll do this quickly as possible."

On the Outskirts of Thórsteinn...

They could see their destination in sight as they exited the woods onto a hilly plain. The Barbarians sat behind the Huntsmen upon their steeds, Floki with Duncan and Astrid with Siegfried. They had rode in awkward silence from the smoldering remains of the carriage to here, Thórsteinn was minutes away and in view in front of them.

It was like Fridarheim in design and appearance, but instead it was upon a hill instead of below one. A hill so grand, that it might be called a miniature mountain. Tall wooden walls wrapping around the top, a grand keep standing over all and plenty of farms and tents below. A sea of tents to be exact, enough for an army.

"You think we can storm this?" Siegfried said in disbelief, "We'd be cut down before we'd reach the gate..." He looked over to the grinning Floki.

"Oh no, we're not storming it per se." He look excited, "We're gonna attack once we get in the city itself. I've planned everything out."

Authors Note:

I hope this chapter is good, I feel as though it's not the best it could've been.

Yes, I did reference From Shadows when the Draugar appeared. To subtly contrast the Grimm from Faunus, to show who is actually the biggest threat to Humanity on Remnant.

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.