Let's go!


Arc 1: Chapter 11


Hazel was stood impassively, like a statue. He didn't waver or flinch in the face of Hei's fury, instead eying him with consideration.

After a tense standoff for what felt like an eternity, Hazel finally spoke.

"Your care for your wards is admirable. However," he took a singular step forward, and Hei shoved his arm forward, emphasising the flintlock in his hand.

Hazel frowned.

"Your efforts are misplaced. Normally, I would offer you a chance to walk away and forget everything that has happened."

Hei snarled. "Yeah, fat fucking chance!"

"However, I can see you only know how to speak in violence."

"Hah! That's rich coming from you!"

Hazel merely shrugged his shoulders.

"Violence is one of many a tool at my disposal. I will not deny it has its uses, but I will correct you and say I do not choose it as a first solution. Not unless I have to. Unfortunately…" he trailed off, locking eyes with Hei, and for the first time, Hei felt uncertainty bubble up in his stomach.

The man before him wasn't just some hulking thug. He was a seasoned killer. Hei could see it in his eyes, the way they stared back at him with no signs of fear, bravado nor apprehension. Just a cold, impassive stare that conveyed he was nothing more than a bug in his way.

Hei had spent many years around killers and thieves, and most betrayed some emotion in their eyes before they committed any act of violence, or if they were faced with it or the prospect of death. Very few showed a lack of emotion, and the few that did were the most dangerous. And right now, Hei was coming to the very concerning conclusion that the man before him was another one of those psycopaths, regardless of how he preached about violence not being a first resort. If anything, the way he justified his actions screamed even more of a warning to him.

"Your little trick caught me off-guard earlier. However, my Aura is more than sufficient to protect me from any other tricks you have now that I know what to expect."

The man was probably correct in that his flintlock wouldn't work again on him, and he didn't fancy his odds in a straight up brawl.

"My associate and I have already killed the Hunters in the room behind us. What makes you think you can do any better?"

Smoke and flames were beginning to bleed in the room behind Hazel, and the sounds of dying had by now gone silent.

"Surrender yourself now, and I will ensure your death is quick and painless."

Hei's eyes quickly darted around the room, looking for any sort of advantage he could get. And he spotted one, right above his head.

A wooden gable frame that was not fully connected as a result of Hazel kicking Roman through the door. That, and an obvious lack of maintenance from the Garrison, if the way it hung on barely connected at all was any indicator.

It connected to another wooden beam that ran directly over Hazel's head. If he aimed it right, he could bring a decent part of the framework crashing down in the doorway, barricading him in to burn alive while he hightailed it out of there. He could always confirm his death or finish him later. Right now, however, Roman needed him. The orphanage needed him. And the way things were looking, he had a distinct feeling that this town wasn't going to be a great place to stick around anymore, not with the Garrison dead.

Killing a whole division of Hunters would more than likely draw some seriously unwanted attention from the Crown, and he didn't want himself, nor the kids, to be around when they came investigating. Of course the man could be lying, but he sincerely doubted Roman had pulled off disembowling Benny and decapitating Carmine. And the man said he had an associate help him? He didn't fancy a two-versus one against people that could mow through Hunters. So he made his decision.

Hei flicked the flintlock up and took aim at the beam above Hazel, praying that his exit plan worked. And then he fired.

Hazel ducked with incredible speed, only to look in confusion when he realised he wasn't the one that was shot at.

Before he could narrow his eyes at Hei, half of the rickety support structure came crashing down atop of him, kicking up dust and soot while Hei ran straight out of the doorway.

It was only a couple wooden beams, but each nearly weighed as much as a grown man. The roof itself didn't collapse atop of Hazel like Hei would have hoped, nor did the doorway get barricaded with debris, but the hulking man was buried under the weight of the beams. Only momentarily, however, as Hazel pushed them off of himself slowly.

He frowned as he realised Hei had already left in the seconds it took himself to get free. Of course, Tyrian strolled around the corner merrily at that moment, took one glance at him and the situation, before shooting him an unimpressed look.

"Is she dead?"

Hazel pursed his lips as he strode towards the damaged double doors, or at this point, single door.

"Complications," was all he responded with.

Tyrian shook his head with a sigh.

"What… sort of complications? Hmm?"

Hazel didn't respond as he stepped outside, the smoke from the barracks following him steadily.

Tyrian eyed his shoulder wound curiously, arms folded behind his back, before locking eyes with him.

"Huntsman?"

Hazel snorted.

"Hardly. Just a fool that got lucky with an interesting tool. Ignore that. The girl ran, but she is indeed with that orphanage we observed earlier."

"Which means there's only one logical place to go," deduced Tyrian.

"So very…" "Human?" Finished Hazel.

"I guess," shrugged Tyrian, ignoring the growing crowd of panicked peasants come to investigate the garrison burning down.

"We'll need to move fast if we plan on catching the girl before she flees. I'm surprised she hasn't summoned her abominations yet?"

Hazel shook his head at Tyrians question.

"She is still a child, not yet able to fully realise her abilities. She will try to run and hide first, like an animal."

"And when we corner her…?" prompted Tyrian impatiently, already predicting how events would unfold.

"Then she will fight back, like any cornered animal. She will summon. I am curious if she would prematurely Morph, however?"

Tyrian scoffed.

"Who cares. She has evaded us for far too long. This ends today." He cast a side eye at the crowd who was beginning to mutter upon seeing his tail, backing up slowly apprehensively.

"Once she summons, there is no way we will be able to hide this attack," he spat with disdain, glowering at the crowd.

"Yes there is," assured Hazel.

"Oh what this time? Are we going to ask them nicely not to talk about what they see and pretend their Hunter Garrison didn't up and get slaughtered? Hmm? Oh! I know! Are we going to get on our knees and beg for their silence?"

Hazel's lips curled downwards ever so slightly.

Tyrian wasn't done, however.

"Bah. You're getting soft. All this talk about finding peaceful first solutions and yet, here we are, in the thick of the blood."

"I would remind you that it was your premature, hasty attack that has placed us in this situation. A situation that could have been originally avoided, but now cannot."

He sighed.

"I truly regret this loss of life."

"The Hunters?!" Tyrian balked.

Hazel's head snapped to Tyrian, their eyes locking.

"No. This town. We have become compromised, and they will soon know too much."

Tyrian stilled, before he began to tremble excitedly. "Ho-ho! Perhaps you aren't so soft, after all!"

Hazel ignored him, continuing.

"Release the Fear. Saint might be a large town, but it is still on the frontier of Vale."

Tyrian smiled evilly. There was no other way to describe his maniac grin that was all teeth.

"And Grimm attacks always happen out in the wild. This is what Ozpin gets for expanding too far beyond the safety of his precious walls."

Hazel shot him a stern glare.

"This needless waste of life wouldn't have been necessary if you were more patient."

Tyrian shrugged, ignoring the look he was sent.

"It was bound to happen either way. Besides, she's going to summon her stains, so we'll just beat her to it."

"This isn't to just kill people for the sake of it, Tyrian. It's to disguise both our and her presence here as just an unfortunate Grimm attack. Any survivors will only see Grimm acting mindlessly, and not dare think twice about it being a Grimm-Whisperer."

Tyrian chuckled as he fished out the mysterious cylinder from earlier, giving it a twist in the middle to reveal it was two separate pieces screwed together. A black mist began to seep out from unsealed threading.

"There won't be any survivors," he retorted, before shouting out to the crowd as he tossed the seeping cylinder.

"Catch!"

People backed away in fright, some outright fleeing, but none daring to catch the strange cylinder.

It landed with a loud clang on the ground, bouncing around before rolling deeper into the panicking crowd.

"How long until they arrive?" questioned Hazel matter-of-factly.

"I'd say ten minutes at most," offered Tyrian happily, revelling in the peoples panicked screaming.

Hazel turned his eyes forwards in the direction of the orphanage. It was not visible as the buildings and grungy streets obstructed it, but it was there. Tucked away out of sight.

"Then we have enough time."

The flames within the barracks were roaring by now, and the steeple upon which a bell hung began to crumble as the flames ate away the wood.

With a loud crash, it collided on the ground, the bell giving one final toll for the entire town to hear. It was like an opening gunshot in a race, and the clock was now ticking. Soon, however, the race to flee and find safety would be over, and a reckoning worthy of hell itself would arrive.

As Tyrian and Hazel began to walk down the winding streets towards the orphanage, Hei pulled himself from cover behind a nearby alleyway, his eyes opened wide in horror.

He didn't understand the entirety of what they had said, but he had heard them speak. They certainly had made no effort to hide their conversation.

With mounting pressure, he ran towards the orphanage.

He had to get them out. Before it was too late.

Sadly, he a sinking feeling in his stomach that it might already be too late…


Miltia jolted and let loose a string of curses as the back door slammed open.

She was about to chastise Hei and demand to know what was actually going on, not that cryptic horseshit that he had Tony feed her and Melanie, when Neo stumbled in with an unconscious Roman hanging off of her shoulder.

"Neo?! What the fuck is going on!"

The mute girl ignored her however, dragging Roman to the kitchen dining table that still had Hei's earlier paperwork scattered on it. Not for long, however, as Neo wiped it all off as she attempted to make space for Roman.

She struggled to lay him atop of it, so Tony, who was nearby, helped lift Roman up on to it, revealing his face.

Melanie let loose a gasp, Jess covered her mouth and Miltia suddenly found herself unable to speak, her words lodging in her throat.

"I- what happened Neo?"

Neo shot her a glare however as she tried to take Roman's jacket off.

"I'd wager Benny is what," frowned Tony as he assessed the extent of Roman's injuries.

The way Neo's fist clenched only reaffirmed Tony's suspicions to everyone.

"Shit," scowled Miltia, pacing around helplessly.

"Fuck. Just fuck, fuck, FUCK!"

Tony shot her a reproachful glare, but she wasn't paying attention.

"And you broke him out Neo? Well, you know he's going to come here and extract a pound of flesh from us all since you cut his fun short!"

Neo shot up, fury etched across her face, and before Miltia could react, the small mute was in her face, while her fist went straight through it.

Miltia stumbled back, temporarily blinded. She barely registered the sound of people jumping in to pull her and Neo back from each other. All she felt was several hands yank her back, and people screaming.

Tony's voice registered through all of the ringing.

"- just calm down, ok?! She didn't mean it like that! Everyone's nerves are fried. Least of all yours. Now, go sit down and let Jess clean you up."

Neo was held by Tommen and Tony, both of which were struggling as she thrashed around and gnashed her teeth.

Clearly, Neo had no interest in listening.

Tony glanced up at Miltia.

"Miltia, your commentary is not needed!"

She nodded groggily, her nose feeling funny, and she could taste blood. Damn the mute could punch.

Tony suddenly let out a cry of pain and doubled over as Neo broke free of his grip and elbowed him in the stomach. Tommen wasn't enough to hold her back and she slipped right out.

As she charged towards Miltia, Melanie jumped in front.

"Neo, she didn't mean anything! Neo, listen dammit!"

Neo only saw red, however, and in fact did not listen. She bowled right through Melanie, using her aura to grant her some extra strength.

She was about to reach Miltia who was barely recovering from her daze, when someone coughed. A cough that sounded very familiar.

Neo ground to a halt, her eyes widening as she turned to see Roman hack a bit of blood out of his throat as he came to.

Instantly, she forgot about Miltia and raced back to his side, while Tony and Melanie went to help, ignoring their own bruises.

Jess went to go help Tommen up, and he shook his head at her in exasperation, accepting her help.

"Freaking psycho, isn't she," he said referring to Neo.

Jess glanced at Neo who was in Roman's face and fussing over him as Tony helped him sit up right.

"Those two have only had each other for the longest time. I guess it's a little understandable."

Tommen groused.

"Doesn't mean she needs to lash out at us."

"Oh come now," laughed Jess. "You're alright."

A loud, concerned gasp broke their chatter, and everyone turned to see Melanie holding Roman's stump.

Miltia, who was now out of her daze, thinned her lips. Tony sadly closed his eyes. Neo was the most upset, however, as angry tears welled up in her eyes and she trembled, clasping Roman's good hand.

"…What's going on?" slurred Roman.

"You're missing your hand dumbass and look like death on feet. What the hell do you think," snapped Miltia. Neo shot her a warning glare.

Miltia put her hands up to placate the smaller girl.

"I'm just stating the facts. No need to try and tear my throat out again, sheesh."

Melanie shot her sister a reproachful glare of her own however, and Miltia finally got the hint to stop while she was ahead. She at least had the decency to look bashful.

"Woooah. What's going on?!" Exclaimed a young voice.

Jess spun around to see Duck standing in the doorway.

"Duck! You were told to go wait with DJ and the other children. What are you doing here?! Head back immediately!"

The sound of something slamming onto the already open back door cut off her lecture, and before anyone could question what it was, a crying Ruby stumbled into the room.

"Ruby?!" came Tony.

Tommen approached the distraught girl and crouched down to her as she hunched over, panting.

"Ruby, are you alright?" He asked.

She just kept choking out haggard sobs between desperate pants for air.

"Idiot," Jess rolled her eyes as she approached Ruby. "Of course she's not alright. She was with Roman and just came back from whatever the hell Benny was doing."

"H-H-H…" began Ruby, hyperventilating.

"What is it Ruby? Melanie! Get started on Roman!" ordered Tony.

"Where's Hei?" asked Miltia.

"He… the bad men!" began Ruby.

"You mean Benny?" Offered Tony. However, Ruby shook her head vehemently.

"No?" Interpreted Tony.

"She must mean the rest of the Garrison," scowled Jess.

However, the way Ruby shook her head had Tony unsure.

"We can sort that out in a minute. Right now, let's check you over for injuries, then you can tell us where's Hei."

That question answered itself, however, as the man in question came barging through the very same back door, breathing heavily as if he had just run a marathon, which in all fairness, was likely the truth.

"Hei!" Exclaimed Tony in surprise.

"We were just asking about you –" Hei cut him off however inn between breaths.

"No time. Get the kids. We're leaving. Now."

"Hei?" Tony was confused now. Sure, Benny and the Garrison were well above their skill level to take on, but to outright flee?

"Melanie! How's Roman."

"Um, ah, he's still bleeding from his missing hand, and he looks to have a pretty serious concussion…?"

"Will he live," barked Hei, reloading his flintlock. Miltia tensed.

"I'd like to think so. But without knowing – "

"Then it will have to do," interrupted Hei.

"Tony. Tommen. Help move Roman out. Miltia, Melanie. Head to Vickman's stable. Get a horse and cart. Now."

"Do we have the money to afford that, Hei?" Waved Miltia incredulously.

"No. And we won't need it. Get that horse and cart. Now. And by any means. We need to leave this town now! Jess!" Hei turned around to leave Miltia and Melanie floundering in shock.

"You have less than a minute to gather all of the kids. Everyone! Get them out of the building and run towards the main road leading to the forest. Melanie! Once you get the cart, rendezvous with the kids and load them up. Neo! You're on guard detail for the kids!"

Neo only clenched Roman more tightly, shooting Hei a glare. Hei was having none of it, however.

"Neo, I don't have time for your moody bullshit. I need you watching over the kids because you're strong enough."

He turned to Jess who was still standing in surprise.

"What are you standing there for?! MOVE!"

Jess startled, and grabbing a protesting Duck by the arm, hauled him off to grab the other children.

"Hei! What's going on!" demanded Tony. Roman was sitting upright by now.

"Is it Benny? Are the Garrison coming down here?"

Hei snapped his gaze to the twins and Tony who were still standing there. Neo was watching him apprehensively.

"Benny is dead. So is the Garrison."

Tony sighed, already fearing what Hei had done.

"Why, Hei. Your actions are making us run again –"

"I didn't kill them. Someone else did."

That caught everyone's attention.

"What? Who?" demanded Miltia.

Hei sighed as he strode over to help Roman stand up.

"Huntsmen. Some really bad ones at that."

Tony shook his head, confused.

"That still doesn't explain why we have to leave? We can just lay low and –"

"Miltia. You know the people Ruby told us about that killed her family?"

Tony looked confused, as did Tommen, but Miltia and Melanie began to pale.

"Wait what? You're not serious, are you? I thought that was just an exaggeration!"

Hei looked grim.

"Well, an entire dead garrison of Hunters speaks otherwise. They made mention of looking for the girl, and they apparently know she's here at the orphanage."

Tony tensed, his confusion apparent.

"Slow down, Hei. Who's after the Ruby? Why?! What is going on Hei! Answer me!"

Hei wheeled around abruptly, suddenly in Tony's face.

"In five minutes, two Huntsmen are going to arrive here to kill the girl. And they are going to kill anyone associated to keep it under wraps. And in ten minutes? This town is going to be burnt to the ground by said Huntsmen. All to keep this fucked up situation quiet."

"That doesn't explain why anyone's after Ruby? What, is she a lost princess or something?!" suggested Tommen, suddenly afraid.

Miltia couldn't contain herself anymore.

"Because she's a fucking Grimm-Whisperer!"

"What?" whispered Tommen meekly.

Tony's 'what' was much more forceful and angry, however.

"There's no time," Hei shook his head before turning to the Malachite twins.

"Get the horse and cart now!"

Miltia clenched her fists, before nodding grimly and running outside, Melanie right behind her.

"Neo, quit standing around and go! Roman will be fine."

Neo glowered at Hei before reluctantly letting go of Roman and running off to chase down Jess.

"Hei," began Tony.

"What did she mean? Please tell me that she's lying."

Hei sighed, running a hand over his face tiredly.

"I'll explain later, once we're out of the town and far away from here."

"No, Hei!" snapped Tony.

"You're gambling all our lives here! I need to know what the truth is gods dammit!"

Tommen laughed at Tony's outburst.

"Truth? What is there to explain! It's like Miltia said. This little girl is a freaking monster. Haha!"

It was fortunate that Ruby was too busy crying and trying to suppress the memories of her mother's death at the hands of two resurfaced killers that she didn't hear Tommen. Hei spoke up in her defense however.

"She isn't a monster Tommen. Now help get Roman out of here."

"Not a monster? Hei, then why are two HUNTSMEN after her?! We should just hand her over to them and let this all be cleared up! No-one needs to die or get hurt then!"

"TOMMEN! They literally said they were going to kill everyone in this town so nothing gets out!"

Angry tears flooded down Tommen's face.

"Yeah, because you kept a monster here and you knew about it!"

"We don't have time for this! Any minute, those two could arrive here! Take Ruby and meet up with the other kids and go help them then if it makes you feel any better!"

Tommen growled, his fists going white from clenching them so hard, before he stormed off to find Jess and the other kids. Ruby trailed off uncertainly behind him.

Tony draped Roman's good arm over his shoulder to help the unsteady adolescent.

"I hope you know what it is you're doing Hei," he spat.

"Yeah," he spat tersely.

"Me too."


Jess, along with DJ, Larry and Lauren, were corralling the children down the hall and outside.

Emerald had her wrist gripped by Jess, all the while complaining.

"Why do we have to leave? This is so stupid."

"It's for our safety," explained Jess patiently as her feet carried at a brisk pace.

This was how Tommen, with Ruby at his side, found them. Neo was near the back of the group, her hands resting on her stilettoes.

"Tommen? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be helping Roman?" Exclaimed Jess.

Neo glowered at Tommen, who looked uncomfortable.

"Hei doesn't need me there. I'm here to make sure you're alright."

Jess looked confused.

"What? Of course I am. Well, not really considering what's going on, but still?"

"Ruby!" squealed Duck, racing over to the nervous girl.

Tommen flinched and made to intercept Duck before he could reach her.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Duck," he suggested cautiously.

"What? But Ruby's my friend!" he protested, but Tommen held an arm out to physically keep him at bay.

"Tommen, what's going on? We don't have time for this. We need to go," demanded Jess.

"I, uh, yes. You guys need to go. Duck , stick with Jess. I need to do something first. Uh, Jess!" stammered Tommen nervously.

Jess eyed him weirdly.

"What? We need to go."

"Can you just give me your knife real quick?"

"What? Why?"

"Just, trust me okay."

Jess fished inside her pant pocket, producing a small wood-handled paring knife that she uncertainly handed over.

Tommen eagerly accepted.

"Thanks. I'll be right back. Just go on ahead, I'll catch up!"

Jess nodded uncertainly, while DJ and Larry, a clean-shaven older boy nearing adult-hood exchanged glances.

"Yeah, sure…. Come along kids, let's go!" With that, Jess dragged her entourage along. As they ran around the corner, Neo stopped to level a look at Tommen, who gulped nervously. The look only lasted a brief second before Neo pulled away and followed after the kids.

Ruby made to go follow the kids, but Tommen roughly grabbed her by the arm.

"Wha…?" began Ruby.

"You're coming with me." he growled, mustering as much force and courage as he could. Internally, he was borderline crapping his pants, afraid of her summoning demons and lunging to tear out his throat with her teeth.

"What?" She cried out.

He pulled her in close to his chest and wrapped the knife in front of her throat.

"If you try anything funny, I'll – I'll kill you! So – so don't move or do anything! Okay?!"

Ruby was rooted in the spot, her mind overwhelmed.

Tommen took her silence for compliance, and roughly began to walk her down to the front door, and further away from everyone else. All the while he was unaware that Duck had slipped back and saw the whole thing with eyes wide open in shock.


Jess raced outside into the back courtyard with the entirety of the orphanage on her heels, DJ, Larry and Lauren holding the flanks with Neo bringing up the rear.

She saw Hei and Tony up ahead, both helping Roman down an alleyway that would lead to the town edge where the main road intersected with the forest around them.

"Hei!" she called out.

The man in question turned around to see Jess and the kids, and waved back at them.

"There was uneasy mumbling and chatter amongst the kids as they began to run across the road to catch up with Hei.

"Just stick together, children. Things will be alright."

As she said that, she couldn't help but frown. Something wasn't right. And that wasn't just because Hei said trouble was on its way.

Since when was the sky an amber glow…?

Eyes wide, she looked behind in the direction of the slums, only to see a growing fire and rising smoke starting to cloud the sky, slowly morphing it into a hellscape.

The murmurs of the children became more fervent and worried.

Thankfully, DJ was also doing his best to calm the more excitable kids down.

As they caught up with Hei, Jess felt a wave of relief wash over her.

"Is that everyone?" Asked Hei, glancing frantically at the entourage.

"It is," nodded DJ.

"Good. We'll head down the road and get to the forest in a couple minutes. Hopefully by then, Melanie and Miltia will have our exit ready."

Hei looked back at the orphanage with worry.

DJ glanced at Hei.

"What's got you so antsy? It's just two guys. We're already ahead of them."

"It's not that," he pursed his lips, glancing up at the sky then towards the forest.

Before DJ could open his mouth, Lauren let out a panicked cry.

"Where's Duck?!"

Hei turned his head around, only to see Jess, Lauren and Larry frantically starting to call for Duck, only to get no response.

Emerald piped up, ever so helpfully.

"Duck's not here," she stated matter-of-factly.

Jess crouched down and grabbed her by the shoulders, a panicked expression planted across her face. One Emerald was not as enthused to share.

"Where is he, Emerald!?"

"He went back to follow Tommen I think?"

"Tommen? Where's Tommen! He said he'd be right behind us."

Larry stood upright and called out.

"Tommen! Duck! Where are you?!"

There was no response, and instantly, everyone's hearts began to drop.

Hei glared at Jess.

"Where was Tommen headed?"

Jess felt small in the presence of Hei, and she couldn't help but reflexively shrink in a bit upon herself.

"I-I – He said he was going to do something real quick and be right behind us."

"What thing?!"

"I don't know! He asked for my knife, a-and so I gave it to him," exclaimed Jess.

Tony was by Hei's side instantly.

"Why would he need a knife? We're leaving?"

The world slowed down as Hei felt a pit develop in his stomach.

"Where's Ruby…"

"She was right behind us. With-" "…Tommen," interjected Tony.

"Oh, fucking please don't tell me he's going to try to do what I think he's going to," realised Hei with horror.

"I think he might," nodded Tony, coming to the same conclusion.

"Do what? What's Tommen doing?" Demanded Lauren.

Hei felt his feet start to move in the direction of the orphanage.

"Going to get himself killed."

"Killed? What do you mean? Duck and Ruby are back with him, aren't they…" Jess felt her panic grow.

A sudden screech pierced the air, and everyone looked to the sky to see a flock of birds and crows flying in the direction of the town, out of and away from the forest, their caws and cries carrying over the entire town.

Hei's head snapped to Tony.

"We're out of time. Get the kids out of here. Meet up with the twins, and don't stop."

With that, Hei raced back to the orphanage, Jess right on his heels.

Tony clenched his hands and teeth alike. "Fuck." He cursed this situation like no other before.

"Alright people, listen!" He roared with authority, proving why he was Hei's trusted second.

"No stopping, no looking back. Stick together and follow this road down until we meet Melanie and Miltia. Emerald! Up front with me! Time to put your skillset to use."

"What?!" gawked Emerald.


Hazel and Tyrian stared at the orphanage before them as the sky darkened with smoke. The fires behind them began to grow and spread, casting amber light across the run-down buildings around them.

No-one was around, at least not visibly. Except for two figures standing outside the orphanage's main entrance. Waiting.

An adolescent boy with blonde hair and a stony expression, betrayed by a slightly trembling body, was holding a small girl in place directly in front of him, a small knife drawn across her throat. Not just any girl, however.

"Well, this is certainly interesting," smirked Tyrian, his amused smile widening at the scene before him while he kept his arms clasped behind his back.

Hazel didn't say anything, only calmly taking in the sight before him.

"Y-you must be the two Huntsmen, r-right?" called a youthful voice.

Hazel raised an eyebrow at Tyrian who only offered him an amused shrug.

Hazel stopped his advance a good ten metres away from the boy, for that was all he would view him as. Crossing his arms unimpressed, he answered back in his deep, gravelly voice.

"And who might you be, boy?"

"T-Tommen, sir!"

"Well Tommen. Do you know who it is you happen to holding right now?"

"I do! And it's not a who! It's a thing! That I swear to you."

Whatever protest Ruby might have had merely died when she laid eyes upon Tyrian and Hazel.

"Really now?" Retorted Hazel.

"Yes. I swear, none of us knew what this monster was, which is why I'm here right now to hand it over to you!"

Tommen's demeaning terms went promptly ignored by Ruby as she began to tremble. She let a small whimper loose.

"Well. That was easy," commented Tyrian, surprised. He made to take a step forward, but Hazel raised a hand up to stop his companion from being hasty.

At the same time, Tommen called out.

"Wait! I need your promise first!"

Hazel frowned.

"If you are aware of what the girl is, then there is no need for negotiations. For your sake, you should hand her over before she tries to hurt you."

Tyrian slowly craned his neck to give Hazel a wide-eyed expression that screamed 'seriously?'

"And I will. I swear! But first, you must give me your word that you won't hurt my friends. My people!"

Tyrian took a delightful step forward.

"Ah! Your friends at the orphanage, I presume right?"

Tommen looked unsure of himself at that, and the knife wavered a bit. Ruby was still lost in her own traumatised world, however, to even bother moving.

"Y-yes. How do you know about that?"

Tyrian strode up slowly to Tommen, and suddenly the young adolescent felt himself less sure about his plan.

"Oh? That's simple. We observed the girl, this thing," the word rolled off of his tongue with such disdain, "hiding amongst you at this pitiful establishment."

Tommen paled.

"We didn't know! I swear! She never showed any signs. Please, you can have her, just spare us all!"

Tyrian had now reached Tommen and towered over the boy, leering down at him with morbid amusement. Hazel had slowly approached to support Tyrian if it was a trap.

"Oh, I know," assured Tyrian, arching his body forward until his nose was nearly touching Tommen's.

"But the thing is? We're a little committed right now. Aaaand we're on a time crunch. Negotiation is more of Hazel's forte," he gestured to the giant man behind him, "but unfortunately, one we don't have time for right now."

Hazel abstained from commenting.

Tommen wilted, and slowly tears began to well up in the corner of his eyes.

"Wha-? But you're Huntsmen? You're supposed to be the heroes, right?"

Tyrian couldn't help his laugh.

"Heroes? Huntsmen?! At what point did we ever say any of that tripe? You confuse us, dear child."

The faunus was giddy at this point, and Ruby was now stock still, her eyes glazed over in a faraway stare.

Hazel finally spoke up, his deep voice rumbling out.

"I do apologise. You are the first person around here that has bothered to use words instead of jumping straight to violence. Normally, I would reciprocate, but the unfortunate reality of the situation is too many things are set in motion for it to matter. You are aware of too much, and we cannot afford anyone to know about this delicate matter."

Hazel at least looked at Tommen with some degree of sympathy as he uttered out a weak and pathetic 'no'. Tyrian showed no such compunctions, however.

Tyrian clasped his hands, offering a fake look of sympathy.

"What my friend here means is that you still have to die. Don't worry though! Know that you have made our mission that much easier by bringing us this little abomination. It saves us soooo much time!"

The sound of Tyrian's blades snapping out of their vambraces was enough to startle Tommen.

"You – you can't! What about everyone else?!" He pleaded.

Tyrian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I would like to say that maybe they might have a chance of escaping, but that would be a lie."

Tommen dropped the knife in defeat. This wasn't what he had in mind.

"I am surprised at how easy this is," commented Tyrian off-handedly.

"The girl is in a state of shock, most likely. All the more reason to end this right here and now before she regains her senses," stated Hazel. "Make it quick, Tyrian."

"Ugh," Tyrian rolled his eyes.

"Killjoy," he groused, raising his left arm up high, reared back for a downwards slash.

"Oh well," Tyrian sighed with fake resignation. "Time to die, I guess?"

"STOP! DARK ONE BEGONE!"

Tommen's eyes went wide as his head snapped back to look in the direction of the childish voice, while Ruby's vacant eyes regained some clarity as she was broken from her mortified trance.

Charging out of the building with sheer determination and unmitigated fury was Duck.

With no fear, he ran straight towards Tommen. No. To Tyrian.

Tyrian's lip curled upwards as he quirked an eyebrow.

"Oooh. Now this is interesting."

With a mighty war-cry, Duck reached Tyrian, his hand reaching down to scoop up Tommen's knife, and bringing it up to shank Tyrian as he collided with him. At least, that was the plan.

Ruby and Tommen could only watch in horror as Tyrian reached out his hand and clamped down tightly on Duck's head, stopping his advance. That didn't stop his determination, and as he struggled to move, suddenly pinned upright and standing, he swung the knife furiously.

"DIE, DARK ONE! Your powers are no match for me! Begone!"

Unfortunately, his short arms limited his reach, and he only slashed air.

Tyrian held him in place with an amused grin, watching the young boy struggle against him.

"You won't hurt my friend!" screamed Duck.

Tommen panicked and let loose a scream before going to lunge forward and stop Tyrian.

"DUCK! NO!"

Tyrian's free hand swung out and batted him across the face. Or it would have, if Tyrian hadn't decided to angle his wrist so the extended blades instead tore across his jaw, nearly severing the entire thing from his face.

Tommen collapsed to the ground in a writhing mass of spurting blood and mutilated screaming, his fingers curling tensely.

Ruby barely flinched at the sight, and she collapsed to her knees. She felt entirely helpless.

Tyrian made an annoyed face at Tommen before returning his gaze back to Duck.

"Such a feisty one, aren't you," he commented as Duck made to dodge and pull himself from Tyrians grasp. But his grip was vice-like, and he barely succeeded in pulling the man's arm down.

"Do you want to be on the ground? Let me help you!" He roared in excitement.

With a brutal twist, Tyrian wrenched his arm, pulling Duck along for the ride of his life.

The boy did a complete flip in the air with a pained screech before he was forcefully crashed onto the ground, the impact nearly breaking his neck and sufficiently knocking the wind from his lungs.

He lay on his back directly in front of Ruby, a pained expression across his face as he clenched his eyes tightly.

Before anyone could react, Tyrian let go of Duck's scalp, turned his wrist, and the dragged the blade in an upwards flick across his throat, spraying a geyser-blast of blood across Ruby's face and body.

The action was so swift that Ruby barely caught up with it.

In one second, Duck was being held pinned by Tyrian, and in the next he was lying on his back, his blood drenching her.

Ruby's eyes couldn't even widen in horror anymore as she watched the life of another person she had come to care about leave their body. All the while, Tyrian cackled madly like it was the funniest thing he had seen in such a long time.

Tommen still kept screaming, likely unawares of Duck's death right now.

But she was. She had just witnessed it after-all. And she did nothing to stop it. Just like when her mother had been brutally killed by this same monster before her right now. She didn't do a single thing except cry back then. It hadn't done a damn thing. Just like when she had nearly gotten Roman, Neo and Hei killed by her Grimm. Instead of actively doing something to stop its rampage and save them, she had done nothing except cry. And just like when Benny had cut Roman's hand off, she had done nothing except sit there and watch.

How many times was she going to sit back and watch as the people around her kept getting hurt, or worse killed? All while she sat back and cried, doing nothing.

And now? Duck had just been killed. And Tommen? While she was angry and upset at his betrayal, he didn't deserve such cruelty to be inflicted upon him. He was likely going to die now as well because of her inaction. No more! No more being helpless! No-one was coming to help her. They never had when her mom was being killed by this… this… bastard?! It was such a filthy word, and she knew it was wrong. Roman and Hei had used it before, but right now, it felt like such a gratifying word to pour the hatred she felt into Tyrian right now.

Her head tilted back as tears of rage streamed down freely. Her mouth opened, and she screamed in rage and sorrow. All around her, the shadows cast by the burning buildings not far away began to swirl and move.

Something began to stir within them.

Something began to form in them, and something began to crawl out of them.

"Tyrian, dammit! Kill her now!" roared Hazel as he realised what was going on.

Tyrian reared back his arm to decapitate her, but just as he was about to swing, a loud bang was heard.

Tyrian let out a yelp as something impacted chest, sending him stumbling back.

Running out of the orphanage was Hei, holding a flintlock in one outstretched arm, and a club in another.

Right on his heels racing outside was Jess, whose face went from panicked to horrified as she got closer to where Tommen and Duck were.

"Tommen?! Duck!"

Jess screamed a bloodcurdling pained cry as she saw a sight that shook her to her core.

So transfixed on the bodies in front of her she failed to recognise the danger that Hazel posed.

Hei did, however, and screamed out a warning.

"Jess! Lookout!"

Jess looked up just in time to see Hazel rear a meaty fist back to plough through her skull.

She jumped back, narrowly avoiding death, before casting a glance at Tommen and Ruby.

Tommen was still alive as he was struggling to his feet, clutching his bloodied face with wracked sobs, while Ruby howled in pain, Grimm materialising by the tens all around them in every nook and cranny that cast a shadow.

"Tommen! Get up!" screamed Jess, before turning to face Ruby, unawares of what the little girl was doing, let alone was.

Tyrian was slowly standing up, a look of rage across his face.

"You," he hissed.

Jess only saw the glint of steel before she let out a frightened scream as death came bearing down on her.

She ran towards Ruby in an attempt to grab the young girl and flee, narrowly avoiding Tyrian's bladed vambraces.

She failed to account for his tail, however, which he swung with frightening speed and precision.

The stinger tore a horrid gash through her stomach, sending blood flying and her tumbling to the ground in a pained scream.

"JESS!" cried out Hei as he finally reached the centre of the action.

Tyrian stood upright, licking his lips in satisfaction, only to get promptly hammered in the head by Hei's club with such force he was sent sprawling.

"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!"

Hei saw only red as he stood over Jess, who couldn't stop her screaming.

"TOMMEN!" He shouted as the boy staggered up, only for his eyes to widen in shock as he saw the carnage forming around him.

Hei didn't give him a chance for reprieve, however.

"Grab Jess and run the hell out of here!"

Tommen looked down and saw Jess, and he let out a whimpering 'no' in disbelief.

This couldn't be happening right now! Jess wasn't supposed to get hurt?!

"Do it Tommen!" Screamed Hei as he ducked under a swing from Hazel, only to get an uppercut to the jaw from his other arm.

Hei's head snapped back, sending blood and spittle flying, and him stumbling backwards in a daze.

Tommen took one last look at Hei, before turning to Jess and looping his hands under her arm pits and dragging.

A bloody smear followed her on the ground as she gurgled on blood that began to leak out of her mouth.

"Dammit Jess! Stay with me!" he panicked, ignoring the pain in his face.

This is all my fault. He wanted to cry so badly right now.

Meanwhile, Hazel blocked a weak strike from Hei's club, grabbing it mid-air before wrenching it straight from his grasp.

Hei was a ragged soaking mess of his own sweat and blood, one eye puffed up and sealed shut as he stood there hunched over.

Hazel glared at Hei for a split second before a howl could be heard.

The howl did not belong to the Grimm that Ruby had just summoned, however. They stood hunched over right now, letting out barely audible whimpers as if talking to themselves. Their soulless eyes darted to the ground as if having a mental breakdown.

No. The howls belonged from the outside. In the forest. And they were not like a natural wolf's howl either.

Hazel pursed his lips.

"We are out of time. Tyrian, kill the girl already!"

Tyrian growled out his displeasure before baring his blades and charging towards the girl with a banshee scream. Ruby didn't move a muscle however.

Hazel turned to face Hei, grabbing the man by the collar of his stained shirt and pulling him in close.

He pulled his fist back, pushing his aura into the muscles. The intended punch would have more than sufficient power and force behind it that it would kill Hei. Hazel made sure of that.

Before he could deliver the killing blow, however, the summoned Grimm howled and roared in unison, a mixture of Beowolves and Ursas.

And then Tyrian let out a scream of his own.

Hazel's head snapped to his companion, who was currently besieged by Grimm.

A Beowolf clung to his arm with its teeth while he madly fended off an Ursa. More Grimm were charging to kill Tyrian.

All while that damnable girl still lived!

Hazel seethed. Was it too much to ask for that fool to just kill the girl?! He had ample opportunities, and yet every single time he gloated around like a damned jester!

"Tyrian!" He roared, not in pity for his companion, but in frustration.

Hoisting Hei up, he tossed the man like he weighed nothing, straight into Ruby.

He crashed into the small girl and they were both sent tumbling backwards.

The sudden attack on their master was enough to force the Grimm to stop their assault, and they collectively raised their heads to stare at Hazel.

That was more than enough time for Tyrian to break free, and in a flurry of acrobatics and rage, he spun and started viciously hacking and slashing into the Grimm that dared to attack him.

The Grimm weren't entirely mindless, however, and they all surged forwards to both Tyrian and Hazel.

An arrow-bolt whistled through the air and struck Hazel in the shoulder from behind. Thankfully, his aura was already up and easily tanked the shot.

He glanced in the direction of the shot, his temper beginning to flare.

There was no-one around. But the shot originated from the direction of the orphanage, which meant…

Another arrow was launched from the window overlooking the courtyard of the orphanage.

He leaned to the side and dodged the arrow with relative ease.

"Tch," he sneered. This whole situation was a mess right now.

"Hey ugly!"

That voiced came from his right, across the paved road and near another building.

Sure enough, in the direction he was looking was a teenage boy, holding a burning glass bottle with a rag?

"Catch!"

The bottle was sent flying in his direction and landed squarely at his feet, sending glass and burning liquid scattering as it shattered.

Hazel was caught right in the middle, and the flames instantly clung to his legs and boots.

He stepped back in surprise before something massive and furry rammed into his back with a furious roar.

A Grimm Ursa.

Hazel was sent flying forwards as the rabid beast tried to tear him apart with its teeth and claws alike.

As the two dangerous men were assailed by Grimm, Tony, along with Emerald and Lauren ran straight up to Hei and Ruby, ignoring the Grimm around them.

"This is going to work, right?" asked Lauren nervously while Emerald had a look of deep concentration and focus about her.

"It has to," snapped Tony before glancing at Emerald.

"How much longer can you keep up the illusion?"

"How much longer are you going to keep talking!?" She grit out.

Tony wisely clamped up, and in seconds, they had reached Hei.

"Just keep your illusion up," ordered Tony before gesturing to Lauren to help him grab a dazed Hei.

"Ruby!" snapped Tony, the girl in question lying hunched over on her hands and knees as she breathed heavily, angry tears dripping down on to the ground.

"We need to go, now!"

Ruby didn't respond however.

"Dammit," cursed Tony.

"Lauren, grab her and let's go!"

"Are you sure that's a wise idea? Isn't she responsible for… whatever this is!?" She gestured to the Grimm running around wildly.

"Hei trusted her around us, and while I'm not happy, I trust Hei! Grab and let's go."

"Guys, I can't hold this up!" Emerald's worried voice was not what Tony needed right now.

Lauren reached out to grab Ruby, only to find the girl swatting her hands away in anger.

"This is my fault," she whispered, anger and sorrow bleeding into her voice.

"Forget that," snapped Tony. "We're leaving. There will be plenty of time to lament later!"

He barely finished that sentence when Emerald suddenly let loose a muffled scream as something collided with her, and with that, the illusion she had crafted was broken…


Hazel managed to wriggle on to his back to face the Grimm standing atop of him properly. The beast gnashed its teeth, but his muscular arms managed to keep it at bay, and his aura held nice and steady.

Inside, he was a simmering pot of rage. And this beast was the final straw!

With a mighty push and roar, Hazel shoved the Grimm off of himself, despite it being three times his size and weight. Hazel didn't care, however. He was furious.

Leaping up onto his feet, Hazel faced the Ursa for a split second before charging forward and clamping a hand under the Grimm's jaw.

Pouring his aura into the muscles of his arm, shoulder and back, he ripped his hand back with all of his strength.

The Grimm let out a roar as half of its face was torn clean off by Hazel. Whether in pain or anger, Hazel didn't know, nor care.

But he wasn't done, however. With one hand gripping the beast by the throat, and the other holding its dismembered jaw, he proceeded to swing and bash its skull in with its own jaw.

The first blow knocked its head back. The second had it disoriented. The third cracked the skull plating quite severely. The fourth shattered through the bone plate and dented its flesh. The fifth penetrated into its head and the sixth exploded what remained of it.

With a roar, Hazel hoisted the dead beast up, and tossed it toward where Ruby was currently sitting, only for his vision to clear and reveal the girl was in fact not sitting still, but being carried several metres away.

The corpse collided with a small child with green hair and tanned skin, and instantly, he felt a slight relief of pressure in his head. Almost as if the effects of a Semblance were being reversed or ended…?

Hazel snarled.

The summoned Grimm were running around, but Hazel paid them no heed. One Beowolf was foolish enough to pounce on him, only for him to catch it by its throat. He held the monster at bay, constricting its throat, but it didn't care. It was fixated on trying to reach and kill him.

Hazel merely tightened his grip. All the while, his murderous gaze never left Ruby and Hei. He squeezed, and felt the monsters neck give, and its life force leave it. Tossing the corpse to the side, he approached the now-panicking group of teenagers and children who were by now in the courtyard, scant metres from the doorway. An arrow was shot again from the window, but he let his aura tank the shot.

"When you want the job done right, you have to do it yourself," he snarled, and with that he reached for the wooden fence, straight up ripping one of the pickets clean out.

He tossed it in the air to get a better grip, like a javelin, and then he turned and fired it through the window of the building, right squarely into whoever was shooting arrows at him.

A pained scream followed by the sound a body hitting the ground told him his aim was true.

"Now that the nuisance is out of the way, allow me to get on with my job. Starting with you," he glared at Ruby who glared back in defiance.

"Yeah… how about fuck you buddy," coughed Hei who was lying on his back, half propped up on one arm. The other arm, however, held the flintlock, and was aimed squarely at Hazel.

Hei pulled the trigger, revealing he had reloaded it at some point.

Smoke went up from the gun-powders ignition, and the pellet collided squarely into his jaw, snapping his head back.

His aura rendered the shot non-lethal, but it definitely would bruise later.

In the several seconds it took for Hazel to turn his head back to the group, they had already fled inside the building.

Tyrian could be heard screaming and raging several metres away as he savaged the Grimm that all seemed to converge on him. He was going to be of no use then. Not that he was to begin with, Hazel glowered.

Several roars could be heard in the distance and town outskirts, and it didn't take much longer for the terrified screams of people to follow. The Grimm had arrived. The real Grimm, that was. Not this amateur child's play that the Grimm-Whisperer had summoned.

The fire in the town was spreading and raging everywhere by now, and the Molotov that the teenager had thrown had spread was now connecting with the orphanage.

The building was beginning to catch ablaze. All Hazel had to do was keep these dumb mongrels trapped inside and let the flames finish them off.

So, rolling his neck experimentally, he charged forth into the building through the very doorway the group had fled through.


Hei was on his feet and moving as fast as he could through the building, smoke wafting into each of the rooms as he navigated the corridors that would lead to the front door and connect with the main street.

Tony and Lauren were up ahead of him, with Ruby and Emerald being sandwiched between them all.

He coughed as more smoke began to float into the hallway.

"Keep moving! Don't stop!" called Tony.

"Where's Larry?!" screamed Lauren.

"Didn't you see that fucker throw the fence into him?! Larry is dead! And so will we be if we don't haul ass!"

They ran and weaved through doorways and halls for what felt like forever, but was in fact likely only a scant few seconds, not even a full minute.

Hei coughed and stumbled, right as the doorway became visible.

"Up ahead! Keep moving!" Urged Tony.

Hei didn't need to be told twice, and so with every bit of energy he could muster, he forced himself to keep running.

Until he tripped.

Over what he didn't know. All he knew was the ground suddenly met his face, and when he looked up, he could only watch as everyone ran through the doorway to what was hopefully freedom.

He made to get up, until his head exploded in pain.

Hazel had caught up and delivered a fierce kick right into his face.

Hei let out a cry and fell back down to the ground, blood and tears blinding his vision.

"No!" A child's scream. Ruby?

It sounded like her, but he wasn't sure.

"Many mistakes were made today," growled Hazel.

"The first was wasting my time. The second was thinking you could fight me. The third was thinking you could save your friends. All of which will be your undoing. Right here. Right now."

Hei opened his eyes, and through the blood and tears, he saw Hazel looming over him, flames and smoke lapping lazily in the room behind the hulking man.

"NO!" came the child's scream. It was Ruby," Hei realised.

She was standing in the doorway, a fierce look of determination and anger on her face.

"I won't let you hurt anymore of the people I care about!"

Hazel eyed her with pure hatred.

"Your fourth mistake," he began, levelling the statement directly at the girl, "was coming back to face me."

"No! It's your mistake!" She shouted. A sudden growl behind Hazel revealed another summoned Grimm. Whether she had summoned it or it had followed him in the building was unknown, but it wasted no time in pouncing upon Hazel in a frenzy of teeth and claws.

Hazel backhanded the beast in the face, sending it careening into the smouldering ceiling.

One of the timber frames groaned as it broke loose and came crashing down on to the ground.

The Grimm stumbled back, and while Hazel was preoccupied trying to fight the beast, Ruby ran towards Hei and grabbed his arm before pulling with all her might. She struggled, but Hei made it easier by moving to stand up.

"You should have left me behind," he muttered.

"You're my friend!" she cried. "I don't want to lose you too!" She choked out between sobs.

Hei wanted to smile fondly at her, but Hazels enraged scream reminded him of the danger they were still in. That, and the growing flames and smoke as the orphanage became truly set ablaze.

The Grimm let out a pained yelp as Hazel grabbed the beam lying on the ground and swung it straight into the beast, smashing it against the wall and caving in its chest, snapping the wood in half. The weight meant nothing to Hazel who poured his aura into his muscles to give him the extra strength boost needed to wield such a ridiculous weight.

He panted heavily as the beast collapsed to the ground, struggling to move as its limbs failed to respond.

Hazel turned to glare at Hei and Ruby.

No words were exchanged, only an enraged look before Hazel literally tossed the entire beam across the room.

Ruby and Hei ducked, but it quickly became apparent that they weren't the target. The smouldering beams above them and the doorway were. And the force with which the huge chunk of wood was thrown was more than enough to loosen the support structures in the room as they groaned and began to tumble down.

"RUN!" screamed Hei, grabbing Ruby and racing towards the doorway.

Time seemed to slow down as they ran across the final stretch of the room, the light of the doorway so tantalising. It promised freedom.

Hei could see the smouldering beams and wooden planks holding the ceiling above him all down around him, some behind, some to his side, and some in front of him.

He was nearly at the doorway when Ruby suddenly cried out in pain.

By now, Hei was standing in the doorway when he came to a skidding halt and glanced over his shoulder.

A heavy beam of burning wood had fallen atop Ruby, knocking her over before crashing atop of her legs, pinning her to the ground.

She screamed out to Hei in a mixture of pain and fear.

He turned to go help her, only for more of the burning roof to collapse around him, including one fateful piece that crashed atop of Ruby's entire body.

Her screaming stopped, and Hei felt his heart fill with dread as he screamed her name out. The flames around him only grew fiercer.


Hazel watched as the burning framework and roof came crashing down atop of the both of them, the flames growing and licking viciously at them.

The disabled Grimm by his side let out a sudden bloodcurdling screech, as if in a final death-throe. Its body spasmed before tensing up and going limp. For a second, nothing happened. Until its body began to disintegrate like ash, bits of black flesh and fur flaking off.

Outside the building, similar screeches from the Grimm nearby sounded off, indicating a likely similar fate.

More of the roof collapsed in front of him, obscuring his view of the girl, especially as the wall of flames began to grow.

He felt himself let out a breath of relief, only to regret the action as smoke filled his lungs.

The Grimm dissolved away, which meant the girl was dead now that they had no anchor.

With the path in front of him blocked, Hazel had no choice but to backtrack the way he came before the building finished collapsing all around him.

The thick plumes of smoke made breathing nearly impossible, and the heat was becoming unbearable.

If he were any ordinary man, he would have succumbed by now. As it was, his Aura reserves were still sufficient enough to offer him one last bout of protection as he tore through the building to find the nearest exit. Anything. A doorway, a window, it mattered not.


Tyrian cackled like a madman as he hacked and slashed into the Grimm that the girl had summoned. Despite being a frustrating setback, it was still fun to unleash himself upon such prey. For that was all these Grimm were. They were not strong enough, smart enough, nor vicious enough like the real monsters that prowled the night. So he decided to indulge and have his fun.

Everything was going swimmingly, until suddenly they all collectively began to spasm and scream, before then keeling over and dying.

He watched in utter frustration as they began to disintegrate before his eyes.

"No. No! Nononono No NO!" He screamed.

Why?! Why couldn't he be allowed to have his fun for just once!

It was in this state of maddening rage that Hazel found him as he strode out of the now ablaze building.

His clothes were damaged beyond repair, sporting missing threads and segments that had been clearly burnt off. His body, however, was fine. Other than being covered in soot and ash, his aura had served him well.

"It's done," he intoned with a tense expression.

"Done?" exclaimed Tyrian.

"Yes," snapped Hazel as he strode past the Faunus.

"While you were busy fooling around like a jester, I did our job and finished off the girl."

"Ah," realised Tyrian.

"So that's why my toys are dead!"

Hazel scowled.

"Yes, Tyrian," he drawled out, unimpressed.

"But our mission still isn't over."

The howl of Grimm and screams of a massacre rang out in the distance as the town burned around them.

"Ah. Yes yes. On to the next place."

"No," interrupted Hazel.

"First, we clean up the mess you made. And by we, I mean you."

Tyrian looked around before settling his gaze on Hazel, gesturing to himself with an incredulous look of disbelief.

"Yes, you. None of this mess would have happened if you didn't cause it in the first place. No," he held a hand up to stop Tyrian.

"I am not going to repeat why. You know why."

Tyrian groaned, but Hazel was having none of it.

"The girl managed to integrate herself with the children and carers of this… orphanage. However, they were not all here. Which means they've made a run for it likely."

"And?" frowned Tyrian, looking as if he had swallowed a lemon.

"Between the Grimm and fire, I'd say that problem will be sorted out."

Hazel shot a fiery glare to him.

"I'd rather not leave it to chance. If they have even the slightest inkling about the girl being a Grimm-Whisperer, then all it will take is for them to speak out. Need I remind you of the consequences?"

Tyrian growled before reluctantly pouting.

"Fine. I'll go deal with the brats. What are you going to do?"

Hazel began to walk away, deeper in to the town.

"I'm going to get some clothes for the journey before this town burns down. Mine are ruined because of that fire. Go find and silence the remaining friends of hers."

Tyrian snorted as Hazel strode away.

"Friends. Bah. A Grimm-Whisperer has no friends."

He turned his head back to face Hazel as he walked away, shouting out loud.

"You know, her associates would have turned on her once they found out, you know right? This is a wild goose chase for no reason at this point!"

Hazel didn't grace him with a response.

Tyrian wanted to be upset, but he couldn't really bring himself to be.

After all, he got to do some more killing before the night was over.

The prospect alone was more than enough to make up for Hazel's bad mood.

"Now, where would these little kiddies have run off to?" He pondered.

It was time to start a fresh hunt….


AN: So things have gone from bad to worse. These two chapters were meant to be one, but honestly, I'm kinda happy it's two in hindsight. Waaaay too many words otherwise. This chapter was a pain to write. So long. Oh well.

RIP Duck. The absolute chad. Mad-lad took one for Ruby.

The final chapter will be up next and will finish this arc off entirely. We'll see a nice resolution to everything and a happy ending for our characters. Right?

Next Chapter: Monday 6th November