Right, so, first things first. This note is important, please read it.
I have some news for you guys, not good. Recently, my grandmother passed away after suffering from a stroke. So as you can expect, that is having an effect on me and my family. I am still going to write these stories and chapters, and since this is my most popular story at the moment I am making the main note here. I would take a break to recover and such, but I already took one about two weeks ago and I don't want to break off this path I have set for myself. But do not expect them to be as long. Well, they can be long, it depends on how I want to write and how long it takes.
To answer some questions, no I am not canceling the story. I fully intend to finish at least volume 1 of this story so that things can get on their way again. My other stories, Detective Grimm, Destiny Fated Black, and A Tale of Two Heroes might suffer the most if anything. No, I do not have plans to cancel any of the stories that I am currently writing now.
How long until I get back to my usual schedule? Give me a while, I have school and work to worry about. I actually have two jobs now. Three if you count writing as a job as well, but sadly I am not actually getting paid for this just yet. One dollar a month doesn't really count sadly. Sorry Patron. My family is also having issues with money, and I won't ask you guys to become a patron for me. It's not right to ask people on the internet for money. I'll just do as I usually do and keep plugging it in at the bottom of the chapter. The choice is up to you.
How long until a story actually gets completed? I don't know why, but this question often pops up in PM's sometimes. Honestly, expect this story alone to take years to finish. It's been more than one already, and we are only in Volume 1, nearing the end. In about another year maybe we'll be done with Volume 3. As for my other ones, Detective Grimm might get up to around 50-60 chapters, Tale of Two Heroes is in a similar state as this one, and Destiny Fated Black just started. But if I had to really guess, Detective Grimm will be my next completed story, and after that Destiny Fated Black. Both of which might take another year or so to complete maybe. If it happens to be less than a year, expect it to be about 10 months.
Do I still want to write? Of course I do. I love writing stories and I've fallen in love with these characters. I love Kai and his development throughout this story. Orchid is always fun to write, and I love doing my best to fix the whole disaster of Adam's character as well as others that don't get too much spotlight. Sadly, what I said earlier puts a dent in that. Frankly, I do not get paid for this. I don't really care that I don't, I have like five stories that can support me on that, but since this doesn't make money for me, I can't keep this a primary focus in my life indefinitely. I wish I could, I really do, but I can't. After writing for about a year and a half with almost no breaks, I am afraid of burning myself out as well.
Am I okay? I know this is a question I'll get, so I'll just answer it now. Emotionally, I am a mess right now. There's been a death in the family, and among other issues, I am struggling to get by. Physically? I'll manage. I am sick, will not lie about that. This sickness is something that will take years to go away. But I plan to push through that sickness not only for myself, but for you guys and my family.
Regarding the romance of this story: I am sorry that I haven't done anything wholly romantic so far. There is a reason I changed the romance genre to friendship for the genres of this story. Right now I have been focusing on plot development and the continuation of the story. Romance isn't my best genre of writing, I will try, and I think what I do have in mind will surprise you all. All I can ask is that you please be patient with me. I can confirm that yes, there will be a pairing. As to who it'll be… one hint; Not who you think it is, but someone you might be able to guess. Good luck with that.
Sorry for the long note, and I am sorry for what might be a short chapter. But with everything that I said earlier, and despite how much of a 'goodbye' or an announcement of a hiatus this might seem. I am still going to write for you guys. I will never stop Its like therapy for me, it really helps, and knowing that there are literally hundreds of you following me, and probably giving me your support gives me hope and strength to keep moving forward. I promise you all that I won't quit.
So, as I've been doing all my life, and especially this last year and a half, I will keep moving forward.
Now let's get this damn chapter written already.
Beta: CrowSkull
The Blind Huntsman
Chapter 55- Volume 1, Episode 22
A Stone Mask In The Dark Night
"How did he take it?"
Ruby grimaced under the question. Last night was so saddening that she couldn't even speak to her teammates once she realized that Kai was not coming back to their dorm room that night. He was most likely with his mother or sister. After what happened, she wouldn't be surprised if Kai decided that he was going to stay in Malienna's room for now. At least until he settled down or after they come back okay. Which she was very sure of. As to Blake's question though, she figured that she should probably answer it now. Tonight was the night anyhow, and she couldn't put it off any longer.
"He didn't take it well," Ruby finally answered, Orchid sagged her shoulders beside her as they walked. "He looked like he wanted to yell and curse at me, but again he pent it all up and just… walked away. I haven't seen him since."
"Hm, neither have I," Blake said with a sorrowful sigh. She felt bad for her partner, and felt like she was majorly to blame for his current mood. And she was. She was the one who suggested that they don't bring Kai if she hadn't done that their leader wouldn't be absent. It' hasn't even been a full days worth of hours however, and as far as they know he shouldn't know where they are going anyway. "Will he be okay?" She had to ask.
"He should be," Orchid said, speaking up for Ruby who was much too down at the moment to continue speaking about her fellow silver-eyed warrior. "Kai is someone who rarely actually loses his cool. He might have lost his temper against Ruby for a little bit, but even then he didn't let himself stay that way for long. At least not around her. But I wouldn't expect him back until classes start again… or maybe longer." Orchid let out a sad whimper. "I honestly don't even know anymore."
"I don't know him," Sun said, speaking up for the first time since he met up with them. They all met up together a few minutes ago to make their way to the Bullheads to get down to Vale. They didn't expect to get one back by the time they were finished, she precautions were made to make sure that they had a place to stay just in case. Luckily, Weiss was on Ruby's sister's team. After lying and saying that Team KRBR and their new faunus friend were going to go out for some fun, it was almost inevitable for Weiss to give in to Yang's constant badgering about supplying them with a place to stay in Vale just in case they stayed out too long. Orchid felt bad about lying to Yang like that since she is one of her best friends after all. But if the blonde knew what they were really doing then there was no way that she would just stand by and let them without forcing herself into their group to help them. Then by extension, all of Team RWBY as well. Too many people, as Sun is concerned. "And I am a little disappointed that he isn't able to work with us tonight, but if what you guys say about his mental health is true, then I wouldn't want him out here with us as well. I'd rather have a completely sane person watch my back anyway. No offense."
"None taken," Orchid waved a dismissive gesture toward the blonde boy.
"I just hope that we were right in this…" Ruby said, shrinking down on herself further. "Kai is in a bad enough state as it is… what if I just made it worse?"
"Hey, come on," Orchid pulled her partner in for a tight one-armed hug, Ruby accepted the gesture and leaned her head on Orchids shoulder. "Don't think about it like that, Kaizy is just in a bad mood right now. We all expected that. Also, it's Kai," Orchid let out a reassuring laugh. "It's not like he is going to do anything insane while we're doing this, even with him being like he is right now. I trust him to respect our decision. A little time with his family should help him anyway."
"Maybe you're right…" Ruby said, a small and more cheerful smile stretching her lips apart as she began to think more positively.
"I trust that Orchids words are true," Blake added, happily joining in on the effort to cheer up Ruby, who has been acting much older than her age recently. Blake was genuinely impressed with the younger girl. "You were the only one who could have convinced him of that, I am sure of it. The fact that he even considered walking away and letting us do this without making too much of an issue about it is a blessing in itself. There is nothing for you to be afraid of, Ruby. I think even Kai knows that this is the right thing." It was a longshot and an incredible idealistic way of thinking it through, but it was able to re-ignite the hope within the silver-eyed girl.
Ruby stood up a little straighter, and accepted Blakes words as fact. As a result, Orchid and even Blake stood up a little taller as well, feeling inspired by the girl's aura. Sun looked upon the scene with adorable thoughts. Wondering why his own team didn't act like this to each other. Then again, they were all guys. Guys just treated each other differently than how girls do.
The Bullhead came and took them away just as was planned. Sun, Blake, Ruby, and Orchid all took their respective seats beside each other. It was only a few minutes before they got down to Vale. Compared to the much larger ship that brought them up to Beacon for the first time once for initiation, the Bullhead must have been moving ten times as fast as the much large machine.
When they made it down to Vale itself it was around nine o'clock at night. The last Bullhead to go up to Vale would be at midnight. Three hours to stop a raid, get out, and head back to Beacon. Assuming that they all managed to dodge the police and were not injured enough to warrant an emergency hospital trip, it could definitely be done. They were huntresses and one huntsman after all.
As the group started to walk through the streets of Vale on their way to the other side of the city where the harbor is located, they were ignorant of a figure atop the rooftops, tracking their every step.
"Man," Mercury yawned and stretched his arms out to his sides. When Adam told him that he was going to be coming with him and Sienna to the raid, he thought it would be because he was needed to be a lookout for that Stone Face guy, maybe even look for the guy himself. It would be understandable if anyone asked too, since it was totally Stone Face who nearly killed him when he went to go take the blind kids sister. Definitely. As long as Adam still breathes and the scar remains on his chest, Mercury would make every attempt at making sure Adam was reminded of what he did, and paid for it in kind with his constant bitching. It was the least he could do to repent for his sins. "This shit is boring."
"Stop complaining," Adam told him, kicking him as to encourage the silver-haired boy to get back up on his feet. "If you want this to go by faster so badly, then you are welcome to help my men load the Bullheads with this dust."
"That kind of grunt work just ain't my thing, it hurts my toes." Mercury sarcastically groaned as he faked another pained groan as he stood up from the ground.
"You don't even have toes, kid." Roman pointed out, overhearing their conversation and coming over to join. Despite what nasty eyed looks he might have just received. "Didn't Cinder tell you to come here anyway? I'm surprised you haven't loaded up one of these Bullheads already all on your own."
Mercury winced, and Roman laughed. If there was one way to make everyone who was working for Cinder all cringe at once, it was pointing out that they were working for Cinder, and since currently Mercury was being a tad difficult, that went triple for him. Back then before Cinder became the monster that she is now, he might have been able to get away with things. But Roman could see how things were now that he has had plenty of first-hand experiences with her, and especially with the special little burn mark that Cinder gave him after he tested her. Knowing that, Mercury shot up to his feet and started to move, doing as he was told. It was about time, he wasn't going to be a snitch or anything, but he didn't want to be around in the situation that Cinder gets angry. Well, her default emotion was angry, it was more like he didn't want to see her furious.
Roman 'hmped' and went on to assist him as well. Mercury didn't have the silver tongue to get these White Fang animals into getting their work done. Even when their supreme leader was there as well, they were just so damn slow. He wondered how they ever became the international threat that they are now.
"This generation of White Fang members are embarrassingly weak," Sienna said with a groan once she saw Roman walk off with Mercury while rambling on about what kind of work they needed to do in order to impress Cinder and get on her good side. "What are our trainers doing?"
"The only one I know is good at training was my master," Adam answered, then sighed. "It is a shame that she died soon after my training was complete."
"I fear that we'll never have a trainer like her again, and you seem to be the only other competent enough faunus in our revolutionary group-" Sienna cut herself off with a tick. "If we can even be considered one anymore."
Adam rounded on her. "Of course we can. Supreme leader, are you having doubts about what we are doing?"
"Of course I am!" Sienna screamed at Adam in a whisper, bearing her fangs as her faunus ears twitched angrily. "After Mistral, the White Fang became known as a terrorist organization worldwide, this isn't what Ghira and Kali had in mind when they founded the White Fang. They entrusted me to do what is right, and it gives me nightmares thinking about what they feel about everything that is happening."
Adam bore her venting anger with the patience of a saint. Underneath his mask, his one healthy eye softened with sympathy. Sienna is and has been under stress ever since Cinder and that Hazel man came to them demanding their assistance. Of course, they refused at first and lost all of their elite guards because of it. Even Adam was defeated that day, thanks to Blake when she was still with them. To save their lives and everyone else who would have thrown their bodies at them to protect her, Sienna pledged the White Fang to Cinder. Who has been abusing that power ever since.
That angered Adam as well. If only he was stronger back then… He's confident that he might have been able to defeat Cinder on his own when she came to collect him even before the time she came to Sienna herself. But he let the soft voice in his head, the voice of himself as an innocent boy before he got his SDC brand, told him that it wasn't right to cut down a human asking for help. So he exiled them. That was his greatest regret, and along with Sienna, all of the lives that have been lost ever since then were weighing down on his shoulders. Even Blake held some of the blame to herself, and it was enough for her to abandon the White Fang entirely at a crucial moment.
"Things will get better," Adam said as the painful memories re-emerged from within his mind. "Sacrifices must and will be made, and we will do things we otherwise would never do, but things will get better as a result." He gently placed a hand on Sienna's shoulder, who looked up at him with a calm glare. "You are not alone in this burden, we are in this together. Remember that. I will not abandon you."
"Hmph," If she was a lesser woman or a teenage girl, his words might have brought a tear to her eye. She could certainly see how Blake was able to fall for this man once. Sienna smirked and crossed her arms. "That is why you are my successor in the case I fall. Even if there are some decisions you've made that make me question your sanity…" Her yellow eyes looked to the side toward Mercury Black, who opened a storage container, saw that it was filled with lien instead of dust, and promptly took a thick stack and stuffed it in his pocket after checking if anyone was looking. "What possessed you into thinking he was a good idea to be a part of our plan? Do you trust him?"
Adam chuckled. "Absolutely not, I wouldn't be surprised if he told Cinder on us."
"Then why?" Sienna narrowed her eyes at him dangerously, demanding an explanation.
Adam leaned his head back and thought. Why did he leave Mercury alive that night? He was there to make sure nothing happened to the hybrid's mother and sister, and that would have been much easier if he just outright killed Mercury instead of giving him a scar and bringing him in. It was a decision that he made on the spot, and if he hadn't been keeping a close eye on Cinder's underlings and noticed some things that Cinder didn't care to look for herself, he would have killed Mercury that night.
"He isn't loyal to Cinder," Adam finally said, determined in his decision. "I wouldn't trust him with my life, but I do trust him to work along with us if it means ridding this world of Cinder's wrath. He is a terribly damaged soul with a trauma infested path, but there are things that he cares for. One of those things being Sustrai."
"The green-haired girl?" Sienna asked. "Isn't she the one who would do anything for Cinder?"
"Once, perhaps." Adam accepted easily. "In truth, I have not been paying any particular attention to her. The last time I saw her, however, she was taking care of Mercury after I injured him. If there is any hope of gaining another ally in her, it will be through the assassin."
"An assassin who murdered his own father," Sienna pointed out.
Adam shrugged his shoulders. "I never said he was the purest of men. But he is what we have to work with so far."
"Damn it… and it has to be another human of course." Sienna let out an explosive sigh. "I trust you, and against my better judgment, I will trust in your decision as well. I will be keeping an eye on him however, if I suspect that he is not truly on our side he will be dealt with."
Adam hardened his expression and placed a hand on his sword. "If he betrays us, I'll be the one to cut him down myself."
They went on to continue their patrol of the docks. As the two most lethal and skilled fighters of the White Fang, and with Roman making sure the White Fang are doing their jobs. They are keeping an eye out for anyone approaching them from the north and east side while Roman and his goons watch for the west. South was toward the water and ocean, so they didn't need to worry about that direction unless the police armed huntsman with attack Bullheads. Which at that point would be worse than their worst-case scenario, which would be regular normal huntsman running at them on the ground.
Everything was going very well at first. Roman and Mercury were actually doing a good job loading the bullheads with dust. Well, the former was doing more than the latter, getting the White Fang to focus on becoming more focused and quick with their jobs. While Mercury just provided the muscles and brawn that he needed to tell the members that no, the crates were not too heavy to carry by yourself.
Everything paused the next time that Roman reported in.
"My boys spotted someone climbing over the fence," Roman said into the scroll connected to Mercury, Adam, and Sienna. "Orange hair, looks young. Might be a huntress in training, or maybe just some idiot coming to check us out."
"Go. Take Mercury with you and confront the girl. Try to get her to walk away." Adam ordered back.
"Yeah, sure, send the brains and the brawn to handle it. Sounds like a great idea." Roman sighed and waved over Mercury, who already knew what they were supposed to do thanks to being connected to the same scroll channel as well, and even if he wasn't he was close enough to overhear the conversation. "C'mon Black, let's go have a talk with the little girl scout over there."
"She looks weird," Mercury said as they started moving toward the ginger, who noticed them and stopped to wait for them with a goofy smile on her face, even waving at them as they got closer to her. "What huntress wears a bright pink bow on her head?"
"That's not where the weirdness ends. You have no idea how weird they come." Roman complained. "There's a pair of twins, both with the same outfits, same faces, eyes, everything. Except that one is in all red, and the other all blue. Then there's another weird girl wearing a skirt. A skirt!" He bellowed. "Ugh, this one is wearing a skirt too. If I was anything less of a gentleman, I'd have shot her by now."
"I could shoot her if you want," Mercury offered, gesturing down to his feet. "I am not really a gentleman like you are, I'm sure it'll be acceptable for me."
"Probably," Roman shrugged his shoulders. "But the moment you shoot that… foot gun of yours and alert the entire area, lets at least try to talk her out of making a mistake here. Try not to spill blood on the ground for the once."
Mercury shrugged his shoulders and blew hair out of his face. "Sure, whatever."
"Hello there!" The strange ginger girl called out to them. "How are you on this pleasant night?"
"Just dandy, and you?" Roman asked in return, feigning a friendly voice to match the other girl's tone.
"Sensational! Thank you for asking." Penny said, all smiles and happiness. It made Mercury wonder if the girl's head was actually full of air. There's no way that she doesn't recognize Torchwick, the guy's face was plastered over every wanted posted on the planet. "If I may ask, what are you doing here?"
"Well little lady, we are the cleaning crew," Roman easily lied, then winked at Mercury, telling him to join in on this lie.
"That's right," Mercury continued right on cue. "You wouldn't believe how dirty and messy the crews leave the docks behind, we had to take overtime tonight just to make it easier for the morning shifters."
Roman gave him a thumbs up from out of the girl's field of vision. In which the girl tilted her head, apparently confused with Mercury's words.
"There is no overnight shift for Sunday nights mister. These part of the docks isn't even supposed to be open, not even for the visitors of the upcoming Vytal Festival." Suddenly the girl's eyes narrowed into thin threatening slits. "I ask again, what are you doing here? I certainly hope that you do not lie to me, Mercury Black."
Shit.
That was a crimson flag if he's ever seen one.
"Turn around and walk away little girl." Roman rebuked, stepping next to Mercury and flourishing his cane. Prepared to fire a rocket toward the ginger at any given moment. "This isn't a place for young girls to hang out at night, go find yourself a boyfriend or something. It'd be much more fun than sticking around here sticking your nose in trouble."
"I do not have the required organs to maintain a male partner," The girl pointed out emotionlessly. "However, I have been prepared and trained for this kind of thing. Ever since the vigilante Stone Face has been stopping the White Fang during the night, I have been tasked with the same thing. So here I am."
Mercury blinked his eyes and came back into reality. The sudden change in tone and emotions was so shocking that he was in a state of surprise that lasted for many moments. "This only ends one way," He warned, uncrossing his arms and taking a stance. "You won't want to see that ending."
"Oh, but I do. My name is Penny." Penny said, smiling as she stepped back from the two suddenly, and then hopped backward several feet. "And you two are Roman Torchwick and Mercury Black, both of you are wanted men from all over Remnant. Including Atlas. I was trained and prepared to stop criminals like you from terrorizing the world. Today is the first step toward that goal. I thank you for leading me right to the supreme leaders of the White Fang as well."
Her eyes flashed green and a swirl of blades coming flying out of her small pack around her back. Roman and Mercury looked to each other and nodded. Both agreeing that this girl now needed to be taken down.
"I must warn you, despite you being criminals." Penny continued, walking toward them as her swords hovered around her body. "I am Combat Ready."
Roman and Mercury replied by making the first move.
A bright green explosion mixed with a haze of silver and grey exploded into the sky. Sun, Ruby, Blake, and Orchid all stood with wide eyes, just less than a mere mile away from the source. The docks.
"We're almost there!" Sun exclaimed, breaking into a sprint. "Let's get there quickly!"
He didn't need to hear their replies, and knew that they were right behind him. As a group, they made their way to the docks in a sprint that didn't even render them tired after running for a minute straight without stopping. Ruby once tried to use her semblance to get there first, but Orchid caught her arm, warning her that they should all get there together as one group. Reluctantly, Ruby agreed after Blake and Sun also voiced their agreement with the magenta eyed girl.
When they finally made it to the docks, it was all-out chaos.
The White Fang were seen as clear as day, shooting into the smoke as they backed up out of it. All four of them clambered over the fence as fast as they could, and made their way toward the sounds of fighting and combat. More explosions were heard and seen, and out of the explosion came out two men.
Roman Torchwick's white coat was smudged black, and he put out a green flame that was on his sleeve. Beside him, Mercury Black took point and kicked a sword out of the air, and then the next four that came at him at lightning speeds. Once the swords were away, he clashed ankles against a blistering fast ginger-haired girl with glowing green eyes. A deafening loud clang blew away all of the smoke and flames that surrounded them.
The girl looked surprised as Mercury managed to overpower her kick, and after parring her leg he jumped up and switch kicked her in the stomach, blasting her away with a smokey explosion.
"Nice one," Roman complimented after finally beating away the green flames. "Now do that a few dozen more times."
"Yeah, there's gonna be a slight problem with that," Mercury said without turning back to face him.
Roman groaned as he looked forward and saw the same thing that he saw. A girl with silver eyes and a red hood stood in defense in front of a strange girl apparently named Penny, her giant mecha scythe in position behind her form, ready to lash out at any moment.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked Penny.
Penny looked back with a bright smile. "I am, thank you for coming to my support. My name is Penny."
"Mine is Ruby," Ruby replied with a smile. Beside her, Sun, Blake and Orchid all appeared with their weapons at the ready. Roman and Torchwick suddenly found themselves completely outnumbered.
"Let's fight together!" Orchid exclaimed, turning her face toward Penny, who had just stood back up to join them. "Afterwards, you'll be my new friend!"
"F-friend?" Penny tilted her head. An electrical shock could be heard all around.
"Yeah!" Orchid repeated, ever oblivious.
"Amazing feelings!" Penny exclaimed, choosing to stand in between Orchid and Ruby. Becoming the center point of their group. Sun and Ruby was to her right, and Orchid and Blake were to her left. "You will all be my friends after these criminals are dealt with!"
Blake eyed at her with a weird expression, but let it go with a sigh. Whatever, a new friend it is.
Sun, on the other hand, thought that this girl was adorable and planned to ask her for her number once this was all over.
"Heh," Roman and Mercury assumed a stance once more. As the smoke cleared, many members of the White Fang were behind him. Blake widened her eyes as she saw both Adam Taurus and Sienna Khan also break through the mist, standing beside Roman and Mercury, making their intentions clear in standing against them all.
"Why…" Blake wanted to scream. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?" She did scream, staring daggers directly into Adam's hidden eyes.
"Why?" Adam repeated, laughing bitterly at the sight of Blake. "I could ask you the same question, my love," He scowled. "No, you don't deserve that title any longer. You're nothing but a traitor."
"Traitor!?" Blake shouted back. "You were slaughtering innocent people, you helped kill an honorable man who chose to let you live! I was willing to take lives in the name of equality for all faunus, but what you, what both of you did, was nothing short of monstrous."
Sienna winced, the words hitting directly into her heart. Once upon a time, she was like a surrogate mother to Blake. Now, she was nothing but a terrorist. It hurt her. "We had no choice." She muttered. "It was either that, or the extinction of faunus. Blake, you may see us as monsters, but you know our situation better than anyone else not part of the White Fang. We aren't doing this because we want too," Sienna whipped her chained whip into the ground, taking a stance.
"Then why?" Blake asked next.
"You know the answer just as well as we do," Adam answered for Sienna. "We are doing this for survival. All of us." He gestured to Roman and Mercury, and then slowly moved his hand toward the hilt of his sword. Blake tensed, knowing exactly what Adam was capable of. With time, he has only gotten stronger. "In a way, I am happy that you left us." He didn't explain his reasoning, but after remembering everything that they have been through together, Blake felt a pang of guilt stab through her heart.
"Hey," Orchid grabbed her shoulder. "Don't be like that, what happened in the past is the past. I don't know him, but he probably isn't the same guy you thought he was before." She slowly began to tremble, her semblance taking hold as many copies of her identities began to take form. Rage, intelligence, and ancient swordsman. Beside her teammate, three identical forms, each colored red, blue, and green respectively while Orchid sweat beside her as she kept a tight grip on her sword. "I'll take care of him, you take care of the tiger lady." True Orchid said.
"あなたの名前で彼を引き裂きます." I'm going to tear him apart in your name. The green Samurai Orchid said to her.
Before Blake could protest, Orchid and her other identities in the form of clones stepped to the side, glaring at Adam as she did so. Adam glared back and accepted the challenge.
"Your fight is with me girl," Sienna told her, taking the empty spot Adam left behind. "I'll make you pay for leaving us like you did,"
"Tch," Blake accepted her challenge, but wasn't entirely confident in her skills to take her on by herself.
"I'll fight with you," Ruby said, moving closer to her and aiming her weapon toward the leader of the White Fang. "You won't be alone anymore, I promise."
Blake didn't know how the red hooded girl knew one of her biggest insecurities, but she was grateful for it nonetheless, in silent agreement. Sienna watched as the two girls break off to the side to challenge her two on one.
"That leaves you and me against these clowns," Sun said to Penny, twirling his staff in his hands and taking a stance beside her. "Name's, Sun by the way, what about you?"
"Penny Polendina," The girl replied with a bright smile. "Thank you for staying by my side, Sun. Let us, as they say, teach these fools a lesson."
Sun looked into the girl's green eyes, and felt his cheeks burn and his heartbeat rapidly.
"R-right." He said, forcing the feeling back down. "Let's do this."
"Oh brother," Roman groaned as he rolled and cracked his neck. "Ready for round two Merc?"
"Sure, if you can keep up old man," Mercury said as he eyed down Penny, making her his next target.
"Hey! I'm only twenty-eight mind you!" Roman whined. "Fine, be like that. Good luck with the weird girl, I'll take monkey boy over there."
"Sure, whatever," Mercury mostly ignored him.
"Good luck, kid," Roman said next, surprising him.
Mercury looked back at him through the corner of his black eyes.
"You too."
A body fell to the ground, blood spilling out of his neck as a stone dagger protruded out of his neck. Through his shocked eyes, he stared through his murderer's dark stone mask as the life began to fade away from his body. He watched as the man looted his corpse and stole his sword, and holstered the gun in a hidden holster at his side.
The murderer removed his mask and threw it away after feeling out the ground. Desperate to see his face, the man groaned and tried to reach at him with his weak hand. Kai Matsuoka stared back at him. The White Fang member was shocked to see that a boy like him was the one doing this. He tried to call out his name, tried to rat him out. But before he could, a knife stabbed into his eye, killing him instantly.
Kai flicked his stone dagger away and let it wither away into dust on the ground. He reached his hand into the ground and created another mask out of the harder material he felt on the ground, and molded another mask out for him. This one without eye holes, here, he did not need them.
"Fools…" He said as he placed the mask over his face. Covering his every feature. "You're all fighting battles you can't win. You're lucky I followed."
Stone Face stood up, dragging a stolen curved blade behind before going down into a crouch. Already sensing his next target, the group of White Fang shooting at Sun and that other girl.
"Now I have to save your asses…"
Stone Face slithered into the darkness and prepared to join the battle.
There we go, chapter done. Thank God. Luckily I had plans written down for this last arc of Volume 1. It is making everything much easier.
Please review and let me know what you think of the story so far.
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