Here we go guys, sorry about last week where I couldn't write any other chapters for my other stories. I've been incredibly busy with school and work that I barely had any time to write at all. But, in light of that news, I have some time now and will be continuing this story. As a little bonus, since my passion for writing has grown so much at an exponential rate, I decided that in the far future, I want to write an original story. I've been mentally planning it so far and once I am done with fanfiction, I will start that story. If you are curious for more details, you can ask me directly in a PM on here or a DM on Tw i tter. But for now, enjoy the chapter!
And to the Guest reviewer Myriad Abyss, your review made me laugh, thanks for that Lol. In an actual response, I do get what you're trying to say. It was an oversight on my part and I did sorta hope that since Tai was, as you said, being a hoe. That it could excuse Marron for moving on like she did.
Beta: CrowSkull
Coverart: Nova
The Blind Huntsman
Chapter 62- Volume 2, Episode 5
Final Preparations
Ozpin felt a singular bead of sweat run down the side of his face as he smashed his cane as politely as he could into the back of his blind student's ankles. Kai cried out at the sudden pain and fell down to one knee. Only holding up his sword just in time purely based on his instincts to defend himself as Ozpin tried to jab him in the center of his neck and collar bone to make it difficult for him to breathe. Silver sparked against metal in a flash of white sparks, and as his arms were shaking from the force of the headmaster's attack Kai went on to desperately try and kick the headmaster in one of his shins. He felt himself make contact with something, but it was not the aura or bone that the heel of Kai's boot made contact with, instead it was pure energy, energy that repelled his attack right back at him and sent him flying back through the air into a stack of books on a bookshelf.
Naturally, the force of the impact shattered the flimsy bookshelf and sent even more books and papers around the already messed up office that belonged to the headmaster of the most prestigious Huntsman Academy in the world. The amount of papers and books scattered throughout his office would have been enough to send Glynda into a frenzy.
"Glynda would have a heart attack if she walked in and saw my office like this," Ozpin said with a snicker as Kai struggled to push himself back up to his feet. "This training session is over Mister Matsuoka, sheathe your sword."
"I can still go on," Kai argued as he made it back up to his feet and entered a stance. His breathing ragged and sweat dripping off his face and into his clothing.
"I know you can," Ozpin surprisingly agreed. "But you have a mission in exactly one hour, and I don't want you to be too tired or low on aura. Which was why I mainly focused on my defense this time around."
"Ah, that explains why I was able to last so long…" Kai said as he slowly relaxed his stance and committed his blade back into it's sheathe. "Here I thought I was making you sweat for once because of my own skill."
"Worry not," Ozpin assured as he made his way back to his chair. "You've been improving at a positive exponential rate, I am impressed with how far you've come in such a short time. If you were a growing enemy, I might have been worried."
"I'll take that as a compliment, I guess," Kai said as he half limped himself over to the chair across from Ozpin's desk. "This mission, besides the obvious White Fang, what do you think I should expect over there?" He asked.
"Well, there is a reason I am not just sending you alone with your team." Ozpin began. "It's not that I doubt your skills, but even the most skilled Huntsman can be overwhelmed." Malikai, he didn't say. He was even stronger than the headmaster, and he was still able to lose his life because of all the fighting that tired him out before he even began his fight with Cinder. "Of course, Qrow will be with you as well, and a certain other someone I don't believe you have become acquainted with just yet."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And who is that?"
"You'll find out who she is soon enough I'm sure," Ozpin smirked, apparently amused with something. "But as for what you can fully expect other than White Fang, is Roman Torchwick and that woman that has been seen protecting him and even defeating Pyrrha Nikos in single combat."
"Hm," That much was left up for debate. Pyrrha was already tired after fighting him just before the attack started, and he's surpassed his friend a long time ago. Still, Neo was a very dangerous person with a very real intent to kill those who put Roman in the sight of danger. He still remembered their battle in the warehouse where he was forced to cause an explosion that nearly killed them both. At worst, she was better than him, at best, an equal.
"Of course there is also a chance that Cinder will show herself once again if this particular hideout is attacked suddenly. A stolen Paladin must be very valuable to her plans." Ozpin continued. "However, half the fall maiden she is, she will not be able to beat you, your team, two other teams, and Qrow all at the same time. I implore you to gang up on her the moment she appears. Her defeat and capture is of the utmost priority if she were to appear."
Kai felt uncontrollable anger rise up within him, but he suppressed by biting his lower lip. He couldn't get angry here, there was no point to it since Ozpin's word was law in Beacon.
"Not to kill?" He asked instead as calmly as he could.
He sensed that Ozpin expected that much from him, the cheeky old bastard wizard that he was. "If there is no other alternative, then yes. As I explained to you before, the previous fall maiden is being kept alive by a machine-"
"I remember." Kai cut him off. He remembered all too well when Ozpin told him about that. About Amber's soul already having long left her body but her body still being alive despite that. It was a sickening tale that he confirmed with Qrow about Cinder's attack and how she was able to gain her powers in the first place. The worst thing about it was that Malikai, his father was supposed to be the one assigned to protect her, but after the death of Ruby's mother, he left and took his child and wife back to Vacuo where they lived their days until Tyrian and Hazel attacked. Qrow was assigned to Amber as a last-minute decision, and unfortunately, it was too late. By the time Qrow was even able to find her, Cinder already stole half of her powers and the magic that went along with it. The rest was history that Kai was able to put together on his own. "I also remember that you need a replacement maiden just in case Amber dies despite your efforts to keep her alive…"
"I said it in a much nicer way, but essentially, yes," Ozpin replied honestly. Somehow, that made it even worse for Kai to accept. Replacement maiden could mean any number of things, and there were a lot of young powerful women within Beacon.
"Don't get me started on how much I don't like what I think you're going to do with that," Kai warned. "Let's move on. Is there anything else that I should know before me and my friends go on this mission for you?"
"Not for me, for Vale." Ozpin corrected. "Though, as far as the mission goes it is mostly self-explanatory. Get in, attack hard and attack fast, retrieve or destroy the paladin, and then get out. With twelve huntsman and huntresses in training, you should be able to do this quickly."
"On an unrelated note, however," Ozpin leaned back in his chair. "Does a certain someone know about our newfound alliance?"
Kai tensed up and clammed up instantly. He knew who Ozpin was referring to here, it could be no other than Raven. As far as she knows, Qrow found out about who Stone Face really was and was able to put it together who was the one who trained and put the idea in Kai's head in the first place. She was willing to work with her brother, which must be because of the bond they share and the lingering trust she might have had with him. But if she knew that Kai has been working with Ozpin, and even being admitted into his circle, he didn't know how she would react. She would feel angry, betrayed, and he would probably not be able to see her or Vernal ever again unless he sought out the location of her tribe.
"I see," Ozpin said after a few moments of studying Kai's body language. The boy was tense and didn't respond right away, which was enough of an answer in itself. "If I could, I would recommend that she is told by you directly before she finds out in a much more… unpleasant way. Better from you than it is from me, in lame mans words."
"I'll get around to it," Kai said softly as he stood up from his chair and turned his back on the man. "I have a mission to go on, and a team to prepare."
Ozpin took the hint and backed off. "Then you are dismissed. I expect great things from you, Mister Matsuoka."
Kai went on to enter the elevator, listening idly to Ozpin's words as he stopped within the machine.
"Great things indeed. These days heroes are scarce, but I do believe that you can become just as great as the ones before you."
Kai wanted to point out to him that the ones who came before him were all dead. Summer Rose died mysteriously and alone on a mission that Ozpin sent her on, Malikai Matsuoka died defending his family after being forced back into a war he wanted to stay away from, because of Ozpin. As well as all of the silver-eyed warriors that Kai didn't know about before them. Not even including the ones that didn't have silver eyes. Even in these modern times, Raven thought that it would be better to leave all of her friends and loved ones behind in order to survive on her own. Ozpin has been alive for centuries, perhaps even for over many thousands of years. And in that time, Salem has never been defeated or pushed back. She was and has always been a constant threat to the world.
There had to be a reason for that, a reason that even after all this time, neither Ozpin nor Salem were able to beat the other and either destroy the world or save it. All those people that joined either side, hundreds, even more, were all dead or barely hanging on as it is. Kai thought of Qrow, and how he sought solace at the bottom of a beer bottle before he and Marron got together. This war has affected even him, who went from the kind and innocent boy to the ruthless and temperamental young man that he was now.
The sliding doors of the elevator closed as Kai thought. As much as he'd like to hope he would make a difference in this eternal war. He wasn't about to put all his cards on Ozpin. He's had long enough to end it himself.
He would play the role of the pawn for as long as he needed to, but when the time came, he would take control of his own board. Because maybe it was time for people other than Salem and Ozpin to decide the fate of those around them for once.
Ambitious goal perhaps, but he's already made a knack of making the impossible possible.
"Gah," Brick groaned frustratedly as he tried to buckle himself into the Bullhead. Only to fail and try to do it again. He knew he could do this, for he had plenty of practice other times and in much more serious situations, and now could be considered one of those serious situations since he was currently struggling to buckle himself into his seat before the ship actually took off. Around him, Ren sat with the patience of someone who was one of Nora's best friends, Yang was too busy laughing at him to help, and Weiss was sitting beside him with her arms crossed and with one of her fingers tapping against her arm impatiently with a face that told Ren that she was on the verge of exploding. Her face was already red out of embarrassment since the pilot was watching and laughing at the whole fiasco, which couldn't have been good for that precious ego of hers.
"Would you like some help?" Ren asked his red-haired teammate as he prepared to get out of his own seat to do just that.
"No, no, I got this." Brick said as he continued to struggle with the straps and clips.
"Yeah Ren," Yang snickered uncontrollably, there were tears going down her face because of how much she laughed out of pure amusement. "He's got this, just let him do what he wants."
"Thank you, Yang," Brick was fooled by her very fake support, and Yang, of course, found that hilarious. Ren sighed gently through his nose and waited for Brick to either finally figure out that the clip on the left doesn't in fact clip there and that it should clip onto the strip of velcro on the right. Or until Weiss eventually loses her patience.
"BRICK!"
Weiss lost her patience.
Weiss, still red in the face, unclipped herself out of the Bullhead and stood in front of her partner. Brick instinctively raised his hands above his head in surrender, and in less than five seconds he found himself strapped in tightly and secured. By the time he could look back up to his partner's face, she was already strapping herself down as well.
"We're ready sir!" She called out to the pilot who burst out into laughter while nodding his head and shutting the cockpit door behind him.
"I can't believe I didn't get a chance to record all of that," Yang said as she wiped a tear of purest joy from her left eye. "That was amazing. You really know how to work those straps Weiss, is there something you're not telling us?"
"Quiet Xiao Long." Weiss snapped at her with a firm glare.
"These are a little tight, but thanks." Brick said as he tested the strength of the straps by attempting to stand up. "How do I loosen- AGH I'M SORRY!" He yelped suddenly as Weiss reached over and yanked on the strap that made everything else tighter around Brick. He felt his vision darkening as his lungs were squeezed by his ribs, making it difficult for him to breath momentarily before he reached around and pulled on a different strap, giving himself the ability to breathe again when the tightness left his chest.
"You didn't need to do that…" Ren berated politely as Brick recovered his breath.
"Yes. Yes, I did." Weiss said with crossed arms and a huff.
Ren rolled his eyes internally. His teammates could be so immature sometimes, especially when it came to Weiss and Brick constantly bickering with each other over every little thing. It became something of a morning routine. And afternoon routine, and an evening routine. There was precious little that Weiss wouldn't complain about, and the amount of patience Brick had within him could be compared to a Grimm. Really, it was a wonder how the two of them considered the other friends. Somehow, Yang was the one out of the three of them that was even remotely mature. They were very lucky that their leader was so patient with them, he couldn't imagine anyone else getting stuck with them.
"Everyone is fully prepared for this mission, correct?" He asked as soon as an opening was made for him. At the sound of his 'leader voice' as Yang put it, Weiss and Brick stopped arguing and made to listen. Over time, even Weiss put her ego aside to accept him as the leader of the team.
"Yessir!" Brick exclaimed with a gleeful smile on his face. "Sword's ready, red lighting is ready, boots are tied and aura is full. This is going to be a cakewalk!"
"I wasn't referring to your gear," Ren pointed out with an amused smile. "If Weiss let you out of the room with anything else, I would have been very surprised."
"Oh…" Brick wilted.
Yang pat him on the shoulder to show her support. "There, there, little one. I'm sure you'll be okay."
"You can rest assured that we are all mentally and physically prepared for this mission Ren," Weiss answered. "Assuming Brick doesn't run off to fight with his brother, we'll even get a chance to put our team tactics into practical tests."
"Hey, why do you think me specifically would mess up?" Brick asked.
"Because I've unfortunately been forced to learn about you and your brother over the months," Weiss replied. "It was a very mixed experience."
"Yeah, I think we're good man," Yang said with a thumbs-up as Brick and Weiss divulged into another one of their bickering and banters.
"I certainly hope so," Ren said as he let his head rest against the soft cushion behind him. Their first mission, so early on. If his parents could see him now, they would be very proud of him. He just knew it. He wasn't the helpless little boy that he was before, he had trained with the aura and semblance that he unlocked during the Grimm attack on his village, and with the girl he'd saved all that time ago, they together have sworn to never let anything like that to any other poor child. Because no child deserved to be forced to see their own family, and friends be killed by the monstrous Grimm.
And as much as they might annoy him sometimes, he wouldn't have any others as his teammates. They were his new family, and they would do great things together under his guidance. Honestly, the only thing he was really worried about in Beacon was Nora. Her personality was… unique. Not too many people would be able to handle her, so he was glad that she found someone who could deal with it as much, or even better, than he could.
Even if he was a little light in the head...
"Alright guys," Jaune clapped his hands together as he prepared to speak now that he had everyone else's attention. "This is our first mission as a team. We all know how to fight, even me, thank you, Nora."
"No problem Jaune!" Nora whispered loudly.
"So that means that we should be able to handle this mission no problem!" Jaune exclaimed as he threw his fist into the air only to realize that he couldn't get his arm that high because of the straps holding him in place. "I-I mean, of course, we'll have to keep in mind strategies, team attacks, and hoping that Rick doesn't run off to go fight with Brick-"
"Hey, I resent that!" Rick yelled.
Jaune coughed into his hand. "No one cares." Then continued to speak. "But with the twelve of us plus that really scary dude that Ruby hugged earlier, we should be all good to go! We got this guys, nothing to worry about. It's just White Fang terrorists with guns, grenades, a whole lot of dust and scary masks and… and…" Jaune gulped nervously and began to sweat. "Well… let's just stick together and… Go team?"
"Go, team!" Rick, Pyrrha, and Nora all exclaimed at the same time, showing their full support despite Jaune's mostly awkward speech. Nora told them that she found Jaune writing the speech and reciting it to himself in the bathroom when he thought that no one was around to hear him, and after holding herself back by only telling the rest of the team they all decided that whatever Jaune was going to say where they were going to be supportive all the way.
"Whew, I've been practicing that one all week," Jaune said as he finally relaxed into his seat.
"Oh, I know," Nora revealed with an impish grin. "The 'reciting it in the bathroom in your underwear' kind of know too…"
Rick and Pyrrha sighed and shook their heads. "So close, just a few more minutes and we would have been there," Rick said as he saw Jaune pale from the corner of his vision.
"Y-you knew?" Jaune asked as his face grew more and more pale as the Bullhead lifted them all up into the air.
"Oh, yes," Nora purred. "Mommy knows everything…"
Jaune laughed nervously, and then his cheeks bulged as a hem of green glowed around his cheeks and nose.
The rest of his team screamed and raised their feet off of the floor as an explosion of vomit came out of Jaune's throat.
"Was it something I said!?" Nora exclaimed as she tried to open a window, only to realize that the windows on a Bullhead couldn't be opened.
The Bullhead that carried Team KRBR was much more quiet with the only sound coming from any of them being Orchid humming to the pleasant tune of the Bullhead's engine running. Qrow had himself strapped in on the seat furthest into the corner of the ship while the rest of the occupants, Ruby, Blake, and Kai all simply waited eagerly for the ship to arrive at its destination.
Realizing that nothing was going to be said anytime soon since Ruby let out all of her excitement upon seeing him, Orchid being occupied by the sound of an engine, and the quiet girl reading a book, Qrow sighed softly as he unstrapped himself from the seat and made his way to where Kai was sitting silently, thinking to himself.
"Yes?" Kai asked before he even reached him. Kai's sensing was limited to only this Bullhead since he was off the ground, but that also made it all the more potent since all of his focus is directed into this single area. The one downside was that Kai wouldn't be able to sense anything outside of the Bullhead. "What is it?"
"You should say something," Qrow whispered to him quietly, quiet enough that he knew while Ruby nor Orchid would be able to hear him, Kai would. He could deal with the little twitch in the other girl's bow that signaled to him that she was listening as well. That bow was hiding less than she thought.
"Why?" Kai asked him. "They all know what we're getting into, there's no reason for me to simply restate what they already know." He's gotten over what Qrow tried to speak to him about the other day, staying mad at someone like Qrow who he knew just wanted the best for him was pointless. As long as Qrow knew where his boundaries ended, then there would be no trouble between the two of them.
"Yeah, but you're the leader of their team." Qrow pointed out. "Little talks like those go a long way. Believe me, I thought the same shit back when I was on Team STRQ."
And look at how that helped Team STRQ, Kai didn't say.
"Alright," He figured it would be easier to comply than to argue pointlessly.
Qrow nodded with a satisfied smile on his face as Kai coughed into his hand to clear his throat and gain the attention of the rest of Team KRBR. Even Orchid turned her head and perked up at the sound of her best friend, they all saw him as their leader, Qrow immediately noticed. When he spoke, they listened.
"I don't usually give pep talks like these, but since we're going to be going on our first mission together as a full team, I figured it was about time to break out that old skill of mine." He snickered at the memory of answering the questions of a reporter back in his days as a student in Signal. That sparked his fame as the blind huntsman known all across Remnant training to become something great.
"I haven't been an incredibly good leader as of late, only acting as one when I need too. And perhaps that's enough. But for this mission, you'll get to see a side of me you haven't ever seen before. We're all strong enough individually and if we work together, I don't think anyone can beat us. And I mean that by not trying to fight Adam and Sienna all by yourself," He added in a rush, the Orchid, Blake, and Ruby all laughed nervously with a wince that had Qrow chuckling. When Kai wanted too, he could really make his friends smile, even in the face of disappointment. "Let's stick together, fight together, and watch each others backs. If all goes well, then the only thing we have to worry about is if Rick and Brick leave their teams to go fight with each other. Other than that, the White Fang will never know what hit them."
Ruby started the applause that started a chain reaction for Orchid and Blake to start clapping as well. Qrow rubbed the top of Kai's head before taking a seat once again. "Great job, Kai! I feel all sorts of excitement bubbling up inside me now!"
"Me too!" Orchid exclaimed next. "I just want to tear them all into pieces and blend them all together and then feed them to Grimm!"
"That is terrifyingly specific, and I must admit that I will not be doing anything of the sort," Blake added. "But thank you for the effort, Kai. We all appreciate your inspiring words."
Kai shrugged and chuckled. "I had to say something, it was getting too quiet in here." He lied, Blake respected his white lie however, since to the others it might not have had as much of an impact if they heard what she heard just before Kai began to speak.
"Alright kids, saddle up," Qrow said as he unbuckled himself from his seat once again after about half an hour of flying over Vale. "We'll be there in just a few minutes, once we're there the White Fang are going to be active and shooting at us. You all remember the briefing, get in, deal with the paladin, and get out. There's' no point prolonging the fight if we're only going to attract the attention of the stronger guys and make everything harder for ourselves."
"Got it," Kai said for himself and his team. Though he knew it was mostly directed toward him. Given his past, he didn't blame Qrow. He didn't exactly show a lot of mercy toward the other members of the White Fang that got in his way during a mission.
However, he couldn't hide how excited he was for this. For the first time, he'd be able to go all out with no need to hold back his semblance against the White Fang, and he had Silver Ebony with him.
Honestly, it almost sounded like this was going to be too easy.
"Damn stupid animals…" Roman snarled as he puffed furiously at his cigar. "Really, what's so difficult about putting that box of dust in that corner. They somehow managed to fuck it up and put it in the wrong corner. Amateurs, it's really no wonder how these things manage to survive this long." He pushed his aura into his foot and slammed it against the side of the box, pushing it away until it slammed into the exact corner that he needed it in.
"Frustrated, are you?" Roman winced at the sound of the voice after realizing whom it belonged to. He turned to look at Hazel, the large bulky man so ripped with muscle it was a mystery how he was able to move so quietly like he always does.
"Just a bit," The criminal replied honestly as he snuffed out his cigar and threw it away, he knew that Hazel, for all his intimidating stature, is not fond of those who smoke. "Seriously, just how do you expect these things being more useful than your average Joe? I'm not kidding, give me a day and I can literally find a guy named Joe and he'd be able to be much better at this shit than these things."
"Perhaps you could," Hazel said with a shrug. "But you aren't going to do that, we don't have time to worry about the efficiency or lack thereof of our troops. This is the army we have, so we are going to use it however we can."
"Yeah?" Roman huffed. "Is that what you've been telling the horned kid and the tiger lady for the past few years?"
Hazel warned him with a glare. "My motives are far beyond your understanding criminal."
"Eh, probably is." Roman shrugged his shoulders without a care in the world. The thing about Hazel was that he was a patient man, and not very temperamental. Which actually turned out to turn him into a pretty leader. Despite being human, and the glares that Adam and Sienna gave the man any time he was around, there was a certain aura of respect that they had for him. They'd never admit it, and Hazel probably wouldn't care either way. But if Roman had a choice, he'd much rather have Hazel as the one running everything around here than Cinder. He was actually understanding and didn't burn someone to death just for joking around.
"Is the paladin secure?" Hazel asked next after a few moments of looking around the warehouse they were held up in.
"As tight as she can be," Roman said after sighing. "I saw to that myself, since I trust these animals to secure it just as far as I can throw you."
"Fair enough," Hazel murmured. "What about your other half?"
Roman raised an eyebrow. "My other what no?"
Hazel blinked. "The short girl, the one with the pink and brown hair. Are you two not… involved?"
Roman burst out laughing. "Involved? Hell no! Look, I like Neo and she likes me, but that doesn't mean we're screwing around. She's just the closest friend I'll ever have, and she had a few favors to owe me. Long story short, she stuck around. Not that I complaining." He shook his head with an amused smirk as he thought. "If you're going to ask me what she is doing right now, she is making sure that a certain someone isn't about to come rain down on our little parade over here in the dark. Just like Cinder wanted."
"Hm," Hazel nodded his head with understanding. "Acceptable."
"Speaking of Cinder," Roman continued. "I thought she said she was going to be here, so why haven't I heard or smelled anyone getting burned alive yet?"
"Cinder has… other things to worry about at the moment." Hazel answered carefully as to not give too much away. "Best not worry about her whereabouts for the moment, especially with the company that you will be making shortly."
"You mean that Watts guy?" Roman asked. "He seems pretty alright, for a guy who faked his own death because of a little bit of disgrace here and there. A little crazy maybe but he is probably smarter than ninety-nine percent of humanity."
Hazel shook his head. "While I am inclined to agree, there is someone far more malicious that you should be careful when conversing with."
"Oh, wonderful." Roman sighed explosively. "Another one that I gotta walk on eggshells around."
Roman jumped when he heard a blood-chilling shriek from the crowd of faunus behind him, he turned on drew his cane, but before he could find his target Hazel placed his large hand on his weapon arm, cautioning him not to attack. Roman relaxed and looked throughout the warehouse, and winced as he managed to spot a pool of blood that people were frantically trying to stay away from. Mixed in with that blood was a streak of purple.
"I thought you said Cinder wasn't going to be here," Roman said through gritted teeth.
"She isn't," Hazel said.
"Then who the hell did that!?" Roman asked.
"Someone far worse."
A man cackled from within the crowd, the faunus terrorists and new recruits of the White Fang scampered open a path to let the man through. A long dark brown scorpion tail waved back and forth above his head as the man licked the blood off of his bladed wrist guards. His bright yellow eyes were staring directly into Roman's, and for the first time just off of his first impressions, Roman found somehow who was more terrifying than Cinder could ever be.
"Ah, ah! You must be Roman Torchwick, yes? I can tell from the hat." Tyrian cackled as he leaped into the air and landed on the stage with him. Roman back up and hid part of his body behind Hazel, who knew he'd defend him if he was attacked. He was still needed.
"Tyrian, what are you doing here?" Hazel asked the crazed scorpion.
"Why, I am here because our queen wants me to be here!" Tyrian exclaimed as he spread his arms out to his sides. "I wouldn't be here for any other reason, you see. And that silly boy tried to stop me from coming in, told me to show him my faunus parts, ha! I gave him a very… in-depth, demonstration."
Roman dared to look behind Tyrian to see the body of the man he actually trusted enough to stand on guard. His skin was purple, his eyes were bloodshot, and there was blood pouring out of his mouth and a flow of purple venom was leaking out of stab wound in his chest. The look of absolute fear was also frozen onto his face.
"W-who are you?" Roman asked, only brave enough to do so because of the fact Hazel was standing between him and the faunus.
"Ah! Forgive me for not introducing myself properly." Tyrian bowed overdramatically. "My name is Tyrian Callows, and I will be helping in keeping this place… safe." His giggling didn't do the word 'safe' justice. It sounded and looked like he was going to do anything but keep anyone safe.
"We already have a lookout making sure nothing and nobody is able to locate us." Roman pointed out.
"Oh, you mean the pretty little girl with different colored eyes?" Tyrian asked, pointing to his own eyes as they suddenly turned into a neon purple.
Roman's heart felt like it fell out of his chest. "You bastard, what did you do to-"
"He didn't do anything to her," Hazel said before Roman could lose his temper. "He is only trying to get a rise out of you or make you try to attack him. Don't fall for it and he won't have a reason to harm you or anyone you care about."
"Ah, Hazel. You suck the fun out of everything." Tyrian sighed, disappointed in having his entire plan debunked. "However, I think the fun will be making itself very plentiful here very soon if you don't hurry things up." He said as he stood up straight like a sane man and crossed his arms behind his back, pacing back and forth as he waited for either Roman or Hazel to ask him what he meant.
"Such as?" Hazel finally asked.
"Hehehe… Wait..." Tyrian giggled gleefully. "You didn't say the magic word~"
Hazel glared at him.
"Ugh, fine. Tyrian sat down on a nearby crate, swinging his legs like a child as he looked up to the sky. "Three Bullheads full of huntsman and huntresses in training will arrive here in about half an hour, along with a few other party poopers that should be making their way here as well. All information courtesy of Mister Watts of course! His hacking skills are very top-notch apparently, heh, who knew?"
"We're going to be attacked?" Roman cursed under his breath. "Dammit, tell everyone to take the Paladin and leave. There's no point in-."
"No," Hazel said. Roman looked to him and clearly wanted to argue, but the look in Hazel's eye told him to keep his mouth shut. "We will stay and continue as planned. Tyrian and I will be waiting and will assist when the attack commences. You inform Adam and Sienna and have them come over to assist as well."
"They're across the city…"
"Tell them to be fast," Hazel said with a shrug. "Good work Tyrian, I am sure this is something for you to look forward too."
"Ah, it is, it is! I just can't wait you know?" Tyrian cackled. "It's been such a long time since I was able to pluck the eyeballs out of someone's skull. Especially the silver-eyed ones, their screams have just the amount of anguish in them that can make a man like me hard. Ah, I just can't wait. Can't wait! Ha!" The faunus dashed back through the crowd and into the darkness, Hazel shook his head and made to go meet with him.
"Wait, are we seriously staying here?" Roman asked before he could get out of hearing range. "I know you guys are strong, but kids nowadays are full of surprises and can be as good as actual huntsman. Isn't this a little too risky to you?"
"Twelve huntsman in training, plus a few others, correct?" Hazel asked.
Roman shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head.
"Then with Tyrian and I here, it will be a fair fight," Hazel said as he jumped off the stage, and made his way toward Tyrian. "Just don't get in our way."
"Shit…" Roman mumbled once the large man also disappeared from sight. "This is a shitty turn of events," His finger reached up to his head and tapped a button on a small device hidden within his ear, after hearing a quiet ding, he spoke. "Neo, they know. It's time for plan B…"
All he got in return was static, but he knew the mute heard him. She always did.
Man, this chapter was a little bit of torture for me. But hey, all the set up is finally finished. I almost made this chapter even more filler, but I managed to not do that and finally get on with the arc. If all goes well, then the upcoming fighting will last about 1-3 chapters maybe. Probably in the middle or something. Wish me luck!
Please review and let me know what you think of the story!
T w itter . com (slash) genatools
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