Fangs of the Exiles

Rated M

Rwby

Summary:

Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.

A/N:

Here we are!

This is the beginning of the Volume 8 section of the story. This will focus heavily on Pyrrha and Aganju. Other characters will be around but in different roles. Everything will be explained as things progress. Once again, enjoy the chapter, and I'll see you all next time!

Chapter 32: Elysium: Fractured Domain-1

We all are a villain in someone's book.

Humans and faunus, equal in mortality, play these roles perfectly as centuries pass by. No matter how often they try, their vices usually get the better of them. Man's need for supremacy has always been their greatest weakness. If they weren't finding new ways to discriminate due to wealth, status, and appearance, they would find pseudo-unity in ridiculing and fiercely victimizing those they deemed inferior. They call themselves the children of the light, but it is the corruption in their hearts that rules their decisions against the faunus.

That's not to say that there weren't issues on the faunus' side.

While years of misfortunate and segregation were unnecessary, the animal-like mortals would carve out a legacy of bloodshed and retaliation. Assassinations and attacks on local villages around the world would result in another war.

Neither side was innocent, yet, neither was fully to blame either; simply slaves to their impulses. Even when given a chance to change and end the cycle of violence and death, mortals couldn't resist the urge to persist in their tenacious ways. Their haughtiness makes them think that they are above reproach for their crimes against one another. Still, it would've been nothing new if they'd just settled on keeping their petty squabbles to isolated encounters, but no, they had to continue in their game of one-upmanship.

However, for every action, there is a consequence waiting to appear.

Warfare, sparked when two lives of great significance were murdered, would be such an outcome.

Two souls, even one gifted with sovereign rule by those beyond, were tasked with uniting the humans and faunus. With the treaty in hand, they both were able to show the similarities between the two parties, strengthening their desires for peace and harmony. Sadly, the night before the truce was to be signed, they both were assassinated by an unknown figure. Any signs of solidarity were swiftly abandoned and soon, the drums of war would pound against the skies.

Blood-soaked weapons. Cries of anguish mixed with their pathetic praises of triumph. Widows, widowers, and orphans. Destruction and ruin were commonplace among the four kingdoms. Mistral and Atlas were united in their propagating of human superiority while Menagerie and Vacuo were ravaged territory by the faunus who simply wanted to be left alone. Only Vale stood neutral, providing refuge for those displaced and seeking aid from the warring kingdoms.

Nearly two decades would pass before anything close would slip through the cracks of hatred and bigotry.

Surprisingly, it would be a band of outcasts from both sides who would attempt to do what the sovereign pair could not. It would start in the most unfortunate of circumstances, but...

Maybe that's how it was always meant to happen.

At least, that is the story for which I've written...

Where am I?

A glint of light pierced through the darkness, revealing a pair of eyes staring back at it. To most, the darkness would have been suffocating, but to him, it was just another day in his life as a faunus. It had been so long since he had last seen the sun that he wondered if it still existed at all. He knew every inch of his surroundings by heart, despite the darkness, and he could easily make out the layout of his unfortunate surroundings. He was trapped in a hollow metallic box, a prisoner of fate and a future slave in isolation. This had become his daily routine, one that he had grown accustomed to over the years. The mind-numbing silence was his only companion, broken only by the occasional sound of footsteps from outside his enclosure. The occasional cry of panic or brief conversation only served as a harsh reminder of his dire circumstances.

Solitary confinement...

Why would such a soul be required to remain in such a tortuous condition?

It wasn't difficult to understand really. He was a problem and this was his punishment for causing trouble. Emptiness. Lack of social interaction. No food. Cold conditions. It was all just his captors' pathetic way of trying to break him. It wouldn't work but, he had to admit it was a new way of doing things given what he was used to. Instinctively, his eyes peered down at his left arm, studying old cuts and markings from his past dealings with their kind.

The youngster had experienced a lot since the conflict started ten years earlier, even at the tender age of twelve. After the end of that horrible war, he was the only one left. He had lost his family. Even if he wasn't old enough to fight, learning about Admiral Nikos's new policies made it less important. A feeble rumble in his stomach reminded him of his present problems. Even though he was starving at this point, he persevered through the agony by focusing on the scars that covered his limbs. When that failed, he kept himself busy by staring at pictures of the people he loved.

Mothers and fathers were ripped away from their children, forever left to wonder about the fate of their shattered families.

Friends cried and shrieked as they watched their peers be taken away as fires ravaged their homes. Those wretched humans; They were the ones responsible for this! They always thought of themselves to be the better species when they were nothing more than lucky mortals for having possessed weapons and laws to back their ludicrous assertions.

Aganju was merely a casualty of such brutality, though he'd say otherwise. Being captured in preparation for being sold into enslavement. This world was nothing like what he remembered. The vulpine felt out of place in more ways than one, but regardless of this fact, the frigid metal surrounding him was indeed real.

He leaned against the cold steel while intrusive ideas fueled the rage that he needed to stay warm. Unfortunately, the reality was a cruel mistress as the bright violet eyes had lost their shine, replaced by a need for survival. The broad grin and giggle he so desperately missed soon contorted into a wide-eyed horror. Blood-spattered tears fell, streaking her face as more of the sanguine liquid splattered from her forehead, noting him of her unfavorable fate.

He heard no sound after that. Only a cry that seemed to be stuck in his throat and never fully arose. It was like a hellish nightmare that gripped his soul, plaguing his mind and refusing to let go. It was a vicious cycle that haunted him even after all this time.

"Wake up, animal!" A gruff roar suddenly pulled him from his torture. The young man flinched slightly, silently thanking the disgruntled male for his 'assistance'. Still, this meant that he was back in the real world and that could only mean one thing.

"Huh...?" he groaned, rubbing his heavy lids.

"Get your worthless ass up, mutt!" The male spat, venom coating that last word. The teen obliged, turning around to face the wall as the door opened.

From what he could make out from the shadows appearing behind him, there were two of them. This was confirmed when one grabbed his tail while the other proceeded to twist his arm behind him, binding his wrists in the process.

"Let's go!" the one who interrupted his 'rest' barked, dragging him out of the cramped box. Aganju was fiercely led down several corridors, the artificial lighting making him wish he could shield his now sensitive vision.

This continued until he found himself surrounded by others like him.

Very few gave him so much of a glance. Why would they? They had enough problems of their own to worry about the outcome of a single person. Many of them were lined up, being examined by many other men and women, humans, who were calculating their worth based on what special trait they had. Interestingly, he wasn't placed in any of these lines. Once he was dragged out of the small room, vulpine ears twitched slightly as the sounds of whimpers and pleas soon faded, giving way to several voices in a heated debate with one another.

What the hell?!

Aganju's mind was already racing with questions when he heard the sound of the drips dropping. The warm drippings felt wonderful against his frayed garments, he had to admit. He landed awkwardly on the rusting enclosure before he could appreciate the feeling due to two pairs of hands pushing him into the back of a vehicle.

His ankles were bound snugly before a cloth was swathed around his eyes, plunging him into uncertain darkness. Whatever was about to happen, it was a guarantee that he wouldn't be prepared to face it until it was practically upon him. He heard the slamming of doors as he tried desperately to get into a seated position. It did little good as soon he felt the firm surface begin to shift under him... wait... it was him moving!

As he battled to control his body from tossing around uncontrollably while the vehicle made many abrupt curves, he heard the sound of an engine snapping. It was the first time since his capture that fear had seeped into his very being, and his heart started to race. He was at the mercy of anyone or whatever awaited him since he couldn't see. This made him question whether he was about to be tormented or worse... That, however, did not make sense. Those damn slavers would have beaten or killed him by now if he was going to be beaten or killed. They would have put an end to his torment by tossing him into a pit or river without a care in the world.

So... What was happening? Was he going to be a slave of the SDC?

He had been exposed to horrifying tales of those consigned to that abyss. The idea of having to work for the rest of his life in that awful freezing pit made his stomach drop even further, and his mouth went completely dry. He would rather embrace the chill of death than be forced to bear such a calamity.

After what felt like an eternity, the car finally stopped, and all that could be heard was the rain. The young faunus managed to get himself seated along the holding cabin's wall, although this did little to ease his discomfort. In an attempt to hide the anxiety that had been building inside of him, he held his breath. The fox faunus could sense them entering and coming closer to him, even if he was unable to see who had opened the door so abruptly.

Preparing himself for the very worst, he was surprised to find the dirty rag being removed, revealing a white-haired woman with crimson eyes staring back at him with concern. His anxiety soon gave way to confusion as he watched her inspect his body for a moment before assisting him to his feet.

"Are you hurt?" her tone was both soothing and alarming. When he shook his head, she continued to check him until she was satisfied with her assessment. Soon, she proceeded to undo the ropes that held his ankles together. "Do you have a name, child?"

"My name's not child, lady!" he fired back defensively, expecting her to slap him.

"I figured. That's why I asked for your name," she calmly replied while trying to work on the knot. She finally managed to get the infernal restraint loose enough to remove it. "So, are you going to tell me, or would you prefer I call you 'kid'?"

"..." the fox whispered, humiliation washing his features.

"I shouldn't be surprised..."

"You would know that if you read the paperwork on me," he glowered at the woman.

"You'd be right..." she mused with a knowing grin. "...But I'm not comfortable with viewing what isn't mine."

What was this woman going on about? Aganju pondered this question as she untangled the coils that bound his wrists together. His muscles tensed up after feeling the ropes burn against his skin which the woman apologized for. For all he knew, this was just some madcap with no clue of how the slave market worked.

"What do you mean 'viewing what isn't yours'?" he finally asked, rubbing his sore wrists. The woman didn't say a word as she finally walked around him, that cocky grin emerging once more. She placed a hand on her hips as if waiting for him to figure things out. It only took a moment before his eyes grew in understanding. "Wait... you mean I'm not...?"

"...a slave anymore? You're finally getting it."

"But, why would you help me?" he crossed his arms as the woman began to make her way out of the truck. "You're a human and I'm a Faunus."

"My reasons are my own, ki- er... never mind. We need to leave before we're noticed. Come on!"

The fox boy hesitantly followed as the woman pulled her hood and hopped off the transport. When he mirrored her actions, the reason for her urgency became apparent as multiple bodies lay, motionless, and devoid of life. He cared little for their fates. They were a waste of life if one were to ask the child. Seeing so much bloodshed was common to him after all.

He chose to focus his attention back to his hooded liberator who motioned for him to follow her. Was she the one who killed them? If so, how did she accomplish such a task by herself? ...Without a weapon, no doubt?" It was all a mystery to him.

"Hurry, child! We must leave now if we want to avoid more trouble."

The child had no choice but to obey and follow her as quickly as his legs would allow. They hurried through the forest, exerting all of their might to get as far away from the crime scene as possible. Although the child made an effort to banish the vision of those lifeless shapes from his thoughts, a part of him appeared to like the sight. He had no love lost for individuals who engaged in such a terrible "vocation," but he did harbor a little amount of regret for what had become of those wicked spirits.

He heard a horrified voice in the distance, even though they were passing through what seemed like miles of trees. That did nothing but quicken his pace. Fearing that someone was right behind him, ready to drag him back to that horrible place, his heart and mind begged him to keep running behind the hooded woman. His terror made him want to somehow catch up to the older woman, and his tears started to sting.

He'd soon be past her and she'd grab him by the back of his collar. He screamed as expected, and a dark, purplish glow surrounded him, forcing the woman to drop him unintentionally into the muddy ground. Despite this, he didn't appear to care. His true feelings were finally showing through the calm exterior, but he was too preoccupied.

"Child, shush!" she hissed to no avail. He continued to shriek as everything inside his being rushed out like a floodgate. If this continued, someone would probably hear. That would lead to an investigation and thus, them being spotted and hunted down. "Please, boy... Stop crying. What's wrong with you?"

She inwardly cursed at her motherly tone but, she didn't care at the moment as she eyed the wailing boy.

"D-Don't take me! P-Please...!" he sobbed, his body naturally curling up into a ball.

She gave him a gentle shush, letting her instincts take over. His tense and shivering body responded to her delicately placing her hand on his back. Again, she did not back down. As an alternative, she gave the fragile soul a gentle stroke, observing as his convulsions gradually subsided. His ears splayed. His tail stopped moving. The violet glow around his frame soon vanished, leaving behind only a few sniffles as the last remnant of the outburst.

As he lay still in her arms, the woman couldn't resist the smile that tugged at her lips. He looked so peaceful now. She chose that moment to finally scoop up the little one, wiping off the traces of wet soil from his features before concealing him inside her cloak.

"There, there. It's okay, child..." she whispered in his ear affectionately.

He responded by unconsciously curling closer to her bosom, a tiny yawn escaping his lips. The woman pushed forward through the forest, by now her deed should have been discovered and the boy, as tiny and helpless as he was, would be the main culprit by default. She was grateful that the foolish huntsman carrying his slave documents had 'lost' it after his arm was dismembered.

She recalled the paralytic fear in his orbs just before they went blank.

Pathetic... she mentally snarled. Such monstrous nature for such a weakling.

As she was lost in thought, a black beast suddenly appeared before her, its sickly yellow eyes peering at her with curiosity. Though most people would have either fled or prepared to fight, the woman simply raised her hand to remove the cloak that concealed her face. At that moment, a break in the clouds allowed the moon's beams to illuminate the earth, revealing her ghostly white complexion.

"Do you not recognize your mistress?" she tilted her head with a challenging tone. As foreseen, the wolf-like creature bowed its head conceding to her dominance. She responded not in a scolding demeanor but, with a light pet to its bone-covered head as it shuddered in delight. "Very good. Stay vigilant and protect this passage at all costs, understand? If anyone comes, you drive them away."

It growled in arbitration.

Confidently, the woman strode forward and entered the dimly lit cave, waving her hand loosely as the opening soon disappeared behind her. She surveyed the cavern with ease as she traversed the length of the pathway within. Finally, she arrived at her destination: a simple two-story house with a front walkway made of smooth stone leading up to the front porch, which she approached with a sense of purpose.

"Home sweet home..." She let out a sigh, content that she'd finally made it to her homestead. It wasn't much in comparison to most, but it held value to her and that was all that mattered. However, now it wasn't the only thing that held such a distinction to her. Once more she peered within her cloak, noticing the sleeping faunus in her arms. He was far from a baby and yet, his actions made her heart melt nonetheless as she clung to her. So precious...

She felt a searing heat along his forehead as she leaned carefully in to brush some of the black tufts from his face. Despite not being a doctor, she understood what this meant. She hurried him inside and made sure not to shake him on her way to her room. She laid the boy on her bed and opened the dresser and bed, finding nothing special inside save a few mementos from her former life.

How long has he been in such a condition? she wondered worriedly.

As soon as she heard the commotion, she hurried down the stairs and returned with a bowl and a damp cloth, which she carefully placed on the nearby dresser. She gently wiped the boy's face as the rain started to pour on the roof of her humble abode. Throughout the night, the kind-hearted woman tended to the boy's wounds until she was certain that he was stable.

The little boy was getting ready to drift off to sleep while his devoted caregiver looked over him. Although some might find her appearance intimidating, she had a heart full of love and a gentle demeanor that had gone unnoticed for far too long. She had an abundance of affection to share and observed as the boy let out another yawn before snuggling deeper into his pillow.

"You are a strong one, child..." she cooed in his ear, grateful that the heat had begun to fade. "Much stronger than someone your age should ever have to be. I can't guarantee that I'll be around forever in your life, but, I can ensure that you're never alone. You've lost much in your short life but, you will gain so much more if you so desire. So, I will grant you a power that few have ever fathomed."

As she leaned closer to plant a gentle kiss on the boy's forehead, a soft glimmer of energy seemed to trail behind her touch. But all of a sudden, her serene expression twisted into a steely glare as she sensed a presence looming nearby. She knew it was the allies of the ones she had just eliminated, and her pet's energy confirmed their arrival. Casting one last look at the boy, she vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving the room in complete stillness, as he slept on, unaware of the turmoil that was to come.

The netherworld beast, in an attempt to repel the intruders, had just collapsed outside her barrier. Three slavers had caught up to the truck, only to discover that it was empty of their "cargo." Only one of them, who bore a striking resemblance to their brother-in-arms, was able to discern the trail after their fellows were destroyed. They were closing in on their "property" now.

"Alright, boys! Let's get that mutt and the bastard that stole him from us!" a tubby, gelatinous male with brown hair boasted to a chorus of cheers.

"I think not..." The trio quickly turned at the serene yet startling voice. Behind them stood a sickly pale woman with burning red irises surrounded by a blackened abyss.

"W-Who the hell a-are you, l-lady?!" a lanky and grimy man barked.

"My name is Salem. May I help you?"

The fat man stepped in front of his trembling brethren.

"I doubt that, toots. We're looking for some filthy faunus trash that was supposed to be delivered to a high-paying customer. However, someone seemed to have killed our buddies while they were transportin' him. You wouldn't happen to know where it went, would you?"

Salem simply chuckled at his inquiry.

"I believe I can be of assistance," she tilted her head slightly. "But only if you promise to leave my forest... immediately. Deal?"

"Deal! We'll be out of your hair as soon as you give us the information we seek about that worthless mutt."

Salem's left eye twitched, a clear sign of her annoyance. She wouldn't tolerate these humans speaking ill of another race, let alone a helpless child. Despite her anger, Salem made it clear that she wouldn't stand for such behavior. Even as thunder rumbled and lightning struck, she refused to back down. The rain pounded down, mirroring Salem's fierce determination.

"Very well. I am the one who took the boy." she readily replied.

"E-excuse me?"

"I also slaughtered your pitiful excuse for men!"

"Y-You bitch!"

"Now leave..."

"Give us our merchandise and we will."

Salem's eyes narrowed. "Are you dishonoring our agreement? You agreed to leave my land if I gave you the information you sought. I would hate for something bad to happen should you prove yourself dishonest."

The men didn't take too kindly to her arrogant tone. Sure, she was a looker but, that wasn't enough to warrant such a level of pride. She was truly in over her head as they had the numbers game in their favor as did the fact that she was unarmed. She simply looked at them quizzically, resting her hand against her palm.

"How about a new deal?" the rotund man calmly offered. "You give us the mangy animal and nobody gets hurt?"

Salem thought on that 'tempting' proposal, tapping her chin rather dramatically.

"Here's my counteroffer... The three of you leave my forest WITHOUT the child/ If this doesn't suit you, I would gladly feed your remains to my precious pets. They've been craving human flesh for quite some time."

"You've got a lot of nerve!" the skinny male hurried at her discharging his rifle numerous times in a fit of rage.

His efforts would be in vain because every shot he attempted in front of the woman appeared to stop in midair, causing his jaw to drop. With a flick of her wrist, Salem threw back the barrage of bullets that had been hitting the man, shattering his aura to pieces. She then reached out and created a black force sphere in front of her.

Her impending attack was briefly interrupted when the other two joined the fray. It was clear that they hadn't learned from their comrade's foolish actions. The woman paid them no mind as she focused the attack on them instead. The speed of it was too much for them to avoid, forcing them to endure the unbridled agony that coursed through their forms. Not even their auras could withstand the power as their skin began to rip apart.

The flesh was peeled away like parchment. Nearly all of their muscles rived. Their cries turned to desperate gasps, and then blood flowed like water until they fell limp to the damp ground below. Salem's resentful gaze shifted to the scrawny punk who was struggling to get back on his feet as she watched their agony gradually pass.

"W-What did you do, you monster?!" he cried out in horror. His unruly name made her recall the faunus who rested in her bed.

Raising her hand, a pool of black goop began to emerge behind the remaining assailant, signaling her weariness with such irrelevancy.

The creatures of Grimm began to emerge, three beowolfs eager and hungry for the first meal of their existence. The dead remains were the first to be gorged as the demonic creatures began to fight over who'd get the first bite. Meanwhile, the still-living male slowly shuffled silently away. His breath was surprisingly still as he saw his friends' bodies disappear between the teeth of the beasts.

His escape attempts were thwarted as he backed into a third Beowulf. Sweat fell down his temple, though the rain hid it well. His heart skipped. His limbs trembled as he clenched his eyes shut in hopes that this was all a bad dream. "It's not happening... This is not happening..." he whimpered over and over again. His only response was the hot breath of the vicious soulless creature on the back of his neck.

"You miserable wretches are so pitiful, it's nauseating..." Salem broke his mental chanting. "If you'd only honored our agreement, you would've been free to go back to your feeble excuses for lives. Instead, you all chose to go back on your end after I fulfilled my side."

"Please... Please! I'm sorry!"

"Where I come from, those who do keep their words..."

"PLEASE!"

His useless cries for mercy were ignored by the monstrosity before it devoured him as well, his agonized screams muffled by the thunderous rumblings overhead. When her animals had had enough, the otherworldly woman left and wandered the area in search of more food to satisfy their appetites. Salem's thoughts were again focused on the young person, regardless of how wet she was from the elements.

"Dear boy, you will survive this illness... You will survive all of the pain and torment you endured before our meeting. You have been damaged by a world that deemed you as insignificant, but I will change that. I will care for you. I will protect you until you can defend yourself. I will teach you where they failed you. You are not worthless; I deem you worthy. You are not a slave; freedom is yours to take. I will train and nurture you for you as you embark on your journey toward your destiny. You had no name when we first met, so I shall bestow upon you."

Salem smiled brightly returning through the dark entryway. Though she'd only known him for less than a day, the witch felt like she knew him all her life, as if his presence was the missing piece to her heart. She would need more time to contemplate this weird feeling if she desired to. For now, she needed to return and ensure that the pup was still resting soundly.

Little did she know, an outside force was nearby, watching from the shadows. Shining Silver watched the woman depart into the abyssal tunnel with a grin before reaching into his pocket. Esu Dragnus flipped through the various pages, stopping on a particular page. With a knowing chuckle, the dragon faunus turned to leave through a rift he conjured, sparing a glance over his shoulder.

"Welcome to your new chapter, leader."

The morning was just as it had been many days before in Mistral.

This was no truer than for the Nikos homestead, most notably a certain red-head. While most would be enjoying the dawn of a new day snuggled under warm blankets, the tall girl would find herself greeting the dawn aboard a common coach. Seated along with other civilians, she eyes the

Pyrrha Nikos was her name, the only daughter of the famed King Ares and his queen, Rhea Nikos.

Standing at 6'0", she was by no means considered a 'delicate flower'. While most royal girls were content with wearing dresses and looking their finest for eligible suitors, Pyrrha was the happiest when she was on the battlefield and studying the art of combat.

However, her father saw things differently.

In his eyes, Pyrrha was to be married to a proper suitor who would make her a happy bride. To make matters worse, her mother didn't help by remaining passive whenever the two would argue about the subject. That was not the life she wanted; it wasn't who Pyrrha was. That was why was on a coach on its way to Vale, away from her family and their gaudy expectations.

If that wasn't enough, she loathed the idea of the suitor chosen for her.

She recalled that his name was Cardin, heir to the Winchester fortune. He was as arrogant as they come, a trait that the princess truly detested. Princess. Using that title felt so... off now. She never really cared for trivial things. She preferred to forge her path, even if that meant leaving her cushy life behind, and after another 'misunderstanding' with her father, Pyrrha had made up her mind.

***Several Days Prior***

While most would be enjoying the dawn of a new day snuggled under warm blankets, the tall girl would find herself greeting the day with an early morning workout. Her morning routine consisted of meditation, stretches, and sparring with the guards that protected the grounds.

Her strength and combat prowess were matched by few, making things difficult in terms of improvement.

The only person who'd been capable of challenging her during her years of growth was the king himself. Considering he was deemed the strongest warrior throughout Argus and most of Mistral there was no doubt that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Unfortunately, Pyrrha was forced to share her training with the less than stimulating soldiers, many of whom were either in awe or fear of her abilities, grievously impeding her growth as a fighter.

Even now, she effortlessly dispatched a group of five fighters, using her weapons, Miló & Akoúo̱ to establish a near-flawless offensive and defensive combination. She stood at the ready, green eyes focused on the opposition as they charged in one by one. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at such a novice move by members of the Atlesian/Mistralian military ranks as she spun on her heels, pivoting around the clumsy oaf.

Amateur... she mutely lamented before leaping over the second guard who thought it smart to attack her while she was preoccupied. He received a shot to the back of the neck for his troubles, knocking him out.

The three remaining sparring partners exchanged looks of concern before lunging at the girl at the same time.

This did little to intimidate the spartan warrior as she ducked under a double swipe sweeping one off of her feet and sending her crashing into the mat with a hard thud. Still spinning, Pyrrha used the momentum to smash her shield into the gut of the young man. She followed up with a knee to his head.

Pyrrha turned her attention to the final enemy, finding herself narrowly avoiding her wild slashes with ease. She ducked and dodged each telegraphed swing. When she spotted an opening, she leaned back from a horizontal slash that could've removed her head from her shoulders; we'll if the attack had connected, then it could have. The soldier overextended herself, leaning too far forward. This allowed Pyrrha to slip her heel behind the woman's foot. With her leverage solidified, Pyrrha allowed her face to express her victory, a simple smirk adorning her lips. She pushed off her back foot into a backflip that connected with her opponent's jaw.

The sound of her pained cries reverberated against the walls of the training room as her conquerer stood triumphant.

At least I've had my cardio for the day... She mused with a giggle, approaching the defeated. She extended her hand to each of the fallen with a warm smile. "I'm sorry! I hope I didn't hurt you."

"Think nothing of it. I believe the only thing wounded is our pride..." the leader of the group replied with a humbled chuckle.

"I'm truly sorry!" Pyrrha gasped in shock, erasing her formerly confident demeanor.

"It's quite alright, m'lady!" they recited in unison, reigniting the subtle annoyance once again. "We will gladly take any blow to protect the Nikos household!"

"I-I assure you that won't be necessary!"

"Nonsense dear!" A gruff yet lively timbre broke up the girl's objections. Everyone turned around, spotting the owner of the voice standing in the doorway of the facility. "They must protect our family!"

Pyrrha averted her gaze from her father, his towering stature cast a shadow over her. He was truly an imposing figure, with eyes like glowing amber. His greying mahogany hair was slicked back, giving him a regal appearance. His burly frame was currently embellished in a pure white suit, only the finest silk along his body.

"Good morning, Father," she bowed politely. "I apologize if I was interrupting you with my training."

"It's quite alright, dear. I was looking for you..." Seeing his daughter's frown of confusion, he resumed. "I'm having a meeting with a few partners concerning maintaining our borders, one of them may prove interesting to you."

Pyrrha knew what this meant and she visibly grimaced at the impending idea.

"Father..."

"All I ask is that you meet the young man. He's the pinnacle of strength and would prove to be a wonderful chance for a potential suitor. Brothers know that you're of proper marrying age now."

"I'm only 17..." she deadpanned.

"You're only a month away from being 18, Pyrrha. It's time you start thinking about your future. What if something were to happen to me and your mother? I would want you to be taken care of."

Pyrrha wasn't buying the faux pleas of the patriarch.

She knew from experience that there were few in this world capable of even getting close enough to harm the high-ranking officer, let alone coming close to defeating him. This was just another ploy of his to break down her resolve for his own goals. Still, this stalemate wouldn't do either of them any good if it persisted. So, with a heavy exhalation, Pyrrha yielded her guard.

"Very well..."

"That's my girl!" his big smile returned with earnest. "I've arranged for a meeting with him in a few days and I'm sure he and his family will be delighted to meet the 'Invincible Princess', Pyrrha Nikos."

Valentin leaned in, pressing his lips onto the girl's forehead before leaving, missing the disgruntled shudder as he left the room.

***Present Day***

"I am truly sorry, father..." she wiped away a stray tear, picturing the worried faces of both her parents. "I can't let my destiny be decided by someone else."

After a few more moments of lamenting, Pyrrha took a deep breath before adjusting her hood. With her identity concealed, she continued to peer out the window as the sun continued its ascent. In her mind, no amount of guilt would make her go back to a life of co-dependency.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be nearing the south harbor in 20 minutes."