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:
Chapter 13: Lighting the Fuse-1
A smaller, more honest soul. A simple spark can indeed ignite hope, breathing fire into the hearts of the weary. The ability to derive strength from hope is undoubtedly mankind's greatest attribute... which is why I will focus all of my power to snuff it out.
How does it feel? Knowing that all of your time and effort has been for nothing? That your guardians have failed you? That everything you've built will be torn down before your very eyes?
Your faith in mankind was not misplaced. When banded together, unified by a common enemy, they are a noticeable threat. But divide them, place doubt into their minds, and any semblance of power they once had will wash away.
Of course, they won't realize it at first. Like you, they'll cling to their fleeting hope, their aspirations. But this is merely the first move. So you send your guardians. Your huntsmen and huntresses. And when they fail and you turn to your smaller soul, know that you send her to the same pitiful demise. This is the beginning of the end, Ozpin. And I can't wait to watch you burn.
[Months Later]
The Land of Darkness is a barren and lifeless place, marked by its rough and uneven landscape and towering purple crystals that protrude from the ground. The sky above is an unsettling shade of crimson that envelops the entire area for miles on end. On the ground, one can see pools of thick, tar-like substance that spawn countless hordes of Grimm creatures. Amidst this eerie and foreboding landscape stands a castle that seems to mirror the purples, violets, and shadows of its surroundings, blending almost completely into the dark and sinister atmosphere.
Mercury and Emerald stared in horror as the horrible animals crawled out of the goop and began their one-track trek from within Evernight Castle. Their inspection was cut short as a raven-haired woman snapped her fingers, summoning the couple to her side. They complied with the demand, encountering a frustrated Cinder who looked different than she had many months before.
Her thick black hair had been cut to just over shoulder length, with the majority of it covering the left side of her face, particularly her eye. Where she earlier wore a stunning dark-red, off-the-shoulders, v-neck tiny dress with yellow motifs, she now donned a long, dark red dress with one long, wide sleeve obscuring her left arm. Behind her hair, she had a glass mask over her left eye, indicating that she was concealing something for some purpose; possibly a serious injury.
Even still, she maintained her calm demeanor as she sat at a large table in the conference room, surrounded by three other gentlemen. One was a hulking man with a beard and brown hair, napping on the other end. On her right, another male with long black hair tied in a high scorpion's tail squatted in his chair, grinning rather creepily from time to time.
Then there was the dapper gentleman across from her.
"Hmm... Yes. Please keep your... posse in check." The mustached man eloquently warned, amused when the silver-haired boy started toward him only to be halted by the girl. Their names he cared not for as he chuckled to himself. As Cinder eyed her charge, he noticed something that brought him even more delight. "You hear that? Silence. I have half a mind to thank the brats that bested you."
"If I were you, I'd hunt them down," the squatting male added. "...find them, and... well... she took your eye, didn't she?"
Cinder felt a sense of affliction as she looked at the man's unsettling grin. It reminded her of the person who she associated with failure. She couldn't bring herself to speak but attempted to convey her feelings through narrowed eyes. The man responded with a maniacal giggle, which didn't help the situation. Trying to remain composed, she decided to whisper her thoughts to Emerald.
"Pathetic. Why did you even-?"
The verbal tirade would come to a halt as the doors creaked open, silencing the room.
Everyone stood at attention, a sign of respect as a woman in a black robe dragged behind her as she entered. Her appearance would be the stuff of children's nightmares at first glance, with deathly pallor skin, jet-black sclerae in her eyes, and glowing crimson irises. Her bleach-white hair was tied in a half-bun with six offshoots wrapped together, suspending several obsidian-colored ornaments. Her face was lined with dark purple veins, and a black diamond-shaped mark sat in the center of her forehead. All she needed was a distorted and disturbing lullaby to complete the ambiance for the fear she commanded.
The woman strolls to the opposite end of the space and peers out of one of the numerous windows enclosing her and the others.
"Watts?" her calm and motherly voice drew the gentleman's attention before motioning them to be seated. "Do you find such malignance necessary?"
"I apologize ma'am. I'm not particularly fond of failure."
"Then I see no reason for your cruelty towards young Cinder." she sat down with a patient gaze before a tiny smile began to appear. "She's become our Fall Maiden, destroyed Beacon Tower, and most importantly... killed dear Ozpin. So, I'm curious. To what failures are you referring?"
Arthur Watts cleared his throat. "Well, the girl with the silver eyes..."
"Yes," a deep yet surly voice chimed in. "We've dealt with their kind before. How is it a novice was able to best one of us?"
"My thoughts exactly. Even without her new power, it should have been effortless."
"It is because of the Maiden's power." the pale matriarch interrupted, directing her attention to the silent woman. "Make no mistake, Cinder, you hold the key to our victory. But your newfound strength brings with it a crippling weakness. Which is why you'll remain by my side as we continue your treatment."
Cinder wanted nothing more than to dispute this, but without the ability to speak, she could only grimace at the defenseless table.
"Dr. Watts. You are to take Cinder's place and meet with our informant in Mistral."
He nodded in agreement. "Very good."
"Tyrian," she shifted her attention to the squatting man next to her. "I want you to continue your hunt for the Spring Maiden."
"Gladly."
"Hazel? I'm sending you to the leader of the White Fang. Adam Taurus has arranged the meeting; the boy continues to prove loyal. Ensure that Sienna Khan feels the same."
The burly man nodded. "As you wish."
Before the meeting could conclude, Cinder motioned for Emerald to come closer, causing Watts to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. When she finished whispering, the ghost-skinned woman took notice as well.
"Speak child."
"She wants to know..." Emerald's eyes averted to her haven before returning to the woman. "...what about the two?"
"What about them? It seems that this is Cinder's problem, not ours."
Cinder slammed her fist on the table only to be met with the smug grin of her verbal tormentor.
"That's enough..."
The leader put an end to the argument by raising her hand. She recognized that the various personalities residing in Cinder's mind needed to be addressed for her to fully recover. A sense of unease crept over her as she contemplated a potential resolution.
"Tyrian?"
"Yes, my lady?"
"Spring can wait. Find the girl that did this to Cinder," He erupted in a fit of deranged giggles as he clapped giddily for his new assignment. "...and bring her to me."
His excitement soon morphed into an annoyed frown, then to disappointment, like a child being told they wouldn't receive dessert before finally settling on an understanding grin of compliance.
"Because of your efforts, Beacon has fallen..." she addressed the group. "...and Haven will be next."
The meeting came to an end with that. Everyone rose to their feet and prepared to begin the missions they had been given. Tyrian, however, couldn't help but take one final shot at Cinder. She finally realized Tyrian was mockingly pointing to his left eye as she got ready to leave when she heard his soft chuckles directed at her.
"Eye for an eye!" he tittered uncontrollably, soon exploding into an all-out cackle that echoed throughout the room as he slid down in his seat.
Months after arriving at her home, a certain blond bombshell had recuperated physically from her wounds on Patch Island. The same couldn't be said for her internally. Between her damaged pride and broken ego, she'd become a shell of her former self. The attack from Adam left her missing her right arm; It was a constant reminder of how fragile one's confidence truly was. Add to the fact that her baby sister left after weeks of trying to communicate with her, and Yang Xiao-Long was no longer the sunny dragon of Patch.
She was currently sitting on the couch, boredom taking its toll on the blond girl as she turned through several channels in an attempt to lift her spirits. To make matters worse, she would find herself repeatedly drawn to a little stack of books, which reminded her of her favorite friend, Blake, who had run away shortly after they had arrived safely in Vale.
At least television would take her focus off of the cat-girl.
Right?
"Try as they might, the local huntsman and huntresses can't seem to get a hold of the situation at Beacon Academy." a deep-voiced male announced.
*click*
"Though the fail-safes have supported wireless communication within the kingdom, the laws of CCT tower continue to prevent constant communication with the outside world. Talks with Atlas officials regarding repairs have so far-"
*click*
The same depressing broadcasts about the chaos between the kingdoms appeared on more and more channels, reminding Yang of the one word she felt was permanently inked on her forehead at this point: failure. She kept flipping through the channels until one report snapped her negative mood, but not for the better. It didn't matter that the reporter's words were misinterpreted in her ears; it was the text that made her eyes widen in horror.
White Fang Member, Adam Taurus Present During Beacon Grimm Attack.
Shivers ran down her spine as she looked at the image of the man who had taken her arm, but it was more than that. Adam Taurus had stolen her pride. Yang was already frail after being accused of committing a vicious attack on Mercury Black's leg, but otherwise, she considered herself carefree and nearly untouchable.
Now?
As terrified as a wounded animal, Yang wound up fixated on the television. It seemed as though the faceless, expressionless photograph was gazing back into her soul and silently celebrating the crime committed. Until... somehow, she broke the spell and turned off the television, her left arm trembled like a leaf in the wind, unable to contain the quantity of fear slithering around her spirit.
"Knock knock!"
The sound of Tai-Yang Xiao-Long, her father, filled her ears. She leaned back over the sofa and looked at the upside-down image of her father and the person standing behind him. As they entered the homestead, they each had a good number of boxes in their arms.
"Hey, Dad. Sup, Roxie." she stoically answered.
"Guess what came in today!" her father eagerly announced as the two placed the parcels and bags in the kitchen area, arousing Yang's interest.
"What?"
"We can't wait for you to try this...!"
Roxanne was ecstatic when Tai returned and laid the package on the table. Yang hesitated before opening the box as she regarded the pair. Inside, she noticed a silver appendage shining from the stray beams of sunlight. Although it was stunning, it simply served as a more glaring reminder of what she had lost, which was already gnawing at her gut.
"For me?"
"I thought I'd have to pull some strings but, you earned this all on your own."
"General Ironwood said he was so proud of what you did at Beacon. This is brand new, state-of-the-art, Atlas tech!" Roxanne gushed while eyeing the arm.
"Go on! Try it on!"
Words failed Yang. Even though she had two individuals who cared for her, her heart remained empty. The object brought down from the country of Atlas certainly piqued her interest to the point of obsession. To free her from the shadows that bothered her, though, it was insufficient.
"Maybe later..."
Two words.
Even though there were only two words spoken, Tai and Roxanne could feel the weight of silent cries reverberating throughout the living room as they watched the once-bright dragon slowly slither away. The two felt increasingly powerless as she moved forward, as did she.
Before going upstairs, she paused to say thanks to them and expressed her satisfaction with diverting her attention from her daily tasks now and again. The upper deck was swept. Obtaining mail. Yang could achieve things despite the loss of her right limb; nothing could stop her. Her stoic façade finally crumbled, though, and the reality set in when she decided to do the dishes. Yang placed down a glass as she felt a jolt of shaking go across her left arm.
Yang dropped the glass because she couldn't grasp her unsteady limb. She stumbled back onto the counter as Adam Taurus' face flooded her mind as it shattered on the tiled floor, causing her to instantly worry. Steps poured into her ears as wide eyes stared forth in a panic-induced daze.
"Yang?!"
Fear-filled purple eyes peered over at the kitchen door. There, a horrified Roxanne turned to face her distraught buddy before rushing to her side.
"I-I'm good..."
Even though it was a lie, what else could she do? Yang wasn't anything if not powerful. She had a reputation for being one of the toughest pupils. Now? Without a better expression, she felt helpless and weak. She felt like a child who couldn't do anything for herself. Her heart and head were insisting that she do this.
This was communicated to Roxanne by her terrified partner, which led her to extend her arms to Yang. Although that wasn't typically her approach, this was an unconventional situation.
"Come on. Bring it in, Hun..."
Sadly, Yang just turned around and left, leaving Roxanne feeling defeated and, unbeknownst to her, a secret Tai-Yang Xiao Long. She left the room, and when he entered the kitchen, Roxanne was gazing back at him in pain. Understanding and compassion were present in his eyes. He discreetly thanked the girl for her effort while flashing a sweet grin.
"I'll clean this up and start on dinner," he said. "I'll call you when it's ready."
"Thanks, Mr. Xiao Long."
"HAAA!" the battle cry of a young male rang as he brought Cerberus down, stabbing the Beowolf's head until it crumbled into ash. He looked up from his spot, swiping up and hitting another with the blunt side of the weapon. "How are you two holding up on your end?"
His ears filled with the clamor of gunfire and grunts as a young woman with scarlet hair fought against a few Beowolfs by herself. She crashed into the beast's torso before tearing through it with her shield as her weapon changed back into a spear.
"I'm fine. Lookout on your right!"
To Aganju's right, a fellow warrior bellowed with equal determination, wielding a whip called Nine Tails with ferocity to strike down their enemies. Her gravity Dust-infused weapon emanated a purple aura, adding significant force to each blow and showcasing her unparalleled skill. With her aid, the group was able to fend off the beasts and emerge victorious. Aganju couldn't help but feel invigorated and awed by Ciel's impressive mastery of her new arm. Without her, the battle would have taken a disastrous turn.
The latter would be explained when she continued to slash at an Ursa Minor, a dark grin adorning her face and making her almost unrecognizable. The vulpine couldn't blame her for this as it was his blood that contributed to this. Like him, Ciel Soleil was subject to spells of aggression now, though his moments were far more manageable. All they could do was wait, her relentless assault persisting while the creature wailed in distress until it finally vanished in a black mist.
With their defeat, green eyes closed before she let out a sigh of bliss. When she turned to her compatriots, her cerulean orbs blinked at their knowing grins with faux annoyance.
"What?"
Grinning, Aganju shook his head as he approached her.
"Showing off again, Ciel?"
Pyrrha simply giggled at his playful remark, even more so when the smaller girl matched her sentiment.
"It's only showing off if you have something to prove," she quipped back, her amusement growing by the second. "Besides, It beats having to see you two make lovey-dovey eyes at each other while our lives are on the line, brother!"
It's been a few months since their recoveries, and a lot has happened since then. Ciel and Aganju have formed a deep bond as siblings after the transfusion, providing each other with a much-needed sense of family. As both of them are faunus, they felt an innate responsibility and desire to assist each other in navigating the challenges associated with being who they are and facing persecution.
As for Pyrrha, her story was very simple.
She and Aganju kept their word by allowing Ciel to join them given that they were without a squad. Of course, The newest team member had reservations about their... connection. Even with the freedom to express themselves, neither was brave enough to breach that boundary. Could it have been the previous events? In any case, their interactions would be limited to exchanging looks and lighthearted remarks about one another's skills.
However, the largest shift came with their lives as a whole. After much debate, Glynda was forced to hold off on reopening the school due to the repairs being much more extensive than she'd hoped. This meant that even with the trio healed and ready for action, they would probably have to transfer to Haven or Shade for a semester, at least, before the Academy would be running again.
This wound up being the catalyst for their journey now.
Rather than take the offer to join Team's CFVY or SSSN, Pyrrha, Aganju, and Ciel felt they were needed for a greater purpose. Despite the headmistress' hesitation, it was Amelia who vouched for them, citing their knowledge of both Vale and Atlas' secrets. With what they knew, the idea of them remaining as simply students was outrageous.
So, she told them everything...
Now, they managed to make a decent living after landing on the shores of Anima and finding work as freelance Grimm hunters. Even now, they were on the cusp of a decent payday once they returned to the village. After confirming that all of the monsters were taken care of, they left down the forest trail leading to a nearby village where the people looked on at the in-training huntsmen. Eventually, they were greeted by the chieftain of the village, a lanky falcon Faunus, who greeted them with a full smile.
"You've returned! We prayed that the task wasn't too much to handle!"
"It was no problem, sir!" Aganju playfully waved off the man's worry. "For now, you and your village shouldn't have to worry about them bothering you or the villagers for a good while."
"That is truly a relief to hear," the avian nodded. "I trust that our earlier terms are still satisfactory?"
"Of course! We're happy to help."
Aganju agreed with Pyrrha and took their money before motioning to leave. The chief offered to put them up for the night, but they politely turned it down and proceeded on their trek. The two found themselves periodically consulting the map as they continued down the route as the day wore on, leading the third member to ponder.
"So, why didn't we take the Chief's offer again?"
"Because we've spent the entire morning taking down those Beowolf and we should cover some ground before considering a place to rest. Besides, we should reach a town by nightfall if we stay on this path. Our teachers gave us until the school year starts up again to reach Haven."
Though her feet ached, Ciel couldn't deny the validity of her sibling's remarks. They had a mission and time was not on their side, especially with how long it took to get here in the first place.
"Fair enough..." she groaned, tying her hair into a short ponytail.
Their lives had undergone a significant transformation, and along with it, their physical appearances had changed too. Ciel had allowed her hair to grow to a medium length, symbolizing her transition from a submissive agent of Atlas to a liberated individual with a free spirit. She retained her signature beret, but her outfit had undergone a makeover, featuring longer arm sleeves and leggings under her blue skirt. Her white shirt was now sleeveless and fitted, hugging her body. Additionally, she had to adjust to a new weapon after her previous one was confiscated by Atlas authorities.
Though she was nowhere near mastering it, the weapon she wielded was a snake sword whip that utilized both Dust and aura to enhance its combat abilities.
Pyrrha considered a new hairstyle but ultimately opted for an undercut in the back. She updated her outfit with a modern touch, donning a matching jacket that complemented her bronze chest plate. Longer grieves and armored sleeves/gauntlets were added to protect potential blind spots, thanks to her healed Achilles. However, the most treasured item was her damaged scarf. Despite contemplating getting rid of it after her fight with Jaune, she stood proudly with it wrapped around her neck and waist as a sash.
Aganju had convinced her to keep it, having secretly gotten it sewn with extra material.
There was a fox who had a unique sense of style. He donned a violet tailcoat over a black sleeveless compression shirt, paired with dark grey joggers that ended at his knees. His feet were comfortable in black sandals that extended up to his calves. Instead of his once spiky hair, he had woven thick tendrils that were tied in a wolf's tail. He had a burn on his right eye and purple tendril patterns on his right arm, and while no one knew where they came from, Aganju didn't seem to mind. He mentioned that they looked like glowing veins under certain circumstances.
"Trust me, we'll have plenty to eat when we arrive."
"So, where are we going anyway?" Aganju inquired, dropping his earlier mature demeanor now.
"The town of Shion..." Pyrrha pointed to the chart. "It's best known for its diverse array of people, culture, cuisine-."
"Cuisine? Then what are we waiting for? Let's get to Shion!"
The hungry Aganju led the amused and cheerful girls down the dirt path, eager to reach their next destination. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes observed the threesome before sinking back deeper into the depths of the forest. Intrigue and contemplation blended in their head, as the seconds rolled by.
Could it be...?
Raven Branwen.
Leader of the Branwen tribe.
The former member of team STRQ.
Sister to Qrow Branwen.
Regardless of the name one gave her, the woman only cared about one thing. She would happily infiltrate into your innermost soul if you didn't hold her in high esteem or with terror. It was her way; the way of those deemed powerful consuming the helpless.
"Devour..." she whispered in a perilous voice. "Seems appropriate."
The pale woman's thoughts were always racing with plans for further lootings as she sat in her tent inspecting the wealth from earlier raids. One would think she would be happy given her status as one of Anima's biggest threats, but she had the uneasy feeling that something wasn't quite right. A few days had passed since that evening, but she was still plagued by the feeling that something was closing in on her. It must have been paranoia taking hold, right?
This isn't how a strong leader should feel...
Raven was startled to hear her portal appear within her tent as she grits her teeth. When she turned, a young woman with short brown hair who was clad in what appeared to be a beast's hide and fur was the one to step out of the doorway. She had an unremarkable appearance, with her stunning azure eyes being the only thing that stood out.
"You signaled sooner than expected," the pale woman raised a brow. "Is everything alright Vernal?"
"Yes... I left a scout near the village. There's a shipment of lien and goods that should be arriving there by dusk. The best time to strike would be just after the moon is high in the sky if only to avoid any Haven soldiers that might double back."
Raven nodded her approval at the news. However, something about her posture left a foul taste in the swordswoman's mouth. With keen eyes, she noticed the slightest shift in her subordinate's stature, leading her to inquire.
"There's something on your mind, Vernal?"
"I...! I..."
"Spit it out." Raven's tone dropped, signaling her already low patience.
Vernal flinched but forced herself to remain strong under the cold gaze of her leader. To be in the presence of someone as powerful as Raven Branwen was already a task, yet, for the young bandit, the impact of her majesty was, sometimes, more than her second-in-command could handle.
"I... found someone heading in the direction of Shion..."
"I couldn't care less about some hapless travelers," Raven waved off, grabbing a sharpening stone to prepare her blade, Omen. "As far as I'm concerned, if they're passing through, then they'll get to live another day. If they're stupid enough to remain there tonight, then perhaps the brothers need them in the life beyond. If you're going soft, you could always sit this one out."
Vernal chewed her lip so hard that she threatened to spit blood. Her body shuddered as if she'd been in an ice bath, in stark contrast to the heat outdoors.
"I think I saw him!"
Confused, Raven ceased her sharpening and once again gave the woman her undivided attention. Her crimson orbs danced with curiosity and frustration as her lieutenant fought to keep her composure. Her outburst caused the preparations outside to slow down and the last thing either of them needed was for the tribe to get cold feet before a job.
"What are you talking about, Vernal? Who?"
"Years ago, when you first brought me into the tribe, I remember a woman; She had silver eyes," The mention of such a trait was surely an eye-opener. "Back then, I remember her coming to the tribe with a young faunus. He was helpless and scared. But, in his eyes, there was a fiery hatred that burned brightly.
"Vernal..."
"He wasn't like most faunus, though... He had two traits instead of one; With ears and a tail like a fox. We used to train together until a mission happened and..."
"You're delusional!"
Raven shocked herself and Vernal with her startling shout. She was usually cool under pressure, but after hearing about this woman, she displayed nervousness.
"Ma'am?"
"I don't have time for your fairytales! You should be focused on the mission tonight. Unless you have something more to report about the target, I suggest you get prepared for tonight."
"Yes... Yes ma'am!"
The brunette bowed out of respect before exiting the tent. Left with her thoughts, the leader of the Branwen tribe sat deep in thought, letting the words of her subordinate permeate her mind. While she managed to convince Vernal that this was nothing worthy of apprehension, it would take more to persuade herself of such a notion.
A silver-eyed woman...
A faunus with burning eyes and two traits?
As she felt a sense of familiarity, she was filled with dread. Even though she was a prideful moment, the discomfort in her stomach was more pressing. Fortunately, the rest of her tribe was unaware of her unease, except for Vernal. Based on the way he was described, Raven was certain that the brothers were taunting her for her past mistakes. As the leader of the tribe, he should not display any weakness. Raven quickly armed herself and rallied her troops.
"It's time."
As the moon shined bright over the town of Shion, the trio walked through the streets in search of a place to spend the night. Feet aching and stomachs growling, the pair were desperate for something to eat. After months passed since their departure from Vale, thankfully, their quest reaped results as they found an inn to rest their weary bodies.
Unfortunately...
"What do you mean we're not welcome?" Pyrrha calmly inquired.
The innkeeper turned an iniquitous scowl toward the two faunus; Evidently, she'd get a cold glare from the male in return but it didn't matter. Nothing they said or did would change the mind of the innkeeper as she crossed her arms defiantly. Ciel's ears splayed while she inched closer to her big brother.
"Can you not read the sign?" she pointed at a dingy white paper hanging lazily against the wall that read: No Faunus. "We don't take their kind and if you're with them, then you're not welcome either!"
The venomous conviction oozing from the tattooed woman threatened to invoke a reaction from Pyrrha Nikos that was thankfully halted when the young woman felt a hand pulling her arm. Aganju flashed a forced smile that urged her to drop the situation before things escalated. Such an unfriendly place was a haven for trouble if one wasn't careful, a fact that he knew all too well.
"I can't believe that woman!" Pyrrha huffed. "How can people be so ignorant and full of contempt?!"
"Tis the way of the world..."
"I heard stories about the plight of the faunus," Ciel rubbed her arm. "I thought Atlas was bad, but to experience it up close and personal is an entirely new feeling..."
"Atlas is known for exploiting the faunus through harsh labor and laws designed to keep our kind oppressed while playing it off as advancements for us. Haven is more open with their heinous racism. It depends on where we go, but places like this are nothing compared to the bigger towns."
"It's still unfair! I don't see how you're so calm about this...!"
Shrugging, Aganju turned and smiled at his closest confidant.
Pyrrha was taken aback when the fox left without saying anything about the situation, leaving her expecting some sort of response. They went to a nearby store for resupplying, but after feeling a similar atmosphere from other vendors, they had to settle on camping out for the night.
Aganju, Ciel, and Pyrrha sat silently around their campfire, eating their rations and using the flames as their primary source of light and warmth. The night was uneventful until a piercing shriek shattered the calmness. The shriek was followed by more screams, creating an atmosphere of terror and despair - the kind that signaled the arrival of an inevitable entity.
Grimm.
Grabbing their weapons, the two raced back to the borough leaving their campsite open for possible looters... or bandits.
When they arrived, the destruction was far worse than they could've imagined. What once was a reputable town teeming with markets and self-sustaining vendors had now transformed into a chaotic stage of blaze-coated homes and structures encompassed by an ensemble of hysterical wails and pleas for help.
"What happened?" the shorter faunus watched in horror at the ominous uproar unfolding.
"I don't know, but we need to make sure the townspeople get to safety!"
They nodded in agreement and flashed a look that told the other to 'be careful' before dividing off to check the damage. While dodging the traffic of terrified citizens, sure enough, the image of ravenous monstrosities of all shapes and forms revealed themselves. Decimating anything in their path, it seemed that the only people around were already departed.
As heartbreaking and awful as things appeared, Aganju kept his focus on the mission at hand. Keeping hidden when needed, his eyes scoured the flaming area for anything or anyone that might've been left behind. His ears twitched when he heard a muffled cry in the distance. He recognized the voice, rushing forward to reach the source.
He drew Cerberus and began slashing and hacking at any Grimm unfortunate to find themself in his path. He didn't care how many there were. All that mattered to him was making sure that he reached the person in danger.
When he arrived, he found the image of the tattooed innkeeper who was trying to crawl away from a pack of Beowolf that began to surround her.
Gone was the self-righteous woman, replaced now by a cowering shell of that former arrogance. The snarling beasts licked their lips at their prey as tears ran down her face. The only thing that even afforded her the last few seconds of life was the fact the Grimm would shove one another aside to get the first bite.
However, this would soon give way to the need and hunger for human flesh, prompting the woman to turtle up when the three monsters lunged at her. As she squealed in terror, the expected end appeared... delayed?
"Get up!"
The woman cautiously opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that she was shrouded by someone's shadow. Upon closer inspection, she noticed a black vulpine tail swaying behind a rather tall figure. That figure managed to push back one of the Beowolfs and swipe his sword to hold the other two off for the time being.
"It's... you?"
"Do you want to live or do you want to judge?!" he asked, not taking his eyes off of the growling creatures.
"Y-Yes..." she responded meekly.
"THEN RUN!"
The woman nodded and scurried away, freeing up the faunus to activate his power.
If there were other survivors, he had to act fast. Aganju's eyes glowed a bright red as he readied his attack. However, he was caught off guard by the sight of a woman in the far distance. To his surprise, she was accompanied by a group of other humans who were carrying supplies in boxes and barrels.
Bandits.
He tried to call out to her, but the rushing monsters pulled his attention when they charged forward.
"Get out of my way!" he yelled, taking a measured stance.
With one swift move, he vanquished the three Grimm and quickly made his way through the cloud of floating ash, determined to reach the woman. To his surprise, she darted off into the forest, with a young fox hot on her heels. She moved with the grace and agility of a feline, effortlessly leaping from branch to branch, while a regular Aganju followed her closely on the ground.
This game of cat & mouse persisted until the sanguine-eyed boy arrived near a cliff face.
Despite searching, the elusive woman remained unseen, leaving only the image of the fractured moon illuminating the ground below. The view offered no solace to the vulpine, who was still on edge from the recent inferno ravaging the town. Although he caught a glimpse of the individual he was pursuing, he was only able to detect a faint trace of her fragrance.
"Looking for me?"
Aganju swiftly turned around as he heard a deep yet feminine voice, narrowly avoiding a thrust aimed at his neck. He swiftly separated Cerberus and skillfully defended himself against the relentless assault. While on the defensive, he couldn't help but notice the intricately detailed Grimm's mask that perfectly concealed the attacker's features.
With remarkable finesse, the woman deftly evaded his aggressive maneuvers, skillfully staying one step ahead of him to prevent any injury. Nevertheless, Aganju proved to be a formidable opponent, and with his impressive abilities, he matched her speed, leading to a thrilling and intense battle illuminated by the brilliant light of the moon.
Those eyes...! the woman noted, grateful that her mask hid her shock.
"I don't know who you are..." he grunted, trying desperately to mount some offense. "...but you're making a mistake!"
"You are a formidable warrior and I greatly admire your strength. However," she smirked from behind her cover and disappeared in a crimson shroud, he realized he was alone again and unsure if the swordswoman was still present. Suddenly, a gateway appeared before him and the woman swiftly kicked him in the chest, sending him tumbling off the cliff. "...You're still leagues below me."
The faunus was relieved to have grabbed onto a root attached to the cliff face. He had deactivated his semblance and looked up to see a woman wearing a red and black armored dress with long black hair. Though he sensed her arrogance, he also detected something unique about her. As she glanced down, she noticed that one of his eyes glimmered like an emerald while the other was a vivid shade of red.
"Aganju!" The two heard the sound of someone off in the distance, forcing the mysterious thief to retreat.
Drawing her sword, she created another mystic gate but not before glancing back at the hanging boy and stepping through it. His muscles ached as he struggled to pull himself back up, finding the startled girls peeking over the edge holding out their hands to assist him back to the solid ground above.
"Thanks, guys..." he gasped.
"What happened?"
As he recounted the events leading up to her arrival, she looked at him with a worried expression. Without thinking, she began to examine him, moving her focus from one area of his body to another, causing him to feel uncomfortable.
"I'm alright, Pyrrha. I didn't get banged up too bad," he chuckled as she finally ceased her inspection.
"Hmmm... Well, then explain this."
With a gentle touch, she traced the small cut on his face, noticing a hint of blood trying to escape. Despite his skeptical expression and drooping ears, she remained determined and locked eyes with him, her own eyes glistening with emotion. Meanwhile, Ciel couldn't help but throw herself into Aganju, nuzzling the teen with a muted purr.
"Pyrrha... It's..." he softened his voice. "I'm sorry if I worried you. I know you're just looking out for me.
Sighing, her stern expression finally began to melt.
"I guess I was being a bit overbearing though; We're huntsmen; Danger is just a part of the job. I apologize if I was nagging just now."
With these things settled, for now, Aganju leans in, hugging the girls. Slowly they pulled apart, but not before he placed his lips against their foreheads, adjusting Pyrrha's headdress to do so. Her cheeks grew flush in response, made even more evident by the bright moon above.
"I know you still think about the Vytal Festival; Beacon. Penny. Me... But, none of us will face this alone. If you ever need to talk about it, don't hesitate, okay?"
They smiled gently, rising to their feet.
"Thank you, Agan... I'm very happy to hear you say that."
"I'm... happy you're happy..." he chuckled awkwardly before remembering their reason for being here. "Is the town...?"
"Most of the people were evacuated and only a small part of it was burned down. However, the Grimm were too numerous to keep fighting so I rushed over to try and find you after the people left."
With a nod, Aganju understood and the two began to make their way back to Shion.
At this point, the flames had subsided, but the devastation was evident. The once-majestic buildings were now covered in smoldering ashes. Aganju was drawn to one structure in particular - the inn. This notorious place, which once promoted discrimination, had now been reduced to a heap of debris, wood, and ash.
A part of him felt satisfaction at the shift in fortune, but he quickly dismissed those thoughts.
In addition, Aganju had a more pressing matter on his mind. The woman he had recently encountered was not just a formidable opponent. It seemed as though she anticipated his every move, and although he had not seen her face, he had a nagging sense of familiarity about her.
Little did he know, he wasn't alone in that feeling.