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 33: Elysium: Fractured Domain-2

The blazing sun scorched the kingdom of Mistral, but the people seemed unfazed by the heat. They continued their daily business, finding solace in shaded areas and enjoying the warm summer breeze. And why not? The brothers were not so merciless; the forsaken land of Vacuo was the true bearer of such a name. But amidst the hustle and bustle of Mistral, there was an air of excitement and anticipation, as if the city was brimming with untold stories and secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Of her children, the expanding empire dedicated to her glory also included those graced to have been born on her soil. Many were granted the privilege of being hers, so long as they agreed to renounce the sin of their old ways. Those forced to accept this truth were made to endure the consequences of rejecting such a temperate proposal.

Citizen or slave...

This truth was felt throughout the continent of Anima, specifically one of her royal descendants.

Pyrrha Nikos was no stranger to such a fate, even if the naked eye was unaware of her plight. Her early years were spent with passive-aggressiveness after her failed attempt at running away. She never made it past the courtyard. From that one attempt, the eyes of her father would extend throughout Argus, keeping Pyrrha on her toes.

Now, the princess of Argus, the port kingdom, sat awkwardly from within her carriage, her parents sat across from her, waving at the cheerful citizens. Of course, she felt no desire to engage in such activities, choosing to fill her mind with other things.

At least they haven't talked about suitors for a while...

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Pyrrha turned to face her mother, Queen Persephone. "Are you alright? You're not ill are you?"

Despite the softness of her mother's voice, Pyrrha couldn't help but flinch at the suspicion in her tone. Pulling herself from her reminiscing, she put on her best smile. It was best that she put on a good presentation or else this trip would be far less enjoyable than it already was.

"I'm fine, mother" she lied, hoping to put any unease at rest. "I'd just noticed that they're holding matches today at the coliseum and was wondering who they would have fighting today."

While Calliope wasn't convinced, her father, King Valentin, broke out in a boisterous laugh, surprising both women.

"I can't say that I'm surprised!" he bellowed. "I always said you were blessed by the war gods themselves; such fire in your blood for the thrill of combat. I take it that you're interested in attending these contests?"

Pyrrha nodded in agreement, carefully configuring her words to maximize her guardian's favor.

"I believe that it will... sate my urge to engage in such activities if I could watch a trial by combat. I believe it would be an excellent compromise between our differing interests if I'm not mistaken."

Valentin and Persephone exchanged amused grins before turning their attention back to their daughter who was full of hope. Pyrrha was not like other girls who preferred playing with dolls and doing make-up, she was always interested in fighting alongside boys. Though Valentin and Persephone admired this quality in their daughter, they were concerned because Pyrrha was born into a noble lineage, destined to rule with one befitting her status. Pyrrha, however, was not happy with this fate and was determined to challenge it.

He rubbed his bearded chin, as he contemplated his daughter's request. He believed that exposing her to the harsh realities of battle might help dissuade her from wanting to be a warrior. It could prove advantageous for the couple if their daughter could not stomach the brutality of war and gave up on her ambition. Perhaps she would prefer the young man he picked out for her a while ago as well?

"Hmmm... Maybe it wouldn't hurt, especially since the arena is known for tight security. Plus, our meeting isn't for several hours..."

"Are you saying...?" Persephone placed her hand atop her husband's.

"I don't think there's any harm in letting her see a few matches before our engagement. Oum knows it's far more interesting than just lounging around doing nothing. You may go, Pyrrha..."

Pyrrha's eyes lit up at her father's permission, her smile growing to the point her cheeks were getting sore. In all honesty, she expected him to deny such a request and order her to go shopping as was his patriarchal way. It was a blessing that he wouldn't nitpick about things, at least this time.

[Haven Coliseum]

The scorching summer sun reigned mercilessly on the sea of people gathered around the stadium. Still, it was nothing compared to the blistering sand underfoot for the fighters in the arena. The sweltering heat seemed to amplify the tension in the air, as the combatants battled for their lives and freedom. Amidst the chaos, some faunus fighters seemed to thrive in these harsh conditions, drawing on their experiences as prisoners of war to emerge victorious from the fiery arena.

Some were already free but chose to remain with the barbaric Haven Coliseum. Their need for bloodshed had overtaken any desire to return to their homes, a sign of conformity that continued to perpetuate a horrid image of the faunus.

One such faunus was of the minority in this case.

Aganju Umbrae sat in the gladiator pit, his heart racing with anticipation, as he breathed in the thick and heavy air, filled with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid scent of fear. His intense violet eyes gleamed in the dimly lit room, as a strange sense of calm washed over him. Unlike the other "participants" in the pit, he was not bound by the chains of slavery, but rather by the code of survival. In this place, the need to live was not a right, but a privilege, and only the strongest would emerge victorious. Despite the danger that lurked around every corner, Aganju was unfazed, for he was a skilled warrior, ready to do whatever it took to come out on top.

What did interrupt his concentration was the thought of his past: The woman known as Salem, his adoptive mother.

She had gone missing for some time and since that day, Aganju had ventured throughout Anima to find her. He never imagined that a little detour in Mistral would result in him battling against criminals to the death.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" a rather large man erupted, feeding on the energy from the masses. "The final match of the Blood League is a treat for you all to enjoy! Let's hear it for our final combatants!"

Such answers would have to wait as a roar boomed in his sensitive ears. Having two animal traits was both a gift and a curse, he'd admit to himself as he trembled lightly at the uncomfortable noise ringing in his head. However, he'd hold on to keep his composure; he had to if he wanted to remain in the world of the living.

The crowd's cry for entertainment grew deafening as three faunus stood before the western gates. Each one stood with worn-out armor adorning their bodies, showing that they were truly battle-tested. However, the fox wouldn't be intimidated by their physiques or experience. He had over a year to hone the skills and techniques that have kept him alive all thus far.

The three brothers before the princess were a sight to behold. The first one, a Komodo dragon faunus, was so muscular that his bulging muscles seemed almost grotesque. The second brother, a gecko faunus, had a more toned and athletic build but was still quite large. Lastly, the final brother was a skinny, almost anorexic cobra faunus, leaving the princess wondering how he managed to survive, let alone fight for his freedom. It was a strange and captivating group, and the princess couldn't help but feel curious about their story.

"First, we have the reptilian brothers aiming to reclaim their freedom. Should they win this battle, they will have achieved their goal. I give you the trio of terror. The terrible trifecta of war. Chopper. Specs. Venom. The Tyrant Triplets!"

Lame names too... he rolled his eyes, a thinly veiled grimace stretching his lips. The three men roared and raised their swords to the crowd, relishing in the cheers that showered them, much to his irritation. He resented the prelude routine even more than the idea of having to fight for his life to satisfy humanity's insatiable thirst for faunus blood to be spilled.

"Their opponent," the announcer's voice pulled her attention once more. "Introducing the undefeated fox warrior with no background! His skills and prowess have served him well for nearly two years. The fan-favorite, silent wanderer, Yokai!"

"Finally..." Aganju clutched his double-ended blade.

"What will the gods decide? Freedom or undefeated glory?"

The masses grew deafening as they showered the bored combatant with their approval. He hated everything about this, but since this was the final day of his arrangement, he would stomach this grotesque display. Without effort, he cracked his neck, his stare never leaving his opponents. Unlike him, they were deserving of this disturbing fate due to the crimes they had committed in the past.

Let's make this quick, he took a deep breath, steadying any nerves while taking a stance while the siblings began their stalking.

Surrounding him was the name of the game; If he couldn't keep his eyes on them, the gap separating him from victory would decrease rapidly.

The big komodo and the cobra were armed with rusty weapons, but Aganju wouldn't be intimidated. With his eyes fixed on the middle sibling, who was staying back, he waited for the attack. Suddenly, the two other opponents rushed towards him. The eldest, Chopper, was attacking wildly with his sword, but Aganju was too quick for him. The spectators were amazed at how the vulpine dodged the attacks effortlessly. It was a breathtaking display of speed and agility.

Each move the fox made showed a calculating posture, not unlike an elite warrior. The game of cat and mouse ultimately ended when The Yokai spun the double-ended blade to block the sword thrust of Chopper and Venom's mace.

Even more impressive was the swiftness of his attack, a lower swipe to Chopper's leg, drawing a ghastly amount of plasma to spill out.

Burning sand mixed with the searing wound as the burly giant knelt, his cry of agony piercing the air. Said cry would cease once raw steel pierced through butcher's throat, hanging limply as more of the sanguine liquid began to spray out. The Yokai held little pity for his opposition he watched him choke on his blood before he collapsed onto his back, dead.

The crowd erupted at the sight of the kill, their need for more growing louder by the second. By now, all eyes were on the fox faunus, though there was only one pair that truly mattered.

One down...

Aganju forced back the bile that began burning his throat. This usually happened whenever he had to take a life, but he managed to keep his wits about him if only in front of the entitled public. This was a survival game, one that he couldn't afford to lose.

Pyrrha watched the events on the battlefield closely from the stands. Despite the eruption of the assemblage, she remained focused on the action, which perplexed her mother and disappointed her father. Although she was not fond of excessive violence, she did not find the current situation as terrible as she had expected, much to the chagrin of her parents.

While many worshiped the spilling of blood, she was more intrigued by the masterful skills and bravery of the lone faunus warrior. By now, she watched as the skinny serpent faunus rushed at him, bellowing what she thought was an attempt at a war cry.

He swung his mace wildly, enraged at his brother's abrupt end, a foolish strategy if one were looking to defeat their opponent. No discipline... she crossed her arms, continuing to dissect the action before her. Her study wouldn't last long as the vulpine fighter simply dodged the blows only to grab the small blade from the bulky corpse's neck. With it, he spun on his heel, pivoting and slashing the cobra's stomach; no doubt, another fatal blow.

It was a masterful display for the princess as she couldn't tear her eyes from the fighter. Two down... she silently noted as the reptilian staggered back, dropping his weapon. Surprisingly, it wasn't Yokai who would finish him, but the archer who landed the killing blow, firing an arrow through the snake's torso, even grazing his shoulder.

It was just a nick, nothing to worry about.

The princess's heart pounded with anticipation as she watched the fox's smooth movements. But suddenly, the creature's demeanor changed. Its graceful gait was replaced by a frozen stare. The princess could sense the fear in its eyes and her heart sank.

While she was naturally a caring and gentle person, there was something else about him that gave her a sense of familiarity. Why? The reason for such an idea would have to wait as she remained glued to the scene before her.

The marksman had no mercy and no rules applied in this deadly game. Based on what she had overheard, it seemed that the warrior's life was hanging by a thread. Pyrrha knew she had to act fast before it was too late. Based on what she had overheard, it seemed Yokai's life was hanging by a thread. Pyrrha knew she had to act fast before it was too late.

The crowd erupted in a collective gasp as the marksman lifted his weapon high above his head. However, he failed to bring it down, as if frozen in time. The sight was highly unusual as the viewers murmured amongst themselves. Pyrrha was equally perplexed, but she sensed a foreboding change in the air.

Images of a demonic presence flashed in Pyrrha's mind, sucking the wind out of her lungs. Violet contorting into glowing crimson. A sinister aura shrouded a young faunus boy—an unquenchable thirst for blood and destruction, aimed at his opponents.

I've felt this before...?

The person in her vision was the young male fighting for his life, but... He was younger? She watched as he fought various opponents, each wielding immense power in their own right attempting to fend him off, and each one failed to stop him. Dread and apprehension were the outcome no matter who won the battle.

"Specs has Yokai on his knees!" the announcer's voice pulled the princess from her ponderings. "Is this the end of our undefeated warrior?"

Specs struggled to move as if his nerves were no longer connected to his brain.

What nobody knew was that there was boiling pain from inside of him as he too fell to his knees. Eventually, the pain became too great to endure as the double-edged blade hit the ground, the lower blade digging into the gravel. The fox flashed a demonic snarl as he clutched the head of his final obstacle with his good hand.

Spec's wail of suffering fell on deaf ears. His insides felt like they were on fire...

No, they felt like he'd been struck by lightning as he felt his head being pulled back to see the sinister glare of his opponent. There was no mercy behind that glare but it would be the last thing he'd see before his face was driven into the upright blade of the weapon he tried to use against Yokai. It had all happened so quickly.

"What happened?" she whispered, emerald eyes full of wonder at the sheer speed and ferocity.

Soon, the audience boomed in excitement at what they'd just witnessed. It wasn't pretty, but it was what they paid for and they were happy to have gotten their money's worth. Even the announcer could barely be heard as he tried to call the match officially. Meanwhile, Aganju simply looked on at the crowd of people with thinly veiled disgust. He refused to indulge their jovialities that readily could have gone to the brothers had they been the victors.

At least it's over now.

Amid chaos and destruction on the battlefield, to the delight of awe-stricken humans, there was a presence that stood out. It was a girl with long scarlet hair and piercing green eyes. Our observer couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity that he felt towards her. But he didn't have much time to ponder over it, as his focus was on the task at hand. He meticulously combed through the remains of his conquered foes, analyzing the data to enhance his already impressive skillset. As he returned to his designated area, he couldn't help but wonder about the girl.

Who was she?

Where had he seen her before?

He left the clean-up duties to the assigned personnel, his mind steadily shifting to a more important matter. Entering the gates to the dark pits, Aganju's eyes softened at the sight of small faunus children. Dirt and matted hair adorned them, but to him, they were perfect. He could see the relief and hope shine behind their wide eyes upon seeing him return alive. Some were even crying as they hugged him.

"Aganju!" they'd bombard him with hugs and nuzzles before some sentries approached to remove them.

A glare halted their advance, allowing him to do the honors. Such gentleness would have those in the crowd in a greater quandary than they already were.

"Sorry for worrying you guys," he whispered. "But, I need to talk with the big wig about our deal. For now, just try to rest alright? I'll be back soon."

Several innocent protests filled his ears, but Aganju wouldn't let them slow him down. Gone was the bored and dark personality he wore for the masses, now, all that remained was the calculating stoicism needed for what was about to happen. He'd need this as the inner gate opened, revealing the owner of the arena.

"Well! You put on a show out there, buddy! You had those people eating out of the palm of your hands with that late-game theatrics!"

"Are you going to honor our deal, Rowan?"

The slobbish man's humor dropped almost instantly, peering around the tall faunus to see the now recoiling youths behind him. Such attempts at innocent "locker room" talk went out the window as his eyes grew cold and serious. Rowan was a businessman first and foremost.

"A deal's a deal," he reached into his cloak and handed a small stack of parchment to the fox. "The brats are yours. I don't know what you're planning to do with a bunch of mutts though."

"You don't need to concern yourself about that!" Aganju scanned through the papers carefully. "All that matters is that our contract is settled and they're free to go. I trust that we don't have an issue?"

"Not at all..."

"Good. Then we'll be out of your hair."

Aganju signaled for the children to follow him, smiling warmly as each one exited the dingy room. When the last one left, he exchanged a disgusted glance at the greedy ringmaster before guiding the children out of the arena. To his kind, this was nothing more than a circus, a performance, and the faunus were mere players for their amusement. However, only those who've entered the depths knew the full truth.

This was a temple of sadism designed only for those with insatiable lust for bloodshed and death. Aganju had heard stories about the barbaric environment as he grew older. While he had no interest in the faunus leagues, even the far-less fatal professional ranks, it was only when he caught wind of children being forced to be pawns in this horrific act that he resolved to join.

"Mr. Ganju?" he looked down, finding a little doe faunus eyeing him with a look he hadn't seen in quite some time. Hope. "Where are we going?"

Her voice betrayed her grungy appearance, touching the vulpine's heart. Weeks of combat had hardened him, but this moment made every life he took worth it.

"Someplace where you all will be loved and protected, little one."

"Will you be there to protect us too?" a male lion faunus interjected.

"Sorry, I won't be able to. I still have some work to do..." Aganju shook his head, finding himself bombarded by aggrieved lamentations. "...but, I promise I'll come to visit as soon as I can."

The group left through a hidden tunnel that led them outside of the arena, away from the eyes of the crowd. From there, Aganju led them to the border of the kingdom where a couple of faunus awaited them. After a brief exchange of documents, the rescued children were on their way to a new home. He waved to the liberated children as they rode off in a covered wagon.

A sigh of relief passed his lips once they were out of sight.

After spending so much time shedding blood, Aganju was eager to leave the racist kingdom behind for a while. From the shady corners on the lower levels to the unearned sense of entitlement from those residing on the higher levels, the fox had enough of Mistral to last him months. For now, he'd return to an inn with his belongings where a hot meal and shower awaited him.

[Kingdom of Mistral-Forest Region]

Time passed and the people followed suit. The mountainous domain stood tall despite her shortcomings and there were no signs of that changing. The faunus arenas were still in full swing, profiting on the blood and lives of a race deemed inferior for the entertainment of humans. Many faunus were viewed as nothing more than slaves and chattel by cruel humans.

Such a fate troubled Pyrrha Nikos who'd been living in the kingdom for a few months at this point. Since their arrival to the big kingdom, the warrior princess was the subject of attention, for better or worse. She didn't have much time for her usual routine after visiting the fighting arena, not when there were interviews and suitors to deal with. The experience was contrary to her ideal life, yet she had a deal with her father, one she was regretting at this point.

"So, there I was, surrounded by beowolfs..." the cocky voice of one Cardin Winchester boomed throughout the carriage. He was going on about some story involving him being the 'manly man' he thought he was while exaggerating, as usual. Pyrrha wasn't so much annoyed by this; she'd simply tune him out for the most part anyway. No. Her irritation came from the unfortunate truth of their traveling together. "...With my trusty mace, I smashed each of their heads in... with a single blow!"

"That sounds impressive, Cardin..."

Pyrrha forced a smile that prompted the pompous prince to continue ranting about his alleged greatness. To avoid revealing her accurate thoughts about him, Pyrrha turned and focused on the scenery around them as the carriage pressed on the dirt path.

A variety of flowers. The cool breeze kissed her face. The scarlet dress she wore. Anything was better than having to listen to the obnoxious young man proceed with stroking his ego, an idea that both humored and disgusted her.

Pyrrha had been enduring a tedious and headache-inducing monologue from a well-known businessman at a social event. All she wanted was to escape from the drudgery and find some peace. However, the only thing that succeeded in capturing her attention was also the only thing that made matters worse. She frowned deeply upon realizing that the man escorting her to the event was none other than the heir to the Winchester fortune, a person who always seemed to be lurking around. To make matters even worse, it was revealed that her father had been referring to him as a potential suitor for Pyrrha. She loathed the man's hidden agendas and the thought of being forced into a relationship with someone she had no interest in. The situation only added to her growing frustration and anxiety, leaving her feeling trapped and desperate for a way out.

"Hey, are you paying attention?" Cardin's call cut into her daydream. "I was just getting to the best part."

"I'm sorry. I was just... thinking about something important is all."

"What could be more important than me?!" he fired back. "If we're supposed to be getting hitched, you could stand to have better manners. I thought nobles knew that?"

You're one to talk... she droned. "I apologize, Cardin. What were you saying?"

The boy wouldn't get the chance to pick up where he left off as their transport came to an abrupt halt. Neither of the teens understood what was happening as several Mistralian soldiers began to approach the front of the coach to investigate.

"What seems to be the problem?" Pyrrha politely inquired.

"Nothing that concerns a woman," Cardin callously replied as he stepped out. "Just stay in the transport while the men handle this."

Pyrrha couldn't help but feel frustrated and apprehensive about the boy she was expected to marry. The way he spoke and acted, with such arrogance and disdain towards women, made her wonder if there was anything likable about him. She wished she could just ignore someone like him, but unfortunately, her father's influence and the laws of Mistral made it impossible. As she watched him impatiently push past the group outside, she couldn't help but feel a sense of worry about what the future may hold.

As the group moved forward, they noticed a slender male figure walking along the middle of the roadway. His pointed ears atop his head were an unusual sight, but what truly caught their attention was the vulpine tail swaying behind him. It was a striking sight, and Pyrrha couldn't resist the urge to get a better look. She tried to peek out of one of the windows, but the large crowd of people obscured her view. Frustrated, she stepped out of the chaise and walked closer to the mysterious figure, hoping to learn more about him.

"Hey! You there!" The traveler persisted down the path without so much as flinching at the head captain's call. "In the name of our illustrious majesty, Valentin Nikos, I command you to halt!"

The young faunus kept moving forward, ignoring the direct order being given. Cardin had become impatient with the delay and decided to take matters into his own hands. He knelt, picked up a moderate-sized rock, and swung his mace, hitting the stone like a baseball. As a result, the rock struck the back of the male's head.

"Ow! That hurt!" the vulpine stopped dead in his tracks. He then removed the hood to his jacket, revealing fox ears as he rubbed the tender spot. "What the hell... was. that?" He stared over his shoulder, violet orbs finally taking notice of the cavalcade. Blinking several times, he finally turned completely around giving the men a clear look at him.

"What are you doing on this road?"

He tilted his head, confusion written all over his face.

"What?"

"I said-!"

"Wait a moment!" He yelled back before reaching up toward his ears. The guards immediately trained their weapons at the boy only to find him removing sanguine-coated cotton puffs from his ears. "That's better... Now, can I help you?"

"Ahem... I said, what are you doing on this road? "

"Um... Walking?" he answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Cardin had enough of this exchange. Stomping forward, he got right up to the fox, staring eye-to-eye with him.

"You know what he means, faunus filth!" he growled, his bigoted hatred oozing from every pore. When the boy didn't so much as budge, he pointed his trusty mace at his chest. "You're in the way..."

Pyrrha observed the entire incident from a distance, but due to the distance, she couldn't hear much of the conversation. However, she gathered that the individual involved was a faunus, a rather good-looking young man. He had cocoa-brown skin and an athletic physique that was not too slim or too bulky. He tied his long locs in a ponytail that draped slightly over his shoulder. To Pyrrha's surprise, the young man had two animal-like traits instead of the usual one.

Two traits?! Could he be...?

As she witnessed the repugnant behavior of her "date", she couldn't help but observe his attempted bullying of a young faunus. With a growing sense of disgust, she took note of yet another reason to dislike Cardin. She couldn't believe that even in Mistral, a country that prided itself on being open-minded and accepting, such blatant discrimination and cruelty towards faunus was allowed to exist. Despite Cardin's incessant barking about the "status quo" and how "faunus should know their place," she knew all too well the laws and conditions that oppressed the Faunus. It made her heart ache to see such injustice in the world.

It was only when he demanded to see some form of identification that things began to get interesting.

"Where are your papers?!"

"Excuse me?"

"Your papers! I want to know who your owner is!"

"I'm sorry," The young man smiled innocently while shaking his head. "I belong to no one. I'd be more than happy to give you my name if you-"

The boy was sent skidding across the dirt path by a swift punch to his jaw before he could finish his sentence. Cardin's boisterous laughter at the sight made Pyrrha's skin crawl. She couldn't fathom how someone could treat another person with such disrespect and still hold themselves in high regard.

Cardin Winchester, son, and heir to the Winchester family business was one of those individuals.

What family business, you might ask?

"Arrest the mutt! My father can find a buyer for this one!"

The guards moved in. Their orders were clear as they proceeded to apprehend the grounded boy. With their weapons trained, the men and women carefully watched as the boy gingerly sat up.

"Don't move!" One of them ordered. "By order of Master Cardin, you are now the property of the Winchester Faunus Ranch. Come quietly and you won't be harmed. Resist and you will be met with necessary force."

"If those are my options, I guess there's no choice."

As the fox raised his hands, the officers initiated their standard procedure. One officer grabbed a pair of handcuffs and forcefully pulled the teen to his feet by grabbing his wrist. This was the first mistake. The fox then grabbed hold of the armored officer and flipped him over his shoulder into a seated position, giving him leverage against the other militants who hesitated to fire on their comrade.

The faunus wasted no time after noticing the opportunity. He seized it with confidence, twisting his hostage's right arm over their collar and snapping the cuffs on the limb. Without hesitation, he pulled the left arm behind the man's back, this time underneath. He repeated the process of restraining his captive, ensuring he was in a compromising position. With a firm shove, he pushed the bound guard into his allies, creating enough space for himself to move freely.

"If you think I'll let you make me a slave for some spoiled brat, you're more feeble-minded than I thought..."

"This is your last warning!" the restricted soldier grunted in pain. "Surrender or die!"

The fox reacted to the threat by rolling his eyes but didn't back down. Instead, he raised his right hand and pointed it at the small group, flipping his hand up and lifting his middle finger with a soft scowl. He anticipated a full-on assault and began slowly reaching for his weapon. However, to his surprise, the human who'd punched him spoke up.

"Stand down, boys. I'll handle this."

"But sir-!"

The brunette male flashed a look over his shoulder that silenced the officer quickly. He soon turned his attention back to the fox across from him, his mace clutched tightly in his hand. His scowl rivaled the faunus', showing that he was in no mood for any more delays.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Should I?" the canine answered with a bored huff.

"I am Cardin Win-!"

"You're Cardin Winchester, heir apparent to Kristoff Winchester, owner of one of the largest Faunus ranches in Anima." he deadpanned, wondering if someone could have such little intelligence. "It's called sarcasm, dumbass..."

Cardin was seething with anger. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and the giggle from behind him only added fuel to the fire. Pyrrha's smirk was the final straw, and Cardin was determined to put an end to it. He refused to be disrespected like this. With a fierce roar, he charged towards the faunus, brandishing his club high in the air and ready to teach him a lesson he would never forget.

If he didn't have any respect for him due to his name, then Cardin would beat it into him.

The boy stood calmly as Cardin charged towards him with a clumsy attack. In a swift motion, the boy dodged the attack, leaving Cardin's strike to hit nothing but air. But Cardin was not done yet. In a blind rage, he twisted his body and aimed for a back-handed strike. To his surprise, the boy moved with him, rotating almost 180 degrees behind him. The guards and Pyrrha watched with bated breath as Cardin's wild strikes missed their target while the boy effortlessly toyed with him. It was a sight to behold!

From his bored expression to being swatted in the face by his opponent's tail, Cardin Winchester was being outmatched. His rage soon boiled over as he unleashed savagely ripped at the space; Forget trying to capture the inferior beast, he was going to end his worthless existence. He snapped and swung again, a wild roundhouse punch that glanced harmlessly off the other boy's shoulder.

"Fuck! Hold still!" the noble yelled throwing his fist with as much fury as he could muster, managing only to smash his knuckles on the fox's knee. It was only downhill from there as he felt something make contact with his heel, dropping him to his knees.

To say that Pyrrha was impressed was an understatement.

While it wasn't much of a challenge to best Cardin, it was the ever-growing realization of the male's identity that held her intrigue. While he was a far cry from the weary ferocity he wore previously, there was no denying the familiar killer instinct she witnessed against far steeper odds.

"Enough... You've lost."

"SHUT UP!" Cardin spat, digging his fingers into the earth. "It's not over until I say it is, bastard!"

He scooped up a handful of dirt and threw it into his opponent's eyes, taking advantage of the moment to attack and reclaim his position as the dominant force. He believed that humans were superior to the faunus and it was his destiny to crush anyone he deemed unworthy. Pyrrha was horrified and covered her mouth with her hands before quickly turning away, unwilling to stomach the impending barbarity.

Only those assigned to escort the pair found anything worth cheering as they encouraged the scion.

"Die!" Cardin's face burned.

The royal felt an animalistic snarl rising in his throat. His face twisted into a dark and sinister smile as he prepared to strike his enemy's head. He swung his attack but missed his target by a few inches. At this moment, time seemed to slow down for Cardin. He looked up and saw the fox-boy staring back at him, but something seemed seriously wrong.

Cardin himself staring not into angry eyes but into cold crimson orbs, surrounded by a black abyss. It was like staring into the depths of hell itself. For the first time since their encounter, the spoiled royal understood that he'd screwed up, his very soul quaking as a result.

"W-What... are you?!" he whispered, petrified. His answer came in the form of a solid right hand that connected with his jaw, sending the boy flying into the procession like bowling pins.

As they hurriedly got up from the ground, their primary instinct was to open fire instantly, but they found no target to attack. The faunus had disappeared without a trace. Unbeknownst to them, only one person had an idea of where the boy had gone. The girl with green eyes blinked repeatedly as far-flung images flashed in her mind. She caught only a glimpse of the vulpine, but it was a crucial trait that she managed to notice.

Those eyes...

The anticipation inside of her was palpable as the demonic red morphed into the most brilliant violet gems she had ever seen, all in the blink of an eye. Pyrrha knew this moment would leave a lasting impact on her, but what she couldn't predict was how it would shape her future. As he disappeared into the depths of Mother Nature herself, Pyrrha's mind raced with the possibilities of what was to come. The warming hue of pink on her cheeks was a sign of the excitement she felt, and she couldn't wait to see what the future held. It wasn't until she heard the door of the coach slam shut that Pyrrha snapped back to reality, plunging her back to the present moment.

Expectantly, Cardin went off on a tangent about being blindsided. A series of other excuses filled the vehicle, but this time Pyrrha had something to distract her from the delusional rant.

Those eyes...

Deep in the forest, Aganju rubbed his sore cheek, cursing himself for allowing that pompous oaf the chance to hurt him. "That's what I get for not keeping my aura up..."

He was just on his way to his destination when he was stopped by that gaudy display. Thankfully, he activated his aura before getting clubbed to death, but, that only presented more reasons to scold himself.

The memory of being forced to use his special ability by that arrogant human brought back a wave of emotions in him, reminding him of the love and affection he sorely missed. He couldn't help but smile bitterly as he recalled the features of the woman who rescued and raised him, her shining red orbs holding so much adoration and love for him as he grew and trained.

It's been so long since her disappearance, but the void that she left behind still plagues him. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for him to face all these memories and emotions.

Aganju lowered his head and took a moment to compose himself after the recent encounter. While embroiled in the altercation, he couldn't help but notice the girl's lovely green eyes. But where did that thought come from? He ran his hand through his hair, trying to shake off the curious image of the girl he saw while he was trying to escape. However, the image of the girl's long red hair, which perfectly accentuated her features, remained in his mind.

Have I seen her somewhere before?

As Aganju set out on his journey, he became more alert and focused. The sun was high in the sky, indicating that he had enough time to reach his destination. He slid his hands into his pockets and strolled ahead, passing a wooden sign with a satisfied grin on his face. Despite his relaxed demeanor, he was determined to reach his next destination:

Garneta, 5 miles ahead