"We'll be landing shortly." The pilot spoke as I looked over the others.
It was dark now, the land below shrouded in shadow. I was relieved we had almost arrived. As for my allies well... they seemed much more tense than they were before, aside from Gold.
"Awe yeah! we made it, and all in one piece too." He spoke as Magenta gave him an annoyed look.
"What are you on about? Nothing happened the whole trip." She said as he gave a teasing smirk.
"I'm still breathing, your nails aren't in my arteries, my jiggly bits are all in one piece, I call that a win." He said as she looked more ticked off than before.
Lapis spoke up before she could do anything.
"Alright settle down, both of you. We're just about there, we need to make a good impression." He gave as they looked to stop somewhat, Gold still carrying his smirk as Magenta looked to be debating wither to kill him or not.
They had been like this the whole trip. Gold saying something and Magenta getting pissed, Lapis looking like he was just tired of it all. Every now and then he would intervene, putting a stop to the situation for a time.
I mostly remained silent through it, although we did do some talking at a few points. I remember asking how long they had been a team, Magenta telling me that they had just gotten out of training. She said they had spent about six months together, at least when they were in the White Fang. As for how long they were with each other before, I do not know.
"Alright, we're just above camp everybody. Be ready for landing." The pilot called again as I could feel a drop in elevation.
I didn't think I would get used to that, the odd feeling of falling while sitting down. It was like a sort of... drop in pressure, that was the best way I could describe it. The others seemed fine with it, as for myself I decided not to make a show of it.
I felt when the bullhead landed, the others making to stand as they took to the door. I followed behind, at the back of the group as the side opened up. We each made our way out, one by one to the camp before us.
We took formation, standing next to each other, side by side as others gathered before us. They looked to be whispering between themselves, Gold leaned closer to me just a tad.
"Looks like we're popular." He mumbled as he shifted back to position, ever so slightly.
I couldn't exactly disagree with him, the whole camp looked to be present and judging us. They kept to themselves however, not making any moves to approach, most likely waiting for something.
I was right as a few seconds later I saw a man approach. Blazing crimson hair accented by two black horns, wearing a much more detailed mask than that of the others. By his side was another man, similarly detailed mask but covering his whole face instead of just the top half.
The taller man seemed to trail just behind the first. Clearly of a higher rank than the others, but still below that of the horned Faunus, if their positioning was to say anything about it.
They came to a stop before us, the horned Faunus extending his arms.
"Welcome, you must be the newest batch of revolutionaries we've heard so much about." He spoke as the others behind him appeared to focus more on us.
"Oh, we're that special already?" Gold asked only to let out a jerk of pain as Magenta delivered a fist to his shoulder.
"He's broken, please excuse him." She told as Gold rubbed his arm.
Adam let loose a small chuckle. "And a strong sense of camaraderie too, you'll do fine around here."
I watched as he paced towards me, stopping just a few steps away. He appeared to look over me, a devious smirk on his face.
"It would appear word about you was correct, you are quite distinct." He spoke as he leaned in closer to my face, only to back away again.
"Your eyes burn and sear against the darkness of the night. Quite threateningly too... yes, a rather fearsome figure if I do say so myself." He went on as he paced away somewhat, only to turn and face me once again.
"I've gotten word that you have some rather... 'useful' abilities. Is this true?" He asked as the others behind murmured among themselves.
"Depends... what do you classify as 'useful'?" I spoke as his smirk extended.
"Sassy aren't you? Fine then, I take it you'd rather show, not tell?" He returned as I gave him a nod.
I needed to catch his attention, and what better way to do that than in the field. I watched as he let out a laugh.
"Well then, you're in luck. I've got a mission planned out for tomorrow night, would that tickle your fancy?" He went on.
"Maybe, what would this mission entail?" I asked as he stepped towards the center before us, where he had first greeted us.
"Tomorrow at nightfall, we're going to go on a little 'hunt'. I'm sure you know that the underground Faunus slave trade is still rather active, despite being outlawed. The kingdoms actively do nothing to stop it, so we're going to." He called out, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"There'll be a lot, and I mean a lot of fighting. Everyone is going to get at least some blood on their hands, we're not taking prisoners. When you fight you'll be fighting to kill. We'll get the slaves out after we've taken care of the main threat. Leave no survivors."
"Tomorrow, you'll get to see what being part of the White Fang is all about. What it means to truly fight for the Faunus, to fight for freedom. The kingdoms actively throw us about, treating us as yesterday's trash. And as such some of the humans think they can just keep us as their tools, to be used and disposed of at their will.
"Tomorrow we'll show them just what the Faunus are capable of, we'll show them that they can't throw us around like they used to. Tomorrow we fight to set loose our brothers and sisters, to give them hope and freedom. Tomorrow you'll experience what it means to be freedom fighters, to be part of the rebellion against the broken corrupt kingdoms, to be heroes." He finished as everyone in the back held their weapons tighter, sporting deadly looks of joy.
"Tomorrow, you take the fight to the true enemies!" He gave one last call, a single cheer from all at camp echoed to the night.
"You'll be shown to your lodging, we'll do some last minute practice tomorrow morning so get some rest." The man spoke as he walked back to camp, the one behind making his way to us.
"Follow me." He said as he brought us into camp.
I watched as the others went about what I could only assume their previous tasks, much more excited than before. I could only assume that the man who spoke to us had been Adam. He looked the part, and everyone seemed more up and ready after his speech. Sienna had been right, he had them at his side through and through.
They were riled up, excited for the chance to kill their oppressors. In a way they looked similar to the crowds at the various executions I'd seen in our own kingdoms. Slavery had been a crime, the punishment, death.
Working directly under the queen, the Goddess of darkness itself, it was I who had been tasked with carrying out most of the executions. The word of both king and queen had been law, to go against them would warrant severe punishment.
Sometimes I would feel off about what I did, wondering if what I had done was just or not, wondering if they were truly guilty. The queen would often talk to me about the importance of choice afterwards. Of how not all choices were just, but still necessary. I'd asked her what happens to the souls of those who passed, hoping that she could tell me, being a divine herself.
She said that she couldn't say, the dead would have their own little place in the afterlife. It was private and personal to them, both the king and queen assured me of this. I would often see some of the common folk pray at their chapel every so often, hoping that our divinity could aid them spiritually in times of need as they. The more wealthy noble families simply choosing to give an offering each month, in place of the prayers that the peasants used. It was the same type as the offering that I failed to deliver before my arrival.
I'd asked the queen during one of my magic lessons if she would always respond to the prayers. She told me that the king and her would choose not to listen in on them, preferring not to intrude on their thoughts. "If it brings them comfort, the idea that we guide them, we shall leave them be. Their faith is their own, it alone can grant them strength. We have no place to intrude and say otherwise."
It was odd, a mix of comfort and fear. On one hand they wouldn't hear the prayers of the people, making them useless. But on the other hand both of them respected the people, and believed they had the strength to move themselves along on their own, that they didn't need their help. I didn't know quite how to think about that.
"We're here." The man guiding us told, snapping me from my thoughts.
We followed him into a tent, a few pads of cloth lay across the ground inside.
"This is a temporary camp so there aren't any beds, these sleeping bags will have to do for the night. After the mission we'll be heading back to our base in Vale, so get some rest for tomorrow. Don't want you dying on us." He let out as he left us to our own devices.
"Camping huh, don't know what I expected when we agreed to come to camp." Gold let out as Magenta sighed and took to one of the spots.
"Look, we've got a long day tomorrow. Let's just get to bed already." She spoke as she turned away in the cloth.
"Fine, I'll save the gushing about how cool that speech was for tomorrow." Gold grumbled as he took a place as well.
Lapis gave me a tired shrug as we done the same.
.
.
The morning had been a bit of a surprise, all of us being awoken at around six in the morning. We had been taken to a larger group just before the day had begun, doing a sort of head count to make sure that everyone was accounted for. Afterwards everybody had went about their tasks for the day.
We had been sent along with some of the other Fang to what we were told was target practice. In a sort of clearing in the trees some distance from the camp there had been several targets set up, each at a varying distance.
"First we'll test your accuracy, one at a time. Which of you use or have used firearms before?" The Fang had asked as both Lapis and Gold stuck their hands in the air.
"Good, you two will work on target practice, my friend here will oversee you on that. Giving you pointers and ways to improve your technique." He let out as he motioned to the woman who stood beside him.
"As for you two, you'll be coming with me." He said as Magenta and I followed along, leaving Gold and Lapis behind.
I could hear loud noises behind as we left, assuming it was the sounds that their weapons made when taking their shots. I took a quick glance behind to see just what weapons they had. From what I could tell it looked like a handle of sorts, with a long bit attached to the end, at our distance now I wasn't quite able to make out the rest of it. I could however see some sort of flashing coming from the ends of their weapons, pointed forwards.
I took back to following the Fang leading us, deciding that I would get to see their weapons up close afterwards.
We were in a sort of clearing now, surrounded by trees in a somewhat flat expanse of grass. Not too large, but still quite a bit of space to move around.
"We'll be practicing some up close and personal physical combat here. I take it you both know how to use your weapons correct?" He asked as we both gave a nod.
"I want the both of you to spar with each other here, to get a grip on your fighting styles. If you understand how each of you fight then you'll be able to take advantage of that and hopefully be able to work together against your foes." He spoke as we got into a stance away from each other, some distance apart.
I drew my blade as I watched her slip a single dagger from her hip. I never got to take so much as a step before she disappeared, not moved or ran, just vanished. I was instantly on guard, my body tensing up as I awaited the coming assault.
In a gamble I dashed forward in an instant, thrusting my blade forward and striking nothing but air. I felt a hit to my side, a quick slash against my ribs. I leaped forward, turning back as I landed. While I may not of landed a strike, I did however get the answer I was looking for.
Her semblance was Invisibility, and not just a partial invisibility no, the true invisibility. She was completely gone from vision, not even the slightest hint as to her being there. Another thing I had noticed was that she made no sound with her strike. Not even a scrape could be heard as my aura had flared.
Both sight and sound were useless here, her semblance hiding her completely. I would need to find some other means of locating her.
I felt another blow, this time against my back, causing me to dash away once again.
"Impressive, it would seem she has hidden herself entirely. Very good, you can't fight what you can't see." The Fang watching us... well me, called out as I tried to get my bearings.
He was right, how could I stand against that? Sure I could use magic, but that's only an option so long as I have aura and I'm pretty sure the match is called once someone's aura has depleted.
Think, there's got to be something. What would the queen do? I'd found my thoughts sway back to her.
The queen was one of the most dangerous tutors I'd ever had. While she had trained me in the use of magic, She had also trained me in some physical combat as well.
"Your greatest asset is your mind. Through life and death no plan or tactic is too wild. You must learn to reach past your preconceived notions and ideas, grasp at that which is out of reach. No matter how odd it may seem."
I had taken a few more hits as I found myself in the center of the clearing. My aura was just below half as I felt another blow just along my back. In that moment I felt as her blade sliced along my chest, leaving a trail of blood seemingly in the air. My aura flared around me, healing my wound near instantly as I delivered a heavy kick around the floating blood.
I watched as it was knocked away, seeming to bounce around the grass and float back up to chest level. I had let go of my aura for just a moment, allowing her blade to strike true and drink on some of my blood.
"Interesting, taking a blow to locate your enemy. I'll give you points for that, but remember, once your aura breaks or I deem so, the fight is over." The Fang called out to us, I gave a nod.
Hopefully I had been able to do some damage, I'd never seen Magenta's aura show, but I guess that was part of her semblance. I would just have to assume that she would be revealed once her aura broke.
The blood stain dropped to the ground and her blade appeared once more, she must have realized her weapon would only reveal her location. She was hidden once again, although now empty handed. I took guard once more, lowering my head and ready for her coming attack. A moment later I slashed to my right, carrying into a spin and slamming a round house kick to what I could only assume her side.
I couldn't see her, but I was able to feel as my strikes hit their marks. I watched as she faded in just a few steps away from me.
"Excellent, greatly done. I wasn't even able to hear her movements, yet you took a chance and it payed off. That's the match." The Fang called once more as I went to help Magenta up.
"Damn that stung, what was that? I was completely hidden, how'd you know I was there?" She asked as she stood once again.
"You were hidden, no matter where I looked I couldn't see or hear you at all. So I decided to try and watch everything else. I saw the grass spread and move as you made for my side." I answered as she went for her dropped blade.
"I'll have to remember to watch my step next time." She said as she sheathed her dagger, myself doing the same.
"Alright you two, let's head back to camp now. We can get some rest before we continue on with the rest of the day." The Fang spoke again as we went with him once more.
.
.
Well well well, you don't see that every day. Adam thought to himself, leaving his place in the trees,
The fight had been interesting to say the least. Invisibility was quite the rare semblance, he'd seen similar ones before, but not to that scale. Able to disappear from both the eyes and ears.
It was one of the most dangerous semblances out there, more so for dealing with people rather than Grimm. The Grimm could sense fear and negativity, leading them to find the hidden given enough time.
The girl had almost won, 'Magenta' was her name if he recalled the report correctly, Yet it would seem that Vermillion was more than he let on. To let a blow draw blood, just to land a single hit. The man was either incredibly skilled, or incredibly foolish. A mix of both if he was to say.
Either way his tactic had worked, it had given him the opening he needed. It had also shown just how far he was willing to go for victory.
I see now why you sent him Sienna, he's dangerous. This could be a bit of a problem.
He would be much more wary to what was going on around him than the others. Keeping him out of the way would be much more difficult, and much more time consuming.
Adam made his way back to camp, slipping into his tent. Making his way over to his desk he glanced to the map that lay there.
It outlined the current layout of the slaver camp they planned to strike tonight. This assault had two purposes, one for them, and one for that woman Cinder.
The first objective had been rather simple, kill the slavers and set loose the slaves, maybe get a few to join the White Fang for a chance at revenge. Those that refused would simply be sent out to Vale once they were free. Only those that agreed to join would be sent to their camp, to prep up before they returned to Vale as well.
The second, more secret objective was for Cinder. The shops in the city had yet to get another shipment of dust, but word was that this particular slave camp had been prepped with some as they arrived. The slavers had heard of the shortage of dust in Vale and had came prepared with their own.
Cinder needed that dust, as such she had been the one to supply them with the map layout as well as the information about the slavers before hand. This was more of her operation than their own.
It wounded his pride somewhat, but he would live. While he didn't like working with a human for their goals, this one had not given him a choice. The only good side was that they would get to free the slaves, as they were more of a hinderance to her than just leaving them there would be. The woman wanted this place to act as a sort of storage, to hold the dust they had before they moved on with the plan.
Adam made his way out of the tent, looking about as the rebels carried on with their daily prep. They were excited, and why wouldn't they be? They were finally getting the chance to actually do something, freeing slaves was like a dream for most of them.
He had taken note of their supplies the day before, the plan required quite a massive... distraction of sorts. Some of their dust supply would be used up, but he had already gotten the go from Cinder on this. If her info was right, this place would have more than enough to make up for their loss.
They would go in, get the slaves out, and come back afterwards for the dust. It was quite the simple plan really. The most difficult part of it would be the fight itself.
Now Adam was quite sure of his own skills, that was no issue. The same could not be said for the others however. Saw himself was sure to be fine, along with most of the commanders. It was the other rebels he was more worried about, most of them having only basic target practice under their belts.
Almost all of their previous missions across Vale had been store robberies, simply hold the shopkeeper hostage and take the dust. They never really got to dive head first into battle. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many casualties on their end, Adam was almost certain they would lose at least some in the fight.
Adam let go of his thoughts for the time being as he was able to see their newest members gathered to a small table, having lunch with some of the more experienced members.
There sat among them was Vermillion, sticking out from them with his pale complexion. The masks of the White Fang were to resemble the Grimm, a symbol of their choice. If humanity wanted to see them as monsters, they would become monsters.
Yet he needed none, he alone with his darker look had put the rest of them to shame. They chose to try and take on the appearance of the Grimm, however he embodied it. His Faunus traits alone trump anything they could even hope to try.
Not only did he look Grimm, he felt Grimm. Adam had experienced it as he gazed into his eyes the night before. A sort of primal fear had welled up in the pit of his stomach, a strong desire to either run or kill.
He had chosen neither at the time, having brushed the feeling off. It hadn't been a particularly strong feeling, but it was there nonetheless. That had been what intrigued him the most.
He brushed it off as having been caught off guard by Vermillion's appearance, but as he thought more of it, the more he had wondered.
Back with his fight he didn't appear to use his semblance, but what if he had? What if he had been using his semblance the whole time? What if it was passive? Back when they first met he had brushed the feelings off, but what if that was his semblance. To cause fear to those who look upon him.
It would make him deadly to any who fought him in the wild. If he could force huntsmen and other enemies to feel intense negativity, then theoretically he could make his foes targets, forcing them to fight both him and the Grimm. Or it could allow him to escape, being ignored as the Grimm chase after the larger source of negativity.
No, damn it. I don't know that for sure, I'll have to wait and see later.
Adam decided he would have a little chat with the newest member of their group.
.
.
The others had been talking between themselves. Lapis was having a quick chat with one of the commanders, Gold having decided to mock Magenta for her loss against me. Magenta giving her usual threats as one of the others beside me leaned in closer.
"This normal?" She asked as I gave a nod, the whole trip here had proven that it seemingly never ends.
"Looks like you've all gotten along rather well." Called Adam as he approached.
"Yes sir!" One of the others gave, several of them giving a form of salute, similar to that of a soldier.
It was clear they held great respect for him, and from what I've been told he had earned it. He was supposedly the first to act at a time, saving the life of their high leader Ghira, killing a human in the process.
From there Sienna had told how he'd gotten more violent over time, giving me more info as she was showing my scroll's volume settings to me. According to her he has only gotten more and more vicious as time had went on.
"Nice to hear, ease them in before we go to battle. Remember we need to watch each others backs if we're going to come out on top. I'll be relaying the plan to everybody just before dark." Adam gave as he turned to face me.
"Vermillion was it?" He asked.
"Yes." I gave as he walked towards the forest.
"Come with me, I wish to talk with you for a bit."
I did as asked, following along as I heard Gold make sounds of disappointment, and Magenta's usual retort.
We had walked just out of sight when I heard him speak again.
"What do you think so far?" Adam asked as I thought on it.
"I don't quite know. Fine I guess, we haven't been here very long so I don't think I can really answer that yet." I spoke as he nodded.
"True, it's only been a day. What I mean is what do you think of the others? The White Fang at the camp, the feel of it." Adam clarified as I began to understand.
"In that case, I'd say it's rather nice. They seem organized, ready for anything and in high spirits." I told as he nodded along.
"That's kind of you. Then allow me another question if you would?" He asked once more as I waved him to continue.
"Have you ever been to Vale?"
"No, I don't believe so." I answered as his lips curled upward.
"Then allow me to show you something." He said as we continued on for a few more minutes.
We had come to a sort of clearing, the edge of the forest overlooking a cliffside. Adam had approached the cliff, stepping to the side as he held is arm outwards, beckoning me to take a look. As I did I had found myself awestruck.
Overlooking the land I was greeted with the sight of a large city. Large wasn't the word for it, 'massive' felt more appropriate. It looked to stretch all around the land, covering nearly all of the visible space. A sea of buildings, pointed rooftops stabbing the air as they stood in defiance to the lands outside the walls.
"Quite the sight isn't it?" Adam asked as I gently nodded.
"I've never seen anything like it." I spoke as I continued to take it all in.
"Yeah, the size tends to catch travelers off guard if they've never been to the cities. Believe it or not, our next destination is in there. That is, after we've taken care of the slavers of course." He spoke as I came back to my senses.
Yes, that's right. The slavers, we're going to deal with them. I found myself turning to Adam.
"And we're to kill them, right?" I asked as he nodded, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"That's right, we've already gotten all the info we needed earlier before you and the others arrived. They have no more use, they need to die. Especially for what they've done." Adam went on.
"That's good, I don't need to worry about keeping any alive for interrogation." I spoke as Adam gave a laugh.
"No, kill as you see fit. Think of it as punishment for all the suffering they've caused. This way they'll never get to hurt anybody ever again." Adam answered as he let out a sigh of relaxation.
Kill as I see fit. There were no limits to what I was allowed to do. In a way it meant I could let loose, really stretch the extent of my armor's boost that it gave me. I could see just how powerful it made me.
Normally I'd take it as permission to do whatever I wanted, but with Adam I had to keep in mind that I needed to get on his good side. I'd also need to be wary, Sienna said he'd be suspicious of me. He could use it as a moment to collect info on my abilities, to try and find any weakness that I might have. I would have to watch what I did around him, keep him focused on my powers strengths.
"Come on, let's head back now. We should get as much rest as we can, tonight's going to get lively." He spoke as he made way back to the tree line.
I took one last look to the city across from me, before deciding to follow after Adam and head back to camp with the others.
As far as I could tell I had gotten hold of his attention. That was the easy part, next came the more difficult task.
Now I'd have to keep it.
Author's note
...
Here we go! Another chapter in the bag, got to show off Magenta's semblance in what I hope was a cool fight scene... maybe. Anyway I've been having fun.
Also a shout out to Guest, who brought up the question I never thought anyone would ask. I haven't really told how the whole 'living divines' thing effected the kingdom V was from yet. So I decided to add a small bit in this chapter, just a tad.
Yeah... nobles don't do the whole prayer thing. They just give an offering every once in a while, as I've specified in this chapter. It was touched on back in chapter 1, but all I did was say there was an offering, never went into detail on the whole thing.
There'll be more on that later, just got to get to it.
But hey! We got to learn more about V's relationship with the king and queen, a small bit anyway.
Until next time!