A/N: Chapter 33 of REKT. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or teams of RWBY, they belong to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. What I do own are the characters and teams of my OCs: REKT, GTSY, KACE and DAZE.

Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.


Chapter 33: The Past (III)

The next year...

Winter turned to Spring then it turned into Fall and soon I got my mark by the time I turned 6. True to my father's words it did hurt but I didn't cry, I stood proud and held my emotions in as my right shoulder burned like a burnt stake was engraving the design with the tip in my skin. I was overjoyed that I couldn't help showing it off once it had finished. Most of the villagers cheered and whooped with excitement, applauding as others of the same age went through their turn to receive their marks. I knelt before the stargazer who gave me her blessings, a toothy grin spread across her face.

"May the blessings from the Heavens above shower you with a bright future." She told me, moving her hand over my head from left to right. Stepping back she took a deep breath and exhaled. "I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you." I can only hope for a future that would treat you well, little Exalt. The signs I've been seeing...it just doesn't look too good.

Bowing my head I stepped down from the stage and sat through the rest of the other kids, standing by my mother's side and after the last kid walked off the stage my father stepped up to deliver his own speech. To be honest I don't remember much about what happened, too excited to pay attention. It was all a blur and before I knew I was back at home in my mother's arms. Throughout the rest of the month I thought my mark would be permanent but I soon realized that it wasn't.

"Moooommy! It's itchy again!" I whined one day, reaching as far as I could to scratch at the offending mark. It had been five months since I obtained my mark and it's been annoying me to no end. Letting out a grunt I forced myself to roll across the ground, feeling the rough surface rub against me. "Tch, why didn't you two tell me about this...?"

"Don't scratch it! It'll leave a scar if you do and I won't let that happen" Rhea chastised me, moving to pick me up when she froze. She got a full view of my shoulder that bore my mark. "What the...What is this?"

"What is it?" I turned to look at her, noticing her face starting to pale. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"It's n-n-nothing sweetie, just stay still for me and don't turn around until I say so." She smiled before looking closely at my shoulder. She was there to see what my mark looked like but she noticed the change. It was subtle but with her sharp eyesight she could tell immediately that something was wrong. It can't be...I could take her to the stargazer...but...Unconsciously she placed a hand over her own shoulder. Could it be...that Reina's the next host for the Curse...?

"Mommy, you've been staring for a long time now." I noted, jolting her out of her thoughts. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"

"Rhea, are you in?"

What is she doing here at a time like this?! Could she possibly sense the change? For now...she shouldn't know about any of this! My mother narrowed her eyes when she heard her sister's voice, too distracted to reply to my question. She quickly patted the dust off and fixed my outfit, gazing deep into my eyes. "Listen, whatever you do, don't talk about your mark to your aunt whatever you do."

"Why?" I questioned, tilting my head to the side. "Why must we keep secrets from Auntie?"

"Just please." The desperation in her voice motivated me to uphold her promise and I nodded my head vigorously. "Good girl."

"There you are. And Reina's with you." Raisa made herself known, stepping into the room with a wiry smile upon her face. "Perfect!"

"Nice to see you as well, Sis." Rhea stood up before her eyes honing in on the bruise on her cheek. "What happened to your face?"

"Oh nothing, I just ran into the door. I can be such a klutz sometimes." She replied with a laugh, and knelt before me. "And how have you been, Reina?"

"Where have you been Auntie?" I asked her, my cheeks swelling up into a cute pout. "It's been a year since."

"Sorry sorry, Auntie's been busy." She apologized before looking at my mother "You must be so busy these days, why don't I babysit her for awhile?"

"I really don't want to bother you..."

"It's nothing really!" Raisa waved her hand dismissively and grabbed my hand. "Let's get going." She lead me to the door before stating over her shoulder, "We'll be back before dinner!"


Out in the field...

"Hahahaha! Wheee~" I laughed and ran across the dirt path with my arms out. Being mildly mad at my aunt flew out the window when I heard we were going to somewhere amazing. Raisa plotted along a little behind me at a leisurely pace, a pleasant look on her face. Scrambling up a small hill I let out a surprised gasp and turned to look over my shoulder. "Auntie, come and look!"

"Oh? Did you find something interesting?" She asked as she stood next to me. "Is it another animal?"

"It's better than that!" I pointed and we could see the entire village of Linacre right below us. If we looked even further we could practically see the defense walls that lead out to the shadow lands. "The view is great up here!"

"And the wind feels great." Raisa closed her eyes and felt the warm winds comb through her hair. Raising her hands into the air she took a deep breath, her chest expanding before shrinking down once she exhaled. "Mmmmm that's refreshing."

"I wish we can hang out here all the time." I sat on a nearby rock and swung my legs aimlessly. "You, me, my parents. Everyone!"

"I agree that would sound lovely." Raisa spared a glance, noticing a little bit of skin from my shoulder had peeked out. The lines that represented my mark caught her attention and she craned her neck slightly in hopes of seeing more. Is that...? I sense something coming from her shoulder...

"Auntie, why do you have such a scary look on your face?" I asked when I noticed her looking at me...no staring at me would be more accurate. There was just something predatory about the gaze that sent shivers down my spine. I unconsciously tightened my clothes around myself. "Are you trying to make me laugh?"

"No...No dear, I'm just-"

"Reina!" We turned to see Riktor standing behind us, his nostrils flared like he had been running. He only looked at Raisa once before focusing his eyes on me."There you are!"

"Daddy!" I held my arms up to him and he picked me up. He tossed me up and down a few times, smiling broadly as I squealed with delight. "Higher Daddy! Higher!"

"That's my daughter! Laugh to your hearts content!" He smiled and threw me higher. "Don't worry about a thing, Daddy will catch you every time!"

"Riktor, why are you here?" Raisa asked him, watching us carefully. "Did Rhea send you?"

"What do you think?" He responded, catching me on the way down and held me close to his chest. "You're late in returning her for dinner. Rhea contacted me through my Scroll so I came here while taking a short-cut."

"Has time gone by that quickly? Oh I'm so sorry." She apologized, slapping her forehead with the palm of a hand. "I should have kept a close eye on time next time."

"You're damn right and next time, I'm tagging along with you two." He snorted with confidence. "It's one thing to enjoy the outdoors but it's another if I set a bad example to my kid. Now if you'll excuse us!"

"You might want to be careful, Riktor." Raisa mused, watching the both of us with a sly smile. "That temper of yours could land you in very deep water."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked, turning around and narrowing his eyes at her. The hairs on the back of his neck had stood up and when he looked at her he couldn't help but tremble a little. "What are you scheming?"

"Just spend as much time as you can with your family..." She replied, turning her back on him to gaze out over the village. "Who knows, it could very well be your last."

"Daddy...what does she mean by that?" I whispered as he turned on his heels and walked back home.

"Don't listen to her, honey." He told me gently, poking my cheek with a finger. That was his favorite move, poking my cheek and then commenting whether or not it got chubbier. "It's just crazy talk."

"Crazy talk?"

"Yup. Crazy talk."


Back at home...

"Did you find them in time? I knew something was a little off when they were ten minutes past dinner." Rhea asked, turning her head when she heard the door open. Her eyes met with Riktor's concerned filled orbs and understanding flowed through them instantly. "...she said something didn't she? What came out of her mouth?"

"Something cryptic came out of her mouth." Riktor replied with a huff, sending me off to wash my hands before preparing to eat himself. "I didn't understand what she meant but...the malice within her voice isn't something to take lightly."

"Raisa's been changing a lot these couple of days, I don't know what it is." Rhea sighed once I came back from the kitchen and settled down in my place at the table. "I could try to suggest her going to the doctor but I'm sure they wouldn't be able to find the cause."

"There was some weird light in her eyes, I can tell it's not like what she used to be."

"Hey Mommy...why is the moon like that?" I asked mid-bite, my head turned to the side with my eyes glancing up. We decided to open the doors since the weather felt great.

"Like what?" She asked, looking at me for a minute before casting her gaze up. Her eyes widened as far as they went and the utensils clattered on the floor. Her body was trembling and shaking. "Reina...please go to the other room."

"B-But..."

"Don't argue with me. Just please go."

"O-O-Okay..." I stood up nervously and left, glancing over my shoulder once before closing the door behind me.

"Dear...when was the last time we saw the moon like that?" She asked Riktor in a hushed whisper once she knew I wasn't listening. He too had set his utensils down, hands folded in front for his chin to rest on.

"'Bloody Moon' the time of the year when the moon turns absolutely red." He sighed slowly. "The last time we saw the moon like that was the time...the bearer of the Curse passed away."

"That's right...my great grandmother." Rhea looked at him with horror, the color of her face was draining and she was breaking out in cold-sweat. "It's a sign no doubt. I can't help but have this queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach..."

"It might be your nerves talking."

"I'm being absolutely serious here." She growled, slamming a fist upon the table. "Something bad is about to happen and I suggest you go and hold a meeting."

"...very well. I'll get an earful though..." He rose from his seat and prepared to leave. "But you and Reina stay here and don't go outside. I don't know what you're sensing but if it's bad enough to make you act this way then I'm not taking any risks."

"I'll keep a close eye on Reina. You don't need to tell me twice." Rhea vowed, loud enough for him to hear. She turned to face him and forced a smile. "Please be careful."


Outside...

A cloaked figure carefully made her way through the village, staying out of the watchful eyes of the guards. Using a secret tunnel she found herself on the other side. Looking around she leaned against the wall and waiting for awhile, all her senses are on high alert. She knew the meaning of the moon and thought about the meaning why she had been summoned.

"So we finally meet." A voice spoke and Raisa looked up, no doubt startled. First she noticed the figure of a woman standing from the shadows then she noticed the waves upon waves of darkness behind her. "I assumed you'd chicken out and refuse to show."

"Man, that's a lot of dark creatures..." Raisa said, her voice shaky since it was her first time coming face to face with the creatures. Steeling her nerves she glared at the woman whose facial features could not be seen. "Why did you bring a lot of your pets? Don't you think it's a little...too much?"

"Oh darling, when you plan a massacre on a special night just like this...this amount is the bare minimum."

"So...do you remember your part of the plan?" asked Raisa, quirking one of her eyebrows. "No slip up now."

"Of course. I'm not one to forget."

"Just remember, my sister and my niece...leave them to me. All I need you to do is get rid of the villagers."

"I'll stay true to my word." The mysterious woman replied with a soft smile. "As long as I get a hold of your niece...I'll leave."

"What if..." Raisa's throat dried up so she swallowed and tried again. "What if some of them survive?"

"Do you even need to ask? Go after them and kill them. No survivors."

"Okay then." Raisa lifted her head to look at the moon. Its red hue seemed to get darker and darker and she looked back at the mysterious woman. "Lets get this started. The longer I procrastinate the harder it is to resist setting this plan into motion."

"As you wish." Raising an arm, her gray skin with black veins were illuminated by the moon, her red-colored eyes narrowed with laughter. "Go on my pets. It's feeding time."