Disclaimer: I own nothing; just the OC
'Thought'
"Talking"
*Action*
"Powerful entity (gods, dragons, etc.)"
[System]
It's been five weeks since I've been indoctrinated into the Branwen Tribe, and things have been going exactly as I expected.
For starters, Raven spars with me nonstop (not training, sparring). Like as soon as I had breakfast, she would literally drag me to the arena and we would spar for the first half of the day. On the other hand, my [Movement Mastery] level has gone up a few times because I had to constantly dodge Raven's merciless attacks. Truth is, I can keep up with her no problem (at least when she's not using magic), I just pretend to be weak physically so that she doesn't get too suspicious of my sudden growth.
Around lunchtime, everyone gets their portion except for me. The other bandits would joke that new members have to hunt for their own food which I obviously could see was total bullshit, but this worked as an excuse to leave the settlement.
Shay would use this time to harass me about being so weak that I can't hunt for my own food which I rebuttal saying that if I'm weak and I beat you doesn't that make him even less of a man? He answered this by throwing his drink at me.
At this point, I was a mere inch away from killing everyone, but I knew I couldn't do that.
… not yet anyway.
So, instead, I just use [Sonido] to go to the nearest town and buy lunch there. It's certainly way better than spending my time hunting in the wild for prey that may not even exist around here. When I returned, the only person who questioned my speed was Raven. I told her that I unlocked my Semblance which she bought instantly. After that, it was more sparring until nighttime.
Let's be real here, Raven's training is absolute garbage. Hell, I can't even call it training, she just beats me everyday to the point of exhaustion. I think she does this to provoke me into using my magic. That or she's finally gone crazy.
[It's most likely a mix of both]
However, it was on the start of my 6th week in the tribe that everything took a turn for the horrible.
Evening
"That's enough." Raven sheathes her sword.
I fell ass-first on the ground. "Finally."
"Don't get comfortable. We'll be right back to training tomorrow." Raven said.
I huff. "Training? You call this training? You've been beating my ass with a hand tied behind your back since I got here. You never taught me any real techniques, you've just been using me as a punching bag."
"I don't have to explain my methods to you, brat." Raven argued.
"Admit it Raven, you don't wanna teach me anything because if you did I might become stronger than you." I countered.
Raven's grip on her sword tightens.
"I know you're afraid, Raven."
Raven's eyes widened.
"I know that my magic scares you and that's fine. It's perfectly normal to fear what you don't understand." I smirked.
"I am not afraid of you." Raven growls.
I then shrug. "Whatever. I'm not going to argue with you about this." I stand up. "I'll see you tomorrow… or not. I might be gone then." I give her a little wave and vanish with [Sonido].
Raven grits her teeth, her eyes letting out a red haze as the ground under her begins to crack. "You stupid brat!"
I walk inside and jump face-first to my bed. It's old as hell and the springs are coming out but it's better than sleeping on the floor.
[Well, another day, another way to piss Raven off. You really like pushing her buttons don't you]
I turn to look up at the ceiling. "At this point, it's just a game of whether or she'll fall to my bait, and if you haven't noticed she's cracking at the seams."
[You really like to screw with people, don't you?]
"Hm."
[By the way, what do you plan to do after you leave the tribe?]
I opened my status menu. "I don't know. Maybe go to Vale? I don't really wanna get involved with Ozma's shenanigans, but it seems like that's unavoidable no matter where I go."
Dungeons available:
Zombie Dungeon (Complete)
Lizardman Dungeon (Complete)
Bird Dungeon
?
I press the [Bird Dungeon] icon.
In an instant, I am transported from my tent to the bottom of a cliffside. I look at the cliff and see the dozens of nests situated at the edge.
Side Quest!
Missing Bird!
A nesting ground but no birds? Why is that? Find the source of this decline
Objective: Find the source of this decline
Reward: 10,000 EXP, 7,853 Credits
I stare at the top of the mountain, "I guess I should probably start climbing." I grab the rocky formations and slowly start to climb. In my past life, I never tried climbing but I never thought climbing would be this easy. Suddenly, something latches itself onto my shoulders and lifts me upwards before dropping me somewhere in the mountain.
"Oof, what the?" I look back to see three half human, half bird creatures in front of me. One of them has what looks to be a crude spear in their hand.
Name: Male Harpy
Level: 19
HP: 378
MP: 277
SP: 509
Thoughts about you: Prey
Name: Spear Harpy
Level: 21
HP: 478
MP: 308
SP: 501
Thoughts about you: Prey
Skill Level Up!
[Observe LVL. 25/100]
I throw fireballs at the three monsters, but they all manage to fly out of the way. The harpy with the spear doesn't waste a second and charges at me with its spear, however, the spear simply bounces off and the avian monster tries to stabilize itself.
-400 Damage
AP: 3,950/4,350
HP: 7,960/7,960
"So this is what it feels like to be protected by [Aura]? Nice." I switched my [Iron Sword] with [Revolver]. "Let me give you something in return." I leap and use [Braver] to cleave the Harpy in two.
You have killed Spear Harpy! You have gained 886 EXP! You have earned 601 Credits!
Level Up!
Skill Level Up(x2)!
[Braver LVL. 3/8]
[Blade Mastery LVL. 8/100]
I slam my hand to the ground and a platform rises from the earth. I jump on it and leap upwards to where the harpies are and grab one of them by the face and encase their head in ice before crushing it completely. The other harpie tries to swoop in for an attack with its talons but I grab one of its legs and send it spiraling straight to the earth and is pierced through the chest by sharp spikes that rise from the ground.
You have killed Male Harpy(x2)! You have gained 689 EXP(x2)! You have earned 519 Credits(x2)!
"That takes care of them." I take time to look at my surroundings before looking down at the edge and looking up. "It seems those monsters took me higher than I thought. I should be able to reach the peak of the cliff in no time." With my mind set, I begin the tread upwards once again. As I climb, I pass by a couple of abandoned nests. Come to think of it, aside from the three monsters, I haven't seen any other harpies at all.
"Where did they go?" That was the million dollar question. It was weirdly odd for a nesting ground like this to be empty with nothing in sight. "I have a bad feeling about this…" Suddenly there's a presence and when I turn to look, something crashes into me and pushes me near the edge but I plant my weapon to the ground just in time.
-574 Damage
AP: 3,926/4,500
HP: 8,240/8,240
When I look up, I see two harpies with exposed breasts, signifying that they're female, but what stands out about them is the metal helmets they're wearing on their heads.
Name: Female Harpy Knight
Level: 23
HP: 589
MP: 309
SP: 600
Thoughts about you: HUNGRY!
"Let's try this." I raise [Revolver] and pull it back like it's about to rest on my shoulder before bringing it down for a swing. In that instant, a green light beam fires directly from the blade towards the enemy, leaving a rippling effect splitting one of the harpies and shredding the other harpie due to the shockwave.
Skill Level Up(x3)!
[Blade Beam LVL. 2/10]
[Geokinesis LVL. 6/10]
[Blade Mastery LVL. 9/100]
You have defeated Female Harpy Knight(x2)! You have gained 924 EXP(x2)! You have earned 723 Credits(x2)!
I hissed. "Shit… well that takes care of them."
With nothing left to do, I continue my climb until I reach the top of the mountain. There is a massive nest made out of a mix of branches and bones. I walk up to the bones and notice that a lot of them are avian-like in nature, making it obvious to me where the other monsters who lived here went.
The question now is… where is the big bad?
Suddenly, a gust of wind blows me back as I grab a nearby stone to keep from falling off the edge. Descending is a massive bird-like creature made entirely of metal. Its beak is pitch black and its eyes glow an eerie green.
"GUUAKK!" It cries out, its beak full of rotating saws and a tongue made up of plasma.
Name: Silver Birdman
Level: 32
HP: 1,124
MP: 789
SP: 1,009
Thoughts about you: INTRUDER!
Skill Level Up!
[Observe LVL. 26/100]
"You're not so tough." I throw a fireball at the boss monster and hits, but the fire quickly gives out and doesn't seem to do any damage.
"Well, that's just not fair at all."
The metal bird opens its mouth and unleashes a laser beam straight at me.
"What the fuck!?" I dodge the incoming attack. "Since when do birds shoot laser beams out of their mouths!?" It fires another beam and I wasn't able to dodge it in time and it hits.
-2354 Damage
AP: 2,146/4,500
HP: 8,240/8,240
The bird monster raises its metal wings and with a swing sends its metal feathers at me. I raised [Revolver] in order to shield myself but that wasn't exactly effective.
-1877 Damage
AP: 269/4,500
HP: 8,240/8240
"If I can't get close to attack, then I'll just have to take you from where I stand." I activate [Chroma] and summon all seven hands. The hands then begin to separate into two groups before they merge, becoming two massive hands with the holes on each hand glowing cyan and blue. "DUALITY."
The bird boss lets out a war cry and takes to the skies.
I throw my arms forward and the two hands fly forward. The cyan hand conjures blue wires that wrap around the birdman's wings and the blue hand creates two saw-like constructs.
"Let's see how tough those feathers really are." The saw constructs fly at break-neck speeds towards the target. The boss monster quickly flies upwards to evade the incoming attack, but it proves useless as the saws change their trajectory and follow it like heat-seeking missiles.
The cyan hand conjures blue wires that extend high into the sky where the monster is. "Got you." The wires catch up to the boss and wrap themselves around its body, trapping it.
*SHANK*
The saws quickly catch up and in that instant, tear off its metal wings effectively cripping it.
I watch as the metal bird descends and crashes into its nest with a loud thud. I walk a little closer and the monster makes weak cries as it loses a lot of blood.
A large Gaster Blaster manifests behind me and its mouth begins to glow and fires a red beam at the boss monster and completely turns into ashes.
"Hm… smells like fried chicken." I hummed.
You have killed the Silver Birdman! You have gained 2,500 EXP! You have earned 1,651 Credits!
Level Up!
Skill Level Up!
[Chroma LVL. 7/10]
Quest Complete!
Missing Bird!
Objective (Complete): Find the source of this decline
Reward: 10,000 EXP, 7,853 Credits, Items
Level Up(x2)!
Items Acquired:
[Mana Potion] - Rank: D
Restores 30 potions of Aura
[Remedy(x4)]
[Elixir] - Rank: A
Fully restores HP/MP
As the wind carries the ashes away I notice something poking out of the nest. "Hm?" I walk towards it and kneel in front of it. I start throwing the bones and branches aside until I unearthed what looks to be a brilliant, cut blue diamond.
"Is that what I think it is…?" I pick up the gem and it glows. "[Observe]"
[Blue Chaos Emerald] - Rank: EX
One of the seven Chaos Emeralds. Each of the Chaos Emeralds is said to possess mystical properties and contain tremendous, if not unlimited, amounts of highly potent and powerful Chaos Emerald energy that is said to give energy to all things.
Skill Level Up!
[Observe LVL. 27/100]
"Holy shit! I can't believe I found one so soon!" I exclaimed.
[Only six more to go. I wonder where you'll find the next one]
I use [ID: Escape] and promptly collapse on the mattress. "Haa… I'm exhausted." I open my status screen.
Name: Asmodeus
Title: The Gamer
Race: Human
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Level: 31
HP: 9,080 (908 per minute)
MP: 12,390 (1239 per minute)
SP: 5,160 (516 per minute)
AP: 4,950 (495 per minute)
VIT: 227
STR: 289
DEX: 258
END: 289
INT: 258
WIS: 165
MAG: 413
LUK: 227
CHA: 196
Money: 10,000,049,317
My eyes are starting to grow heavy. "I guess… I'll skip… dinner…" My eyes close shut and I fall asleep.
The boy and a woman are sitting in front of a fireplace. The boy is happily eating a sandwich, his face overflowing with joy as his silver eyes seemingly sparkle in the night.
The dreams have been completely random over the past couple of weeks. Some are straightforward while most are just random images that I can't make heads or tails of.
However, something is different this time… because I can actually HEAR them.
"I'm so excited, mom!" The boy smiles brightly. "I can't wait to meet my new family!"
"Me too! The girls are gonna be thrilled to have a big brother." Mom returns his smile with the same enthusiasm. "We're only a few days away from the next station. After that, it's a Bullhead ride all the way to Patch."
The boy excitedly eats his sandwich. Finally, he wasn't going to be alone anymore. He was going to have a family.
He was finally, finally… happy.
"If only that happiness could have lasted forever."
"Huh?" My attention snaps at the sudden voice before something drags me away from the dream and my vision becomes distorted before it cuts to black.
*Gasp* I shoot upright from the bed as I gasp for air. "What… what was that…?"
[It seems something has entered the dream, but that's not possible since the only ones who can enter are myself and you]
"So where did the creepy voice come from?" I asked.
[I may have an idea, but I'll need more time to confirm my suspicions]
"Hm. Well, I should probably head to the arena for my… ugh… training session." I cringed as I got up and made my way towards the arena where Raven was already waiting for me.
"You're late." Raven said with the usual scowl on her face.
"Well excuse me, but I deserve some sleep after our LAST session." I said with evident frustration in my voice.
Oh right, I suppose I didn't tell you. Yesterday, Raven thought it was a brilliant idea to shove me into a portal without any warning and send me into a Grimm-infested arena where I and another bandit had to fight our way through to survive.
Long story short, I easily left the area but the bandit refused my help saying that asking for help makes you weak and that he can find a way out on their own. They never came back.
"I wanted to see your full potential." Raven simply states. "There are forces out there that you do not understand. You must be strong if you're going to protect the tribe from the enemy."
'Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want with me.' I glared at her as a sword was thrown at me.
"Are you done complaining? Good. Now get ready because I am NOT holding back." Raven gets into her stance.
"When do you ever hold back?" I sarcastically asked and the two of us charged at one another.
Raven charges at me for a forward slash. I blocked it but I was blown back by power behind her sword. I went downward strike but Raven seemingly blurs out of sight and appears behind, delivering a powerful kick to my back. She doesn't stop as she follows with a six-slash combo, forcing me to go on the defensive before she grabs my collar and throws me across the arena.
-1,422 Damage
AP: 3,528/4,950
HP: 9,080/9,080
Skill Level Up!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 10/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 12/100]
"Shit…" I hissed.
"When did you become such a coward? Come on, attack me! Use your Semblance! Don't you want to win!? Or are you content with being my punching bag?" Raven taunts.
I get up and let out a warcry and rush at Raven with a series of multiple strikes. Raven easily blocks all of my attacks before parrying the last one. Raven drops in forward for a sweep kick, which I backflip away from her before charging forward, thrusting my sword into Raven's chest. Raven quickly blocks the blade, then blocks several more times as her opponent attempts to stab her repeatedly.
"Hmph, predictable." Raven grabs my arm and pulls me in for a lethal strike, but I use my weight to pull Raven down to the ground, forcing her to let me go.
Skill Level Up!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 11/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 13/100]
As we continue to trade blows, I notice that Raven is attacking more aggressively. All I can do is defend myself from either slice or stab the bandit leader sends my way. She sheathed her sword and pressed a trigger on her scabbard, causing the revolver to move to a red cylinder. She unsheathes her sword, now completely made of fire Dust and swings it in an arc, sending a torrent of fire towards me.
With no other option, I lift my sword and slice the fire, splitting it into two and charge towards Raven at full speed.
Skill Level Up!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 12/100]
We went on like this for hours doing the exact same thing: Raven hitting me, me falling on the floor, getting up; rinse and repeat. Though unbeknownst to her, this simply helped me grow stronger.
Skill Level Up(x2)!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 13/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 14/100]
Skill Level Up(x2)!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 14/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 15/100]
Skill Level Up(x2)!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 15/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 16/100]
Skill Level Up(x2)!
[Blade Mastery LVL. 16/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 17/100]
At this point, we were just rough housing.
"You're still weak. Even after all this time you haven't gotten stronger." Raven states calmly thought I can tell that its all just for show. She held her sword tightly with both of her hands, unlike a few weeks ago where she only used one. She was exhaling with her mouth, her face glistens with a sheen of sweat.
Ironically, this just made Raven more visually appealing.
"You think too much. Stop evaluating what your opponent's next move will be. Use your instincts, your drive, be more proactive or else you'll find yourself an early foot in the grave." She kicks me in the face with enough force to send me out of the arena.
I slowly get up and stare as Raven's back becomes further and further away. I stand up and clean the dirt and dust off my pants. "Welp, I guess I'll go to town and get myself a beef bowl." I use [Sonido] to get out of the tribe.
However, unbeknownst to me, Raven was watching from an undisclosed location.
"Bastard…" Raven growls.
Sometime later
With a sonic boom I arrive at my destination: a little town just off the border of the kingdom of Mistral. Because its location is close to the kingdom's wall, Huntsmen are able to protect it much more efficiently from bandit raids and Grimm unlike villages and towns like Shion, which is located close to the mountains.
Skill Level Up!
[Sonido LVL. 10/10]
I hum in delight as I walk to my favorite restaurant. The bell chimes as I enter the restaurant and the waitress walks up to me.
"Welcome back, sir. It's so good to see you again!" The waitress greets me.
I smile. "It's good to be back."
"I have your favorite spot available for you. Would you like to start with the usual?" She asked.
"Of course. Do you really need to ask?" I said.
The waitress smiles and guides me to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Why is this my favorite spot you ask? Well, that table is situated next to a large window where just outside is a beautiful garden white lilies which is owned by the owner's wife.
"Here you go." The waitress puts a glass of sweet tea on the table.
"Thank you." I take the glass and drink it.
"Your meal will be ready in a moment." The waitress turns away to attend to her other customers.
I look at the tranquil landscape and begin to contemplate what'll happen in the future. Cinder is likely already in Vale right now, collecting power and exerting her influence over the kingdom's underworld. She'll persuade Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus to work for her, all for the sake of stealing the other half of the [Fall Maiden]. Meanwhile, Ozma will set his sights on Ruby Rose and enroll her into Beacon after stopping one of Roman's heists. He places her on a team and after a couple of b-plot episodes, they participate in the Vytal Festival and then all hell breaks loose. Cinder enacts her plan and becomes a complete maiden, kills Ozma's current incarnation and Pyrrha Nikos. As a result of this, the world becomes more divided and the cast does everything to prevent the end of the world.
I stare at my reflection on the sweaty glass. Did Ozma think the Fall Maiden would be safe underneath his school? Did he really think Salem wouldn't attack a combat school just to get what she wants? He is risking the lives of all of his students and yet claims that he wants to protect all of humanity?
Foolish.
"Say what you will about Cinder, she does have a good point. Ozma is very arrogant." I mutter as I drink more of my tea. "And so is Salem."
*CLING, CLING~*
"Hello? Is it alright if I rest here for a while?"
The sound of a familiar voice pulls me out of my thoughts as I look up. Standing in front of the entrance is a boy who is short in stature carrying bags full of supplies. His skin is tanned and he has a faint, perpetual blush and freckles on his cheeks. His hair is dark brown and his eyes are hazel, the main iris being forest green, with accents of burnt orange and yellow around the pupil.
He is wearing a dirty and scuffed white shirt that has laces across the chest. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and there is a pocket on the left tricep. Orange suspenders hold up his olive pants, which are tucked into worn, brown boots. The pants are patched over the knee, and a quilted cloth hangs loosely out of his left pocket. He wears orange gloves, with green straps overlapping across the back of the hand in an X shape, and around the wrist. His neck is wrapped with a torn bandage, though it is noted to not be covering a wound.
"Well I'll be damned…" I whisper under my breath. "[Observe]"
Name: Oscar Pine
Title: Farm Boy
Level: 7
HP: 215
MP: 0
SP: 142
AP: 0
Thoughts about you: Tired, thirsty
Oscar lets go of his bags and lets them make a loud thud on the floor as he pulls a chair and takes a seat.
"Phew… I needed that." He stretches his arms and seemingly melts into his chair.
"Hey, kid." Oscar looks around until he turns in my direction.
"Over here." I wave at him.
Oscar looks to his left, then to his right before turning back to me. "Are you… talking to me?"
"No, the other boy who just waltzes in. Of course I'm talking to you." I said.
"Um…" Oscar fidgets in his seat. "Why are you talking to me?"
"I don't know, I guess I was just bored." I gestured to him to come forward. "Come and take a seat. It would be pretty stupid to talk like this."
Oscar, either because he has nothing better to do or because he's too tired to care, walks towards this stranger and takes a seat adjacent to his own.
"Much better, don't you think?" I said before a steamy bowl of beef is placed in front of me.
"Here is your order, sir." The waitress said.
"Thank you so much." I give her a [Friendly Smile]. "Say, could you get this kid a drink as well? And a refill for mine?"
The waitress lightly blushes. "N-No problem!" She takes my glass and quickly rushes to the back of the restaurant.
Oscar is completely baffled by what he just saw.
"So," I take the chopsticks and snap them into even halves. "What's your name?"
"M-My name is O-Oscar Pine." Oscar answered.
"Oscar… that's a good name." I start eating the blanket of beef. "So Oscar, what brings you all the way here?"
"I'm just buying supplies for the farm…" Oscar reveals as the waitress places the drinks on the table.
"You're a farmer?" I asked.
Oscar nods. "My aunt owns a farm two miles away from here. I help out with doing chores and help during the harvest season."
I drink my sweet tea. "And she sent you out on an errand like this by yourself? Shouldn't there at least be one more person to help you carry that stuff?"
Oscar lets out a nervous chuckle. "We do, but the intern called sick today and my aunt had something else to take care of so it was just me."
'Farmers can have interns?' I thought. "That must be hard."
"It is, not to mention carrying all that stuff is a nightmare. I almost thought my back was going to break." Oscar whimpers.
"Hm…" I continue eating my favorite dish. "I got it."
"Got what?" Oscar asked, perplexed.
"I'll help you carry your stuff." I clarified.
Oscar is surprised. "But we just met! Why would you go out of your way to help me?
"Because helping people is always the right thing to do!" I said with a [Friendly Smile].
Oscar's stares at me, a strange feeling blooming in his chest. "Thank you."
+49 Reputation with Oscar Pine (49/100)
I put down my chopsticks as I finished my meal. "Then it's decided. But first," I called the waitress. "Check please."
"Here you go." The waitress hands me the check.
"Here you go, my dear. And here's a tip for such a good job." I winked.
The waitress blushes and rushes towards the register as she makes the payment.
You paid -31 Credits.
Your current balance is 10,000,049,286.
I stand up from my spot and grab all of Oscar's things. Surprisingly, they aren't as heavy as I initially thought, but then I remembered my strength stat and then it made sense.
"Now where did you say your farm was?" I asked.
"It's just a few miles from here." Oscar points to the path beyond. "Just follow the path uphill and you'll eventually see it."
We walk outside and I look at him. "You may want to grab onto me for this one."
"Why?"
"Because we'll be going at high speeds and unless you have some kind of healing ability, I don't want your face to be shredded to bits." I stated.
A knot forms in Oscar's throat but he quickly swallows it as he works up the courage to grab my waist.
"Here we go." I activate [Sonido] and we both disappear.
The scene switches to show an entrance that leads towards a large building at the center of a large field with even smaller buildings in the background. It is peaceful and full of tranquility.
This tranquility, however, is suddenly disrupted by a sonic boom as two bodies appear from nowhere with the oldest holding a variety of items in hand.
Skill Level Up!
[Movement Mastery LVL. 18/100]
"We're here, Oscar." I said but got no response. "Oscar?"
Oscar slowly lets go of my torso as he shakes violently. "N-Never do that again!"
We walk inside the building and put everything down on the floor.
"Hey, are you Huntsman?" Oscar asked.
"No. I'm mainly self taught." I half lied. For all I know, my host did go to combat school but I don't have those memories.
"Wow, you must be a genius." Oscar remarks with stars in his eyes.
I chuckle. "I'm not that smart. I just worked really hard."
Oscar nods. "I want to be a Huntsman, too. I want to protect aunty and all of the people on the farm." There's a fire burning in his eyes. "I want to go to Haven Academy and become the best Huntsman ever!"
"Haven?" That's when something sparks inside me; a memory. I was in an office yelling at somebody behind a desk. The man was frightened, jumpy from all of the constant yelling before it suddenly shifted to Grimm tearing people apart and my vision turned red.
"If only I realized it sooner, they would still be alive…"
I grab on the edge of the table with all my strength causing it to break in my hands. My pupils dilate and glow, veins popping in my forehead. Rage building up inside me.
Oscar feels the sudden burst of negativity coming from the older teen and slowly walks up to him. "A-Are you okay…?" He touches my shoulder.
"!" [Gamer's Mind] kicks in and I turn around. "What's up?"
"You…" Did he imagine it? "You broke the table."
I look down to see the broken remains on my hand. "Oh, sorry."
After that, we put everything away to where it's supposed to go. My thoughts go back to that brief flashback and how much it affected me. And that voice again… just who was that?
"Hey, um… shouldn't you be getting back home or something?" Oscar asks before he gets nervous. "N-Not that I'm trying to kick you out or anything! It's just that I don't want your family to get worried!"
I look up at the setting sun. "Hm… I guess I should head back." I make my way outside. "It was nice meeting you, Oscar."
Oscar nods. "You too."
I continue walking before suddenly stopping. "Oh, before I forget." I turn to Oscar with a serious expression. "Beware of the man who wears faces. Beware of the man from an age forgotten by the gods." My expression lightens up and I wave at the farm boy. "See ya!" I vanish with a booming effect.
Oscar looks at me perplexed. "What does that mean?" He walks back inside and attends to the rest of his chores for the day.
Later
The sun sets as I arrive at the campsite and I see everyone moving around frantically.
[What's going on?]
Someone walks past me and I grab their shoulder. "Hey, what's going on?"
"Leave me alone. Can't you see I'm busy?" The bandit grumbles and walks off.
"Attitude much?" 'I guess I'll talk to Raven if I want any answers.' I run towards the center of the camp where I find Raven talking to a group of bandits.
"You all know your jobs. Now go." The bandits quickly disperse leaving only me looking at the amazoness chieftain. "Oh? Welcome back. How was your hunt?"
I raised an eyebrow at Raven's odd tone of voice, but quickly put it aside for now. "What's going on, Raven? Why is everyone in such a frenzy?"
"We're going on a raid tonight. This will be our biggest one yet." Raven states.
"Who's the target?" I asked.
"A mining town. Supposedly, the biggest one in the kingdom. If we hit that then we will set for the next couple of months." Raven walks into her tent but not before giving me a glance. "This will be your final test, and if you pass then you are truly one of us." She disappears inside.
"Another test? How long is this gonna go on?" I mutter.
"Hey, what are you standing there for!?" The smug voice of Vernal snaps me back into reality. "Hurry up and get your shit ready! We're leaving in an hour!"
'An hour, that's more time than I thought. I guess I'll head to my tent for now.' I pass by several people until I arrive in my tent. Since all of my stuff is already inside my [Inventory], there isn't much for me to do.
[I suppose this is now a good time to discuss Raven's odd behavior. Did she sound a little… off to you?]
"Yeah, she did. I wonder what she has planned." I look at the ceiling of the tent.
The camera zooms out, revealing a corvid is seen perched on a nearby roof. It's red eyes staring intensely at the tent's only occupant.
Much later - Nighttime
The Branwen Tribe looks on at their intended target. Everyone had the look of a predator, ready to pounce on their prey the moment it showed any weakness.
Vernal looks through a pair of binoculars before turning to everyone. "As soon as they send the signal, we will strike."
The bandits all begin to giggle excitedly, like children about to enter a toy store. They're all doing last minute touches on their weapons, making them sharper and loading ammo.
"You better not be dead weight, rookie." One of the bandits said though I really wasn't paying attention.
What caught my attention is the intended target: the town I was in this morning, the same one where I met Oscar.
[Don't you think it's about time to end this charade?]
"Oh, fuck this." I elbow the bandit on my side and throw his body at the other, shocking everyone.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Vernal yells out.
"Take a guess, bitch!" I put on the [Joker's Mask] and run at fast speeds.
"Dammit! Okay, change of plans, we're attacking now!" Vernal yells at everyone and they all charge.
I arrive at the town and run around trying to get everyone's attention. "Hey! You need to get out of here! There are bandits coming!" But as soon as I said that an explosion goes off at the main gate and bandits quickly charge in like a stampede.
"Shit!" I slam my hands to the ground and a wall rises from the ground blocking their path. I turn to the civilians behind me. "GO NOW!"
The civilians quickly run away from the scene but then the wall explodes and the bandits quickly flood the entrance and surround me.
From the crowd, Vernal and Shay step forward and glare at me.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Vernal demands. "Thanks to your stunt, we had to improvise!"
I turn to face the bandit girl. "Isn't it obvious? I'm not gonna let you attack this town."
"I always knew you were never one of us. But that's a good thing," Shay takes out his revolver. "Because now I can finally have my revenge."
I scoff. "One of you? You think I actually lowered myself to your level? That's hilarious." I chuckled. "You guys were just a means to an end. I stayed in your tribe for as long as I had because I had nowhere else to go, I had to endure endure five weeks with you assholes and Raven's dumb attempts at training. I mean who throws someone at a Grimm nest and calls that training!? You must be insane or retarded!"
Vernal narrows her eyes. "You're talking as if you can beat us."
"Correction: I will beat you. So if you don't wanna die, I suggest you leave. Now." I told her, my tone is colder than ice.
After making my declaration, all I get is laughter from the Branwen Tribe.
"Yo, is this guy freaking serious!?"
"Man, he must have a screw loose!"
"It's sad we have to kill him. He is such a rare cutie."
Vernal calms herself. "Okay, now I know you're crazy. There's no way that you can beat all of us."
"It seems like you forgot what happened the last time we fought. But don't worry," I pull out my [Iron Sword]. "I'll happily give you a reminder."
Vernal didn't see it coming.
One moment he was there, and the next he was right behind her.
Vernal every survival instinct forces her body to move just before the traitor can bring down his sword, the force of swing strong enough to split the asphalt underneath.
"Kill him!" Vernal orders and the bandits try to gang up on me
I stab my sword into the ground and summon three [Gaster Blasters] to rotate around me and before anyone can do anything, they fire, killing everyone within the rotating blast radius.
Vernal and Shay narrowly dodge the laser attacks as they helplessly watch their fellow bandits screaming for their lives before being incinerated by the devastating beams of death. They don't have time to say anything as the beams hit the building they're on and they jump to the next building and the next as each of them collapse from the attacks.
After a minute, the screams die down and all that is left are smoke and ashes.
You have defeated Branwen Tribe Bandits (x35)! You have earned 50 EXP (x35)! You have gained 34 Credits (x35)!
Level Up!
The blasters disappear and I pull my sword out of the ground. "Pathetic."
[Behind you!]
I turn around only for something to collide with my face.
*BOOM!*
The next thing I know I'm blasting off into the sky by a large explosion.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I scream from the top of my lungs before gravity finally kicks in. I crash into the roof of a building and don't stop until I fall on the first floor.
-3,001 Damage
AP: 2,099/5,100
HP: 9,360/9,360
I move the rubble away as I slowly get up as my [Aura] flares up. "What the hell was that!?" I look through the window and see a dozen or so bandits holding rocket launchers.
[It seems the Branwen Tribe have come prepared. They are using rocket launchers]
"No shit. Where was Raven keeping these guys?" I look at my now broken [Iron Sword] and throw it away as I pull out [Revolver].
[What do we do now?]
"What do you think? There's no option but to fight. So let's get straight to the point." I said as I took a step back.
As the bandits ready their aim at the building their enemy was in, they are suddenly taken aback by the roof suddenly exploding outwards in an array of colors as they see something flying out of the explosion.
"Hm!" I extend my arms out and summon a few dozen of [Gaster Blasters] and land on the head of one of them.
"Fire! Everyone, open fire!" The bandits fire their rockets at the traitor and hit him dead center. "YES!" They all cheer at their success.
However, their jubilation turns out to be short-lived as when the smoke clears they call a green dome protecting him and quickly disappears.
I raise my left hand and make a finger gun as the blasters behind me begin to charge.
"Bang." I pull back the finger gun in a motion similar to how a real gun recoils.
The blasters all fire.
All of the bandits attempt to run but it's a futile endeavor and they are all killed instantly by the bombardment. Before me is nothing but a smothering crater as the rustle of wind picks up the ashes.
You have defeated Branwen Tribe Bandits (x17)! You have earned 50 EXP (x17)! You have gained 34 Credits (x17)!
Skill Level Up!
[Chroma LVL. 8/10]
I hissed at the sight. "The townspeople aren't gonna be happy about this."
Suddenly, a rocket flies in and destroys the blaster I was standing on but I manage to land safely on the ground. When I turn to look, I see Shay struggling to keep the rocket launcher stable because it's too much for his skinny ass.
"Really Shay? You can barely hold that thing. I'm surprised that you could keep it steady enough to fire." I walk towards him ready to strike him down. "But once a screw up, always a screw up."
"A screw up? Maybe, but…" Shay's sudden smile made me stop. "I'm not the one who can't see the writing on the wall."
I snap my body around and only have time to register the two light beams blasting me away.
-783 Damage
AP: 1,826/5,100
HP: 9,360/9,360
Vernal aims her guns at me. "Shay, do it!"
Shay does a barrel roll and gets into position next to her. They both pull the triggers of their weapons and fire their strongest attacks.
I only have time to look as the attacks connect, creating a large explosion. Vernal and Shay cover their eyes from the cloud of smoke and slowly lower their arms to see the results of their attack.
"You think he's dead?" Shay asked.
"FUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKK!"
Vernal and Shay's body stiffen at the sudden scream. No. He… he can't be alive. That's impossible.
But sure enough, the figure of the traitor slowly walks out of the fire. His aura flaring until it dissipated completely. His clothes are shredded and he has cuts that were deep enough for blood to flow out though miraculously, that mask he's wearing had no visible damage.
But aside from that, he was very, VERY much alive.
-5,155 Damage
AP: 0/4,850
HP: 6,031/9,360
[Gamer's Mind] sets in as I readjust my mask. "That attack took out all of my remaining [Aura]. And my mask is still intact. Amen, Hallelujah, and peanut butter."
Shay's legs are shaking uncontrollably. "H-How!? That rocket can take out an Atlas Paladin!"
"Good question. Here's a better one: will you still be alive in the next five seconds?" I twirl the [Revolver] before suddenly rushing at the panicked Shay and begin my attack.
1st strike.
Shay's Aura vanishes.
2nd strike.
Shay tries to raise the heavy rocket launcher to protect himself but it is futile as the attack cuts straight through the large piece of weaponry and into him, leaving a large gash across his chest.
3rd strike.
I plunge the blade into his right shoulder, twist it, cutting off Shay's entire right arm.
4th strike.
I jump back and charge in all the while dragging [Revolver] on the asphalt, letting sparks fly as I get faster. "Rough Drive!" I drag the blade upwards, creating an explosion strong enough to destroy the ground under Shay's feet and blow him high up.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Shay screams loudly before he quickly speeds back down. *SPLAT!*
Shay crashes head-first into the ground, the force of the collision destroys his head completely, leaving a gory stain of brain matter, eyes, teeth and so forth on the floor.
You have killed Shay D. Mann. You have gained 845 EXP! You have earned 701 Credits!
Skill Level Up!
[Renzokuken LVL. 2/10]
"Guess not." I turned my sights to Vernal. "Now for you."
But before I move a red vortex opens in front of Vernal and out from it Raven walks out.
I cross my arms and look at her in disdain. "The star of the show has finally arrived. And here I thought you were too much of a coward to fight me."
Raven doesn't respond and instead glances at the destruction around before turning to Vernal. "Report."
"M-Ma'am…. The mission was a failure." Vernal manages to say. "H-He killed everyone."
"I see." Raven turns to the culprit. "Get out of here. You are too weak to fight him."
Vernal's eyes widened in shock. "What!? But-"
"Do not argue with me girl." Raven interjects. "This boy… he is no match for you. He will kill you without any hesitation."
"But-" Vernal is cut off by Raven suddenly whipping her head around with a frustrated expression.
"DO NOT QUESTION ME! A DEAD WEIGHT LIKE YOU HAS NO CHANCE AT KILLING HIM! HURRY UP AND GET OUT OF MY SIGHT OR ELSE YOU'LL DIE!" Raven screams at her.
Vernal flinches at Raven's harsh words and quickly gets up and runs away, leaving a faint trace of tears in her eyes.
I sigh. "So you drove her away in the end. I'm not surprised. You never let people get close to you, I don't understand why someone like you has that kind of Semblance."
Raven looks back at me and sends me a glare. "Why did you kill my tribe?"
"Those useless things? Honestly, aside from the fact they were going to raid my favorite spot, I already had plans to remove the tribe from the get go." I said nonchalantly. "You guys trying to ransack this town merely hastened your execution."
Raven reaches for her sword and unsheathes it, revealing the brilliant red blade of her signature weapon, [Omen]. "I should have killed you the moment I realized you couldn't be controlled."
I narrowed my eyes. "You couldn't control me even if you tried." I point [Revolver] at her. "You also shouldn't have sent the [Spring Maiden] away, otherwise you would have had a better fighting chance."
"Vernal isn't the Spring Maiden." Raven's eyes flare with power as a powerful gust of wind blows the surrounding rubble away. "I AM!" She leans forward and launches herself at high speeds.
"!" I raise my sword just in time to block her sword as she pushes me back with sheer force alone. I parry her sword and kick her back but she twists her body and gracefully lands on her feet without difficulty.
"I already knew you were the [Spring Maiden], Raven." This catches Raven by surprise. "There was no way you were going to leave that much power in the hands of some girl, so like the bandit you are you stole it from her along with her life."
Raven snarls. "You don't know anything!" Icicles begin to form around her and she fires them at me.
I activate [Fire Control] and create my own projectiles and they collide with the icicles destroying them.
"I know more than you can possibly imagine." I use [Sonido] and appear above her before bringing down my sword for a [Braver] and follow it with a four-slash combo and finish it with a Rough Drive, sending the Bandit Queen flying.
Raven tries to regain control of her body but that's when she sees these weird white pellets appearing around her, about seven in total, before they all turn orange and explode simultaneously.
Skills Level Up(x6)!
[Fire Control LVL. 9/10]
[Braver LVL. 3/8]
[Chroma LVL. 9/10]
[Renzokuken LVL. 3/100]
[Movement Mastery LVL. 19/100]
[Blade Mastery LVL. 17/100]
I look up as the smoke clears, revealing Raven floating in the air as she glares down at me.
"Those eyes…" Raven's grip on her weapon tightens. "You have the same look in your eyes as her." Dark clouds begin to form in the sky and flashes of lighting can be seen. Raven raises her hand and the thunder becomes much louder as she turns arm into a sort of lighting rod.
"Now, disappear with the thunderclap." Raven's arm falls and a massive bolt of lighting comes crashing down on me, resulting in a large explosion.
"!" Suddenly, a massive hand made of earth suddenly rises from the smoke and attempts to grab Raven but she uses the lighting to destroy it. As the earth construct crumbles she sees the brat standing on a monster's skull now with an engine-like sword in his right hand.
Raven clicks her tongue in annoyance. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?"
I let out an awkward chuckle. "Yeah… when I get into something, I don't stop until I see through. But enough of that." I raise both of my arms and take a stance. "How about we end this here and now?"
Raven summons more of her power. "You took the words out of my mouth." She summons a sword made of ice and raises towards me with the intent to finish her opponent off.
I follow suit and we raise towards each other and our blades collide; ice sword vs [Engine Sword] and [Omen] vs [Revolver].
However, my eyes soon widen in disbelief as [Omen] digs into [Revolver] and it breaks and she brings the blade down on me.
I managed to avoid it but I wasn't fast enough… and she cut off my left arm.
-7,196 Damage
AP: 0/5,100
HP: 3,173/9,360
I look down to see the ice sword protruding from my chest as blood quickly seeps out from the wound.
"You lose." Raven said.
"*Cough!*" I spit out blood as I lose my balance and fall to the ground.
"W… why didn't my Semblance activate…?" I gurgle out. My Semblance should have made me stronger than Raven.
"In the end, you were weak." I move my head to see Raven walking towards me, holding her stomach from the slash wound I inflicted on her.
"Urgh…" I grunt as I try everything to stay conscious.
Raven shakes her head. "You are foolish… if you had only listened to me you would have lived." She raises her sword up to my face. "What I'm doing now is a mercy. You should be grateful." She plunges her sword to my head, breaking the [Joker's Mask] and splitting it into two.
"It's done…" Raven stares at the boy's dead silver eyes. "Why do all silver-eyed people have to be so self-righteous? All that does is get you killed faster." She says before turning around and limping away.
Rain begins to pour down on the now fresh corpse.
The camera begins to zoom in on his face and further on until it zooms in his pupil where it all goes black.
The boy looks on from his hiding place in the bushes as his mother is being slowly crushed by a gorilla Grimm. Beside the Grimm is another Grimm with jellyfish-like features and a man with a scorpion's tail.
"It seems Ozpin has become arrogant over the years. To let his most prized pawn out of his sight like this is unbecoming of him." A female voice said from the jellyfish Grimm.
The scorpion man giggles. "Yes, yes! What a fool! I could not believe my luck." Purple liquid drips from the tip of his tail. "You may have put me at a disadvantage, but once my poison set in, all of your efforts became completely useless."
"Ugh!" The gorilla Grimm's grip tightens and she coughs up purple blood.
"Enough Tyrian, remember your task." The voice said.
Tyrian stops smiling and stiffens. "F-Forgive me, my goddess!"
"Hm, now then." The jellyfish floats forward. "You have been a thorn in my side for quite a while now, Summer Rose, I hope you realize there are consequences for this."
Summer struggles in her weakened state. "I won't… tell you… anything…"
"Even now, poisoned and on death's door, you still remain fierce and defiant. No wonder Ozpin favors you over everyone else." A tentacle rises and caresses her face. "I could use someone like you. If you join me, I can not only help you but show you what Ozpin has been hiding from you."
"Never." Summer sneers. "No matter what you say, I know Ozpin is right in saving the world from you."
"The world, huh? It's always the same thing with him… always the same…" The tentacle then wraps on Summer's neck, effectively cutting the oxygen from her lungs. "I suppose that's to be expected, you people were always the most gullible."
"Ah… aaaaahhhh…" Summer suffocates and her body goes limp.
"And with this… my victory is assured."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Light suddenly erupts from nowhere, blinding everything in the area.
"Aaaaaaah!" The woman's voice shrieks as the jellyfish and the gorilla Grimm completely turn into stone.
The light subsides and the boy falls from exhaustion as he holds onto his face. His eyes were itchy, burning even. It's so uncomfortable that he starts to scratch his face to quell it, but it only makes his face even more unbearable. He looks up at the Grimm statue…. And Summer's body slumped over on his stone grip.
"Mom…" The boy sobs. He wanted to believe this was a bad dream, that he was still sleeping in the camp, but no matter what he wanted to believe it wouldn't change the reality in front of him.
His mother was… gone.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? The white rose had a little rosebud!"
The jovial and giddy voice snaps the boy out of his thoughts as he looks up to see Tyrian standing in front of him.
"And what's this? You also have silver eyes! What luck! I get to kill two birds with one stone!" Tyrian exclaims.
"Ah… ah…" The boy slowly moves back in clear fright.
"Now, now, there's no need to be scared. Uncle Tyrian's not gonna kill you." His scorpion tail slowly rises from behind him. That, combined with his bright yellow eyes and smile makes Tyrian more scary than before. "I'm just gonna hurt you, really, really, badly."
The boy backs up further and feels something hard gracing his hand and quickly grabs. He throws the stone at Tyrian, hitting his eyes, and makes a run for it.
"Argh! You little shit!" Tyrian screams out in evident pain.
The boy runs, he runs as fast as he possibly can. He doesn't know where he's going, only that he needs to run. Now.
"Where are you going, little rosebud? I just wanna get to know ya better~" Tyrian's voice echoes throughout the trees, it's like he's everywhere. "Why are you running, little one? WHY ARE YOU RUNNING!?"
The boy runs, and runs, and runs until he stops. He is now standing at the edge of a high cliff and below is a vast sea of trees.
There's no escape.
"You are certainly fast, but I'm afraid this is where playtime has to end." The boy turns to see Tyrian already caught up to him. "The goddess desired for the death of Summer Rose, but I believe she would be even more pleased if I killed her rosebud wouldn't you agree?"
The boy takes a step back but then realizes that he was at the point of no return. "S-Stay back!"
"Hmhmhm~ Children's fears are the most delicious, I can't get enough of them." Tyrian squirms with ecstasy. "It pains my heart that I can't fully enjoy this, but her majesty's needs must ALWAYS come first." His tail rises up and his smile becomes wider. "Don't worry, you won't feel a thing~"
Tyrian charges at the boy with his tail ready to stab him, only for the boy to dodge but inevitably lose his balance causing to fall from the edge of the cliff, but not before the stringer graces the right side of his cheek drawing blood.
'If only I was stronger…' Those are his last thoughts as he plunges into the green sea below.
I stood in a black void as I watched everything that just happened floating in front of me.
"So… he was adopted by Summer Rose, making me related to Ruby and Yang in a way…" I mumbled.
"I suppose that's one way to put it."
I turn around and see a person who looks exactly like me, right down to my clothes. "I was wondering when you'll appear."
The doppelganger arches an eyebrow, not expecting this kind of reaction. "I'm surprised you're so calm, considering the situation."
"I figured that since I've been watching your memories, then that means you must be alive in some way. I've played games where you run into this exact same situation. At this point, it's not that shocking." I said.
"Yes I know, I've seen your memories." My doppelganger said. "Oh right, you probably don't know who I am." He does a mock bow. "My name is Azule Rose. I'd say it's nice to meet you but then I'd be lying."
"Asmodeus." I put a hand on my forehead. "I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused about how you're still here. Tobi said you'd disappear after I woke up." I state.
"That, I can explain." He began to walk around. "While I was dying, my Semblance went into overdrive trying to keep me alive, but because I had so little Aura left it wasn't able to properly revive me. That is until your system woke you up and saved our body, but left me trapped in your subconscious."
"If you were trapped in my mind, how did you get out?" I asked.
"Remember when Raven unlocked your Aura?" I nod. "She also reactivated my Semblance and it created a path that allowed me to crawl out of the dark crevices of your mind."
"Are you talking about [Survival]?" I asked.
"Yep! That is MY Semblance. You remember that weird feeling you had in your chest? That was my Semblance REJECTING you. Even though we are the same person, it doesn't recognize you as its originator. Strange, isn't it?" Azule explains. "For the next few weeks, I conserve my energy, waiting for my moment to take control, and here it is."
"You want to take over a freshly-dead corpse? You must really be desperate." I quipped.
My host wiggles his finger. "But we're not dead, not just yet at least. Check your stats."
I opened my status menu.
Name: Asmodeus
Title: The Gamer
Race: Human
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Level: 32
HP: 1 (Locked)
MP: 11,584 (Locked)
SP: 5,272 (Locked)
AP: 0 (Locked)
VIT: 234
STR: 298
DEX: 266
END: 298
INT: 266
WIS: 170
MAG: 426
LUK: 234
CHA: 202
Money: 10,000,051,755
"[Determination] is quite a useful trait to have, isn't it? You don't get killed even when someone runs a sword through your head." Azule remarks. "Also, I've disabled your regeneration. Can't have you in tiptop condition now can I?" He raises his right arm as if to grab something. Suddenly, something materializes in his hands. It is a longblade with a red body and black on the edge. Half of something that resembles a round shield is seen on both sides of the longblade and the head of a minigun can be seen sticking out of the bottom of the sword.
"Wait… is that what I think it is?" I said, recognizing the type of weapon he is holding.
A God Arc.
"One night, I had a dream of a woman fighting monsters and in it, she was using this." Azule lifts his God Arc. "The image never left me even though I never had that dream again. To get it out of my head, I made this: a triple changing weapon capable of shifting between sword, gun, AND shield form. My classmates chastise me for creating such a thing, 'it's too cumbersome' they said, 'you won't be able to move around as fast'. But, in the end, I proved them all wrong." The doppelganger takes a stance. "If you cooperate, I promise to make this as painless as possible."
I shake my head. "I have a better idea. How about I kick your ass?"
Azule hears this and laughs. "You're insane. What can you do without any [Aura] and just a mere 1 HP?"
"I think you're underestimating my resourcefulness and also," I snap my fingers and the void changes to a massive hall. "You should have sealed my skills."
Event Quest Unlocked!
Reclaiming my Name
Objective: Defeat Azule Rose
Rewards: Skills, Traits
Azule roars and charges at me at near superhuman speeds. I look passively as I raise my hand and summon a [Gaster Blaster]. "No matter what you do, you will never move me from this spot."
"A bold declaration. Let's see if you can back it up." Azule said and charges in.
The blaster fires a massive beam at my host.
The camera zooms in as Azule's pupils constrict and, in his eyes, time seems to slow down. Without much thought, Azule steps out of the beam's way and sends me a slash attack but two [Chromas] stop the blade in its tracks.
A red [Chroma] rises from my back and fires a red beam, but Azule jumps away and lands on a nearby pillar. He launches himself but a pillar of stone suddenly rises from the floor and it sends him flying back to the other end of the hall.
"Pathetic, I was expecting more from my host. But I guess in the end, I will always be the strongest of the two of us." I said.
"Is that a fact?" A voice from behind me suddenly asked.
I raised a green dome just as Azule was about to strike me down from behind.
"How… how did you get behind me so fast?" I asked.
"Having forgotten what my Semblance does? I get stronger when facing enemies that are stronger than me. It was easy for me to get into your blind spot. " Azule rests his sword on his shoulder. "I trained myself to the brink of death for my goals while you merely had your skills given to you. It makes me sick to believe that you are me." He presses a switch in the pummel and the God Arc transforms into a minigun. He fires, sending a relentless onslaught of bullets straight for the bastard but his stupid shield won't let him so, he continues to uload his entire salvo on him, hoping that at some point the shield will break.
"Tch, I can't keep doing this. I need to figure out a way to end this." I whisper under my breath.
Cracks begin to build up around the dome until it completely shatters. As soon as it falls, Azule is already in my field of vision causing me to fall butt-first on the floor.
"!"
"You're mine!" He brings his sword down only to stop at the weird sensation in his torso, "W-What…?" He looks down to see a large spike of ice running him completely through the stomach.
"Gack!" Azule spits out blood.
"You really thought I would just leave myself open like that? You idiot…" I said.
Azule pulls himself off the icicle before promptly collapsing on the ground. He clutches tightly on the large hole in his torso as he bleeds profusely.
"What a second…" I activate [Observe].
Name: Azule Rose
Title: The Lone Avenger
Level: ?
HP: 1
MP: 0
SP: 0
AP: 0
My eyes widened at the screen. "Your stats…"
"Surprised… ? It makes sense when you think about it. I was barely holding onto life before you showed up, my stats reflect my state at the time." Azule states.
I furrow my eyebrows at this. "And you thought you could beat me in that state?"
"It doesn't matter. You were going to come here anyway." He cryptically said.
"What do you mean?"
"I was never meant to exist, my only purpose was to safeguard this body until you woke up and then disappear, however, because I stayed in your soul it caused some… complications. Your Semblance being one of them."
"My Semblance?"
"Your true Semblance, the one you were supposed to unlock." Azule said. "When I first learned the truth of my existence, I was angry, so angry. I wanted to get back at that moronic system and you for stealing my life, and since I couldn't physically hurt you I had to improvise." He reaches for his neck and pulls out a necklace with a glowing black crystal. "I sealed your Semblance… along with your other abilities inside my necklace. It was my hope that it would make you weaker and easier for me to take over. However, I didn't want to alert the system of my presence too early, so I gave you my Semblance and essentially placed myself at the center of your power."
My response to that was sending my doppelganger a heated glare.
"Don't look at me like that. You would have done the same if our roles were switched." Azule said. "I've dedicated my whole life to training, to become stronger so that I can avenge my mom… but I guess now there's no point in that." He looks down to see that his lower body is disappearing. "It looks like my time is running out. Even now… I don't wanna go." He chuckles. "It's funny… if I had realized Professor Lionheart's odd behavior then none of this would have happened."
I kneel in front of him as his torso is slowly vanishing.
"Humans are often plagued by 'what ifs', wondering whether doing something different here will lead to a different outcome later on." I stated. "You've done enough. I'll take over from here."
"I wish I could have met my sisters… just once." Tears slowly fall from his face. "Promise me something… end this. End this war… set us all free…"
I nod.
With that Azule disappears into particles of light, leaving only the necklace behind.
I pick up the necklace and crush it in my hands.
Raven POV
I walk away from the battlefield in order to find Vernal, but that's when I notice something. The atmosphere around her has become colder. The hairs on the back of her neck are standing up. The dread she is feeling is overwhelming.
Is it the boy? No, he's dead. A Grimm then? But what kind of Grimm emits this much negativity!?
I turn around only to see something pitch black pass me in an instant. I turned back to see what it was but couldn't see anything due to the black miasma its surrounding itself in. Is this the boy's Semblance? No, it can't be. His Semblance was superspeed, right?
"Who are you?" I finally ask, desperately trying to hide my fears with bravado.
"You already know who I am." It raises its right hand revealing it to be carrying an arm. "I took this. Hope you don't mind."
I look down and am horrified to find my entire right arm completely missing!
"GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" I scream and fall to the ground. I grasp the stump tightly as it spews out ludicrous amounts of blood. "You… got past my Aura!"
"Your Aura was weak. It didn't require any effort to break through." The monster throws my arm away like garbage and makes its approach. "How does it feel, Raven? To be weak? To be worthless? To be so insignificant that it's not even worth killing?"
"You bastard…!" I snarl.
"Bastard? Oh, I'm not a bastard, Raven." The black cloak dissipates and I gasp at what is revealed. His hands are in black obsidian giving him claws similar to a Beowulf. He still has the engine sword on his left hand. His hoodie and shirt have been completely shredded, revealing his toned chest but also tribal tattoos that encompass his chest and two jagged horns on his head. His eyes are still silver though the pupils have become more cat-like. But perhaps the most obvious change are the two large feathered wings on his back.
"I'm the Devil himself."
I slowly move back, trying to get away, but my body is suddenly encased in rock and ice.
"Now, how am I going to kill you? There are many ways to kill someone. Death by fire? Death by ice? Death by stabbing? Death by broken bones? Death by crushing? Well, I don't suppose the method really matters, does it?" He raises his sword. "In the end, you die."
I stare helplessly at the sword rising high above his head. This is where I die? In some town nobody gives a damn about? I suppose this is karma for everything that I've done.
'Yang, I'm sorry.' I close my eyes and accept my fate. 'Please, be better than I was…'
*BOOM!*
"Huh?" I slowly open my eyes to see the demon looking to his right. I looked in his direction and saw someone I wasn't expecting to see.
"Get away from my mother, you freak!" Vernal screams, aiming her guns at the demon.
"Vernal…? I thought I told you to get out of here!" I yelled.
"Shut up! I came back to rescue your stupid ass, appreciate it!" Vernal bites back.
Stupid kid… but I guess your my stupid kid.
The Grimm freak looks on before he points his finger at Vernal as a red orb of power begins to take form.
"RU-" I tried to warn her but it was too late and he fired, unleashing a red torrent of power straight for her.
... and misses!
The shot misses Vernal's entire head by a mere inch!
"Hm?" Even the monster looks surprised by the result. He looks at his finger and then looks at Vernal. "Why...?" He turns his attention to me.
"Eep!" I can't help myself in making such a demeaning noise. His eyes, while still pure silver, are empty, showing me a silvery void that has no end. It's like he is devouring me with just his gaze alone!
It was terrifying!
He stares for what feels like ages and then... walks away!?
"W-What are you doing!?" I asked.
"I'm leaving. It's no fun killing prey when they can't even put up any resistance." He told us.
Vernal was on the verge of losing it. "You... you used us. You slaughtered our tribe, crippled my mother... and now you're saying we're not even worth the effort!?"
"You took the words right out of my mouth."
"You bastard! I'll kill-!" But Vernal's words grind to a halt as he just reappears mere meters from her face.
"This is not a mercy. Do not mistake my leniency for some foolish sentimentality." He told her. "You both only live for my entertainment. I want to see what a maiden can do and for that, I need her alive." He finally turns to me with a smirk. "Get stronger Raven. I want our fight to be something worthwhile before I make you mine." He unfolds his wings and flies off at supersonic speeds.
... wait!
Did he just say he wants to make me... his!?
Vernal look absently at the sky before realizing why she's there. "Raven!" He rushes to me. "Hold on, I'll get you out!" He fires at my prison and eventually breaks through.
I try to use all of my remaining strength to stand up, but the throbbing agony on my right side makes it a daunting task.
"I got you." Vernal wraps my arm around her neck as she pushes me upwards.
I look down, completely defeated. "What's the point, Vernal? The tribe is gone... we are nothing."
"We can worry about that later, Raven. Right now we need to get out of here. Huntsmen are likely on their way right now." Vernal grabs my arm and pulls me off the ground before making a run for it to the woods.
Normal POV
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
"Hold on, I'm coming." Oscar yaws as he walks towards the door. He grabs the doorknob, twists it, and opens the door to see something that makes his drowsiness completely vanish.
"Hey Oscar..." I smiled. "Do you think I can stay with you for a while…?"
Author Notes
Edit: 3/19/2023
ANNNNNNNNND DONE! FINALLY!
Damn, this has got to be the longest chapter I've ever written. I've been working on it for weeks, constantly tweaking it to make it good. It was originally going to be a two-parter but I decided to just leave it as one chapter. Granted, the chapter didn't turn out like I originally envisioned, but I can't say that I don't like how it turned out.
But for now, I am pooped; absolutely (mentally) exhausted.
So as always, leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Peace~