Many days have passed since the huntsmen set out on their respective missions, and now they are returning to the main city of Vacuo. Walking down a familiar path, a pair of huntsmen appear tired but resilient. Samson, a seasoned huntsman with a neutral but weary expression, walks alongside Amaris, a huntress whose face shows deep concern.
Amaris: "Are you sure it was a good idea sending them on their own instead of going as a group?"
Samson: "There's nothing to worry about, Amaris. I wouldn't have sent those four if I didn't think they could handle it."
Amaris: "It's just that it's getting more dangerous each day. We've lost control of two kingdoms, and the other is in chaos. Samson, I know those four are strong, but—"
Samson gently squeezes her hand, stopping her mid-sentence.
Samson: "Dear, those four are no longer children. We have to trust our sons, especially now, when the world is growing darker."
They stop in front of a small building. Before Samson can open the door, it swings wide open, and Legolas runs out, followed closely by Rezart, whose face is covered in whipped cream. Samson quickly grabs each of his sons by the collar and drags them back inside while Amaris smiles warmly and wipes the cream off Rezart's face.
Amaris: "Nice to see our children are enjoying themselves. Where are your other brothers?"
Legolas grins while Rezart nods in greeting.
Legolas: "Odell is knocked out on the couch, and Fion said he'd be here in an hour."
Amaris: "At least the whole family will be together. I just hope Odell didn't push himself too much at the hospital."
Samson: "Let him rest. He'll need it for the upcoming mission we have to handle."
The brothers exchange confused looks as Samson releases their collars, and they head to the living room where Odell is sleeping on a large couch.
Legolas: "Mission? But we didn't get any notifications on our scrolls."
Amaris: "This mission was requested specifically for us. Your dad suggested we bring you along."
Rezart: "What's so different about this one that you need the whole family?"
Samson: "I'll explain once Fion arrives and Odell wakes up."
Legolas: "I can wake him up—"
Rezart punches Legolas' arm before he can finish.
Rezart: "Let him rest, Legolas. His aura was low when he got here."
Legolas playfully rolls his eyes and punches Rezart back.
Legolas: "Relax, Rez. I was just messing around. I knew he was out cold on the couch."
Amaris: "I'm glad you know when not to mess with your younger brother too much."
Samson: "So you two relax and do your own things. I want you both calm by the time Fion gets here."
Rezart: "I will once Legolas stops pranking me while I'm meditating."
Legolas: "Rez, you've got to stop lying to yourself and admit you were sleeping."
Rezart: "How about I show you the differen—"
Samson: "I will not repeat myself. Stop arguing."
Rezart and Legolas instantly stop and nod.
Amaris: "Let's all wind down and recover. Your father and I will make dinner while we wait for Fion. Once he arrives, we'll discuss the mission."
Rezart and Legolas: "Okay."
The parents sigh in relief and head to the kitchen, while the brothers occupy themselves: Odell continues resting, Legolas practices card tricks, and Rezart meditates on the couch. After a while, the door opens, and Fion walks in.
Fion: "Yo, Legolas, Rezart! What did you guys take down on your missions?"
Legolas playfully rolls his eyes.
Legolas: "Fio, at least greet us properly before bragging about your hunts."
Fion: "I took down a huge Sea Feilong on my own during my mission."
Legolas: "I took down an entire Lancer hive, including their queen. That's more impressive since the sky is more dangerous than the sea."
Rezart: "You two seriously comparing kills?...either way neither of you could take down a Geist on your own."
Legolas crosses his arms and looks at Rezart with amusement.
Legolas: "I'm sure I could take down a Geist faster than you did."
Fion: "What about a Sea Feilong? Can either of you beat one alone in the middle of the ocean?"
Their banter continues until their mother's voice calls from the kitchen.
Amaris: "Dinner's ready!"
Fion and Legolas continue comparing achievements as they head to the kitchen. Rezart gently shakes Odell awake for dinner. Once everyone is seated and has thanked their parents, Samson raises his hand to stop them before they begin eating.
Samson: "Not yet. We need to tell you boys something."
Fion and Odell exchange confused looks as Rezart explains.
Rezart: "Father and Mother have a mission that seems more dangerous than usual. They want us all to go."
Fion: "Oh!"
Odell suppresses a chuckle, noticing Legolas' mock disappointment, knowing he would have tried to mess with them for not knowing.
Legolas: "You're no fun, Rez."
Amaris laughs as Samson rolls his eyes.
Samson: "We've been assigned to investigate the remains of Vale."
All the brothers turn to their father, confused.
Legolas: "Is that a good idea, Dad? It's…"
Rezart and Fion: "Overrun with Grimm."
Odell: "Let Mom and Dad finish explaining. That should clear things up."
Amaris: "Thank you, Odell. As your father said, we've been requested to investigate Vale due to unusual activity."
Fion: "Unusual how?"
Samson: "The Grimm numbers have been decreasing significantly, as if a group is already eliminating them."
Rezart: "Any clues about who it might be?"
Amaris: "There have been sightings of a mysterious airship, but it doesn't match any official models. It's likely custom-built."
Samson: "That's why we decided to bring you along. This isn't a simple scouting mission. Refill your dust ammunition and inspect your weapons. We don't know what could happen."
Amaris: "After dinner, pack and get a good night's sleep. We leave for the docks first thing in the morning."
Legolas: "Why not an airship?"
Amaris: "Airships are currently used for rescues. Besides, we need a subtle approach because there are too many unknowns."
Odell: "At least we can avoid fighting too many Grimm."
Rezart: "Legolas, Fion, you heard Dad, right?"
Legolas: "Yes, yes, subtle not flashy. You do realize who you're talking to?"
Rezart: "While you're good at stealth, you're also good at blowing things up like a pyromaniac."
Fion: "Hey, can you two argue later? I'm starving."
Odell chuckles and nods in agreement: "Save the fighting for the Grimm. We don't know what's coming."
Legolas and Rezart exchange one last competitive glare before joining the family for the meal. As they eat, they discuss their recent missions and how they went. Eventually, they finish their meal and head to their rooms to prepare for tomorrow's mission. Samson and Amaris check the supplies for the trip, Fion creates more dust pills, Legolas tinkers with his gauntlets, Odell checks his ammunition for his tonfas, and Rezart cleans his sword.
Legolas: "Hey Fio, are you going to need your fire dust?"
Fion: "I probably only need a bit for the pills, but other than that, no."
Legolas: "Think I can have the rest of it?"
Fion thinks for a moment before nodding.
Fion: "Just as long as you give me your ice dust in return so I can create more ice dust pills."
Legolas smirks and tosses some vials of ice dust to Fion, who catches them and points towards the cabinet where he keeps his dust supplies.
Legolas: "Pleasure doing business with you, bro."
Legolas walks to the cabinet and begins rummaging through the different vials of dust. Rezart looks at him with an unamused expression.
Rezart: "Didn't Dad say we're going to focus on stealth?"
Legolas: "I'm not going to blow up everything the second we reach Vale, Rez. This is just for emergencies."
Rezart: "Just as long as you keep the mission's goal in mind…"
As Legolas searches for fire dust and Fion continues making his dust pills, Odell speaks up as he finishes checking his ammunition.
Odell: "Hey guys, can I ask you a question? It's been on my mind for a while now."
Although the brothers continue their preparations, they nod in acknowledgment.
Fion: "Shoot, what's on your mind?"
Odell: "What would happen if I were to… use my semblance on a Grimm?"
Rezart gives Odell a disapproving stare.
Rezart: "You realize how dangerous that is because of your semblance's requirement, right?"
Legolas: "I'm with Rezart on this. A creature that feeds off negativity won't be grateful after you heal it."
Odell: "I know, I know… Can you three just humor me for a bit?"
Fion: "Well, I think it would heal a Grimm's injury like a person's, right?"
Legolas: "I don't think so. He's using aura to heal people. It would probably hurt or kill the Grimm since it's like covering light with darkness."
Rezart: "Or it could make the Grimm more dangerous. For all we know, it could boost its strength since you might be helping it develop its own version of aura. So, Odell, it's best not to test that theory with so many unclear factors."
Odell: "Alright, I was just curious since my semblance lets me purify some injuries."
Fion thinks for a moment before turning toward Odell with a curious expression.
Fion: "Purify? Are you wondering if you could convert a Gri—"
He is interrupted by a knock on the door. Their mother's voice comes from behind it.
Amaris: "Children, please go to sleep soon. We're leaving early tomorrow."
Odell: "Don't worry, we're almost done. Let us just finish up before we head out."
Amaris: "Alright, sons. Have a restful night."
Each brother responds with their version of "Good night" to their mother. They finish their preparations and head to bed, each wondering how the mission will play out.
Morning arrives, and the family sets off for Vacuo's docks. As they walk, Odell notices a group nearby: two young men interviewing a couple. One interviewer has dark blue hair, and the other is a blonde Faunus with a monkey tail. The couple consists of a young woman with red hair and lightning-shaped scars and a young man with short black hair. Before Odell can hear what they are saying, Fion speaks up, drawing the family's attention.
Fion: "I forgot to ask last night, Dad, but how did you and Mom manage to get a ship to take us to Vale?"
Samson: "We asked around the docks if anyone was willing to take us to Vale. We got a few volunteers at first since we offered to protect them on the way. But they quickly withdrew when they heard we were staying in Vale for some time."
Amaris: "Don't worry, the good news is that we eventually managed to buy a ship from someone."
Samson: "It took a lot of convincing—and lien—but we now have a way to head to Vale."
Legolas laughs and smirks at his parents: "Do you guys even know how to navigate or drive a ship?"
Samson chuckles: "Yes, son, we knew what we were doing when buying the ship. I'll handle the ship while your mother helps navigate."
Odell: "So that leaves us to protect the ship from any Grimms, right?"
Amaris: "Yes, dear. You four will focus on keeping us safe until we get there."
Legolas: "That means I have a chance to prove to Fion that I can kill a Sea Feilong much quicker than he can!"
Rezart groans while Odell chuckles, realizing Legolas is still on their previous conversation. Fion looks at Legolas with a competitive smirk.
Fion: "Better put your money where your mouth is, then, if you're so confident."
Legolas: "Oh, is that a bet I'm hearing?"
Fion: "Exactly! If there's a Sea Feilong on the way, we'll see if you can beat it in under 10 minutes. If you do, I'll pay you 100 lien, but if you don't, you'll pay me 100 lien."
Legolas: "Deal!"
Rezart: "Odell, remind me again how you two are the oldest out of us four?"
Odell: "Chronology, those two beat us, Rez."
Legolas: "Don't act as if you didn't also join our conversation, Rez!"
Rezart: "Touché."
Once the family arrives at the docks, the brothers follow their parents onto the ship they bought and help prepare before eventually sailing for Vale. The following days are mostly uneventful, with only minor Grimm encounters, much to Legolas's disappointment. Eventually, they arrive at the edge of Vale and dock at the shoreline. While their parents secure the ship, the brothers disembark, weapons ready.
Fion inspects the area with his spear, Legolas teleports from tree to tree scouting, Odell helps Fion check the ground with a tonfa in a defensive position, and Rezart uses his wolf ears to listen carefully with his hand on his katana's handle.
Fion: "Do you hear anything, Rez?"
Rezart: "No…"
Odell: "I see… It's strange that there are no signs of any Grimms."
As Rezart continues listening, he steps aside to easily avoids a bolt that thunks into the ground. Legolas quickly appears in the bolt's place, looking confused.
Legolas: "There's not even a single Beowolf around here. Mom and Dad were right—it almost seems like someone has been taking care of the Grimms in the area."
Odell: "What do you suggest we do, Fio?"
Fion: "As much as I want to say we could simply look deeper inside, it's probably best to wait until Mom and Dad are done. They might already have a plan."
The brothers nod in agreement and wait for their parents to finish docking. Eventually, Samson and Amaris join them. Samson is carrying a box and hands it to Fion. The brothers look at the box with confusion before turning to their father.
Fion: "And this is…?"
Samson rolls his eyes and motions for them to open the box.
Samson: "There are earpieces for each of you. This is to ensure we can communicate despite the distance and to coordinate if we split up to look for more clues."
The brothers nod, each taking an earpiece, ready for the mission ahead. Once they finish putting on
[Writer's block]
