A/N: AND SWITCH! Yeah, this chapter won't be about the Arcs. Like Jaune said, not even he can save everyone, so we're going to see what other Remnant heroes can do.
It was a quiet village at the border. It had a nice view of the desert, despite being quite a ways from the scorching sands. The villagers were peaceful folk enjoying their peaceful lives given to them by the Gero Huntsman Guild. Since most of the villagers were members of the old tribe that founded the village, most of the residents were copper-skinned humans.
The villagers were living their lives, gathering the crops they grew, caring for the cattle they raised, tending to horses, and making sure their weapons were in top condition. Since they were far from Vacuo or Vale, their weapons were pretty simple. Knives, tomahawks, spears, revolvers, and rifles. Some of the weapons had interesting carvings and decorations on them that made them look a bit more mystical in a way. They were oddly beautiful but quite powerful.
The land they were on was also rich in Dust thanks to a nearby Dust Mine owned by the GuildMaster, who was also Chief of the village. That mine and the great fame of the guild and its leader was what helped the village prosper, as well as one other factor. It is well known that the chief is friends with Jaune Arc, making criminals think twice about attacking the village, lest they wanted to be hunted by the most powerful Huntsman in the world. The rare few brave or dumb enough to actually try are usually taken down by the up-and-coming warriors of the village.
One such warrior had just driven up to the village's jailhouse, his partner getting out before she opened the back door of the car to drag out their prisoner.
"Come on, man! Be reasonable! I'll disappear! I swear! I'll go to Anima! To Solitas! Just please, don't make me squeal! You don't know what he'd do to me!"
"You should be more worried about what I'll do to you if you don't shut up," the man growled.
"Mahcata." He looked to see an extremely beautiful woman with hair as long and flowing as his own walk up to him. "Da'anzho. Welcome back home."
"Lena," Mahcata went in a serious tone. "I did not expect to see you here."
"Neither did I. I was expecting my father. Where is he?"
"He's not here yet," Nako asked as she held the prison's arm behind his back, making him grunt in pain.
"What business could he keeping him for so long," Mahcata thought out loud.
"So, who's the prisoner," Lena asked.
"No one you need to concern yourself with, Lady Lena."
She sighed. "You don't need to add the Lady part. I understand I'm the chief's daughter, but that doesn't make me royalty. Anyway, are you taking him to Sky? If so, he's having some tea in his favorite spot."
"Lady, please!" Lena looked at the prisoner. "Have me thrown in a cell! Have me banished or whatever! Hell, make me a damned community servant! Just don't make me talk about Ratcliffe!"
Lena's eyes widened. "Ratcliffe?! John 'The Sickle' Ratcliffe?! The corrupt mayor that nearly killed..." Lena shook her head. "I thought my father made sure he would rot away in a cell for the rest of his life! He's supposed to be in one of Vale's most secured prison facilities."
"Well, apparently he got out," Nako said as she tightened her hold.
"We'll have Sky Sees All use his power on him," Mahcata said as a motorcycle roar was heard, making everyone look towards the approaching bike.
"I would like to be there," Nimo said as he was removing his helmet.
"Father," Lena said in excitement and happiness as she ran up and hugged the old man, the warrior laughing as he hugged her back.
"You act as if I was gone for weeks on end, daughter."
"When your father is the greatest Huntsman in the land, you can't help but worry about his safe return," Lena said, making Nimo smile.
"Great Nimo." He looked up towards Mahcata. "May I ask what prevented you from arriving home before us?"
"I needed to speak with the Head Jailer of the Eastern Valean Prison. I needed to make sure if my old enemy did escape. The fury in that woman's eyes and the frantic guards was all I needed to see to know it was true."
"So Ratcliffe really is back," Lena asked in worry. "Father, we should warn Jaune. Ratcliffe hates Jaune far more than he despises you. Jaune was the one who revealed his human trafficking and his black market. That horrid man blames Jaune for the destruction of his dark empire."
"Do not worry, daughter," Nimo said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "My old friend already knows. He was the one who captured that man."
"Y-You SAW Jaune?!" Lena cleared her throat to calm herself down before turning and using her fingers to comb her hair. "So... how... how is he?"
Nimo chuckled. "He is wed."
Lena stopped combing her hair. "Oh," she went sadly. "Did... you see his wife?"
"I did. He is partnered with the Great Spirit of Destruction."
Lena's eyes widened. "Nimueh?! Oh, by the spirits, Jaune. You truly never cease to amaze me. So, what about Argent?"
"The boy has grown into a fine young warrior. Almost as if he were raised within our own walls." Nimo's smile then went away. "But we have spoken enough about my old friend. We have business to attend to. If Ratcliffe truly has returned, then as you have said, he will seek vengeance. I must find him and bring him back to prison before he can commit any heinous crimes against our land."
Lena smiled. "Good luck, father."
"LUCK, NOTHING!" The father and daughter looked at the prisoner, trying to get out of Nako's grasp. "YOU DON'T GET WHAT RATCLIFFE HAS BECOME! WHAT HE CAN DO NOW! I SWEAR HE'S NOT HUMAN ANYMORE! JUST LISTEN TO ME AND LET ARC DEAL WITH HIM! LET THOSE TWO FREAKS KILL EACH OTHER! JUST LEAVE ME OUT OF IT! LET ME GO! I'M JUST A DAMNED GRUNT ANYWAY! LET ME LEAVE, DAMMIT!"
"He's so... terrified," Lena said.
Nimo had a look of concern. "Ratcliffe was a ruthless man, even as a mayor, but I have never seen him install this much fear in anyone. This poor man's spirit is practically shattered from fear."
"What did Ratcliffe do to him?"
"I shall find out. Mahcata. Nako."
"Sir," the two went as they followed their chief into the jailhouse, all the while the prisoner begging, pleading and struggling.
'What have you become, Sickle,' Nimo thought.
Nimo walked to the back of the jailhouse, opening the back door to see a lush field of wildflowers. It went as far as the eye could see, seemingly racing with the desert to its side. It was truly a beautiful and peaceful sight. Nimo could easily understand why one of the oldest and most respected members of his tribe loved it.
"Ah, Chief Nimo." He looked to see a man even older than him, his long hair completely grey, his wrinkles showing his age, and his eyes droopy. He let his hair flow loosely, unlike Nimo who had it tied in a Warrior's Wolf Tail. He wore moccasins that were covered in dirt and dust, showing their age, black jeans, a tanned shirt, and a necklace with small Dust gems and a hawk feather at the end. "I see you have returned."
"I have, old friend. And I brought something that is in need of your skills."
"Is that right," the old man grunted as he got up from his chair, placing his empty cup on the table.
"Are you ever going to stop struggling," Nako complained to the prisoner.
"You don't get it! If I talk, Ratcliffe will kill me! Him and that lunatic fri-" The man's eyes widened.
"Oh, please. Keep talking," Mahcata said.
The man then bit his tongue, blood spewing.
Sky just sighed. "What you seek from him must be truly dire," the old man said as he rubbed the red gem on his necklace. When his finger was now nice and red, he quickly jabbed his fingers into the man's mouth. The man screamed a bit before Sky took his fingers out. The man was panting, letting everyone see that the old man had seared the man's tongue closed. "Take him to my tent," Sky said as he motioned to the nearby tipi.
"Chu don't know what chu're doing," the man slurred. "Chu're going to regret thish. I promishe."
When the group entered the tipi, the prisoner saw that it was filled with herbs and spices and animal parts. In the middle of it was a fireplace with fresh dry wood.
"Place him there."
Mahcata and Nako followed the elder's orders, Mahcata kicking the man's leg after he refused to sit. They watched as the elder gathered certain herbs in a bowl. "Nimo, would you mind starting the fire for me?"
"Of course," he said as he took out his tomahawks and used them as flints to ignite the fire.
Sky was crushing the herbs together into a fine powder. When he was done, he kneeled before the prisoner and used the powder to trace a symbol on his forehead. It looked like a feather. He was chanting softly as he was doing so. "Mahcata, Nako, what do you two know of the one known as Ratcliffe?"
The Huntsmen looked at each other in confusion before looking at the elder.
"He was an evil man," Mahcata spoke. "He stole land from our tribe while Chief Nimo was away, building a village with too great a number for even he to take on alone. So, he gathered our greatest warriors and drove the villain away, freeing the people under his tyranny."
"And who told you such a tale," Nimo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's a famous story among our people," Nako answered. "Pueblo loves telling it at the bonfire."
Nimo sighed. "Pueblo, you old fool. That isn't how it happened." Mahcata and Nako were both shocked.
"It seems the story must be told from the beginning," Sky said as he threw his powder into the fire, beginning the story:
(A/N: Bold letters now will be Sky narrating the story his smoke was showing)
Many moons ago, these lands were guarded by a mighty flock of eagles. The mightiest of them was tasked to defend the land from a pack of villainous wolves, so the eagle left with his greatest warriors.
As they fought against the wolves, a great rat fat with greed appeared. This beast, with the aid of smaller rats, with an unquenchable hunger, slew the remaining warrior eagles and drove off the rest, turning the land into their den. The rats covered in filth seduced clean mice into joining them, making their den greater.
The mice would soon see that the rats were cruel liars.
Where they were promised safety, they received cruelty. Where the rats ate well, the mice struggled for food. The Great Rat would even enslave the mice, making them dig for great treasures, cultivate more food and drink for him, or even more cruelly, sell the mice to other rats, sadistic bears, or hungry vultures.
In time, the pleas of the rats reached an unexpected savior. A lone, mighty wolf with a Great Spirit at his side.
The Great Wolf heard the cries of the mice and confronted the rats. Though they had the greater number, the rats were powerless against the might of the Wolf.
However, the Great Rat was cunning. It knew that the Wolf had a weakness: his honor.
The Rat held the mice hostage, threatening to kill them should the Wolf continue fighting. Worst still, the Wolf was growing weary, the numbers of the rats seemingly endless. Though he had the power to end it with the aid of the Great Spirit, the Wolf did not want to harm the innocent mice.
Emboldened by the hesitance and fatigue of the Wolf, the rats fought even harder, bringing out their full might. As such, the Wolf had no choice but to run.
The Wolf traveled the land, seeking aid to save the mice and free the land of the rats. He ran and ran until he found the flock of eagles, the mightiest one standing tall and ready to strike the Lone Wolf.
The eagles were not trusting of the Lone Wolf, for they had just defended their land from many ravenous wolves not long before his arrival. The eagles also blamed the Wolf for the arrival of the Rat, making them distrust the Wolf.
But the Wolf did something no eagle had ever seen a wolf do: he bowed and begged for aid.
The aged and grizzled eagles around the Great Eagle advised him to banish the Wolf, to be untrusting of him, but the Eagle was wise and guided by the spirits. He saw greatness and light within the Wolf and could sense the Great Spirit protecting the Wolf.
So, the Eagle gave the Wolf three tasks to prove himself.
The first was to gather food and drink in a land ruled by the Dark Spirits alone. The Wolf succeeded, with barely a scratch, shocking all but the Great Eagle.
The next task was to tame the rushing wind. (The smoke would have turned into running horses, the Wolf chasing after them and leading them to the eagles). The Wolf succeeded with that task as well.
The final task was not given by the Great Eagle, but by his fellow elder eagles. It was to best a cursed beast that ruled the land they were on.
Mahcata's eyes widened at the image the smoke took. "Wendigo." The smoke then showed the Wendigo fighting a wolf. A vicious fight with the wolf, biting the arm of the Wendigo, the monster throwing the wolf onto the ground and stomping on it, and the wolf retaliating with a bite to the leg that tripped the monster.
The Wolf fought the cursed beast long and hard, coming close to death many a time before it prayed. (The smoke shows the Wolf howling, and a woman appears above the Wolf.) With the aid of the Great Spirit protecting it, the Wolf bested the Beast (the smoke woman clasping her hands around the Wendigo, ending it), ending the curse placed on the land.
Wounded but still filled with a fire in his eyes, the Wolf returned to the Eagles, pleading once more.
Seeing the determination of the Wolf, even the most distrusting of the eagles gained respect for him and saw him as a true warrior worthy of their aid.
With the help of the eagles, the Wolf returned to the den and fought the rats once more. Even in a weakened state, the Wolf overpowered the rats, so they tried to use the mice against him once more. But they were shocked to see the eagles rescuing the mice, and fear filled their hearts when the eagles began to pick them off.
Seeing the might of the eagles, the Wolf decided to go after his quarry, the Great Rat. Though many more rats stood in his way, the Wolf was not able to be stopped by the swarm. The Wolf easily reached the heart of the den, confronting the Rat.
But the Rat was clever and planned for the Wolf's return. (The smoke would form pillars around the Wolf, electricity shooting in all directions, making the Wolf howl in pain, the Rat seemingly laughing). Even with all his strength and power, the Wolf was no match for the trap of the vile Rat. (The Wolf falls to its side).
Believing his victory was at hand, the Rat walks over to the fallen Wolf, ready to personally end the guardian beast's heroic tale. But the Mighty Eagle defied the wish of the fat creature. With his mighty talons, the Eagle threw the Rat away from the Wolf and slammed the creature to the ground, throwing the Rat into the land of dreams.
With their leader bested and their numbers dwindling, the rats fled the den, never to be seen again, finally freeing the mice from their prison.
The Wolf was grateful to the Eagle, and the Eagle was impressed by the bravery and strength of the Wolf. The two guardian beasts then forged a lifelong friendship, vowing to save the other should the need ever arise, giving birth to a new legend for the spirits to tell.
"So that's the true story," Nako said. "I think I like this one better," she said with a smile.
"But it is not yet over, I'm afraid," Sky said.
"The Rat escaped somehow," Mahcata said.
"Let us see how," Sky said as he threw more powder into the fire.
The Lone Wolf took the Great Rat to a Mighty Snake's den, where the Great Serpent promised to punish the Rat along with its other prisoners. The Long Wolf respected and trusted the Snake and left the Rat in its care.
The Snake kept her word and made sure the Rat suffered for his crimes. Surrounded by Insects, Reptiles, Rodents, and Beasts, the Rat lived in fear. It longed for its past life of greed and gluttony, its body becoming skinnier and bonier as the moons passed.
While under the watchful eye of the Mighty Snake, the Rat cursed its enemies. It hated the eagles, but its hatred burned hottest for the Lone Wolf. The Rat blamed the Wolf for everything: the discovery of its cruelty, the attack on its den, its defeat by the eagles, and its imprisonment in the den of the Snake.
It longed for revenge against the Wolf, even praying for aid from the darkest of spirits.
Then, one day, the Rat was startled when its prison was broken into. The Rat, skinny and weak, prepared for whatever came into its prison, only to be greeted by a dark spirit.
The Mad Scorpion.
The Scorpion promised the Rat an escape from the prison, as well as a great power if it followed the Scorpion. Wanting both its freedom and its power returned, the Rat agreed to the deal and followed the Scorpion out of the den.
However, once the Rat felt the kiss of the sun, it fled the Scorpion, never once trusting the mad creature. The Scorpion did not pursue the Rat. It even found amusement in the Rat's actions. Instead returning to its own den to meet with its fellow unclean beasts.
The Rat ran across the land, rushing towards its den, hoping to find his fellow rats.
Instead, he found the eagles, their nests now stronger than ever, with the legacy of the Lone Wolf shining brightly for all to see.
Hatred for the Wolf burning stronger than before, the Rat ran before he could be discovered.
Tired, weak, hungry, and alone, the Rat walked through the cursed lands, somehow avoiding the wrath of the Dark Spirits. His heart was filled with hatred and rage, cursing and cursing the Lone Wolf. The Rat yelled out to any Spirit that would listen, bargaining his soul for the power to kill the Mighty Wolf.
With the blackest of hearts, the Rat was able to summon the worst of all spirits: The Chief Dark Spirit.
(The smoke takes the form of the God of Darkness).
The Rat was terrified at first, as all should be in the presence of pure evil. Swallowing what little pride it had left, the Rat pleaded and begged the Chief for power to exact revenge against the one he blames his misfortune on. For the power to take back what he believed was rightfully his.
Pleased with the wickedness in the Rat's heart, the Chief Dark Spirit granted the Rat power. Power over the minor dark spirits and the power to challenge the Wolf. Pleased with the gift, the Rat was taken out of his drunken state by the Chief Spirit, the Spirit telling him the price of the power.
The Chief Dark Spirit tasked the Rat to bring him the head of the Lone Wolf.
The Rat was overjoyed with such a task and thanked the Spirit profusely, accepting both the power and the task.
The Spirit then blessed the Rat with its power, giving back its strength and more. Now, greater than ever, the Rat toils away preparing a force of darkness capable of engulfing the Wolf. Even now, the Rat has an evil army of lesser dark spirits, preparing to hunt down the Lone Wolf, and take his head in the name of the Chief Dark Spirit.
The fire then finally died down.
The prisoner gasped before he began to pant. "What... What did you do to me?"
"I merely peered into your mind and showed it for all to see."
The man then chuckled. "Then you just killed me. I'm fucked. But then so are you," the man chuckled. "He'll know. He'll know I squealed. And he'll send an entire legion just to shut me up and butcher you to make sure no one tells Arc. He doesn't want the hero to know until it's too late for even him."
"If life is to be taken today, I will not be the one to do it, nor will I allow it. You will be safe here," Nimo said.
The man chuckled. "No. I won't."
His eyes then popped open as he began to pulse, surprising everyone.
"Great Nimo", Nako yelled as she grabbed and yanked her chief away from the now screaming man as his chest was seemingly expanding. Then, a Ratte burst out of the man's chest, roaring at the warriors. It then crawled out and lunged at Nimo.
He didn't even try to move.
After all, Mahcata was there, the man stabbing his favorite knife through the head of the Grimm, killing it instantly.
Nimo watched it fade away before looking at its now dead victim, now realizing what the man meant by lack of time.
Still, Nimo was most concerned about the vision he was shown.
"Chief Nimo, your orders, sir," Nako asked.
Nimo thought about it for a bit. "If Ratcliffe's forces are as great as they say, then we wouldn't have time for a new plan. Gather the elders and call upon the leaders of the Great Tribes. I'm afraid that at this rate... this war will become too great for anyone to handle. Even Jaune."
"Sir," she said before running to her car and racing towards the territories of the other leaders.
"Mahcata, head to the guild and warn them of the upcoming war."
"Sir," he said before leaving.
Nimo sighed before looking at Sky. "What did you see, old friend?"
Sky looked at Nimo before sighing. "I saw that if you failed in stopping Ratcliffe in the oncoming battle, his evil will spread like a sickness, devouring all in its path until it finds its hated enemy. Once it finds the Vale Knight, a horrid war that even he will not be prepared for will ensue, and he will be defeated."
"You believe my old friend would lose to this rat?"
"I know that he has not reached his full potential. He may be a great warrior, but he is an incomplete one as well. If he is to truly protect this world, he will need to master the dark spirits both within himself and those that roam the lands. He needs to fully become their Chief. But as he is now, he cannot defeat Ratcliffe alone. But Ratcliffe is vulnerable. He has not fully mastered his own spirits. We have a chance to destroy this evil mischief before it becomes too great. However, in short, old friend, all of this only means that if you lose, then hope will be lost. You must win, or everyone in this land will be doomed."
Nimo looked at his friend seriously before nodding. "I understand, old friend. I promise you; we will destroy this enemy as we did years ago," Nimo said as he began to leave.
"We had our 'Lone Wolf' with us in those years," Sky said, making Nimo stop, his hand on the cloth of the tipi entrance. "Do you believe, that even with the aid of the other tribes, we can beat this evil?"
". . . No. I do not." Nimo then turned his head towards Sky... and smiled. "That's why I will ask for help." He then left the tipi.
Sky raised an eyebrow, curious about what his chief meant. He then looked into his bowl to see a tiny bit of powder and threw it into the dying embers. He looked at the smoke... and smiled. "So that's what you meant."
Later, the leaders of the nearby tribes were gathered within the Gero Huntsmen's Guild. Very few of the leaders were actual Huntsmen but due to their beliefs in the spirits and their customs, they had their own unlocked Auras and Semblances, the powers their beliefs gave them, and were all skilled warriors in their own rights. The leaders stood before a hall full of Huntsmen and warriors, the best of the best at the very front of the group. Mahcata was at the front, ready to hear his chief's words.
While there was chattering going on, Huntsmen and Warriors asking each other if they knew what was going on, talking about how a force this big hasn't been gathered in years, and rumors they heard, all of that ceased when Nimo appeared. Everyone in the hall respected the GuildMaster and chief, arguably none more than the Huntsmen who had the privilege of calling the great Huntsman their leader.
Nimo stood in the very middle of the leaders, looking out towards the gathered fighters. "My brothers, sisters, Huntsmen, and Warriors, it pleases me that you have all appeared before me with such little knowledge of what is to come. I tell you that an old enemy has returned."
"An old enemy," the murmurs began.
"But all the major tribes are here and at peace."
"The Valerians wouldn't attack us. Their Champion is practically one of us."
"No way Jaune would approve of Vale attacking us. I've been on Hunts with the man. He wouldn't attack us."
"The enemy is The Sickle."
The murmurs intensified.
"That fat bastard's still alive?"
"But he was taken to the Viper Pit. No one can escape that woman."
"I've heard screams come out of that prison. It's supposed to be hellish torment in there."
"There's no way that fat fool could have survived in there. He was a pompous, pampered fool when he had control of this land."
"Ratcliffe has indeed returned and has obtained an evil power. His hatred towards my old friend, Jaune Arc, has grown to a point where he could obtain the blessings of the Chief Dark Spirit." The murmurs stopped immediately, everyone too shocked to believe what Nimo said. "Through the Chief Dark Spirit, Ratcliffe has obtained the power to command dark spirits and is growing his black army as we speak. His desire is to kill the protector of not just these lands, but this very world. Should he succeed and kill Jaune Arc, then our world will know nothing but death and despair."
"Master Nimo," a Huntsman called. "Where is the Vale Knight? If this evil is being made to kill him, why isn't he here to stop it?"
"Because the spirits guided him into the Vacuo Desert. He does not even know a force of evil is being raised against him."
"Then we should contact him and tell him what is to come," a Warrior said. "The spirits have blessed me with limited sight of the world. It is thanks to their wisdom that I know Arc is able to tame the dark spirits. Command them to be guardians, not killers. Surely he can stop this evil."
"He just might be able to, but not only is he not here, but he also is not ready. If we were to call him to our aid, he would arrive far too late, and an evil we could have prevented would grow too great for even he."
"Great Nimo," Mahcata began as he stepped forward. "You say we can prevent this?"
"I do. Within these walls stand the greatest warriors this land has to offer. Though Jaune is the protector of the world, we are the guardians of this land. For generations, our people have been fighting to keep this land safe, have we not?" The warriors began to mutter in agreement. "And we were here long before even Jaune. Long before Ratcliffe!" They were getting fired up. "And I say to everyone in these hallowed halls, OUR TRIBES WILL BE HERE FOR GENERATIONS MORE!" That's when everyone cheered, all ready to defend their home.
"Great Nimo."
He looked to his side at one of the other leaders. "Yes, Great Tatanka?"
"You speak of how The Sickle is blessed by the Chief Dark Spirit. If this is true, even with the tribes together once more, this may not be as simple as it was years ago when we bested him the first time."
"I agree. That is why I called for help."
The sound of a car skidding up to the guild was heard.
Nimo smiled. "They're here."
The warriors looked towards the doors, waiting for them to open. When the doors were pushed open, many were shocked to see who was standing in the sunlight of the doorway.
"So, are we too late to help break legs?"
Nimo smiled as he jumped towards the guests to greet them. "I am honored to meet both of you."
"As I am to meet you," Ren said as he bowed respectfully. "Jaune has told me about you. I see that he wasn't exaggerating in the least. Your Aura is astonishingly spectacular. A true warrior and leader."
Nimo chuckled. "Your words honor me, noble Lie Ren. I have heard much about you as well. My old friend has spoken of how much he trusts you like a brother and can rely on both you and your powerful wife whenever he is in need of aid."
"Hah! Darn right," Nora laughed.
"It really is them," whispers began.
"Lie Ren, the Peaceful Flower, one of the few International 1st Class Huntsmen in the world."
"And his wife, Nora Ren, the Thunder Crusher, an International 2nd Class Huntress."
"Those two followed Jaune Arc when he was the leader of JNPR. They're some of the most powerful Huntsmen in recent history."
"The Chief called for their help?"
"Hey, Ren, aren't you forgetting to introduce someone?"
Ren chuckled. "Of course not. Great Nimo, we have brought more to help in your cause."
The warriors were shocked again.
"Fire Goddess Yang Xiao Long!"
"Blake 'The Shadow' Xiao Long."
Nimo bowed his head in greeting. "It is an honor to know that you would come and help us, despite such little information being given."
"I've read quite a bit about the Gero Tribe," Blake said. "You're a proud people that have been discriminated against for your beliefs as much as the Faunus have been for their looks. I would gladly help protect sacred land in any situation."
"Plus, a third-rate thug that Jaune put away got out. I wanna rub it in his face that I took the prick down harder than he did," Yang said as she punched her palm." Blake sighed at her wife.
Ren rolled his eyes with a smile before he got serious. "Great Nimo, your Huntress Nako told us a fraction of the situation, but I sense there is more to it. All she said was that a dangerous criminal with a deep hatred for Jaune escaped."
Nimo's expression turned serious as well when he nodded. "Yes. John Ratcliffe blames Jaune for his suffering and grew a forest of hatred toward him. His rage against my friend was so great that he was able to summon the Chief Dark Spirit and receive his dark blessings."
'Uh, Chief Dark Spirit,' Yang whispered to Blake.
'The beliefs of the Old Sanus Tribes are different from those of other kingdoms. They worship entire pantheons of spirits, believing they are the source of powers like Aura and Semblances. The Chief Dark Spirit is the equivalent to the God of Darkness in the Religion of the Brothers. Some Religious Scholars even theorize that the God of Darkness IS the Chief Dark Spirit the tribes worship, or in most cases fear. The Chief Dark Spirit is an evil deity in their beliefs, after all.'
"It is a bit more complicated than merely calling him 'evil', noble Shadow," Nimo said to Blake, surprising and embarrassing her for getting caught. "The Chief Spirits are quite fickle. They do not give away blessings to just anyone. And one does not necessarily need a heart of pure evil to receive the blessings of the Dark Spirits. Nor pure good to receive blessings from Spirits in general. There is even a legend among a nearby tribe of a great warrior pleading with the Dark Bear Spirit for aid to defeat another Dark Spirit, the Qalupalik."
"That's one of the world's most dangerous water-based Grimm," Ren began. "They usually hide in icy waters and drag unsuspecting victims into the freezing depths. Tragically, children and the elderly seem to be their favorite victims. Ruby told me she almost drowned when she faced one in Solitas."
Nimo nodded. "The warrior was fortunate enough to pray to a Dark Spirit who hated the Qalupalik, the Spirit not only granting him power but allowing him to ride its back as they faced the monster."
"Riding on the back of an Ursa is a lot of fun, honestly," Nora said with a laugh. She then got serious. "But seriously, I wanna know more about this guy who wants to kill my team leader."
Nimo shook his head. "All I know is what Sky has told me. The Ratcliffe I remember was a cruel, selfish, but dangerously clever man. It was one of his traps that nearly took Jaune's life. Also, his skill with his sickles and guns is, as disgusting as it is to say this, commendable. He may not look it, but he is a skilled warrior. Years have passed since he was thrown into prison, and with his new blessings, I do not know how powerful he is. I can only pray to the spirits that his power is not to be feared."
Meanwhile.
Within a black canyon was a legion of Grimm. There were Ursa, Beowolves, Tahca (Deer Grimm with antlers powerful enough to tear through Old Atlas tanks like paper), Tatanka (Bison Grimm, the physically strongest Grimm in the land with a charging strength capable of toppling a building), and most terrifying of all... Wendigos.
At the front of the legion were humans. Bandits and thieves wearing dirty, worn, and torn clothes. Many were scarred, from gashes on their arms to missing eyes. They looked nervous around the Grimm, one even whimpering when a Beowolf growled at him, but all attention was on a large tent on a plateau.
Out of the tent came a large, muscular man with a bit of a gut, but an imposing figure. He wore black, scratched armor, and a sickle in his hand. He had a crudely trimmed beard, obviously cut using his sickle, bags under his eyes from his time in prison, and a scar above his right eyebrow where Nimo struck him.
He held out his hand, silencing the Grimm, the act making him chuckle. "IS THIS NOT A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT," he called out. "MAN AND GRIMM SIDE BY SIDE, UNDER THE COMMAND OF DECENCY AND ORDER, INSTEAD OF BEING MAD AND RAVENOUS SAVAGES?! FOR NO, I SEE NO SAVAGES HERE! I SEE MEN AND BEASTS DENIED THEIR LAND BY THE TRUE SAVAGES! THE TRIBES WHO SIT UPON YOUR LAND, CLAIMING IT BELONGS TO THEIR PRECIOUS SPIRITS! WAS I WRONG TO BELIEVE THAT THE MAGNIFICENT CREATURES BEFORE ME ARE NO SPIRITS?!"
The Grimm growled at the man's words in agreement, his cruel, manipulative words literally strengthening them, as was one of his "blessings".
"NO, I SAY! I SAY YOU ARE SUPERIOR TO THEIR SPIRITS! FOR ARE YOU NOT ALREADY ON THE LAND?! ARE YOU ALREADY NOT HERE?! YET WHERE ARE THEIR SPIRITS?! WHY DO THEY HIDE WHILE YOU WALK UPON THIS WORLD?! I SAY IT IS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT YOU OWN THIS LAND! I OWN THIS LAND! WE! OWN! THIS! LAND!"
The Grimm and humans roared, Ratcliffe's words fueling everyone, even making the Grimm physically larger.
"I SAY TO YOU THAT THOSE SAVAGES WISH TO STAND IN OUR WAY, BUT THEY WERE LEARN HOW FOOLISH AN ACT THAT IS! WE SHALL SHOW THEM THAT THIS LAND IS MINE! THAT IT IS YOURS! THAT IT! IS! OURS!"
They roared even louder, now fully ready for war. Ratcliffe smirked at the sight villainously. 'And when I'm done with that fool, Nimo, I will be coming after you next, Arc,' he thought. 'By my blade, 'hero',' he thought hatefully, practically spitting the word out.
'You. WILL. DIE!'
After his speech, Ratcliffe walked into his tent, chuckling menacingly as he looked at his hands. "Magnificent. Truly astounding. So much power. So much strength. To be able to command the very Creatures of Grimm themselves! With this power, the very world will soon be mine."
"Don't get drunk off of power."
Ratcliffe jumped before looking toward the voice. "You! How dare you enter my tent so casually. I should have you torn apart."
"Oh, please. The Chief Dark Spirit would never allow you to do such a thing. I am every bit his champion as you are his tool."
"TOOL?! You horrid savage! If you weren't protected by that god and weren't so skilled, I would have killed you myself and thrown you to the Beowolves! Don't forget that I am in charge around here!"
"Lead as you please. Just don't you dare forget who gets Nimo."
"Heh, your hatred for that savage is commendable. He is yours. Just remember that Arc is MINE to kill."
"I don't care about your little wolf. It's the eagle I want to kill."
"I find that odd," Ratcliffe said as he looked over the map of the canyon to make strategies. "Was it not Arc who arrested you?"
"It's true that he was the one who threw me in prison, but Nimo was the one who betrayed me by HELPING that white devil. He is a traitor to his own people. He deserves to die for the dishonor he has brought upon these lands."
Ratcliffe chuckled. "You truly are an interesting savage, Puhi. Eulch, what a ridiculous name. I would sooner call you Ironvest. Does that dingy piece of chainmail even protect you from a slingshot anymore?"
Ironvest traced his hand over his armor, the chainmail worn and damaged, holes all over the garb. The old man even stuck a finger through one of the holes before he crossed his arms back. "It protects me enough. The spirits will defend me where the armor will not."
"And by spirits, you mean our army? Please. They will be defending me. You savages have always been able to care for yourselves, haven't you? I mean, before Arc arrived and destroyed your entire tribe after Nimo asked for his aid."
"What?"
Ratcliffe looked at Ironvest, seeing the disbelief in his eyes. "Why, yes. Your tribe was considered the most vicious in these lands, correct? Raiding unsuspecting travelers, kidnapping, scalping. Nimo thought you to be too dangerous to roam, so he asked his 'old friend' to help him put an end to your reign of terror."
"How would you know this? You were in prison before even I!"
"Read the newspapers, dear boy. We were informed of the outside world through them in our cells, were we not? It's one of the many reasons Nimo is regarded as a respected hero in these lands: by saving it from the most savage of savages," Ratcliffe chuckled. "It's quite amusing, really."
Ironvest glared at Ratcliffe before looking at the piles of newspapers on a desk. Ratcliffe collected every article that had anything to do with Jaune, so the article Ratcliffe referenced had to be in there. The lone tribesman rummaged through the papers before he stumbled upon an image of Nimo shaking hands with Jaune.
Ironvest grabbed the paper and read it, seeing that Ratcliffe was telling the truth.
Enraged, Ironvest crumpled up the paper and threw it to the ground before walking out. "I'll scalp his entire head then tear out his heart! He will die," Ironvest promised as he walked out of the tent.
Ratcliffe smirked. "Indeed, he will."
A cracking sound was heard, followed by a black hand with long white nails gripping the table on the opposite side of Ratcliffe. Then, a thin figure with the longest, blackest hair pulled itself up from behind the table, groaning and wheezing in a disturbing way, before it stood before Ratcliffe. The oddly human-shaped, feminine-looking monster then tilted its head up, a single hair moving out to reveal a glowing red eye and a bone white face, showing that this creature was indeed a Grimm.
"You ALL will." Ratcliffe then chuckled evilly, looking forward to the coming war.
A/N: So, obviously there's a lot of symbolism in this chapter. Can you guess what certain creatures and images represented? Kinda sounds like a game, doesn't it? I'll put up a few of the answers next chapter.
Fun fact... I forgot what some of the symbols meant. Tee-hee.
Until next time