The air in the inn was buzzing with Huntsmen and Huntresses gathered around Jaune and Glynda, listening intently to the plan. The room shook with nervous energy, but there was also a sense of resolve. Glynda stood at the head of the table, her stern gaze sweeping over the group. Jaune stood beside her, his eyes filled with quiet determination as he looked at them with kind, yet serious, eyes.
"Alright, everyone," Glynda began, her voice firm. "Our objective is clear. We need to secure the perimeter of the forest to ensure the Hound doesn't escape again. This creature is unlike any Grimm we've faced before, and it requires a coordinated effort to bring it down."
She glanced at Jaune, who nodded and stepped forward. "We'll be setting up traps and barriers through Dust around the forest. Your job is to ensure these traps are effective and maintain a secure perimeter just in case the Hound tries to escape again. We'll be using fire dust as our main weapon to disrupt its regeneration. Glynda will explain more about that."
Glynda took a deep breath, her mind already racing through the preparations needed. "I'll be using my Semblance, Telekinesis, to enhance the fire dust. With the right combination, we can create concentrated attacks that can prevent the Hound from regenerating. This is a delicate process, and I need everyone to be precise and vigilant."
The Huntsmen and Huntresses exchanged determined glances, their resolve solidifying.
An older Huntsman raised his hand. "What kind of traps are we setting, and how can we assist?"
Jaune pointed to a detailed map of the forest spread out on the table. "We'll be placing fire dust traps at key points around the perimeter. These traps will be triggered by motion, releasing a burst of fire dust that should slow the Hound down and disrupt its healing abilities. We'll also set up barriers to channel it into a confined area where we can launch our main attack. We've already asked for help with the company transporting Dust and they happily provided us the means to defeat this."
Glynda added, "I'll need a team to help me prepare the dust. It's a precise process, and any mistakes could be disastrous." She then adjusted her glasses. "Who's with me?"
Several Huntresses and Huntsmen stepped forward, their faces determined.
Glynda nodded in approval. "Good. We'll start with the fire dust. Jaune, you coordinate the placement of the traps and barriers."
As the group dispersed to begin their tasks, Glynda led the team to a corner of the inn where they could work on preparing the fire dust. The innkeeper had kindly provided a large table and various containers to aid in their preparations. Glynda carefully laid out the different types of dust crystals, explaining their properties and how they would be used, like a teacher informing her students. Glynda had a talent for lectures.
Jaune joined her after ensuring the others were on task. He watched as Glynda worked with practiced precision, her hands deftly handling the dust crystals. "You know, I've always been curious about how you use dust with your Semblance," he said, his voice light with genuine interest.
Glynda glanced up at him, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It's a calculated process. Dust can be incredibly versatile when used correctly. With my telekinesis, I can manipulate the dust to create various effects. Fire, ice, and even controlled storms — it's all about control and precision."
Jaune leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. "Can you explain how it works? I mean, the specifics."
Glynda nodded, her expression becoming more focused. "Dust is essentially crystallized elemental energy. By infusing it with my aura, I can manipulate its properties. For fire, I use red dust crystals. I can shape and direct the flames with my telekinesis, creating controlled bursts or sustained streams. Ice requires blue dust crystals, which I can use to freeze targets or create barriers."
She picked up a small red crystal, holding it up to the light. "The key is in the manipulation. It's like a delicate dance. Too much energy, and it becomes unstable. Too little, and it's ineffective. With practice, you learn to find the perfect balance."
Jaune watched in awe as Glynda demonstrated, her eyes focused and her aura gently flowing into the crystal. A small flame flickered to life above the crystal, dancing in the air. Glynda controlled it with a mere thought, the flame moving gracefully as she directed it.
"That's amazing," Jaune said, his voice filled with admiration. "I've seen you use it in battle, but I never realized how much precision it takes."
Glynda smiled with warmth in her eyes. "It's taken years of practice and a lot of dust. But it's not just about the dust. It's about understanding your own aura and how to channel it effectively. Every Huntress and Huntsman has their unique way of using dust. For me, it's all about precision and control."
She placed the crystal back on the table and looked at Jaune. "When we face the Hound again, I'll be using fire dust to disrupt its regeneration. With your Semblance's aura boost, we'll have the power we need to finish it off… hopefully"
Jaune nodded, his determination matching hers. "We'll make it work, Glynda. Somehow."
As they continued preparing the dust, the Huntsmen and Huntresses outside were hard at work, setting up the traps and barriers. The atmosphere was tense but focused, everyone working with a single-minded purpose. The traps were placed at strategic points around the forest, designed to funnel the Hound into a confined area where Glynda and Jaune could launch their attack.
Hours passed, and the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the forest. Glynda and her team had finished preparing the dust, each container filled with carefully measured and infused crystals. They joined Jaune and the others outside, where the final touches were being made for the traps.
Glynda surveyed the scene, her eyes sharp and focused. "Everything is in place. Now we wait."
Jaune stood beside her, his Crocea Mors drawn at the ready. "We'll get this thing, Glynda."
She nodded, her resolve unshaken and armed with a fierce glare with her Disciplinarian at the ready.. "We will, Jaune. We'll finish this once and for all."
As night fell, the forest grew quiet, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a nocturnal creature. The Huntsmen and Huntresses took their positions, ready for the Hound's inevitable arrival. Glynda and Jaune stood at the center of the prepared battlefield, their auras glowing softly in the darkness.
Glynda glanced at Jaune, her eyes filled with a fierce determination. "No matter what happens, we stay focused. We follow the plan."
Jaune nodded, his grip on his sword tightening. "Right. We'll take it down together."
As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the air grew visible. Glynda's mind raced with the possibilities, her senses on high alert. She could feel the presence of the Huntsmen and Huntresses around them, each one a vital part of their strategy.
Then, a rustle in the trees. Glynda's eyes snapped to the movement, her body tensing.
The Hound had arrived.
All of its wound regenerated.
It emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence. Glynda could feel the raw power emanating from it, a force of nature bent on destruction. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"Here we go," Jaune muttered, his voice steady despite the tension.
The Hound lunged, and the battle began. Glynda's telekinesis flared to life, the fire dust crystals igniting in a brilliant display of flames. Jaune moved with practiced precision, his sword and shield a blur as he protected Glynda and struck at the Hound.
The traps were triggered, bursts of fire dust erupting around the Hound. It roared in fury, its regeneration disrupted by the flames. Glynda focused, channeling her aura into the dust and directing the flames with surgical precision.
Jaune's aura boost flowed into her, amplifying her power. Together, they created a concentrated firestorm, the flames enveloping the Hound and preventing its regeneration. The creature howled in pain and rage, but Glynda and Jaune pressed on, their combined strength overwhelming it.
As the fire raged, Glynda's mind remained focused, her telekinesis controlling the fire dust with unparalleled precision. She could feel Jaune's presence beside her, his boosting of her aura giving her the strength to continue.
Finally, with a last burst of energy, they launched a concentrated attack; the flames piercing through the Hound and rendering it helpless.
The Hound lay motionless on the ground, its once-fierce eyes now dimmed. Glynda and Jaune took a moment to catch their breath, the smell of scorched earth and burned flesh filling the air. Just as relief began to wash over them, a low, guttural growl emanated from the Hound's throat, sending a chill down Glynda's spine.
It was not a good sign.
"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of dying flames. "It can't be."
The Hound's eyes snapped open, glowing with a sinister light. With a sudden burst of energy, its body began to shift and contort, its wounds knitting together at an alarming rate. The burnt flesh peeled away, revealing new, unblemished skin beneath. The sight was both mesmerizing and horrifying.
Jaune stood ready, his shield raised and sword at the ready. "Glynda, it's regenerating. We need to hit it again, hard!"
But Glynda was frozen, watching in disbelief as the creature's body repaired itself. She had seen Grimm regenerate before, but nothing like this and yet again prove what she thought. This was not mere healing; it was complete cellular regeneration, as if the Hound was evolving to counter their every move.
The air around the Hound shimmered with dark energy, its form growing more humanoid with each passing second. The energy felt similar to the necklace that those cultists were using to control Grimm, but this time, stronger. Bones snapped and reformed, muscles bulged, and a new layer of dark, bony armor covered its body. One of its arms elongated and morphed into a jagged blade, glinting menacingly in the dim light.
Glynda snapped out of her stupor, her eyes narrowing in determination. "We need to stop it before it fully regenerates. Jaune, get ready!"
She gathered her aura and focused on the fire dust crystals scattered around the forest. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of telekinetic energy towards the Hound, igniting the crystals in a brilliant burst of flames. The fire engulfed the creature, but its regeneration continued unabated.
"It's not enough!" Jaune shouted, charging forward. He bashed the Hound with his shield, the impact sending a shockwave through its body and sending it backward skidding. The Hound staggered but did not fall. Its eyes locked onto Jaune, filled with malevolent intelligence that sent a shiver down his spine.
The Hound's blade-arm swung towards Jaune with blinding speed. He managed to block it with his shield, the force of the blow forcing him to brace himself. The creature was faster, stronger, and more resilient than before.
Glynda unleashed another wave of fire dust, the flames roaring to life around the Hound. It snarled in frustration, but its regeneration showed no signs of slowing. Glynda's mind raced. If fire wasn't enough, they would need to find another way to disrupt its healing.
"Jaune, we need to keep it occupied!" she called out, her voice filled with urgency. "I need time to think!"
Jaune nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "Got it. Just don't take too long!"
Jaune's sword clashed with the Hound's blade-arm, the metallic ring echoing through the forest. He pushed back against the creature with all his strength, his muscles straining under the relentless assault. The Hound's attacks were precise, each strike aimed to exploit any weakness in Jaune's defense, but it could not get past through Jaune as if he'd used to fighting humanoid monsters like the Hound.
Glynda stood a few feet behind, her eyes focused on the battle. She extended her hand, summoning a telekinetic blast with a crack of her riding crop. A purple wave of energy surged from her palm, slamming into the Hound's side. The creature growled and momentarily lost its balance, giving Jaune a brief opening.
Jaune seized the opportunity, swinging his sword in a wide arc. Crocea Mors's blade bit into the Hound's torso, leaving a deep gash that oozed dark, viscous fluid. Something that a Grimm shouldn't have. The creature howled in pain but quickly retaliated, its blade-arm slashing towards Jaune's head. Jaune ducked, the blade whistling past his ear, and countered with a shield bash that knocked the Hound back.
Glynda didn't let up. She hurled another telekinetic blast at the Hound, the force of the impact sending it staggering. She manipulated the surrounding rocks, creating a barrier that shielded Jaune from the Hound's relentless onslaught. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the rocks flying towards the creature, each one striking with the force of a cannonball.
Jaune moved with practiced motions, his sword and shield a blur as he parried and countered the Hound's attacks. He could feel Glynda's support behind him, her telekinetic blasts providing much-needed cover from the sudden tendrils appearing out of the Hound's body. Jaune could take the hits, but it was a welcomed help. Despite the creature's regeneration, they were making progress. The wounds they inflicted were slowing it down, even if only temporarily.
The Hound roared, its blade-arm slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. Jaune sidestepped the attack and delivered a powerful slash to the creature's leg, cutting deep into the muscle. The Hound stumbled, its movements becoming more erratic. Glynda took advantage of the opening, lifting a massive boulder with her telekinesis and hurling it at the creature.
The boulder struck the Hound's chest, sending it crashing to the ground. Jaune followed up with a series of rapid slashes, each one cutting deeper into the creature's flesh. The Hound's regeneration struggled to keep up with the barrage of attacks, its body convulsing as it tried to heal.
Glynda focused all her energy on a final telekinetic blast, her eyes blazing with determination. The purple energy surged from her riding crop, her body energized into a purple glow as she slammed it into the Hound and pinning it to the ground. "Now, Jaune! Finish it!"
Jaune raised his sword, the blade glowing with a golden light as he channeled his aura into it. He brought the sword down with all his might, the blade piercing through the Hound's chest and pinning it to the ground, bony armor shattered.
The creature let out an agonized roar, its body writhing in pain.
The Hound lay still, its regeneration halted by the combined force of their attacks.
But as Glynda and Jaune caught their breath, they noticed something alarming.
Despite the grievous wounds and the cauterized flesh, the Hound's eyes still glowed with malevolent light.
How much do we need to hit this monster? Glynda thought.
Her heart sank as she watched the Hound's eyes flicker with renewed life. Despite the cauterized wounds and the devastating damage they had inflicted, the creature still moved. It struggled to its feet, its body trembling but not beaten.
"This can't be happening," Glynda muttered, her voice tinged with frustration. "We've hit it with everything we have!"
Jaune stood beside her, his face a mask of professionalism and composure.. "It's not over yet, Glynda. We need to keep pushing."
Jaune's reaction calmed Glynda. He was like a wall she could lean on to and seeing Jaune breathe and restore his aura back to full.
She felt another surge of confidence.
The Hound growled, its eyes locking onto Glynda with a chilling intensity. It lunged forward, moving with a speed that belied its injuries. Glynda reacted instantly, raising a wall of rocks to block its path with her Semblance. The Hound crashed into the barrier, shattering the stones but slowing its advance.
Glynda's mind raced. The fire dust had disrupted its regeneration, but not enough to stop it completely. They needed something more, something that could neutralize the Hound's healing abilities once and for all.
The Hound recovered quickly, its blade-arm swinging towards Jaune. He blocked the attack with his shield, the force of the impact barely moving him.
Glynda then unleashed a telekinetic blast, hitting the Hound square in the chest and pushing it back, completely removing the armor it sprouted.
"We need to find a way to stop it from healing," Glynda said, her voice urgent. "Fire dust isn't enough."
"It's damaged, but it'll regenerate if this continues," Jaune nodded, his eyes never leaving the Hound. "What else can we use? There has to be something."
Glynda's mind raced through the possibilities. "Maybe... maybe we can combine different types of dust. Fire to disrupt its regeneration, and ice to slow it down. If we can hit it with a concentrated blast of both, it might be enough to stop it for good."
Jaune's face lit up with determination. "Let's do it. I'll keep it busy. You get the dust ready."
As Jaune charged at the Hound, Glynda quickly prepared the dust. She mixed the red fire dust with blue ice dust, carefully infusing the crystals with her aura. The combined energy of the two elements crackled in her hands, a volatile mixture that could either save them or destroy them.
Jaune fought with relentless energy, his movements precise and controlled. There was no waste of movements. No showmanship. Just pure fighting built on practicality. He ducked under the Hound's blade-arm and delivered a powerful slash to its side, the creature howling in pain. Glynda focused, her telekinesis manipulating the dust crystals with delicate precision.
"Jaune, get clear!" she shouted, her voice carrying over the sounds of battle.
Jaune leaped back, his shield raised and extended to protect himself. Glynda unleashed the combined dust, a brilliant explosion of fire and ice that enveloped the Hound. The creature roared in agony as the flames and ice tore through its body, disrupting its regeneration and freezing its movements.
For a moment, the forest was filled with the sound of cracking ice and sizzling flesh. The Hound's body convulsed, its eyes flickering as it struggled to heal. Glynda poured all her energy into the attack, determined to end the threat once and for all.
Finally, the Hound's movements slowed, its body succumbing to the combined effects of the fire and ice dust.
Jaune stood resolute, his eyes locked onto the Hound.
Despite their combined efforts, the creature still moved, its wounds knitting together at an alarming rate.
"This ends now!" Jaune declared.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing inward. His aura flared around him, a golden light that pulsed with raw power. Jaune felt the familiar warmth of his Semblance, the ability to amplify his own aura and that of others. But this time, he turned that power inward, boosting his own strength to its absolute limit until his body protested.
His aura surged, enveloping him in a brilliant glow tinted with red.
With a determined shout, Jaune transformed and raised Crocea Mors, the blade shifting into its greatsword mode.
Jaune gathered all his aura, channeling it into the blade. The golden light intensified, surrounding the sword in a radiant glow. The power coursing through him, a torrent of energy that threatened to overwhelm him. But he held firm, focusing all that power into a single, decisive strike.
With a roar, Jaune swung the greatsword in a wide arc. The blade cut through the air with a blinding flash, the aura-infused strike cleaving through the Hound's left torso. The impact was immense, a wave of force that reverberated through the forest. As the blade tore through flesh and bone, The Hound let out a deafening howl, its body shuddering.
Jaune didn't hesitate. He knew this was their only chance.
The Hound staggered, its left torso severed and dark fluid spilling from the wound. But Jaune didn't stop. He pressed the attack, his aura blazing gold and red as he struck again and again. Each swing of Crocea Mors was fueled by with aura, causing damages that bit through flesh and break bone. His strikes were relentless, each one aimed to maximize damage. The Hound's regeneration struggled to keep up, the creature's body convulsing with each blow. Glynda watched in awe, her own exhaustion forgotten as she witnessed Jaune's display of raw power surging into a blaze of gold and red hue.
Jaune's greatsword slashed through the Hound's limbs, severing its blade-arm and cutting deep into its body. The creature roared in pain, its glowing eyes filled with a mix of rage and desperation. But Jaune didn't let up. He continued to push forward, each strike a testament to how he wanted this over with.
Jaune himself could feel his aura waning. He was pushing himself to the brink, his body screaming in protest. But he couldn't stop now. Not when they were so close. With a final, violent swing, Jaune drove Crocea Mors into the Hound's chest, the blade sinking deep into the creature's flesh.
The Hound let out a final, agonized roar, its body trembling violently. Jaune gritted his teeth, using every ounce of strength to pry the creature open. The blade bit deeper, and with a sudden, violent motion, he tore the Hound's chest apart.
Nestled within the Hound's chest was a person, their body grotesquely fused with the Grimm. The sight was horrific, the figure's face contorted in pain and fear. Jaune's breath caught in his throat, the realization hitting him like a physical blow, but he maintained his composure.
"Glynda," he called out, his voice toneless. "There's... there's someone inside."
Glynda approached cautiously, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the scene. The Hound's body lay in ruins, its dark, twisted form split open to reveal the human inside. The person's skin was pale, their eyes closed as if in eternal torment. Black veins spread from where their body melded with the Grimm, a sickening reminder of the unnatural fusion.
Glynda's hand trembled as she reached out, her fingers brushing against the person's face. "What... what is this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "How can this be?"
Jaune shook his head. The calmness in his tone and face was outright cold. "I don't know. But we need to get them out of there."
Together, they worked to free the person from the Hound's grasp. It was a delicate process, the black veins clinging stubbornly to the human's flesh. Glynda used her telekinesis to carefully sever the connections, her face a mask of concentration. Jaune's hands shook as he gently pulled the person free.
When the person was finally free, they lay motionless on the ground, their chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Glynda knelt beside them, her hand hovering over their forehead. "They're dead," she said.
Jaune shook his head. "The Hound… it was using this person as a host.
Glynda shuddered. "Who could do something like this? To turn a person into a monster?"
Jaune shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know."
Other Huntsmen team came and saw the reality of what they had discovered. The Hound was not just a Grimm — it was a horrific fusion of human and monster, a grotesque creation that defied understanding of what Grimm should be.
Glynda's hands shook as composed herself. Who were they? How had they become fused with the Grimm? And most importantly, who was responsible for this atrocity?
Jaune stood guard, his eyes scanning the forest for any signs of danger. He glanced at Glynda, her face pale but resolute. "What do we do now?"
Glynda looked up, her eyes filled with confusion. "I don't know. This... this abomination cannot be allowed to continue… but…"
Jaune nodded. "It's alright. We'll make it known to everyone what is this."
"Is that wise?" Glynda finally composed herself.
"It is. We need Huntsmen all over Remnant to know their enemies. And I doubt they'd be silent from this. Do you think would? Come on, Glynda, you look tired. I think they can handle this for now."
Jaune offered his hand. Glynda took it and leaned on him. As dawn broke over the forest, they returned to the port town, alongside a few of the Huntsmen, to give the news.