Let's get our Despair Remnants on!
Aizzec: He's my personal favorite as well! Bloodborne for the win!
Audiotistic: Okay, now that gives me hype! Thank you very much.
Silver III: Sono Chi no Sadame! JOJO! Thanks for the review.
TravisUmbra: Yeah basically. At first I wanted them both to be pessimistic, but that wouldn't really work. I can't write too much Angst! That just be exhausting. Bytheway I feel the same way about Viceralling.
Scarease: I assume you mean bruising? If so, oh maliciously.
Hitler's Moustache: I thought it'd be amazing!
Harlequin: Rip and Tear till it's done! Fine words to live by.
Lockebelmont: It is very OP. I thought it would be hilarious! Also, yes. Have fun with that, I hate that damned Orphan... That sounds terrible out of context.
Lionheartedwritings: It wouldn't be fun if I thought it was work! I really hope I did well with this as well. That's how I did yes, can't have knights without a Knight's Guild. Thanks for the review man.
The Baz: Thanks for the tip, I had to agree with you on that. It's why most of this chapter is solely based on their relation to each other.
Tsun: Most of Luna's abilities will remain a bit secretive for awhile, as his personality entails. However, Mors is a Knight. He wasn't a Pyromancer. He just uses Pyromancy to have a bit of long, medium range with a few buffs, just in case.
Neema Army: Thank You
Animeandgamerlover2: I'd recommend it. Starts off a bit slow and slowly starts to kick up in the Battle Tendency Arc, AKA Part 2.
Student: Sup. Thank you for the in depth review of my chapter. I can see how Jaune and Siegmeyer can also not be really compared, but it's their so I took a small leap. Still is hard to forget the Jojo craze, especially with the anticipation of the Vento Aureo anime!
Plague Ridden Rat: Niceu review.
Artyom-Dreizehn: I'll take note of that shield bashing trick. The main thing I see about Jaune's problem to accept help from other, probably stemmed from how long it actually took for people to help him. True it was just a little bit of that, combined with low self esteem, but that's how I see it. Mors came two weeks earlier (in my story) than Pyrrha did. Besides that, Mors actually has experience with being weak and knowing where Jaune is at the moment. Pyrrha, being the talented Untouchable Queen for so long, doesn't have as much experience as Mors.
Ya'know, and the fact that you just can't hate Mors.
This is just how I see it really, Thank you for the review.
KingArthur3: Arthur, King of the Britains! I have not yet explained this, but I have mostly got rid of the Item box. It's just… very weird to have in this world. Which is saying something.
Avarize: Yes indeed. Had to kill a badass boss to do it. But it was, slightly, worth it.
Stormtide Leviathan: Thank you! I'll hopefully give more out for you.
Empirialtank: I already have something planned for the good old Moonlight, thanks anyways though. I just thought that we had already so many pessimistic Knights in Dark Souls and wanted something completely different.
Guest: Here you go man!
Tero7323: Thanks man! I won't even think about it!
Venatores Luna
"No."
The library, a perfect and quiet place. Especially if it was one as large as Beacon's. It was far larger than anything Byrgenwerth could offer. Made perfect for one accustomed to being quiet, and ignoring others. It was not as if I was socially awkward, far from it.
I merely hate all forms of social activity. Including the one I was having right now.
"Come now Venatores," Mors said with a smile upon his face. He was sitting down at the table, furthering his studies with the language. He has gotten so far in his studies, that he could read a book for children easily. "I have not yet explored the City of Vale, and neither have you. It would be a perfect experience."
"I have seen enough from the Bullhead." It was a rather large city, one most likely filled with people. Something that I did not wish to be surrounded, by as of yet.
"Tis true," The knight said, never looking up from his book, his blond hair covering his current expression. "But would it not be far better to experience it?"
"I have seen a city before. Most aren't that different from the other." I said, my full attention still upon the book. Reading each word as it begun to weave a story of history.
"Certainly you grow tired of the food in the Academy. It is… grand, but it would do well to have some change." The young knight continued, not put off by my constant denials.
"I don't wish to waste money on something I can get here for cheap." As everything was already paid for, so long as we did our job as students and Hunters.
"What of your weapons, certainly you need to repair them. Or restock on ammunition for your… pistol." He asked, hesitating for a second before saying 'pistol'.
"Mors, I don't fancy going to the city." My patience wearing as thin as a thread, though I kept my voice at a reasonable volume. "Besides, I don't trust anyone with the care of my blade." For everyone who sees it, merely sees a weapon. Not a prized tool that was earned through untold amounts of blood, sweat, and tears.
"Hmm…" For a minute, it seemed like he had finally stopped, allowing me to finally read my book in peace.
He started again not a second later.
"Perhaps there's a book store we can go to?" The Knight said with some hesitation, and a small awkward laugh. At least he was trying to get closer to my interests.
"Mors, we are in the biggest library on the continent. Which is also free, so long as I return the books." It was a very easy system, especially since I returned every book that I take out within two to three days.
"... Is there a reason you don't fancy going to the city?" Mors said, a thud following it as he said so.
"I don't see the point in going, that's all." I replied simply, never once looking up from my book.
"What reasons would thou go then?"
"An attack or recon." I replied instantly, my voice a bland monotone.
"All work then? Is there nothing that entertains you in the slightest?" Mors asked, pressing further and further, despite my wishes.
"... None that I can think of." I said, putting my book down. After all, it would appear that I would be answering questions for awhile.
"Alright then… So how goes your studies?" Mors said, his hand reaching around to the back of his imaginary question list for anything to speak of.
"Fine," I spoke quietly, my patience wearing thin. "How goes yours?" My face still set into the stone mask, one that had taken many upon many deaths to accomplish.
"Terrible," Mors said, covering his hand with his face. "Sir Port and Madam Goodwitch are alright, as they do not hand out work most of the time. But Sir Oobleck and Madam Peach on the other hand." It was then the knight shuddered. "Tis terrifying, the demons that teachers can become."
"Why didn't you just tell them you couldn't read the assignments?" It would have been far better to do that yes?
"Did you believe me when I told you?" Mors said, an eyebrow raised in question.
"I didn't," I answered immediately, my eyes not moving from Mors form. "Not until you proved it to me. Even then it wouldn't do, after all you can't write your projects in a language none of the teachers would understand."
"Tis the reason I didn't tell them. Though it will not matter soon enough. After all, I am growing exceptionally better at the language." The knight said, a dangerously large smile upon his face.
"I still don't see how you are able to learn it this quickly." It has been only a month, yet he can now read a low level book without any problems. If that is not stellar learning ability, than I don't wish to see what is.
"An abundance of time, mostly," Mors said, drawing out a long sigh. It was afterwards that something strange happened to him. For one he seemed to become less depressed, in fact he appeared to become almost joyous.
"Did we just have a proper conversation?" The Knights smile growing wider and wider.
Oh Hunter of Hunters, slay me in my dream.
"Tis a momentous occasion!" Mors said, first raised high, alongside his voice. "We must celebrate!"
"Mors, one this is a library." Pointing at all the people who were now looking at us. When Mors saw this, his hand moved to the back of his head. He looked embarrassed, but it didn't matter really.
"Second, there is no need for a celebration. It was just a conversation." I said, getting more and more annoyed as time goes by.
It was not that I didn't appreciate Mors constant effort to try and bond with me. It was expected really, he was put down as my partner. It was just that I know where this was inevitably going to lead. After all, why create a connection, when you can't die.
It only adds on to the suffering later on. If he were a Hunter connected to the Dream, it would have been different. But it was clear by the armor, shield and lack of pistol that proved he was no Hunter. At least not an effective one.
"Tis one of the few conversations that you have had with me, outside of the battlefield." Mors said, removing his hand from his neck.
That wasn't wrong, I'll give him that.
"Did someone say celebration!?" By the Father of Ebrietas, more are spawning from the air! I turned around once more, seeing a many colors assault my eyes. Most prominent being red, white, black and yellow. Especially yellow, as she stood most prominent within my sights. Though, it appeared that black was a reading a book as well.
"What are we celebrating?" Yang asked me, her face far too close to be considered comfortable.
"Oh, I apologize," Mors spoke up, bowing his head slightly. "I was merely jesting with Venatores." Mors said, his tone of voice still filled with excitement.
"What!? Come on Mors." Yang continued turning to the blond Knight. "Don't tempt us with fake parties." A pout on her face, one similar to that of an immature child.
Fitting really.
"I apologize, I didn't think anyone that we knew of would overhear." Mors said, a large smile upon his face.
"I'm pretty sure everyone in the school heard about it. You did say it pretty loud." Yang said, a joking smile on her face, as she sat down in the closet chair. Which so happened to be mine. The rest of her teammates just stood around the table looking at Mors and I.
"I don't believe it was that loud." Mors said, his smile lowering a tiny bit.
"Yes, it was." I said, no hint of joking in my tone, before picking the page that I had stopped at to talk to Mors. After all, there was a higher chance that team RWBY would talk to Mors over me, since he is far better socially than me.
It was then that Yang laughed, looking at me with a similar smile that she gave everyone. One like a sun.
"Good one Ven!" She said, looking at me for any other outward reaction.
It was obvious what she was trying to do. After all, she had been helping Mors' out to get me to open up. They had been double teaming me, trying to get some sort of rise of either emotion or conversation out of me.
In the month that they have been trying, the only rise they ever saw was against the Cainhurst Gargoyle. Who still deemed to glare at me, despite her many errors during the class.
Of course there was another moment. But even then it was for more… annoying reasons.
"My name is Venatores." I spoke up, never looking up from my book. Sadly Yang brushed it off, a small hint of victory in her smile.
It annoys me greatly to see that smile over something so minor.
"So… what are you doing?" The reaper asked, looking slightly awkward. Nothing out of the norm really. To say that she was awkward, was similar to saying 'the Winter Lanterns were hideous.'
"Reading." I said simply, never looking up from the book in my hands.
More specifically, I was reading the history of a land called Menagerie, also known as the Faunus Island, home to a majority of the Faunus population.
After all I was interested in the Faunus, that much was true. Not to kill, maim or any of the like. All he wanted to do was observe them, for they reminded him of beasts.
That wasn't to say they were cruel, crazy or blood hungry. No, each of them were simple people ranging from many different types of animals and animal parts. So it wouldn't be a stretch to say that they were exactly what they were. Humans with animalistic features.
But something inside of him, the darker and continued to be suspicious by the species. He didn't want to be suspicious of them all, but he couldn't help it. After all, each of them only reminded him of not only the dangerous Hunt….
But they reminded him of that particular Hunter.
The man he had once faced, whose death haunted him for the rest of his days.
"You'll be one of them… sooner or later."
He smiled, his fanged teeth showing despite the distance between the two.
He shook his head slightly, hoping to banish that man from his thoughts. He didn't want to think about that Hunter.
"Oh, that's cool." Ruby spoke, smiling a shy smile of what appeared to be a five year old.
"I suppose." I spoke up, never looking up from the history of Menagerie. Silently hoping for their disappearance from this library.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long. The bell tolled twelve, signaling the start of lunch.
One that he would not participate in.
"Ah," Mors spoke up, looking at the closest clock. During that time, the others looked at him, signaling my time to leave.
Quickly, without even the slightest sound, I packed up all of my things. Stacking them neatly into my bag, I stood up and walked away.
Before they could even turn around, I was gone. Only hearing he tail end of what Mors was saying.
"Seems we must make our journey to the dining hall." His voice filled with his usual cheer. "In that case, we must continue our conversation else-Where did Venatores go?"
It was as he finished his sentence, did I leave the library. Making way to one of the many training rooms that belonged to Team Eclipse. Situated close to the main colosseum, right next to the other training arenas.
It was just like all the arenas before him. Filled with many equipment to help anybody train. The only difference, it will only unlock under Team Eclipses… Scrolls.
He found the Scroll's intriguing, even more so when he found no traces of anything archaic in nature. Besides from being used as a key, he saw no other need of it.
Even the communication part of the scroll, despite its handiness, he had only ever used once. Even then, it was to ask where Mors was going in the middle of the night, as both a test of communications and as a part of his curiosity
Oddly enough, he replied only with ' Teaching.'
The next day, I snuck out with him, without said knight noticing he was being tailed. Granted, he was far harder to stay hidden from than most of the other students. It was then, after fifteen minutes of waiting, did he see what he meant by teaching.
If you call swinging a sword, while his student fails at parrying said sword, teaching.
Granted, it was far more effective than most training done by any of the other teams. Most of them had only ever gone to the schools Gym and exercise. No fights, no sparring, not even the stray fist fight unless they were in combat class.
This Nightmare has a very… mindless training sense.
If Eileen were to see this… I couldn't even imagine what she would do.
Even now, my body aches from very thought of the training sessions given to me by Eileen. They were a brutal, short, and messy 'Spars', filled with blood, violence, and the stray organ.
None of them had come from Eileen.
And that was also only the beginning course.
If he were perfectly honest with himself, he had hated those lessons, even now. But he couldn't say they were unnecessary in the long run. After all, it would have been a much harder road if she had gone easy on him.
I shook the thoughts away, entering the private training grounds with my scroll. Hoping to get as much training in before before the next class. After all, it was one of the better classes.
No learning things about Beasts, that I already know of. No pompous stories. No screaming at me to fight. Just a simple thing, that I have not yet know of this world.
History.
Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck, our history teacher, was a strange unorganized man.
He was of average height, with white colored skin. Yet that wasn't what set him apart from the other teachers.
His pale green hair looks as if it was done within a tornado. His clothes were unkempt, wrinkles taint the majority of his dress shirt. While his tie was fairly skewered. Even his glasses were slightly crooked on his face.
I was not as affected, as a majority of the class was, at his disheveled attire. It didn't really matter to me, especially after meeting Simon the Harrowed.
Even his lessons were of a fascinating sort of unorganized. I kept on track with everything going on, while some were distracted by his speed, of both mouth and movement.
I followed him simply, taking detailed notes all the while.
The Nightmares Remnant had a very peculiar history. Even more so than most.
Apparently, the farthest anyone could remember was around a century ago. Even then, it was only because that was when Mistral was first founded.
But, as far as anyone can say, the Grimm have always been their. Some, believed, even before Humans.
They were probably correct.
But that wasn't today, today was a different type of study. One was generally more open than any other subject.
Faunus History and its outcomes.
One that would be far better, if it wasn't for the slight snoring at my right.
Jaune Arc, possibly exhausted from his nightly training, was now about to sleep through the entire class. Normally, I would be furious, but seeing the small cuts and bruises on his person, the only thing running through me was a small amount of pity.
"Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus war, humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie.
I quickly jotted down the notes, hearing the slight panic of a few of the students all around me.
"Now! While this may feel like ancient history to some of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!"
Dr. Oobleck took another sip of the drink in his hand, before continuing his lecture.
"Now! Have any of you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus Heritage?
I looked behind me, seeing a few hands raised in kind. Each one more different than the last.
Though, the strangest thing, would have to be someone shuffling uncomfortably. This wouldn't be strange, if it wasn't for a single thing.
That the person in question was Blake Belladonna, a human… did her bow jus-
"Dreadful, simply dreadful!" Oobleck said, looking slightly outraged at the thought. "Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!" I didn't turn back towards the Doctor, despite the possible need to. I was to busy looking at Blake. Though, I tried to make it less noticeable.
"I mean just look at what happened to the White Fang!" Another, far more noticeable, twitch.
How curious.
"Now, which of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?"
The Gargoyle's hand quickly shot up, which had beaten me by only the tiniest of seconds. Which the Heiress gave a small smile to, which I returned with a slight scowl.
"Mrs. Schnee?" The doctor called out, rushing towards the girl with great vigor, as he took a drink of the strange drink in his hand.
"The Battle of Fort Castle." She said lowering her hand, like some sort of queen, despite saying one of the strangest names for a castle he had ever heard. Even other people had begun to whisper behind me, people that included Mors and Ruby.
"Pray tell, is it a fort or a castle?" I heard Mors ask, his voice sounding genuinely curious over the name.
"To this day, nobody knows." Ruby answered, which was followed by the sound of... crumbling paper? Even stranger how it was coming from right behind... Jaune…
My head turned without my command, seeing one of the students folding up a triangular piece of paper. One that so happened to challenge me every day to a fight, despite my contant declining.
Cardin Winchester.
"And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus have over General Lagune's forces?"
It was exactly at Dr. Ooblecks question, that Cardin decided to flick the folded piece of paper. It's target?
Jaune Arc.
Normally, this wouldn't have bothered me. After all, both were fools in their own manner. Yet, of all the people I've seen in this school, he is the person has truly trained past their limits, and has sustained true damage for the sake of progress, besides Mors and I.
The other, had been bullying those lesser than himself, simply moving from victim to victim in a manner similar to that of a starving wolf.
One, a Hunter in the making. The other, a beast feeding off scraps.
It was of no question that I help a Hunter.
As soon as the paper was about to impact the young man, my hand shot out with practiced ease. Catching the folded paper between my two fingers, without a sound. I barely saw Cardin's expression, one filled with a suppressed rage.
"Mr. Luna?"
I looked towards Oobleck, his gaze expectant. Possibly misjudging my raised hand, as a means to answer the question.
"... There are many answers, though for convenience sake I'll say Night Vision."
Dr. Oobleck smiled, it was a small, near unnoticeable one, it was still there. Though it was then marred by a small scowl.
"Indeed!" Dr. Oobleck said, slowly making his way towards Jaune's spot. "The Faunus race has been known to have near perfect vision in the dark, giving them a total advantage against General Lagune, who had decided to raid Fort Castle during the night. As Mr. Luna has kindly pointed out, there were many other factors that secured the Faunus' victory besides night vision. Can anyone take a guess as to what these factors might have been?" He asked everyone, before slamming his cup near Jaunes head.
Jaune woke up immediately, his hand suddenly sailed in an arc, almost slapping me in the face. I caught the hand before he even had the chance
"Now, since you have finally decided to participate in class Mr. Arc, I have just asked a question. Seeing as you had kindly decided to raise your hand, I assume you know the answer."
Jaune, who had just realized his hand was close to hitting me, looked pale. Almost sickly even. Whether it was by the lack of answer, or the fact that he almost hit someone, namely me, was unknown.
"Um…" He spoke, looking around the room. Possibly hoping for a miracle by the Great Ones.
His prayers were answered. Out of the corner of my peripheral vision, I saw hand movements. I couldn't exactly tell what it was, but it appeared to help Jaune.
"Hearing!" He all but shouted, almost making my ears ring.
"Correct!" Dr. Oobleck confirmed, quickly running back to his desk. His speed causing some of his papers to be flown off his desk.
"The Faunus are as plentiful as the animals of the world. Each one with a different type of quirk to their heritage. Studies have shown that some Faunus are able to spit acid, fly, and have been able to create a sort of hive mind between some of the Fauni of the same type! This is what gave them such an advantage, and what makes them entirely different from even each other."
It was at that moment that the bell rang, interrupting his lecture. One that caused me to feel slightly disappointed.
"But, that will have to wait for another time." Oobleck said, picking up some of his papers, alongside everyone else. "Have a pleasant afternoon everyone, don't forget your assignments."
Upon being told, I began to pack up my stuff, hoping to get a little more training in before the nightly assignments.
"Mr. Arc, Mr. Winchester and Mr. Ignis, please stay after class. We have… much to discuss." Oobleck spoke from behind, shocking me just a little bit.
I could understand the other two. One was sleeping in class, while the other was slacking off. But Mors had paid attention, from what I am aware of, diligently.
It probably had to do with how bad his grade was. What with him just beginning to learn the language.
With that, I moved out the door. Making my way to the training area, once more.
"Hey!" A voice called behind me. I kept moving forward, ignoring the voice. After all, it was probably not for me anyway.
"Hey, Ven! I'm talking to you!"
Apparently not.
"My name is Venatores." I told the blonde behind me, continuing my trek forward. Hoping that she'd get my message.
Judging by the hand currently on my shoulder, I'd say no.
"Aren't you gonna wait for Mors?" She said getting in front of my vision. Her hand still on my shoulder.
"No," I spoke up, barely restraining my instinct to flip her. "I am going to the training room."
"Again!" Yang exclaimed looking at me with a look of shock.
"Yes, again." With that my shoulder jutted forward, freeing me from the young lady's grip. Even if it was replaced with her other arm.
"Come on, you've been going to the training room everyday for the past month!" She spoke up, looking at me with a heated gaze. "Besides, he's your teammate isn't he?"
"I don't see what that has to do with this conversation?" I told her, as my interest spiked with Yang's statement, wondering what her point was supposed to be.
"Uh, everything." Her eyes rolling at my question.
"Explain then." My anger spiking from her sarcasm.
"Well, friends stick with each o-."
"Friend?" My eyebrow raising at that word, actually confused about what she was talking about.
"Uh… Yeah? What else would you call him?" The expression on her face growing curious.
"... We aren't friends." I turned away from the blonde. Looking away from her pure violet eyes.
"Umm, yes you are." Yang said letting go of my shoulder. "Your on the same team, you basically hang out with each other daily. You even train together! What would you call that?"
…
"I would call that an acquaintance." My tone now dark. Practically yelling that, it was the end of the conversation.
Yang didn't ask another question about that. Instead choosing to stay silent, her face slightly paler than it usually was.
"Ah, Venatores!" A voice spoke behind me, sounding like the man in question. "You did not need to stay behind for my sakeI."
It was definitely Mors.
"I was making my way to the training arena, when Yang stopped me for a conversation." My eyes not leaving the girl, who was staring at me like an infuriating puzzle. Daring her to tell Mors' about the conversation.
"Oh, about what may I ask." He said, his voice filled with joy.
"... Nothing of importance." Moving past Yang, hopefully getting to the training area without any more interference.
"Oh, I understand. Just throwing around some jokes and what not." His heavy footsteps following close behind me.
Silence was the only answer that was given. One that Mors gave an awkward chuckle to.
I stayed silent throughout the trip to the Private Arena. Going a little faster than I normally walk, silently hoping that Mors would leave.
Yet, he kept up with me. Barely even breathing hard.
It infuriated me. I didn't know why, but it did. And with each step it just grew more and more, barely being contained by my will.
Maybe it had to do with the conversation with Yang. About Mors being my 'friend'.
"A hunter must hunt!"
"Welcome, young hunter."
"Farewell good hunter, may you find your worth in the waking world."
I shook my head, continuing forward to the arena. Quickly opening the door with my scroll key.
"Are you training once again?" Mors
asked, entering right behind me. "If thou wishes, we can spar! I am certain it shall be a fun challenge!"
I didn't know why, but it was at that moment that my anger came out. Thankfully I still had the slightest control over it.
"Why are you doing this?" My tone colder than Isle Cainhurst, freezing Mors where he stood.
"...Cause it could make us a better at figh-"
"Not that!" My body turning without my say so, shouting at the armorless knight. "Why are constantly following me! Why are you constantly trying to converse with me! What's in it for you?!"
Mors didn't move, he barely even reacted to my outburst.
It only made me angrier.
"...So that we may be a better team and better friends, like Teams RWBY and JNPR." Mors said, his face a bland mask as he looked me straight in the eye. "Are you alright Venatores? You seem to be fairly angered."
"Is that the only reason?" I asked, feeling my own gaze grow heated.
"Beg pardon?"
"Is the only reason your hanging out with me because cause you are obligated to?!" I shouted out, looking at the man in front of me.
That was the reason I was angry. Of course… It made sense now. The blonde, for throwing that term around so easily. Team RWBY, who kept trying to force me through their normal process of making them.
Mors, for feeling the only reason he had too was because everyone else was doing it.
They were trying to force this concept upon me, like medicine on a small sick child.
A concept too different from my norm to accept.
"..." He didn't say anything, whether it was cause he was thinking or just didn't wish to answer. It didn't matter.
I just wanted him gone.
"Leave." My body turning away from the knight.
"Venator-" I didn't let him finish. My hand was already on one of my knives, while I blind fired Mors.
It would've hit him dead on, if he didn't catch it like I figured he would. But the message was sent.
'Go, before I make you.'
Silence reigned throughout the entire arena, consuming it with darkness as well. Neither of us moved, not even a inch.
Then, with a single movement, far more silent than I've ever heard Mors, he walked away. I didn't look back at him, I didn't even try.
It was only when the door shut, a quiet creek compared to the expected boom, that I looked back. The darkness filled the entire arena, leaving him alone inside of the familiar presence of solitude.
Yet, something had changed. I felt it, deep mwithin my gut as it gnawed away.
What was this feeling? I had felt it before, yet I can't remember from where.
I brushed the thoughts away, going back into training, hoping the feeling would pass when he focused on something else.
The sound of multiple gears and rushing wind consumed my ears. All the while, red consumed my vision as I looked out the Bullhead window.
It had been a week since that day. One that filled me with anger and confusion.
The anger was born just from everyday activities, and was becoming harder to reign in each day. I didn't know why but every class, book and activity made me feel furious.
The other thing, was the emotion he couldn't perceive a week ago,as he tried to ignore it.. Yet, it had only begun to grow more ravenous, slowly consuming every bit of feeling with in his stomach.
It also grew larger, every time he saw the chivalrous knight. To say that Mors looked unaffected by their recent meeting was an understatement. He looked as if it hadn't even happened!
The only thing that changed was the distance that they had shared.
Where Mors used to sit next to him, and by extension the other teams, he now sat a table away. Leaving him in solitude. Occasionally a girl would join them, a Faunus indicated by her two large rabbit ears.
They would sometimes stare at him, mainly Ruby and Yang, with what looked to be concern and pity. Mors also looked, but it was not concern or anything of the sort.
It was just a blank stare, which bore into my very soul.
All while I sat at the table, alone, eating my food and quickly moving on to class or training.
"We are now descending on Forever Fall." An intercom spoke up causing me to break away from my thoughts and return to the lesson.
After all, today will be our first trip out into an actual Hunting Grounds. True, we will be hunting sap, but just being in a place other than the school and city felt like a breath of fresh air. Learning where to find sap and what it's used for. Then placing them in jars, which will soon be distributed, to take back to study.
Ms. Goodwitch, our chaperone for the trip, stood at the end of the Bullhead. Her entire attention on the scroll in front of her, only looking up to check on the students.
I was in the far corner, away from most contact of the others. Though I did observe them, especially Mors, Team RWBY and Team JNPR.
Ruby and Yang were poking fun at the Gargoyle, who responded with a face flushed with anger. Blake was reading a book. Pyrrha was sharpening a sword, while Ren and Nora were up to their usual antics. Mors was in the middle of a talking with Jaune, a smile on his face.
Usually, this would have just left me with a slight annoyance. But, for the past week, all I felt was a sort of anger.
It had only escalated when Mors spotted me out of the corner of his eye. His face shifting once more to a vacant expression. One that I immediately turned away from.
It was at that moment that I caught sight , and felt, a second person looking at me. This one however was far more… Malicious.
I could not pinpoint the exact location, but the general area of the gaze fell around the back of the bullhead. Around the area where a certain team was sitting.
One lead by Cardin Winchester.
This didn't shock me, especially after all the refusals to fight him. Including the incident that had happened earlier in the year.
So it was fairly easy to ignore the constant gaze.
Suddenly, the contraption jolted. Signaling for everyone to stand up. The door slowly opening from behind.
Ms. Goodwitch, who had put her scroll to the side, looked up. Once more reviewing all the students in the vehicle.
"If you would all follow me." As she quickly moved towards the opening door. With that, everyone got up moving to follow the Elder Hunter.
I walked forward, ignoring the stare of malice. Hoping to get as far away from all of the students, hopefully to get the assignment done as fast as possible.
Stepping outside in to the forest beyond, was a strange sort of wonderment. While it was already early fall, all the trees in the area were a luscious red. Each leaf falling gently like a snowflake.
It would be far prettier, if the color didn't remind him of fresh blood. Bleeding out of beast like a fountain.
But, with practiced ease, he stayed calm. Moving with the teacher to the appointed area.
"Each of you is to gather one jars worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stick by one of your teammates. We'll randevu back here at 4:00. Have fun."
With her piece said, the class dispersed. Each one going into separate locations of the forest. Possibly to increase efficiency. After reviewing where everyone went, I went to the one that no one tread towards. Hopeful, that I may not be bothered.
It was destroyed instantly by the sound of loud footsteps following me.
I turned, seeing the color coordinated teams follow me, Mors at the lead. Each one to engaged in conversation to notice me.
Mors was the only exception, following me with his helm pointed to me.. One that I ignored once again, moving forward through the woods once more. But this time at a much faster pace, hoping to lose them on the way.
It was only after a few minutes of walking, and the loud thrum of footsteps stopped, that I stopped moving. Content with the silence around me.
It was right here, that I decided to get the sap. Looking at the tree closest to me, I bring out the splayed. Stabbing it in as deep as it could go.
With in that second of time, the sap had already began to ooze out. In that time, I placed a jar under it. Preparing for a long wait.
It was during this moment, that thoughts penetrated my focus. Ones that had been left unanswered for a long while.
Why was he still trying?
Ever since that moment in the coliseum, Mors studied me. Not to far from how a doctor studied the sick or unstable. It was infuriating to say the least.
Was it out of pity? Need?
Whatever it was, I didn't need anyone. Especially those who do it out of pity alone.
It was then, something sticky touched my glove hand. Shocking me so much that I nearly dropped the jar in my hands.
Huh, so deep in thought that the jar overflowed. I must be losing my touch.
"Are you sure about this?" A voice spoke from a ways behind me, almost causing me to turn and fire blindly with Evelyn. I stopped that, realizing it was just a persons voice.
"Of course I'm sure," A bigger voice said, this one sounding vaguely familiar to him. "These babies are attracted to sweets! Just get some sap on him, throw the jar with the box. Then we run. It's foolproof."
Unless, of course, someone heard their entire conversation.
"That's not what I meant!" The other person spoke up, almost yelling. "That guy is an honor student! You saw him against that Wendigo, he nearly killed it by himself!"
It appeared that they were after me. But why?
"It was just a fluke!" The bigger voice yelled back, followed by a quick breath in. "The only reason he beat him was cause of that knight dude!"
I see, superiority complex. The state of mind that says you are better than any other person.
"That little shit is just a guy hiding behind someone else. Look at him, he's practically skin and bone. Despite that, he acts like the cool loner, pretending to be better than everyone else! That bastard deserves everything coming his way."
"Alright, I get it. He insulted you with his attitude, sure. But… Rapier Wasps? Sure, if their were like ten or twenty of them, we could pass it off as a harmless prank, but two nests! That-!
"Just do what you are told!" Cardin shouted out, giving him an exact location to head towards.
With a grace befitting that of a hunter, I rushed up the tree at his side, kicking myself higher as quietly as possible.I grabbed the lowest branch in range with both of his hands, swinging upwards before landing on the branch.
Seeing as how the branch was sturdy enough to hold my weight, I quickly calculated the quickest route towards the voices.
Moving from branch to branch, I made my over to where these children were, looking to see what they were planning. Not a sound was heard, the trees didn't even creak, not even shaking hard enough to let a leaf snap off and fall.
I had arrived not a moment to soon, as the voices spoke once more.
"Cardin, their poison is lethal in high doses! He could be permanently damaged from this many of them! He might even die!"
"..." Surprisingly enough, it would seem that Cardin wasn't as dull as a Church Giant after all. He could see the hesitation growing in his eyes at the new information, understanding what his actions may cause.
However, just as quickly as it appeared, the hesitation disappeared faster than a Wandering Madness. If he didn't hate the boy with a passion, he would actually be quite impressed by the sureness of his gaze.
"If he's half as good as he believes himself to be, than there shouldn't be a problem. If not, then we were right about him the whole time." Cardin spoke, a look in his eye that almost made him look deranged. A blood soaked hunter and one that reveled in it.
His partner didn't comment, not even a peep. He only looked at his leader with a look of fear evident, as well as frustration.
Moments later he stood up, placing the jar he was holding down. "Then I leave it in your hands." The man said walking away from his leader, who had looked like he had swallowed something awful.
"You coward!" Cardin screamed out, looking at the man walking away. A feeling of anger growing on his face, making him look madder than a hater. "I command you t-"
"To what!" The man turned, looking at his leader with what appeared to be disdain. "Put blood on my own hands, when you are the only one who has a problem with him. No… fuck that! I didn't sign up to kill other people!" With that, he continued his way forward.
A naive, yet understandable desire.
"Get back here Sky!" Cardin screamed out his frustration evident. Yet the man trudged on, not looking back even once.
Once more the forest was filled with tranquil silence. As most forests should be, left alone by the people around the world. The boy stood at the center of the alcove, looking lost.
"... This is his fault." Cardin muttered so low that even my trained hearing barely picked it up. His fists tightening against his will. "First you insult me… then you refuse me. Now… now you make my own team turn on me!"
He turned around, looking for something. He then walked up to it picking up the jar of sap, the glass looking like it would crack. He then looked towards the place I was at previously.
"I don't care if you die… at the very least you'll be out of my hair!" He threw the jar, his anger to great to notice that I was no longer there.
He didn't even hear the growl coming directly from the groove behind him.
It was at that moment, that my hand found purchase on my gun. True, the man was trying to kill me with killer bee's, but that didn't mean I'd let him die. Just stab him in a non lethal area.
The Beast doesn't deserve the satisfaction.
But, I didn't expect one thing. A small single thing. The thing that growled was not a Beast. No, it was a man.
A man that despite wearing full armor, was quieter than a mouse. Sneaking upon the still raging boy, like a wolf it's prey.
It was strange to say the least. The fully armored Mors, acting like an assassin. Even stranger, the growl coming from his mouth.
"Damn it all to hell!" Cardin screamed out, still not hearing the hulking giant of a man directly behind him. "Where did that no good, scrawny twig of a man g-" It was at that moment, that Cardin finally looked behind him. Barely seeing the plume of Mors helmet. Shocking him so much, that he swung his mace out of instinct alone.
It was caught with practiced ease.
"Oh." Cardin spoke, not even acting surprised from the casual capture of his weapon. "P-perfect timing. Have you seen that partner of y-" Cardin never got to finish his sentence.
What with the fist sending him to the other side of the alcove, followed by a giant crash as a tree had only a dent left in it. Leaving the young boy breathing heavily, barely able to speak as his jaw, despite the so called aura, was already bruising.
"What… the hell!" Cardin said, getting up from his laid down position.
"You have some nerve, boy." Mors said, slowly walking up to said person. Slowly and methodically, like a machine filled with anger and hate. Surprising me greatly, almost enough for me to fall out of the tree I was in. Was this Mors? The honorable idiot that shined like the sun?
"I have some nerve!" Cardin spoke up, looking at the man in confusion. "You're the one who punched-"
"Do you think speech will help your case." Mors asked incredulously, his trek not faltered. "If so let me tell you something." With his peace said, he grabbed Cardin by the top of his armor. Lifting him, despite the large difference in height. Cardin struggled against the grip, as evident by the constant turning of his body.
"Be silent." He spoke with a cold anger, not so different from the anger some Hunters produce naturally. Yet his rage was very telling. It shook me, even more so than the impossibility happening in front of me.
After all, the boy's chest plate was turning red hot. In some parts, even melting. Which caused Cardin to thrash around even further. He almost even screamed, but was blocked off by Mors other hand.
"For weeks, I have tolerated your constant harassment of the honorable, Sir Jaune. Helping him out as much as I could, alongside his team. Just last week, I had stopped you from hurting that innocent maiden from any more of your harm. Now, I find you trying to kill my friend! This tarnishment of Beacon and it's students honor, shall not go unpunished." At those words, Mors dropped Cardin hazzardly to the floor. Taking the chance, Cardin scuttled away from the volatile knight.
"Wh-what are you talking about!" Cardin stuttered, looking as shocked as I felt at Mors. "I am doing everyone a favor, I'm doing you a favor!"
This caused Mors to pause, even I stared shocked at the young boy. What did he mean by that?
"E-ever since a week ago you guys have been avoiding each other, like one of you had the plague! It was so obvious, that everyone had already started spreading rumors. Each one far more different than the last." Cardin spoke quickly, almost sounding panicked.
"What does the insignificance of rumors have to do with my partner!" Mors said, shouting out in hoarse anger.
"Because all most every rumor says, that whatever happened was that guys fault!" Cardin said, standing up from his crawling. Yet I barely focused on that.
My fault?
"It's been only a month since that guy arrived here, and half of the school has already heard about him! On his first day at this academy, he got into a screaming match with that Heiress! A week later, some girl starts yelling bloody murder like she's about to be killed in the middle of the night. Everyone assumed he was the cause of it, but was able to convince the girl not to confess. Hell, he even has enough stealth to sneak up on some of the teachers, who are professional Huntsman!"
"So!?"
"So! That guy's a problem!"
"Even more than you? You who have been challenging Venatores to a fight every day, which he clearly doesn't want to. You, who is picking on Sir Jaune as if he was some, some, Toy! You who are a racist, arrogant, snot nosed brat who gains confidence from the weakness of others!"
"Yes." Cardin said with a confidence filled smile, not even hesitating one second with his answer. He didn't even seem mad about the insults thrown his way.
"... Explain yourself."
"I am not the smartest person here, not by a long shot. But even I know one truth."
"It's better to have a sword in your face, than a knife in your back." Cardin spoke, cautiously walking toward the knight.
"No one in this school knows anything about your friend. His family, his past, where he trained. They don't even know his personality for god's sake! That guy is a blank card, nothing to show with very little known about what he can do"
"And people are terrified because of it."
Mors didn't react or move an inch. His gaze masked by his armored helm. Cause no matter what he said, a part of it was true.
I was a blank slate. An unknown within their world, and their are only two things you can do with an unknown.
Question it, test your luck or be rid of it. If it wasn't me he was talking about, I probably would have agreed.
"So… how about now?" Cardin spoke, a hand touching Mors shoulder. "Still think of him as a friend?"
Mors didn't speak, his gaze once more blocked by the helm on his head. His gaze unreadable under it. Yet, I could only feel one thing. A familiar feeling that coated me like cloak.
Doubt.
Doubt in others, doubt in self. It didn't matter, all he knew was that he felt it. He felt doubt in the Knight in shining armor, like the doubt he felt in everyone he had ever met.
It appeared it was time to take further action. After all my pistol was already trained on Morso. All it would take was one simple pull of the trigger. One singular pull.
The pit in my stomach became a canyon. The feeling's name at the tip of my tongue, yet it remained amiss.
What was this feeling?
"I once knew a man, similar to Venatores." Mors spoke up, his voice firm and even. Catching my attention from my self questioning.
"Oh, must have been a terrible person than." Cardin spoke up, his hand never leaving Mors frame.
"Yes... he was." The knight said, grabbing the boy's hand, tightening his grip on it.
Cardin was on the floor a second later, dazed and unable to get up from the knight pinning him down. He certainly tried, but the combined strength and weight of Mors kept him in place.
To put it simply, it was like watching a large bird get trapped under a slightly smaller, denser rock.
"But if there was one thing I can understand about both of them," He told Cardin, staring through his helmet in what must've been an intense glare. "It's that they both have their reasons. Reasons why they act in such a way, reasons they do the things they do. Venatores may not be the greatest of individuals, but that doesn't make him a terrible person. Merely someone harder to get along with than others."
If I wasn't a trained Hunter, I might have just pulled the trigger out of shock alone.
"I may not know him as well as I would like, but that doesn't mean I will give up on him. Just as others helped the man I used to know, I will try my damndest to be someone he can rely on when he needs it. I will shatter the shield he protects himself from others with, even if it means shattering that friendship in the process."
You and I share a cruel fate Venatores.
The pit in my stomach became an all consuming void. It was then a single word filled my brain. A word I had not felt for what felt like decades.
Regret.
"You really are as dumb as you look, huh?" Cardin asked with a surprising amount of confidence for a man in his position.
Mors merely chuckled at his insult, standing himself up while bringing Cardin with him. "It has been a while since I heard such an insult. Tis almost nostalgic."
With his piece said, Mors dropped the boy in the alcove. Turning around, possibly to find me or one of the other teams.
Leaving both Cardin and myself in deep thought. Unsure what the we should do.
It was now nightfall at Beacon, just after sundown. I was sitting down, reading one of the many books that I had borrowed from the library. Waiting for Mors to arrive in the secluded room.
Despite my current reading, I barely prosseded the words. Each of my thoughts returning to what had happened recently in the woods.
To say my thought prosses about Mors changed was an understatement. I knew he was a capable warrior, that much was certain. But I had always pinned him for some sort of jester.
Never once had I pinned him as someone who would go so far for an unrequited friend.
It was at that moment, the door opened. Laughing was heard at the other end of the hall, possibly belonging to one of the teams Mors had a relationship with.
That did not matter however. All that mattered was that he was here now.
It was after the door closed did Mors acknowledge my presence. Looking at me once more with steeled gaze, judging my every move. The same gaze he had given me for the entire week.
Yet it no longer bothered me.
For the first time in a week, our eyes truly met, and nothing was said, but that didn't matter. I didn't know what he saw within my right eye, but whatever it was seemed to be enough.
He gave a slow nod, as if he were trying to tame a wild wolf, taking extra care not to startle it with sudden moves.
"Does this mean we're back on speaking terms?" He asked, seeming to be hesitant on whether or not I would attack on sight.
His fears were unfounded, as I merely nodded my head.
Instead of relaxing like I had expected, he instead looked a little…upset. I was curious as to why, but before I could ask, he had already begun speaking.
"And I had a speech planned and everything."
I could only stare at the blonde knight, feeling my eye widen in what could only be shock. Then, an unfamiliar sound graced my lips, before I quickly covered my mouth.
Now it was Mors looking at me in shock, looking utterly befuddled at what had just occurred.
He wasn't the only one, as I myself looked quite the same. I tried to identify what had just happened, but I couldn't remember for the life of me.
Instead of facing any questions from Mors, I quietly retreated to my bed, having nothing to do other than sleep. Seeing this, Mors let me be, perhaps knowing that I wouldn't answer even if he asked, or because he didn't wish to break what he had just fixed.
Either way, not even the socially awkward red reaper would dare to question him now.
He flinched as his pale hands met the sharp stone path, causing cuts to appear upon his palms.
Tears started to brim in the six-year-olds eyes, as he slowly tried to stand himself up. He was wearing rags that covered his skin, and sacks tied to his feet to protect his feet. His hair was greasy and dirty, so much so you couldn't tell what the color was, especially in the dark night that was tonight.
As he finally got back up onto his own two feet, someone pushed him down from behind, further marking his hands in blood.
"C'mon!" An older boy shouted from behind him, standing with a sick grin slapped on his face. "It's no fun if you keep getting knocked down!" He whined, as the rest of the group laughed like a bunch of clowns.
The tears started to fall from his eyes, as he began to cough up blood. The veins in his lungs popping and flooding them the usually liquid free space.
This did nothing to stop their joy.
"Look!" One of the kids pointed out to the others, as Venatores' blood coated the road. "We actually got him to show the demons possessing him!"
They all roared in laughter, as he felt the veins in his eyes burst. He screamed in pain, as he felt tears of blood go down his cheeks.
Still they laughed.
"Quick, let's beat the demons out of our 'friend' here!" The leader of the group laughed, giving the first kick straight into his gut.
He felt his body bruise from the kick, as the weak veins in his system tore and leaked ever so slightly. Once again, he coughed up blood, as they all kept laughing.
"No way," One of the boys said, as he stepped away from the sick boy. "I don't want any chance of getting his demons!" He told them, as the rest of the went to 'help' him.
"Don't worry," The leader reassured his follower, who still kept kicking Venatores as he did. "God would never let us be harmed by any demons!"
"You wanna test that?"
The boy turned and went cross eyed, staring down the barrel of a flintlock pistol pointed straight between the eyes. The boy jumped back in fear, as the rest of the group stopped hitting the boy.
Standing there, like a demon in the night, was a sickly pale woman with rags cut into a dress just baggy enough to hide her entire body from prying eyes. Her hair, despite being slightly greasy, was a smooth and shiny blue silver color that reached all the way down to her back. She was barely taller than 5'6, and her arms and legs were sickeningly thin, but not too thin to be considered boney.
Lets not forget the distorted face of hers, which was radiating enough hate to make even the strongest man flinch.
The boys backed away in fear, as the demon slowly aimed her gun right at the 'leaders' head.
All the while, Venatores could only stare at his mother like she was an angel sent from heaven.
"Start running." Eva Luna told the children before her, looking like something straight out of a horror story.
They were already gone before she could finish, tripping down the cobbled street because of their haste.
As soon as they were gone, Eva had dropped the gun to her side, along with her scary expression. Unlike the frightening woman from only seconds ago, she was now someone who could pass as a princess. Her beauty enough to make any man lust for her.
A fact that Venatores knew she hated to the very core.
She rushed to his side, as fast as her sick and weak legs could carry her. She kneeled down, examining all of his wounds with skillful and practiced ease, despite coughing up blood from her slightly faster movements.
As she made sure he was fine and that his wounds would heal, she stared at him with an expression only a loving mother could have.
Cold, yet warm, hard, yet soft, fury.
"How many times have I told you never to be near those boys, Venatores!?" She asked him, her voice slightly raised with worry and anger.
He looked away in shame, unable to meet his mother's gaze.
"What did they do this time?" She asked him, tearing of a piece of her 'dress' to wipe away the blood in his eyes. "Throw rocks at you? Call you demon and beat you up again? Play tug of war with your arms to see if they ripped off?!"
"That never happened…." He mumbled to himself, just loud enough for his mother to hear him.
"Than I can say I'm honestly shocked." She deadpanned, though there was a slight smirk on her lips. "So, do I need to ask why you followed them, despite what I've told you? Or are you going to tell me."
He didn't say a word, despite his mother's stern expression, as he turned away from her. He heard her sigh, before he felt her thin arms wrapped around his small form.
"Did they threaten you?" She asked him, as she whispered in his ear. He shook his head no, as she stroked his greasy hair. "Bribe you?" Again, he shook his head no, as he carefully leaned in to his mother's embrace.
"Force you?" She asked carefully, as he shook his head again. He heard her groan, tired of guessing what the answer was. Despite that, she kept looking for the answer, calmly stroking his hair in the middle of the road.
"Trick you?"
He hesitated and tensed, but shook his head anyway. His mother wasn't convinced though, as she pushed just a little harder.
"How did they trick you?" She asked him, resting her chin softly on top of his head. He hesitated again, before slowly answering her questions.
"They," He began, slowly swallowing the pooling blood in his mouth to speak better. "They said… that friends play together, and since I was their friend, I should come and play with them."
"Oh little one…" She said slowly with a sigh, as her chin dug gently into his head, leaving his sensitive skin with a slight bruise. He didn't care, however, as he just enjoyed his mother's warmth.
"Are they not my friends?" He asked his mother, curious as to why she was shaking her head.
"No," She told him simply, as she hugged him just a little bit tighter. "They're as far from friends as you can get."
"But the book you gave me said that friends are people you, 'frequently meet and spend time with.' " He told her, turning his eyes up to look into her own. "And they're people I frequently spend time with."
"Venatores…" She began, chuckling ever so slightly at his words. "First off, I've told you, if you're going to read that Dictionary, you read it with me so you won't get confused." She told him, sticking up one of her fingers to show her point.
"Secondly," She began, before she turned him around to face her her violet eyes meeting his deep purple. "That's more of an acquaintance than a friend. However, those boys aren't friends or acquaintances."
"Then how do I make friends?" He asked her, a pure look of curiosity burning within his eyes.
She hesitated slightly, looking down at her small and innocent child, who hoped for a friend in this world.
"Venatores…" She began, hesitant on telling him what she was going to say. "Friends, true friends, are…. something nearly impossible for you and I to have."
"But…." He began, his voice dejected and depressed at her honest words. "But why?"
She sighed again, looking down at her child, before hugging him close to her form.
"Venatores… you and I share a cruel fate," She told him, hugging him just a little tighter as she did. "People...people are afraid and sickened of us. Of the illness you and I share. They will hate us, fear us, and worst of all… they will pity us." She said with snarl of hatred, before she continued what she was saying with the same soft and gentle tone. "Friends… friends are people who are kind to you… someone who will always stay by your side, who you can completely trust, and help you in your worst moments."
"We don't have that luxury," She told him, letting go of her son and staring deep into his eyes. "Everyone around us will hurt us because of hate, avoid us because of fear, and when they do something nice for us, they do it out of pity, less they feel guilty for leaving us to rot. No one will show us true kindness… nobody except the two of us."
Venatores processed this new information, as he stared up into his mother's beautiful eyes.
"So…." He began, as he brought a hand to his chin to help him think. "You're my friend, right?"
His mother smiled, rubbing his head with her hand. "Yes little one..." She told him, before she began to stand herself up. "Now, we should be heading back home, it's getting pretty late. I had actually managed to finally cook something that didn't almost burn down our house before you disappeared!" She joked at her own expense giving a wide toothy grin that just seemed right.
"Okay." He responded, as he stood up to grab his mother's hand. Soon, they began to walk back in the direction of their home.
Though, Venatores thought he had to say something before they arrived.
"Mom," He began, as she turned her head to look down at him as they walked, listening to what he has to say. "I don't pity you."
Her eyes widened in shock at his words, before she smiled lovingly, before picking up Venatores and kissing him on the head.
"That's why l love you more than anything else in the world," She told him, before hugging him tightly, walking with him in her arms. He gave a laugh as she did, enjoying the feeling of his mother's embrace.
"My little Ven."
He woke up in the dead of night, as calm as any man could be as he awoke.
Despite my dazed and tired state, my right eye did a brief scan of the room, more out of habit than anything else. He saw nobody but Mors, who was quietly writing on a sheet of paper, whispering, "The Great Knight Artorias, The Abysswalker, gave his sanity to save New Londo from Manus, Father of the Abyss."
He must've heard me sit up though, as he turned with an apologetic look. "I apologize," He began, turning his entire body to face his bed. "I didn't mean to wake you. I was just practicing writing so I may increase my Grade in History."
"It's fine," He told the Knight, before laying back down on the bed. "You weren't the one to wake me up anyway."
"The dream?" Mors asked, as Venatores quickly turned to face him in shock. "You talk in your sleep… something about an angel and a few demons?"
Venatores sighed in relief and exasperation from the inaccurate interpretation, as he considered gagging himself before sleeping. "Something like that…."
Mors nodded his head, before quickly turning back to his work. "The angel must've been quite beautiful."
Venatores raised an eyebrow, not sure what Mors was trying to get at. He decided not to ask, before turning on his side to go back to sleep.
Unaware to Venatores, however, was that Mors had seen quite a number of firsts from Venatores today.
It was the first time he had seen Venatores project strong emotions, other than anger, in the month he knew him. The first time he had him genuinely laugh at something, which came as quite the shock.
It was also the first time….
Mors turned once again, making sure that his eyes weren't deceiving him. As he did, he stared at Venatores' sleeping form. This was the most peaceful he had ever seen the Hunter, as he rested within the land of dreams. Yet, he could only wonder one thing.
What kind of dream...
...Would make the stoic Venatores shed so many tears?