Despairs Remnants

by TwinGamers011701

A hunter, content in killing the beasts of the night. A knight, burning forever to protect the people who wished to kill his kind. Both wish nothing more, than to help their worlds... But when something happens and they both appear in a new world. A World destined to fall like theirs. Well what other choice do they have but to help. Bloodborne/Dark Souls/RWBY. My own OC's.

10. A Hunter's Prey

Hey guys, Welcome back to Despair Remnants!

LockeBelmont: Yes indeed, I do love me some Dumbshit's Guide to Dark Souls, as well as how I develop my characters. Thank you for the compliment I worked hard on the fight, though I had my Brother help a little with the end scene.

Also, I finally realized something… Is your name a Castlevania Reference?

Rnij: Thank you for the advice, I am glad you enjoy the chapter alongside my characters. But, I did intend for both of them to be the Main Character, but I can see why you'd feel that only Mors felt like a Main Character. As for the rest of your Questions, that will have to wait, as I feel I have to establish them in this world before anything else. Though I can say backstory is coming very soon for Ven…

Madworld238: Yes, I to hope for some bonding moments between Blake and Ven, or anyone other than Mors! As for the perving out, I felt it justified after listening to the third episode as she just kept looking at the guys without shirts. Also, it's a fresh of breath air seeing a female lead being a pervert than the male. Feels more… human I guess.

Also, she would have sold them, privately, throughout the school. :)

Baz: True, but I, and by extension him, feels that medical training is the best thing they could have.

Neema Army: Thank you!

MadManWithAHat: Thank you for the Review!

XxExtremeSamX: Finally, someone noticed it! I was hoping that someone would see that I hid puns within the name of my Characters. After all, Mors means Dead

So your characters are truly, Hunting Moon and Dead Flame.

I personally find myself proud of it!

Student: Thank you once again for reviewing. That is true, about the whole learning a new skill isn't all that helpful in most of this situation. But remember, the main point of this was to help Jaune overcome his fear of inadequacy. Bringing everyone to try and learn new skills was more of a show and tell kinda thing.

Also, they do suck at single combat.

Axxcel: You'll have to wait and see. :)

Theawesome5: Hot damn indeed.

Yakiitori: Thank you Yaki, I love them to! And here's to you!

Snowballs FF: Thank you, I was truly hoping for the smooth introduction to this universe. I've seen so many messy ones, that caused me to stop reading some stories.

---

The Hunter's Prey

It had started off as a good morning. All was quiet, there was no shouting, nightmares or memories that haunted my dreams. Mors had already left earlier to get breakfast, leaving me to an even quieter room, which I was nothing but thankful for. It was nothing short of peaceful and relaxing.

Why did it have to last a mere five minutes?

"She hasn't come back for a whole day! Please, you have to help us!" Ruby pleaded, her entire body wrapped around my waist like a five year old. One of her team members, excluding one, was looking at me with a pleading look. The other merely staring down the hallway, looking almost disinterested in my current situation.

"If she's missing," I spoke while simultaneously trying to pry the girl off of me, which was a lot harder than it would appear. "why don't you just call the police."

"See!" The Gargoyle screeched, waving a hand in my general direction as she did. "Even he agrees that the police is a far better plan! So why don't we just call them!?"

"Weiss, no offense, but we're not letting you call the police on Blake." Yang spoke, not even bothering to turn to the girl in white, as she started to speak once more. "Besides, it would be a terrible idea."

"Why would the police be a terrible idea?" I asked, still trying to pry the girl off of me, as she migrated higher to avoid me, possibly as a means to convince me further by a means of torture. "It would be the fastest way to find her."

"We just, don't think it's important enough that the police have come in, that's all." Yang spoke up, looking a little bit to the left at Weiss, who stared back with a small glare.

For a second, I stopped trying to pry the Young Reaper off of my body (Who was still asking for help.) and simply stared at the blonde before me. "...Yet you thought it was important enough to ask me, someone you rarely talk to… at seven thirty in the morning."

"...Yep!" Yang replied, as a small drop of sweat ran the side of her head, as the Gargoyle rolled her eyes.

"You expect me to believe that?" I asked them, even though my question was more of a statement than a question. "Are you going to tell me what's really wrong, or do I have to get Ozpin?"

"T-that's not necessary." Weiss spoke up, her eyes turning away from my own. "We can handle this by ourselves." She told everyone, crossing her arms under under her chest in an attempt to look sure of herself.

"So it's pride that keeps you from asking for help." I spoke, causing the Heiress to glare at me. It was completely ineffective, but she didn't stop trying. "Yet, you still asked me for help…"

"We just need help from a friend." Yang spoke up, looking at me with an almost pleading expression.

"Then what about Mors." I asked, which caused them to turn their heads away from me. "If you're trying to get her back, than he would be the best for the job. He spends time with you all constantly."

"Well…." Ruby began, her voice being muffled as she tried to speak through my shirt. "She's sneaky, and so are you! We thought that if anyone would know where she's hiding, it would be someone who is stealthier than her!"

So they require someone with enhanced training in the art of stealth for their help. At least that tells me something about their intentions. Yet, a question was still left unanswered.

"Why did she run away?"

That was when everyone froze, even the girl on my chest went rigged, which I took as an opportunity to rid myself of the reaper. Her grip, surprisingly tight on my body, now relinquished.

"Hey, put me down!" The hooded girl spoke, her legs moving as if she was on the ground, trying to run away. While I merely passed her off to the elder sister, focusing on her words.

"We… don't know." Yang spoke as she picked up her sister by the hood and placing her down gently, looking down on the ground, clearly lying. "She just… vanished."

"Look, are you going to help us or not?" The Gargoyle questioned, looking as if I had offended her with my constant questions. One that had led me to one of two conclusions.

"So," I spoke up, causing everyone's attention on to me, two of them almost seeming hopeful. "she is either being held captive, or one of you made a mistake."

"Why do you think one of us made a mistake?" Weiss spoke, her glare growing far colder.

It appears the Gargoyle had made a mistake. "What did you do?"

"I did nothing!" The Heiress practically screamed, her anger growing even further. "Nothing, except tell the truth of the situation at hand!"

"What truth?" I asked, looking at the girl in white with an irritated gaze.

"Why are we even here." Weiss spoke, ignoring my question with a false grace. "Shouldn't we be looking for Blake already."

"You're here," I spoke, my irritation quickly reaching its peak with this girls false hierarchy. "Cause you are too incompetent to find a single girl within a city." That sentence alone, caused the Schnee to turn her head, an ineffective glare on her face.

"Excuse me!" The girl spoke, trying to step closer to me, with a rather pathetic amount of anger over my words.

It was then, that a hand grabbed onto the Heiress' shoulder, keeping the girl in check. A hand that belonged to the brawler of the group. "Alright, chill out Ice Queen, fighting will get us nowhere."

"He's starting it with his baseless conjectures!" The girl childishly spoke, pointing her finger at me.

"Well, deal with that on your own time!" Yang spoke, her eyes turning red for only a second, before quickly going back to a her usual lilac. Causing Weiss to flinch away from it. "Right now, we have to find Blake." Then she turned to me, her gaze more serious then I've seen her.

"So will you help us, or not."

Each of them stared at me, two with pleading eyes filled with hope. The other was a cold anger, pointed at me from the Cainhurst Gargoyle. But the most shocking thing that was happening, was inside my own head.

I was actually considering helping them.

Maybe, it was cause I silently knew that if I didn't say yes, they'd bother me all day. Or maybe it was that old flame in my heart, one that is now nothing but smolders under the rain of blood that I endured, wishing to help.

It wasn't like I hated the Team, even Weiss was more of a minor annoyance than a problem, but it was bogoling to even hear myself consider helping them out. After all, I had only heard that she had vanished.

But why? Why did she vanish away from her days ago she appeared perfectly happy, whether it be a disguise or not would be questioned later. Yet now I hear she had run off.

There was a mystery afoot. Secrets that were being kept from me, and something greater behind them. Yet, they still ask me for help?

That, is something that I couldn't abide by.

"I cannot help a problem no one will tell me about." I spoke, causing everyone to widen their eyes. "Even if I could find her, what do you want me to do? Drag her back here and force her to sit through an apology that only two of you will actually mean?"

That caused everyone to instead flinch, playing the possible situation in all of their heads. I crossed my arm's, nodding to their shared consensus.

"No, before I can even consider helping you. I need to know the things that you aren't telling me."

Everyone was silent, the hall was as well. They just stood there, looking at me with bewildered and thought filled eyes.

Surprisingly, it was the Leader that spoke first, her voice filled with a small amount of uncertainty. "It's… not really our story to tell."

"Then tell me in the best way that you can." I spoke, my gaze sharpening towards all three of them. Each one of the girls gave an almost unnoticeable shiver, possibly at the intensity of my gaze alone.

"...Fine," Weiss spoke, her eyes filled with ice-cold anger, moving towards the end of the hall. " Follow me."

I did so, her two teammates behind me. It was only after a few feet of walking, did she stop in front of a door.

Specifically, the room of Team RWBY.

"Don't touch anything." Weiss spoke, swiping the key to her room, walking in with quick steps. I merely rolled my eyes, walking in to, what I could best describe as, a possible disaster zone.

The room was similar to Team Eclipse's room. Regular wooden floor, multiple desk's, one for each team member, and book shelves above them. One of which was the only thing being used for it's proper purpose. The others held more varied objects, like magazines, stray articles of clothing, dust crystals and multiple different machine parts.

Their beds, which all had red covers, were my main concern however. After all, the only thing keeping them from falling on top of the other were multiple books, and sixteen pieces of foot thick rope. It was… harmful even looking at the atrocity before me.

However, the most god awful part of the room had to be a single thing.

The smell.

When I first became a Hunter, the first thing about myself that I noticed, was my sharpened sense of smell. Odors that were unpleasant and pleasant alike, filled my nose making me smell every little bit of blood that came onto me or others.

In truth, like many other hunters before me, I became something similar to a bloodhound.

So it was awful, smelling this coagulation of multiple smells, that were so overpowering, I almost couldn't help but gag. After all, it smelled like a combination of strawberry shampoo, lilac shampoo and vanilla perfume. There was also the strange combination of nightshade and cat, which only strengthened my assumptions about Blake.

As soon as the door closed, the Gargoyle turned to him with a glare on her face.

"Blake's part of the White Fang."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised over the bluntness of which the heiress delivered her statement.

"Might be part of the White Fang." Yang spoke over Weiss, pushing her to the side a bit." We don't know if she quit or if she's still a part of it."

"But we do know that she ran away as soon as she mentioned it, meaning that she's guilty." Weiss retorted, holding a finger up.

"Or she was ashamed that she revealed it by yelling at us!" Yang yelled back, adding something to the conversation for me to remember.

"What else?" I interrupted the two feuding girls who looked at me with raised brows, confused over my current stoic features.

"... You took that bomb pretty well." Yang spoke, looking at me with a raised eyebrow alone. Weiss and Ruby were on a similar consensus, as they stared at me with curious gazes.

"I already had a hunch about her true heritage," I spoke up, causing everyone to stare at me with wide eyes, similar to a deer who's seen a hunter. " Though I did not expect the White Fang."

"Wait," The heiress spoke,sounding just as shocked as she looked. " You knew she was a Faunus!"

I replied back, my voice sounding more irritated than I wanted it to. "I had a were too many signs to ignore, after all."

The Heiress merely rolled here eyes, seeming to almost not believe my previous statement."Oh please, you're just trying to play off that you didn't see i-"

I merely interrupted her with a finger, and a more fact based argument. "She always wore a bow, that stood up right on her head and never moved from that spot." I then lifted another finger, adding on another point. "She has unnaturally yellow eyes, an obsession over fish, and from what you told me from your trips to Vale, a severe dislike of dogs. Meaning she has as much feline instincts, as she does human. The tipping point, her bow twitches when she flinches, despite never moving, be it wind or during combat, or when feeling any other sort of emotion"

At the end of my argument, everyone had continued to stare at me, as if I had become the One Reborn.

"O-oh... " Weiss spoke, her face a tiny pit pinker than it usually was, possibly out of embarrassment for not realizing Blake's true heritage.

I broke them out of their reprieve, bring back the point at hand. "So, allow me to repeat myself. What else?"

Ruby, was the first to speak, as she looked away from me. Poking her fingers together, as if nervous. "W-well, Weiss and Blake were in an argument the entire trip to the port."

That peaked my interest. "About what?"

"Mostly about the White Fang, and how Weiss was a racist." Yang replied, not so subtly glaring at the girl in question.

The Gargoyle's face turned venomous, almost seething with an anger, that I could understand. An anger that was almost insane, at those who could never hope of understanding.

"I am not a racist!" The Gargoyle screamed, looking at the blonde in a typical display of anger. Though Yang barely flinched at this, merely looking at the girl with something akin to disinterest. "I was merely stating the fact that the White Fang is a terrorist organization, hell bent on wiping out humanity! It's her fault for even being with those beasts anyway!"

The room had gone quiet after that. Everyone looking at the girl with only a silent

"...I can why see she didn't bother to tell you than." I spoke up, drawing everyone's attention my way, though paying little heed to it. "Telling someone with such a narrow view of the world, it's difficult to say the least."

Like telling Durja that the Beasts couldn't be reasoned with.

"You there, hunter. Didn't you see the warning? Turn back at once."

"They are no harm to those above. Turn back…"

"Or the hunter will face the hunt."

"Whatever," The Heiress spoke up, shoving what I said with a wave of her hand. "the point is we have to find her and… I don't know, something."

"I can't work with something." Anger coursing through my veins at the girls frivolous answer, though kept such emotions far away from my mind. "You have to give me a definitive answer."

"What we're going to do," Yang spoke, effectively taking charge in that moment. "is find and talk with her. Sort the whole mess out, without any problems."

She then turned to me, pointing her finger directly at my location.

"That's where you come in Ven."

Annoyance filled me at that name, one that was quickly pushed aside at the young lady's look of achievement.

"I have said it many times, my name is Venatores."

The blonde completely ignored me, instead choosing to continue her line of thought. "We need you to find Blake, and tail her so you can contact us about her location and so we can talk to her."

"What if she doesn't want to talk?" I asked, wishing to know what her so called back up plan was.

"Then you try talking to her" The boisterous girl spoke, her smile still on plastered on her head. "see if you can convince her in anyway."

My head already begun to shake at the idea, denying the so called 'plan'. "I am not one for conversation, Mors would be a better choice."

"Yeah, But you have something he doesn't!" The red reaper in training spoke, looking almost as excited as her sister, while my own expression contorted with confusion.

"The ability to track her down and not let her leave my sights?" I spoke, confused about what sort of abilities she was speaking of.

"No!" The girl said, her face still filled with excitement, which then turned into embarrassment as her cheeks turned pink. "…. Well, yes, but that's not what I'm talking about!"

"You and Blake are like two peas in a pod! You have very similar personalities, so you can convince her to come and talk to us about what's going on in a way that only you could!" The reaper spoke, smiling just a wide smile of childish innocence.

"... Just because two people are similar, doesn't mean they'll get along." I spoke up, hoping it didn't show how cornered I actually felt.

"Well, that didn't stop you on the first day of school." The boisterous blonde spoke, a small smile on her face. "Or the silent conversations you guys have when you think no one is looking."

"..."

"Is that a yes?" Yang spoke up, a teasing smile stretched across her face which was quickly followed by my angry grimace.

"...Where do you want me to start looking." I sighed out, looking at the girl with bland eyes.

"East Vale, there are a bunch of hotels and abandoned buildings. Perfect place to be hiding away." Yang spoke out, a small smile of victory across her face, as she explained to me my search location.

"Where will you three go?" I asked, crossing my arms as I stared at them.

"We'll be searching through separate places in North Vale. It's filled with places that Blake likes. Bookstores." The heiress spoke, as she made way towards the door of the dorm room.

"What about West and South Vale?" I questioned the girls, as they didn't list those sides of the city. "Certainly they have better places to find her."

"We already checked West Vale, and South Vale is filled violent activity. She's least likely to go to those parts of the city." The heiress spoke, not even wasting time as she waited by the door for her team.

"Alright, anything else I should know." I asked once more, looking between the three.

The brawler shook her head, looking at her other team members. "No not really, that's about it."

"Alright then, let's go!" Ruby screamed out, already racing through the door. A path of rose petals following close behind. Alongside her sister, who just laughed at her sisters enthusiasm, and the Gargoyle, who merely rolled her eyes. With that, the door closed behind them. The room laying in perfect silence.

With me in it.

"Amateurs." I spoke, shaking my head side to side. "They wish to be hunters, yet they can not hunt."

Here I thought one of the four, excluding the heiress of course, could at least show me the hunter within. Though, the small rose and cat show the tiniest bit of promise.

With that, I turned towards what must've been Blake's book shelf. Leafing through all of the books, I came across a pseudo bookmark, which only caused me to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Leblanc Cafe's special offer. Come eight times a month, and you get a Seafood Sunday Special on us. Limited time only." I read out loud, shaking my head at the outlandish clue I had come across. Looking further down at the card I saw there was only one spot on the card left unmarked.

Taking a quick second to look down at my scroll, I saw that the day was in fact Sunday.

But where was it located?

I turned the coupon around, scanning through the all of the wording. Nothing about the location was written upon it. So I typed it into my scroll.

"East Vale, Robin Avenue…" I spoke to myself, a smile gracing my lips at the find.

After it will be the perfect area to scout around. She need some form of food and drink to function. And this one appeared to be her favorite spot after all of the other restaurants of Vale.

With that, I made my way out of the room, and for the first time since coming to this Nightmare….

Made my way to the City of Vale.

---

It is as I expected.

The city was average at best. Filled with people, shops, children and the homeless alike. Each one crammed into the same space, for the apparent survival of the human and faunus race.

Though, if my senses were correct, it was more steered towards the human population rather than the faunus. What with, down the countless of Alleys of Vale, was the smell of multiple exotic animals that didn't even belong in a city, let alone a forest biome.

I walked along the street in complete silence, glaring at every person that bumped into me along the way. I was wearing my full combat apparel, which appeared to give me even more stares from the crowd of people, even mutters.

Though, children seemed to just look at me in a sort of awe that felt… uncomfortable to say the least.

But I ignored that, instead opting to move along the crowd searching for this restaurant. Also smelling the city for the exact mixture of nightshade and cat from Team RWBY's room. Hopefully giving me an edge within the the large city.

Though, it was certainly strange to see a city as it was now. Bright and, almost cheerful in a sense. The complete opposite of Yharnam in almost every way, shape and form.

The streets of Yharnam were drenched in blood, and corpses paved the streets for miles, whereas here he could only see stone and chipped curbs. The dark and often times ominus buildings were replaced by bright, uplifting white towers of grandeur. The smell of dried and decaying cadavers and sewage was replaced by delicious treats, hundreds of them in fact, and…!

Suddenly, the eyes that were once of what be assumed as a tourist became sharper than knives, like a beast on the prowl. I saw the few people gazing at me flinch in terror, before looking somewhere else in shock.

There it was…

The smell of Nightshade and cat, alongside the smell of ocean, an unidentified smell and… Bananas?

Who was she with?

I followed the scent, which was some distance to the left of me. Looking around the bustling streets of Vale, hoping to find the girl in black.

"Where are we going again?" A voice spoke a little bit to the right of me, peaking my interest as it was right where the smells were.

"A restaurant I like to go to." A familiar voice spoke causing my usual stoic expression to crack into a smile.

'It appears I've found my so called prey', I thought to myself, already making my way towards the voices.

"I thought you were trying to hide from your friends?" The voice asked, just as I saw the girl in black who was talking to… It appears, I have found out what the unidentified smell was. A smell, so exotic, that it made sense that I've never smelled, or seen it, before.

It was the smell of monkey.

After all, the girl was talking to a blond Monkey Faunus with tan skin. His blond tail standing still as he walked alongside the concealed faunus girl.

His clothing was that of a white button up shirt, that was failing it's purpose of covering the person up. He had red leather gauntlets, reaching all the way to the end of his forearm, complete with regular pair of jean shorts. A chain was dangling on the outer edge of his pants, a completely useless accessory that could get him killed.

"They don't know I eat here." The girl responded back, not even missing a beat as she continued to walk forward.

"How do you know that?" The man spoke, also unaffected by the girls uninterested tone of voice

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Honestly, I just feel like it." Continuing his trek forward, unabated by the girls own question.

Never realizing that I was following close behind, like a shadow to a source of light.

"Look, this just my favorite place to go to." Blake continued, her arms crossing under her chest in a resigned fashion. "It's quiet, makes the best tea in Vale and it helps me relax."

"Why do you need to relax?" The boy asked, yet another question, his tail twitching slightly.

"If your going to hear everything, might as well make myself comfortable while doing it." Blake spoke up, giving me tiny bit of confusion. She would tell this man, yet not her teammates about her past.

He must've known her for years for this to happen.

"Well why didn't you say so! I would have been less chatty if you did." The boy spoke, his hands extending to the back of his head, his tail twitching once again

"Would you?" The girl asked, her voice filled with dry sarcasm.

"Probably not," Well, he was honest at the very least. "but I would have made it more comfortable questions."

"Like what?" Blake asked, her voice sounding only a bit interested in the matter at hand. Moving through the crowd of people in front of her with some slight difficulty.

"You know, the get to know you kind!" That one had caught my attention, as my gaze shifted once more to the boy. "Where are you from, what music do you like, what types of books do you like to read. The list goes on!" Just from these questions, something within me snapped into place.

They barely knew each other. They barely knew each other, yet Blake is telling him over her team…

How very odd… this must be examined later.

"Can we just... wait till we get to the cafe." Blake spoke, her hand going somewhere on her face, possibly alleviating the headache the man was giving her.

"Sure, how far are we?" The man perked up, probably not realizing what the girl was doing previously.

Sadly for him, I was done with his behavior. So I did the only logical thing I could to stop him.

I spoke.

"About a minute away."

As if stricken by the chill of Cainhurst itself, the hidden faunus froze in place. Every muscle in her body, stiff from shock…

While the boy merely kept walking, ignorant of my reveal. "Okay sure, I can definitely- wait a minute." He spoke, also freezing as he processed my voice. "Please tell me that was you."

Both turned around in that instance, looking at me with wide eyes. Blake's wider, as looked she upon me in familiarity, here muscles growing tenser as she began looking around street they were on. It was only when she realized that I was alone did she become less tense.

That didn't stop her yelling my name, however. "Venatores!"

"Yes?" I responded, expecting her anger. After all, I had surprised her from behind.

"What ar- when did yo- how did you!?" The girl tried to say, appearing to be questioning which question to ask me.

So, I merely responded to them, in a hurried fashion. "You know why, two minutes ago and easily."

The man, who had uncomfortably watched from in between us, spoke up. Holding his hand up awkwardly as his eyes shifted from side to side. "I take it this is one of your friends."

"I believe myself to be more of an acquaintance," Giving the unnamed faunus only a mere glance, before returning to my study of Blake. "but for the sake of saving myself the argument, sure."

"...Hi." The man spoke, sounding very reminiscent of a certain red rose. I merely ignored it, asking the most prominent question on my mind.

"Friend of yours?" Briefly gesturing to the blond monkey besides me. Though it appeared that I was not going to obtain a verbal reply, what with the glare I was receiving from the girl in black.

"How did you find me!?" The scream catching quite a few peoples attention, causing them to stare at us. Thankfully, Blake noticed that despite her unnecessary anger towards me.

"The next time you go somewhere," I spoke up, quiet so that the people still watching couldn't hear what I was talking about, hopefully losing interest."make sure it isn't somewhere you've been before."

"But they haven't seen me go here before! " Blake whispered, noticing the people moving away from their position. "I made sure it was a place for my privacy, alone!"

I nodded my head at that, before I continued to speak. Reaching into my pockets, to pull out the coupon. "True, but they didn't think to go through your belongings. Namely this Seafood Sunday Special coupon."

Blake stared at my hand, seeing that it was in fact her coupon. In the briefest of seconds, she went to grab it. Her eyes showing a small piece of embarrassment, possibly at the apparent existence of the coupon.

Sadly, she never retrieved the coupon, as I drew it out of her reach. Quickly storing it in one of my many coat pockets, while I stared at the cat girl in question.

"Frankly, I'd thought you'd be smarter than that." I spoke, my face set into bland disinterest at the actions that one would find adorable coming from the usually stoic Blake.

"... What do you want." The girl said, shifting her eyes to him and the unnamed man beside her, who continued to look baffled between the both of us. His eyes shifting from me to the girl.

"To talk." I told her, looking directly into her bright yellow eyes, that stared back unblinking.

"Why?"

That was the question as of right now, wasn't it. Why was I doing this?

The simple answer would be, that I was merely following the request of Ruby and team. A more complicated answer would be that I wanted to actually help her out, solve her problem any way I can.

But, I opted more for the truth of the matter.

"Because if anything is gonna get your team to stop bugging me, it's finding out why, exactly, you ran away." I spoke, causing both of their eyes to widen, not quite expecting my answer. "Besides, it's better to talk to someone who's more well grounded than the Heiress."

"...Okay, I'm a little lost here?" The man spoke up again, pointing directly at me. "Who is he, exactly?"

"Venatores Luna. Hunter and member of Team Eclipse, of Beacon Academy." I spoke, turning to the boy, in slight annoyance. "Who are you?"

"Oh," The boy spoke, seeming nervous at the attention I was now giving him. But extended his hand out, nonetheless. "Well, I'm Sun Wukong, Leader of Team SSSN from Haven Academy. Nice to meet you."

"... Pleasure." I spoke slowly, just looking at the boy in front of me. Sun, taking the message, retracted his hand from the air, placing it behind his head.

"Can we go eat now?" The boy asked awkwardly, looking anywhere but my eyes.

Blake rolled her eyes, walking towards the direction of the restaurant while me, and Sun silently followed. The boy making sure he was a couple of feet away from me.

"So… your Blake's friend, huh?" Sun asked me, a large smile on his face that did nothing but irk me. " What does she like to d-"

"Stop talking, now." I interrupted, which caused him to flinch slightly. Thankfully we were turning down the corner of the street. Right where the cafe was at.

It was a two floored building, mostly set up outdoors. Plants were scattered the outside of the building, tamed to make the building more welcoming. White cushioned seats sat right next to the door, possibly for those waiting for their table.

The cafe, however, was almost completely abandoned. The only ones inhabiting it, that my eyes could see, were the multiple waitress giving food and drink to the guests. One of them, being the girl who sat at the front waiting for guests.

The girl was your average civilian. Not to pretty, but not ugly. Not to tall, but not noticeably short. Even here hair was the average brunet color, that lay stick straight decorated with multiple hair clips and ribbons.

The most eye catching thing about her, however, was the maid uniform. Which was a standard white and black, fitted with a red bow, wrapped around the girls waist. It was also appeared a size to small, as it hugged the girl, as it made her proportions appear bigger than they actually were, and showing more skin around her legs.

It was in that moment that the girl spotted us, or should I say Blake. "Oh, Blake!" The girl screamed out, waving her hand "It's been awhile!"

Blake waved back, a small smile on her face at the girls enthusiasm. "Hey, Marie." As she stopped right in front of the desk that the now named Marie was at.

The girl started to retrieve a menu from the side, already beginning to speak. "The usual seating or…" It was when she looked up, that she saw both me and Sun. Her face shifting into a small blush as she continued to stare at me. " Well, that's a twist."

"Three seats, please." I spoke up, crossing my arms over my chest as the girl, Marie, continued looking me over. Her cheeks growing pinker and pinker as time went on.

"Wow… didn't think you had it in you Blake." The girl spoke, still looking at me as if I was a piece of meat. "It appears you got yourself quite a nice catch." Leaning forward a little at the front counter, a little piece of her cleavage sticking out of her tight dress.

Blake also turned pink, possibly at the manner that her apparent friend was acting. "We're just friends."

This caught the girls attention, causing her eyes to widen, and her smile to grow further."In that case!" She then turned to me, her hand going under her chest. "Hey, dark and brooding! Wanna go out some t-."

"No." I spoke, causing the girl to freeze in shock, while Blake barely held in a laugh, from the suddenness of my refusal.

"Dang it," The girl spoke, still smiling despite my refusal, as she grabbed an extra two menus. "I thought that would work."

"Hey, I might be interested!" Sun spoke, causing me to turn and just stare at him, which was quickly followed by Blake. "What, I just want to be included!"

"Sorry blondie, your not my type." Marie says, walking away from the front counter. Her hips shaking more than they naturally should. "Follow me!" She screamed out, disappearing the staircase to the side.

"Sorry about her." Blake spoke moving toward the steps that the girl had climbed. Which I did as well. Climbing up as fast as the secret faunus would let me.

The second floor was much like the bottom, though filled with two to three seated tables. Completely barren from any other person, including some of the maids.

"Sorry it's so empty," Marie spoke, quickly moving to one of the tables right by the edge of the roof. " A majority of the regulars already left, so it'll just be the three of you here." Stopping at one of the tables and setting down the three menus.

"It's perfect." I spoke, sitting down in the middle back seat, Sun sitting to my left and Blake to my right. "Thank you."

"No problem…" Marie spoke, stopping mid-sentence as if she had just been frozen. Probably realizing I hadn't, or ever will, give her my name.

"Venatores." Blake spoke up, already looking at the menu. Though, that didn't mean I couldn't see the small smirk on her face as she hid it behind her menu.

"Venatores!" The girl continued, as if nothing had even happened. "It's my pleasure to be a faithful waitress to all customers. So would you like anything?"

"Black Tea." I told the girl, my eye twitching from the amount of annoying people I was interacting with in a single day. If this was Blake's idea of revenge, than it was more underhanded than I had expected from the girl.

"Sure thing! What about you, blondie." Marie said, dropping the formal act around the Monkey Faunus.

"I'll just take coffee." Sun took with a smile, though I couldn't help but notice his tail twitch ever so slightly at the obvious difference in her treatment between us.

"Alright, Blake's gonna probably take green tea." Marie spoke, quickly writing down the orders. "I'll be with you in just a moment. Don't have fun without me!" With that spoken, the girl went into the building, disappearing from our eyes alone.

The perfect time, to speak in private.

"Alright than…" I spoke up looking between the two of them, Blake looking nervous at what was to come. "Start talking."

Blake merely sighed, possibly expecting that response from me. "What would you like to know."

"Everything, really." Sun said, a smile on his face. "Preferably, why you ran away."

"No," I spoke, my gaze never leaving the nervous cat at my side. "Start with why you even joined that group."

Blake's eyes turned from my own, while Sun's grew in confusion. Possibly from the lack of knowledge on his part.

"... So they told you." Was the only thing she said, looking down at the small plate in front of her.

"Weiss told me what she believed," I spoke, causing her eyes to look at me once more. "Now I wish to know the truth."

"Can you guys stop leaving me out of the loop?" Sun asked, looking between the two of us once more with a small glare but still with a flippant attitude. "It's starting to get really annoying."

Blake only sighed at that, looking down at her plate once more. "Are you familiar with the White Fang?"

"Of course!" Sun spoke up, practically jumping forward in his seat. "I don't think there's a faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them."

"Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps that use force to get what they want." Sun began, with his tail moving to the side of his head, as if it was about to point out something. "Bunch of creeps if you as-" The boy stopped mid sentence, possibly connecting the dots of why she was even asking that.

"Wait… were you part of the White Fang!" Sun almost screamed, barely remembering that he was in a cafe on the very edge of a populated street.

"That's right." Blake said, looking Sun straight in the eyes. Ignoring me all the while. "I was a member for most of my life actually. You could almost say I was born in it."

"Back then, things were different. In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between humans and the faunus." Her face was then marred by a small scowl. "Of course, despite being promised equality, the faunus were subjugated to discrimination and hate."

I leaned back in my chair, listening to the girl's story with my usual melancholic frown. It was to be expected really. After all, peace was merely a word that helped the population feel safe and secure. It did nothing to wash away the hate and violence one felt towards another.

"Humanity still thought we were lesser than human beings. And so, the White Fang rose up to be as the voice of our people. And I was there. I was at the front of every rally. I took part in every boycott." The girls smile then transformed into a hollow one, one filled with nostalgia and failure. "And I actually thought we were making a difference...but I was just a youthful optimist."

"Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader with a new way of thinking. Suddenly our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us. Hijacking cargo from companies that used faunus labor. And the worst part… it was working. We were being treated as equals."

"But not out of respect… but of fear."

Once more, something that could only be expected.

"So, I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills for violence to aid in their violence. And instead, dedicate my life to being a huntress. So here I am. A criminal hiding in plain view. All with the help of a little, black bow." She finished, shaking her extra set of ears for an added effect.

"So… have you told any of your friends yet?" Sun asked, looking a little pitying as she truly finished here story.

"No, she hasn't." I spoke, my face set like stone. Unpitying or caring of the story, no matter how disheartening it may have seemed. After all, my questions were not yet answered.

"Now, why did you run away from your team."

"I just did." Blake spoke, opting to look at her tea than my eyes, her second set of ears twitching a little bit. "Thought they all would call the police on me."

"You thought Ruby Rose, possibly the most innocent individual on your team, would call the police or even let the Heiress do so on you." I spoke, as my arms crossed over my chest from the rather bold face lie.

The girl sat in silence, still looking at her cup of tea. Refusing to move her eyes even a centimeter away from it.

"No," I spoke up, the girl going more rigid than before. "your lying to me."

"I'm not lying." The girl spoke, finally looking at me straight in the eyes. If it wasn't for the smallest twitch of her hand, I'd have thought she was telling the truth.

"No… you are. Whether you know it or not, you are lying to me." I spoke, my gaze growing even sharper. Causing both members of the party to flinch back.

"And how would you know that?" Blake said, trying in vain to match my own glare.

"Because I've met liars. Liars who could weave words so elegantly, they could make you believe you were something you aren't, without even batting an eye." Patches and the Healing Church were the first to come to mind. Their words dooming many to fall ill to the darkness of the hunt, than for nothing more than enjoyment or fear.

Blakes eyes shifted away from my own, only for a second before coming back to my eye, revealing yet another twitch.

"But, you aren't like those people." I spoke to her, her eyes once more showing a sort of surprise. "After all, you are a terrible liar."

"So… Will you tell me the truth?" I asked, leaning my back into the chair, my eyes still glaring holes into the girl.

"I'm back!" A voice spoke up, just as a door opened from my peripheral vision. My gaze never leaving Blakes, fighting for an answer. All the while, the girl named Marie was oblivious to it all.

"Here you guys, go. Coffee for you, Green Tea for you, and Black Tea for you, handsome. Will that be all for today?" The girl spoke, her eyes closed with a wide smile on her face.

"Yes…" I spoke up, just as Blake turned away from my gaze. Her face filled with an uncertainty that I'd never seen her have before. "I think it will Marie."

Marie finally opened her eyes, looking at all three of us in turn. Possibly realizing the tense atmosphere that we were having "Alright then… Here's your guy's bill. I'll see you later Blake and hopefully you too Venatores." With that, the girl dropped off the bill, walking away from the table slowly, staring back at it with hints of confusion in her eyes.

Their the table sat. Completely silent to the rest of the world around us, even the streets appeared quiet.

"I going to pay the bill." Blake spoke, refusing to look me right in the eye, already standing up to leave.

I merely sighed, expecting this. It appeared she didn't trust me as much as she did Sun, which came off as surprisingly vexing to me. "Fine, we were about done anyway."

I got up as well, following the girl in black, making sure that she didn't try to escape from my sight, in case I riled her up to much. We walked down the stair, our drinks left forgotten on the table, till steaming in the wam air. Quickly paying for the items that we had bought, we moved out.

For a while everything was quiet, even the bustling streets of Vale were eerily quiet.

That was until someone decided to speak up. Namely, a certain blond monkey.

"So… what's the plan?" Sun asked appearing almost relaxed despite the tension in the very air. Not that he didn't ask a good question.

"What we are going to do," I spoke up, never looking behind me, after all I already knew what her response was going to be. "is find Team RWBY."

"Not yet." The girl spoke quickly, far to quickly. I turned to her her eyes, narrowed in determination. "I still need to prove the White Fang didn't rob all of those Dust Stores."

"Why?" I asked her, curious to her response. After all, I was still trying to wrap my head around it. "What would that even do?"

"It would prove that w-" Blake begun, stopping at the end of her sentence. The mistake causing me to give glare a minuscule glare towards the black cat. After all, it appeared she thought she was still a part of the White Fang. "They aren't doing this, and that they are just misguided Fanus fighting for equality."

"So you are going to try and prove that the White Fang, a group that has been responsible for hundreds of terrorist attacks and over three times as many deaths across the world, are innocent of robbery?" I responded, questioning myself in my analysis of her having the promise to be a Hunter.

Once more, silence persisted as the two people processed the point that I had given them. Though Blakes eyes still held that small flame of will to move forward.

"Useless moves are unbecoming of a future Hunter." I told her, looking away from the both of them. "Yet, these robberies cannot stand. Especially if it's the same group stealing all of this dust."

After all, supply oneself with (What I understand to be) the universal fuel of the entire nightmare in excess can mean only a single thing. Someone out there is preparing for something, while simultaneously taking all of the dust from the people of Vale itself. Whoever these guys are, they wish to start a battle within the city, or something far, far worse. Something that could not be allowed under my watch.

"Still," I spoke, looking down at the ground in thought. "we have no means of finding them. Not unless we stalk every Dust Shop in Vale."

"... Wait!" Sun Shouted, causing me to turn, a hand on one of my many throwing knives out of shock alone. "What if we somehow knew about the biggest stock of Dust in Vale."

I looked at him once more, his face filled with a large amount of excitement that I could not help but demand an answer. "Explain."

"On the ship I was on," Sun began, his face etched into a calculating look walking around in a small circle. "there was a talk about a huge freighter, carrying Dust from the Schnee Dust Company! A Dust supply that big, laying around for hours on end, these guys couldn't resist!"

"So, all we have to do is stalk the shipment and find out who's stealing it. That way we get an answer, and stop a robbery!"

Blake moved forward, already walking away from the alley. A small frown on her face, that appeared more determined than angry. "Sounds like a plan to me."

I merely continued to look down, thinking of the many possibilities that may happen. Seeing that it was already around two o'clock just from the sun alone. "Yes… it does."

"Well, let's go stop a robbery!" Sun spoke up, racing after Blake in a quick fashion. Leaving me behind to think of things.

It is safe to say that if it was a big Dust Supply, they would try to steal all of it. Bringing with them many a men with them. Possibly to both keep guard and kill any who try to interfere. At most they would probably bring at least… twenty five men, to still keep it conspicuous but also have the manpower in case they were discovered.

Considering that they had been doing this for awhile, the thieves have to be a little experienced. Making them around, a Large Huntsman level.

Twenty Large Huntsmen, within a single shipyard, while not entirely difficult, would need an extra hand. Who knows if they even had a person similar to the Cleric Beast in power, or perhaps even more powerful.

A Horde of Beasts he could handle, even a horde of people trained to kill Hunters, but protecting the two in-experienced Hunters at the same time? It would be a difficult task to say the least.

I opened my scroll, looking at the only person that I could contact with it. Already sending him a simple message.

'Come to Vale's shipyard, as fast as you can.'

The reply didn't take longer than a minute.

Mors Ignis ~ 'I am on my way.'

---

The night was warm, that was the first unusual thing I noticed. It was far warmer than I thought it would be, so much so that I was unaccustomed to it.

The Night of the Hunt, was a cold and riddled filled night. Only the Forbidden Woods were ever this warm during it, and even then I was distracted by it's trap filled landscape and the formidable Vermin Host, who thrived in the warmth of it.

But I did not complain, only look around the moonlight shipyard, making it almost appear eerie. The many crates of Dust crafting a wall that could hide any activity form sight.

I'm surprised they haven't been stolen from ten times over. They had certainly made it easier for people to do so, as I couldn't even see something as simple as a guard.

So here we were, Blake and I sitting on a stray rooftop, keeping an eye on the very surroundings. Looking at the ground and listening to the wind,.

Mors had appeared a while ago, if his message was anything to go by. Now he laid in wait, blocking off the many entrances and exits to this place, so that none of supposed robbers escaped.

A thud sound from behind, the only thing stopping me from murdering the fool attempting to sneak up on me was the sound of Sun's voice. "Did I miss anything?"

And if the monkey was anything to go by, Mors wasn't doing the greatest job.

I spoke up, still looking around the grounds of the shipyard. Seeing nothing happen upon it's hardened ground. "Nothing, as of yet." He saw with his only eye that Blake gave a quick nod, using the simple but clever tactic of laying herself on her stomach, lowering the risk of being seen. I hadn't bothered to follow this tactic, as the dimly lit shipyard was good enough as cover.

In fact, if the robbers weren't likely Faunus, beings known to have reported night vision, he would be in the middle of the yard waiting for them to show up.

"I stole some food for you guys." The Faunus brought up, though I ignored him for now. Still looking around the area, in case someone tried to enter.

"Do you always break the law without a second thought." Blake asked, looking away from the shipyard to look at Sun. Truly, why didn't she just focus on the fie-

A sound. A low hum, far off in the distance, alongside the displacement of wind.

"Hey, weren't you in a c-" Sun tried to reply back, right before I interrupted him with what was happening.

"Something's coming."

"Wha-"

Wind blew with a harshness that had not happened in the many hours that we were looking at the shipyard, bring with it the familiar chill of the night.

Landing in the shipyard was a black Bullhead, which had only taken up a small part of the large shipyard. The platform lowered, revealing a man wearing a black cloth and bright white armor. HIs face covered with a metal mask, similar to a Beowulf's own face mask. A gun in his hands.

On its back was a red symbol of a growling wolf head, three claw marks scratched across the it diagonally. The symbol of the White Fang.

"No…" Blake spoke out in horror and disappointment, her head looking at the concrete under her..

"Is that them?" Sun asked, noticing Blakes distress rather quickly. While I only glared, as three more people left the safety of the vehicle. All wearing the same uniform, as they proceeded towards the multiple crates.

"Yes." Blake spoke, a deep sadness within her voice, one that I really didn't process. "It's them."

The hunt begins.

I quickly got up, moving to the very edge of the building, preparing to jump down. The Burial Blade and Evelyn already drawn and primed. Only the whispered voices of my companions stopped me, their distress distracting me

"Wait, wh-" Sun began, before being interrupted by the black haired Faunus.

"Ventores, what are you doing!?" What was I doing? It was simple really, one that I answered as my foot slipped from the roofs edge.

"Hunting."

The landing was simple, I dare say graceful, as my eyes continued to perceive the foot soldiers. Moving silently like a shadow, through the many crates of dust not being seen or heard despite the faunus' enhanced senses.

All though, they were probably distracted by the sound of someone descending the steps of the ship.

"Hey! What's the holdup?" The male voice screamed out with impatience, as I took the man's appearance.

The man was of an average build, covered in thick cloth that was fashioned in a way that kept him protected, yet presentable. A pure white overcoat, unstained by any sort of grime or blood with gold buttons. His opened collar revealing the blood red insides of the coat. His black pants and gloves contrasted the coat, making it stand out even more in the dark of the night.

The most striking thing however had to be his hair. It was a bright orange color, making it appear like a flame, concealed only by the black Bowler hat, with a thick red stripe. A cane laid in his hand, looking almost innocent within the hands of the thief, if I didn't know better. After all, it had a small trigger on it's handle, revealing it to be a gun.

He was Roman Torchwick. A Master Thief by trade, alongside a wanted criminal that has been free for almost a decade, able escape the polices grasp.

He continued walking down the steps of the Bullhead, his stance almost cocky as he did so.

He must've been the leader. But it's strange… he didn't smell like an animal. If anything he smelt human, with a hint of smoke and blood...

"We're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment so," The man said, clapping his hands together as he continued his sarcastic remark. "why don't you animals pick up the pace."

So why was he acting like he was leading the heist? A heist that had faunus that hated the entirety of the human race. Did it matter? After all, he could give me the answers I seeked during the hunt. Such as what did they need the Dust for.

Noted. Keep alive until unneeded.

I moved away once more, as the White Fang began their job in earnest, whether it was out of annoyance or fear was unknown. I turned around the corner, seeing one of the four guards out in the open, far away from his brothers and sisters.

Easy prey.

With the grace and silence of a wolf, I walked up behind him a small throwing knife in my hand. The man didn't even have time to gasp as the knife penetrated through the small of his ribs. Effectively puncturing a hole through his heart and lung.

The man was dead before I even pulled the knife out of him. His eyes glazed over, clouding over as the rest of his body went limp. Quick, painless and without any sign of struggle or major shows of blood that could tip the others off.

Opening the crate, I placed the body in their, avoiding people from finding the body as long as possible.

Four remain, so far at least.

"No, you idiot! This isn't a leash!" The redhead spoke once more, his voice echoing within the courtyard. The strangest thing however had to be the sudden thump that sounded right after it. "What th- oh for f-"

"Nobody move!" A familiar voice echoed out, causing me to flinch in annoyance at the apparent idiocy of Blake Belladonna. Did she not realize that she had them by complete surprise?! If she had played it smart, she might have been able to take at least half of them out silently. But she had to chose the leader, the only person she couldn't kill at that exact moment.

It appears that she was still a mere novice, when it came to her emotions.

I edged closer to the voices, hearing the sounds of a two guns cocking. Each one undoubtedly trained on the young huntress.

It was only when I fully saw the scene, did I feel like I had to curse the young girls name. After all, she had just made it far harder to kill the rest of the White Fang members. As they all had their guns pointed at Blake, who's only cover was the body of the redhead, who was still rather calm despite his position.

"Woah!" Roman spoke, a small strained smile stretched across his face, as he tried to look at the girl, despite the sword at his neck… which was against the flat of the blade! "Take it easy there little lady."

Blake merely brought him closer to the ineffective method of capturing the men however took it as real, not realizing the flat of the blade was against their leaders neck. "Quiet."

I snuck closer to the group, taking the distraction as a means to get closer. Each on of them, their guns trained on the retired White Fang member. That was, until she removed the only thing keeping her true heritage a secret, causing the three guards to flinch back.

"Brothers and sisters of the White Fang!" Blake screamed out, her voice loud and filled with a sense of betrayal."Why are you aiding this scum?"

This alone caused the guards to look the ground, their gazes masked by the faces of Beasts that they wore. All of them distracted as they continued to question themselves as well.

It appeared that distraction was at least worth something. After all, the prey was no longer paying attention.

Roman chuckled a little, drawing both Blakes and the Thief's attention away from the three guards."Oh kid. Didn't you get the memo?"

Thus making it the perfect time to strike.

Before the three guards even knew what came, a knife was embedded into the closests skull, killing him instantly. I rushed the other two, their heads moving to their comrade as they heard the sound. Never noticing the Burial Blade's extended and invisible blade at their necks until it was to late.

Three lives lost, in less than a second.

All three guards fell, each of them lying in a heap of their own dead limbs. Blood slowly oozing out of the pile, the smell of iron now tainting the air. Filling my bones with a cruel familiarity of the Hunt.

But remembering would have to wait for later. After all, my answers still lay inside the confines of the mind. So I turned towards the final person, who I had left alive.

Roman's face, one that was once almost cocky, was now layed with a look of surprise. His eyes wide as he just stared at the bodys of his three workers before him, lying dead as nails. Blake fared no better, as her skin was far paler than it's usual tone. A look of absolute horror etched across her face, as her eyes laid on me, instead of the bodies of her so called brothers and sisters. Her sword barely upon the thief's neck, who didn't yet realize it.

Both of their eyes grew even further, when I retrieved Evelyn from it's holster. Pointing it directly at the head of the infamous thief.

"What are you using the Dust for?" My voice was filled with an edge that could freeze over fire, causing both of the two infront of me to flinch away, Blake quickly moving out of the guns path, despite me not trying to use it on her.

Despite that, it was the girl who spoke up first, her voice quieter than even a whisper."Yo-you killed them…"

I ignored her, my full attention still on the criminal in front of me, waiting for his response. Strangely he didn't move, his face going back to his mask of confidence and cheer. "Oh you know, the usual. Selling it on the Black Mark-"

A gunshot suddenly rang out through the shipyard, quickly followed by the scream of pain that belonged to a single thief, as he crumpled to the floor. Grabbing his foot with a look of extreme pain, despite there being no bullet hole.

"I don't like liars, Roman." I spoke up, opening the chamber of Evelyn to insert another bullet within. "Especially ones who are well practiced in the field." The thief looked up from his foot, directly into my eyes, which was quickly replaced by the barrel once more.

"So…" I asked, punctuating the sentence with a simple cock of my pistol. "What is the Dust being stolen for."

The thief froze at the tone of my voice. One that promised death if no one obliged to my request, freezing them with the true terror of a Hunter. Sadly for the thief, he shook it off with only a little effort.

"Sorry kid," The man said, irking my annoyance even more. "But I can't tell you something I barely even know myself." He then shrugged, a small smile on his face his hand reaching the tip of his chin. "But maybe we can strike a deal? Y'know, I give you the dust and y-"

"If you can't tell me anything," I spoke up, my voice growing colder than it was a few seconds ago. As the man froze slightly once again, giving me the advantage in time. "Then you are unneeded."

With that, I began to pull the trigger…

Only to stop as the sound of something familiar echoed into my ears. Something that forced me to move to the side, out of fear of being hit by it. A sound that I memorized from the depths of Old Yharnam.

"...You are a skilled hunter."

"Adept, merciless, half-cut with blood. As the best hunters are."

"Which is why I must stop you!"

It was a Mounted Minigun, attached to an incoming Bullhead, shooting at the location I was at previously. Roman and Blake dodged as well, as the location they were all at previously was riddled with holes.

I quickly turn to Roman, whose cane was already in hand, while firing the shot that should have previously killed him without the interruption. It was only then, did I see the hole at the end of Roman Torchwick cane. Alongside the trigger that his finger was already on, as my bullet merely grazed his cheek.

Then, everything was a mix of smoke and dust. My ears rang, as an explosion similar to that of a small cannon was barely avoided. Barely any pain coursed through my body, except for being thrown to the side further than I had hoped for.

"Stop, One Eye! I don't care how, just get it done!" I heard Roman speak, his voice loud enough to cut through the ringing in my ears. I slowly lift myself up from the ground, used to my balance being stolen from me by the loud cry of beasts.

My eye landed on the thief, who was currently fighting Blake with his cane. His moves were that of a elegant, yet brutal mace wielder. Completely different from what I would have thought of wielding a cane, with my use of the Threaded Cane.

Though, his style was still effective, what with Blake easily getting bested by the red haired Conman. Thankfully the ringing in my ears had lowered to a gentle hum, that will only take a bit of blood to heal from.

I ran up to the thief, finally noticing the Bullhead dropping off reinforcements. With a quick count, it appeared there were only fifteen guards, each one landing on the ground with the grace of Brick Troll. All of them were either holding a simple katana or were two handed rifle. Few looking slightly uncomfortable with the weapons in their hands, showing their inexperience with the weapon.

Innocents, who had not yet experienced the Hunt. They can't do much, but in their high numbers it would become even harder to fight the Flamboyant Conman.

I shouted at Blake, her ear twitching at the sound of my call. "I'll handle the henchman! Keep the Thief out of my way!"

The cat faunus only nodded, seeming to run on autopilot at the first order she was given. She attacked the thief in what could be vaguely considered anger, like a feral animal fighting to survive.

She will have to work on that.

I turned fully to the army of men and women, each with different animal parts ranging from dog to hippo. Some of them were grinning ear to ear, while they glared at me like meek prey. Some wore a stoic mask, whether by experience or effort that had yet to be tested. Yet, a few looked almost fearful, whether for their lives or the lives of others unknown.

All of their faces different from the other, diverse and human. Only few wearing the physiological mask of beasts and true killers.

It was only natural that I split the fakes from the real.

It didn't take much, if I was honest with myself. A simple glare and a certain glint in the eye was all it took.

Yet the effect was instantaneous.

It was as if they were placed straight in the middle of Castle Cainhurst. Some shivered at my gaze, while a few others practically shook like a leaf, dropping their weapons instantly. Yet many were less affected by my gaze, and could only look on in a sense of familiarity. Which made sense, in a way…

The gaze of Death could only be met with familiarity by the eyes of Murderers.

As the frankly embarrassing display made by the Faunus continued, I could only shake my head. Was this what this Nightmare was coming to? Hunters who couldn't even kill the prey jeopardizing their way of live?

For years, these men and women had been left to murder, pillage, and destroy at their own pleasure. Five years they've festered, spreading far and wide across the world, destroying human settlements like Grimm.

Like Beasts.

Yet the current hunters, even the future hunters, would let this stand?

Pitiful. Disgraceful even.

So, if no one wished to stop these terrorists, these Beasts in man's clothes….

Then I would have to do it for them.

"Damnit men, shoot him!" One of the bigger Faunus, who seemed to be the one in charge of this little group, called out to his men. It took them all a second, but they all lined up, prepared to send a barrage of bullets his way.

Yet, I stood their, as calmly as the night sky.

As I pulled the red scarf around my neck over my face.

It was over before it even began.

Before the White Fang members could even blink, I was already in front of them. The Burial Blade, poised at the ready, cutting through the air like a beam of light.

As blade met Aura, the weak barrier of the soul shattered as if made of glass...

And reaped through flesh like wheat.

The terrible sound of blade carving through the neck and spine wrung throughout the pier. The man I had killed didn't even have time to accept he was dead, before his eyes lost all semblance of life.

I wasn't finished, however, as I quickly kicked my my foot into the back of a woman's knee. As she fell to her knees, I extended the Phantom Slash on my blade, running it through two men's heads on my right.

Not losing track, despite the woman being in my blind spot, I shot her in the back of the head. Making sure she was dead, I slammed my foot down, drenching my shoe in various juices, and shot another woman in the heart.

It was than that the Faunus started to react to my presence, turning their guns into blades and aiming to kill me. By the time their blades were close, I already killed the woman, before shooting another man by my side, forcefully bringing him to his knees.

Dodging the attacks with ease, I did a quick but powerful axe-kick, crushing another man's skull into paste. His blood and brain matter splattering onto everyone else, causing most to recoil in disgust and horror.

Taking the advantage, I turned to the man I had shot, I thrusted my hand into his chest, passing the ribs and puncturing through the lung to grab his heart. His heart was beating like a fast paced drum within the palm of my hand, the fear and pain of the man palpable as he could no longer breathe with the blood in his lungs. I squeezed, causing the heart to rupture in a manner that caused the people around me to be hit by the aftermath.

Moving on, a man was at my back, ready to stab me through the back, with another woman preparing to shoot me in the head. As they were to close, I put my gun back in my jacket before taking out a dagger.

I was at her side before her heart could beat, and stabbed her in the eye with enough force to shatter concrete. This easily shattered her Aura, as the knife went handle deep, easily killing her. The man was simple, as I simply grabbed him by the chin, and pulled back hard enough to snap his neck in two.

All was silent, as everything stopped all together.

With nine down, the other six merely watched on in fear, as blood dripped off of my hair. These were the one who were too scared to move against him, as the three had already dropped their weapons.

He heard the simple sound of flesh meeting concrete with a wet thump, as the six flinched before me. Four men and two women, he noticed with barely a look, as he reloaded Evelyn with ease.

"M-mm-monster…." One of them said, simply looking at me out of fear, before glaring with fierce hatred. "You monste- Augh!"

I didn't give him the chance to pull out his weapon, as I shot him in the finger, shooting it clean off. The man merely hugged his hand, as tears began escaping his eyes.

However, this wasn't enough of a lesson, as a woman grabbed her spear, and went to stab me in the heart. I merely grabbed the pole of the spear, twisted it, and returned the gesture. She was dead before she even realized what happened, spraying her blood onto her ally's.

With that, I grabbed the last woman, a mouse Faunus if her tail was anything to go by, on the shoulder. She couldn't scream out, as my overbearing killing intent washed over her. Making her squirm as she could look no where else but my one eyed gaze, feeling the my crushing grip, nearly shattering her Aura.

"Maybe," I spoke out loud, quickly shifting Evelyn to point to the man on my left. This alone causing the man to freeze up in fear, his knife left forgotten within his hands. "you'll be able to answer me."

The woman only stuttered, either from the immense amount of fear that had taken her lungs prisoner or the sobs slowly coming out of the terrified girl. "Ple-please don-"

"What." I spoke up, ignoring the girls pleaing of her life. "Is the Dust, being used for?"

"I-I do-don't know!" The girl screamed out, her sobs growing more apparent as fear began to grip her heart. Her squirming growing by the second, yet still able to be held within my grip.

"Let her go right now o-" The man tried to speak out, my patience for his interruption already preceding to lessen. Besides, it wasn't as if his pleas were helping the poor girl. If anything she was starting to delve into a panic attack, if her breathing and heart rate were anything to go by.

"Than tell me something that might be of use." I told her, lowering the intent just enough that she wasn't suffocating against it.

"Someone came, a h-human!" The girl spoke quickly, her breath still coming out raggedly and choppy. "The G-general said the deal was to good to pa-"

"AMY!" The man shouted, causing the girl to stop speaking in shock and fear. It also had the added effect of making me lose my patience.

Which was the reason why the man screamed out in pain a second later, a bullet of quicksilver embedded in his leg. Though the scream from Amy and Evelyn were far more prominent, echoing across the shipyard.

"Let her finish." I spoke up, unaffected by shooting the man. After all, I needed information and for that a quick death cannot be given, even if he wasn't truly a beast.

My visible eye turned to the girl, her eyes tracking the man, as blood poured out of his leg like a stream. "In return of what?"

"T-t-the White Fang's service!" The girl screamed out, now truly understanding that he would shoot her if she did nothing. "In trade for our service, she promised more men, weapons and maned ships! E-e-e-ven got us to stea-!" She quickly stopped, her face suddenly growing paler as her mouth clamped shut.

"Got you to steal what?" I asked, which the girl ignored her eyes growing wider and wider as her heart beat faster than ever before. And something told me, it wasn't because of me.

"Don't tell him Amy!" This boy again? I turned towards him, as he slowly started to stand up to look the girl directly in the eye. "If you tell him, you'll be a traitor and hunted down for treason!"

Ah… It appeared that I had misjudged the White Fang. It wasn't just a place for Faunus to illegally attack other places in the name of 'equality'. No, it was far worse than that.

These two weren't misguided… they were being forced to fight for something they didn't truly believe in, for fear of their lives.

But it didn't matter… answers were answers. Information was information… an edge was an edge.

So with a single calm breath… the world filled with my intent. An intent that festered so deep within, that it almost became physical. I could feel it as well, as it too felt foreign to me, like it wanted to kill me, alongside the other two.

Then it was gone, leaving behind only the aftermath.

And by aftermath, I meant the mental slaughter that was imparted on the two. Each of them breathing as if they had just sprinted multiple miles. Each of them looking even worse than they were previously, as the girl was barely standing. Even then, it was merely because of my hand still grasping her shoulder.

"If she doesn't tell me," I spoke up, my voice a bland monotone that seemed to force the two to nearly pass out from fear alone. "she'll be dead."

She looked into my eyes, her own orbs filled with the undeniable weight of fear. Slowly, it began to corrode the will of the girl as she slowly began to look away from me. She looked down, as a possible show of submission.

"I-... I'm sorry…" She said lowly, possibly to the boy currently on the ground. Her gaze lifting just to barely look me in the eye. "We stole an Atl-"

A sound rang through the area around me, one that I could never forget so close to my own ear, that I had nearly gone deaf. But that didn't matter...

A gunshot wound. That was all I could see,on the left side of the girls head. Her eyes empty of both consciousness and life.

I turned my head slowly, right to where the sound of the gunshot came from. Seeing a man, a hand pressed onto his wounded neck, a small yellow glow coming off of it, as he smiled. The small pistol in his hand smoking from a recent shot.

He then spoke, his voice coming out in a stranded bubbling, as he slowly began to drown in his blood. A voice that gave me an unprecedented amount of rage.

"Glory to the White Fang…"

A single gunshot, quickly settled my rage with swift vengeance. This caused the man to fall to the ground, a clear hole through his brain.

Damn my incompetence! I hadn't taken into account for Aura protecting the man from dying faster than he should.

Guy turns to the girl, dead in Venatores' arms, and screams.

"AMY!"

The cries from the man fell upon deaf ears, however, as the girl had lost all trace of life. I set her down into the man's arms, letting him hold her, if only to give some sort of comfort.

Truly, it was a shame she died. I could see some semblance of a good person within her, and the man clearly had feelings for her. Yet, it was her own choices that lead to her demise, not mine.

I would lose no sleep, but I would commit her name to memory.

Like all who needlessly perished on my quest.

Yet, I was given no time to focus, as the theft turned battle appeared before me in a rather explosive manner.

…. By The Great Ones. I was turning into the blonde Brawler!

Despite my inner conflict, I turned towards the source of the explosion, seeing a familiar ginger firing at the two hunters in training. The two were dodging the attack to the best of their abilities, as Roman kept firing with a glint in his eye.

The same eyes that turned to him, and were struck with fear at the sight. He merely stared at my work with great fear, as all else seemed to escape his sight.

Even the three Bullheads on the way.

He wasn't the only one who noticed though, as the blonde monkey, who now sported a crimson pole, stared as well.

"H-holy shit…" Sun Exclaimed at the sight of the corpses behind me, as the tan boy visibly paled at the sight. Though, his expression told me he had seen something like this before, though not enough to be familiar with it.

It was Blake's expression that surprised me though. Though her expression held everything Roman and Sun had and more, there was something the others didn't. Something that made me raise an eyebrow.

She looked almost… betrayed.

Yet that wasn't important at the moment.

Rather, it was Roman's retreat that pulled my attention, as he called up to one of the Bullheads.

"W-what is up with these kids!? Get a ship ready for retreat!" Roman stuttered, frantically grabbing at what looked like a rope ladder they threw down. Ignoring the two hunters-in-training, I rushed towards the ginger thief, who flinched at my sudden speed.

"But we don't hav-" A random pilot began to say from the open side door, before Roman turned and shouted up at the White Fang member.

"NOW!" He spoke, quickly climbing the ladder as the bullhead rose higher into the sky. I jumped up, my hand barely scratching the rope as it continued to rise, the other two bullheads ready to fire upon my position.

Yet, before they could even begin to leave….

Someone threw what had to be a light pole straight through one of the Bullheads, forcing it to the ground as it stuck what looked to be the engine. I raised an eyebrow, turning to see who threw such a thing as a weapon.

Only to see Mors Ignis standing on top of a building in his signature armor, with what looked to be more light poles at his side.

"Apologies." He spoke up, as I could instinctively tell he was addressing the thief and no one else, despite his gaze being covered. "But I will not allow your escape!"

"There's another one!" Roman screamed out, as the other Bullhead slowly tried to shoot down Mors with there Minigun. Each bullet making a crack in the concrete below, as it rose to Mors' position.

Mors had already picked up a second 'spear', aiming for the bullheads hull. The pilot, no doubt seeing what was going on, instinctively moved in an unpredictable fashion, making it harder for the knight. Unable to get a proper shot on the Bullhead, he was pelted with the small but heavy rounds of the Minigun.

Then continued to ignore the pains existence, as they bounced off the grooves of his armor.

With that, Mors threw his pseudo spear once more. This one scratching the wings of the Bullhead, causing it to veer sharply to the left. It crashed into one of the many crates holding dust, caving in on itself from the weight of the Bullhead.

I was stunned, if only for a moment, at my partner. His apparent versatility and wit finally coming to the forefront of my mind, as he jumped down from his perch. Already making his down to something on the ground.

It was a large anchor, one that was used to keep ships within the docks. Mors, with the subtlety of a Church Giant, snapped the anchor in half as the sound echoed across the grounds. Making what I could only guess to be a large fishing hook.

That is, until he started to spin it in a manner that I had once seen before. In a manner that would cause it to be thrown even further, hopefully catching the bullhead in its grasp.

I rushed to his side just as he threw the makeshift grappling hook. With his strength and superb aim, the chain wrapped around the body of the Bullhead. With exquisite timing, Mors pulled on the chain, sinking the anchor into the hull of the craft. His plan effectively stopped the escape vehicle in its tracks, as the powerful knight held it in place.

Actually….

With no words traded, I vaulted over the armored Knight, landing on the taunt chain with ease. Looking ahead, I could see Roman looking out the window, cursing up a storm. It almost made me smirk, seeing the unhealthy amount of fear he had for me.

Without so much as a word, Roman turned the ship in a vain attempt to shake me off. However, losing forward momentum only gave Mors the opportunity to pull the Bullhead closer to the ground.

That was what foiled our plan.

It honestly all boiled down to luck that we failed, anyone with a brain could see that. Though, it was rather vexing…

To have the chain snap under Mors' and the Bullheads strength combined. Mere feet away from getting onto the Bullhead, might I add.

Though, my mind was focused on how I would land safely from the 150 foot fall, rather than the universe conspiring against me.

I looked down, calmly looking for a way to survive the drop. However, all that was there was crates that would break upon impact and concrete.

This would have to be done the hard way.

Doing all in my power to slow myself down, I aimed to land in a secluded area. This was to ensure I wouldn't be ambushed when I am inevitably vulnerable. It was also why I took hold of a leather strap I keep on my person, which I then put in my mouth.

With the wind rushing past my body, I was seconds away from becoming blood on the pavement. However, I quickly shifted to land on my feet…

Which instantly shattered both of my ankles and feet, as I felt my femur protrude from my right calf as I hit the ground.

I bit down on the leather hard enough to draw blood from my gums, as they split from the strength in my jaw. I wasn't done yet though, as I quickly rolled, fracturing my shoulder, and falling flat on my ass.

All in all, not my worst landing.

Quickly, so as not to remain vulnerable to anyone, I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a small vial.

A Blood Vial.

Quickly stabbing it into the side of my leg, pushing the stopper forcing the blood to ooze into my bloodstream, which felt like everything in my body was taking a soothing bath. I felt my muscles thread back together, bones snap and heal back into place, and blood refill in within me. It wasn't perfect, as my bones were still no doubt fractured from the pain I felt in them. Yet, it was healed enough to fight if necessary.

I stood myself up, being sure not to force my body to hard Quickly, I made my way back to the docks, ensuring that there was no other way to stop the White Fang, and learn more about them. Such as where their base was, and who I had to kill to stop them.

Well…. That was the plan, anyway.

"Freeze!" Someone said behind me, as I forced myself not to pull a gun on him than and there. "Hands where I can see them!"

I quirked me eyebrow, realizing that this must've been a police officer, something I was used to seeing from my younger days. In this exact situation, no less.

I didn't ask questions, as I merely raised my hands in the air, not resisting as the officer grabbed one of those hands. It was thing to kill people in a terrorist group, but another on entirely to face the law. They would no doubt try to imprison me or execute me if I did.

Which was a mess I wasn't planning on dealing with.

"What am I charged for, Officer?." I asked the man, genuinely curious as to why he was currently cuffing me.

"You were found escaping the scene of a robbery," The cop told me, forcefully pushing me towards the cop car just a few feet away. "Nothing I should've expected from the White Fang. Or just Faunus in general."

Oh? He believed I was a Faunus? Surely he was joking?

"I am not a-."

"Don't bother trying to smooth talk your way outta this one," The cop told me, bringing my arms higher up on my back, no doubt trying to cause me some pain. "You may have gotten out of your uniform, but don't think I don't know a White Fang member when I see one. You animals all look the same to me."

I glared at the words of the officer, seeing the obvious racism in the officers words.

Honestly, I was disappointed, not only in the Vale Police, but the White Fang as well. They, the ones who were fighting against such racism, were letting this stand? Something that could be solved with a scroll and a live broadcast, showing the clear tainted police work? All while they stole dust for a human, perpetuating the cycle of hate for Faunus kind, and helping whatever plan they held.

Truly disappointing.

Despite my clear, wrongful arrest, I stayed quiet. Rather than fight, I would play along, before clearing the charges upon my arrival.

What a waste of my time.

---

"Sometimes, to do what's right, we have to give up the things we want the most. Even our Dreams"

-Stan Lee

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Please Read!

Alrighty! That is Chapter 10 of Despair Remnants!

Author: Chapter 10! Holy cow bro, that's in the double digits!

Bloodyabyss: That's right, this is officially a double digit fanfic! Not rare to come by, but certainly welcome! I would like to thank all of you for sticking to this story like glue, though I'll admit my updates are as random as the Clown Prince of Crime himself!

Author: Just like mine are!

Bloodyabyss: Shouldn't sound so proud of that bud. However, now comes the serious part.

I, always love a good challenge.

Author: He does.

Bloodyabyss: Shush!

Anyway, I wish to introduce to you all a challenge of my own creation. Browsing through all of the reviews, favorites, and followers, it didn't take long to find the amount of people who had actually read my work…

30,000.

30,000!

And I bet that half of those guys have some talent.

This isn't a requirement, honestly nothing on this site is, but I know some of you are up to the challenge. And honestly, I know that you all have enough free time if you're reading my story.

Challenge: Create a portrait of your own vision of Venatores Luna and Mors Ignis.

Requirements:

Dimensions must be 600x800 or larger with a ¾ aspect ratio. (Whatever that means)

These two must be in battle gear, with their weapons at their side. Helmets optional.

The site doesn't allow adult images, so please attempt to leave the art Rated-T. Blood may be fine, but not much else.

That's it. Not too many requirements, huh? So get really creative! The Prize?

You're picture will be the one 30,000 people see when they open the site to read my work.

Author: Yeah, that's it folks. The prize equates to a pat on the back.

Bloodyabyss: Stop ruining this and get back to writing your five other stories!

Author: Fine, just get to the important part of the description.

Bloodyabyss: Right, here's something to remember about my characters, just in case. This exact battle attire is not required, but I am listing it for those who want/need it.

Mors Ignis.

Eyes: Gold

Hair: Also Golden

Armor:

Artorias Helm

Elite Knight Body

Dark Gauntlets

Artorias Leggings (I only now realize they look shit, so if you have to, try to make it work. If not, you can change the leggings freely.)

Venatores Luna

Important Feature: Left eye is covered by both a clean wrap, and his hair.

Eyes (Or Eye): Deep Purple

Hair: Silverish Blue

Armor:

Ashen Hunter Hat

Gehrman Hunter Body

Cainhurst Gauntlets and Leggings.