Welcome to 2024 folks! Now, let's start off the year with my most popular story. I have to give you a warning or so, but this will be shorter than usual and there will be fanservice moments (both the good and the bad bits). Enjoy.

Dark Souls: Embers of Remnant Volume II

Eighteen

The Dream

'A home for an unknown individual, it's a place where one can purchase items, be strengthened, and weapons are refined. To enter the Dream, one must have it by mere luck…' -Interpretation of the Dream

Water was heard being run through a public bathroom in the city of Atlas. All girls were enjoying the feeling of the hot water. Bare and all. Well, except for Olivia, who had a tower wrapped around her body and still retained her iconic blindfold. Yang stretch her remaining flesh arm up in the air. "Now, this is what I call relaxation!"

Her Faunus partner couldn't agree more. "Yes. This is something worthwhile. Been a while since I've been to one."

Weiss sighed at the blonde's words. "Yang. We have breaks in between missions and training. This isn't different at all."

Yang can't help herself but to sarcastically remark on her teammate's choice of words. "Oh lighten up, Weiss. Besides, when's the last time any of us had a relaxing bath?"

"Yeah! It's been a long time since I've had a bath." Ruby said before turning to Ash's close friend. "What about you, Miss Firekeeper? Are you enjoying yourself?"

Olivia lifted her right hand before running it through the water's surface. "I must admit. This my first time in so long to have such luxury."

Winter had to agree with the blind Lady's words. "After finding you back in that cave, I can already tell you didn't have a lot of things to do."

"Except for that friend of yours, Ash, right?" Elm chimed in.

The other lady 'looked' at the Ace Operative. "The Ashen One is a dutiful man. He will act when it's presented to him."

Nora saw an opportunity and asked the Firekeeper about a particular question. "Why do you call him 'Ashen One'? No means to be offended, but he seemed to rather be called that title by you than the rest of us. Is there a particular reason why?"

"It is who he is." She answered vaguely, causing all to look at her in slight confusion. "A title that greatly reflects himself as well that all that he stands for. As his guide, there is no greater honour of calling him that."

"Any particular reason why?" Blake asked as she wanted to understand more about Ash.

Olivia looked down at look at the water to her reflection before responding. "'Tis the Ashen One's choice and not mine. As I told you before, I have no right to say unless he opens up. But that will be a while until he does so."

The Speedster Operative turned her head towards her. "Well, he should. If he is hiding something, then that means he is withholding important information to the General."

Although that is true, Weiss recalled what the Unkindled said to her. "I can recall him getting agitated at us for asking about his past. Honestly, that was the first time we ever heard him angry, even if it was just a little."

Yang can also remember that. "Yeah. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side." Her Faunus partner couldn't agree more. Even more so since they witnessed him do the deed.

"Ashen One has every right to keep his own secrets, if it involves with the kingdom's current condition he would not hesitate to reveal." Olivia explained rather calmly, causing Ruby and the others, who know the secret, to feel a bit nervous at that statement. "As to all of us, we are entitled to keep secrets, such as you all have kept from upon my arrival here."

Winter blew a raspberry at that. There was something regarding about Ash that needed to be discussed. "Does that mean he'll breach protocol? I can already tell that there is something wrong with him. I simply just can't stand him being too aloof, cynical, and blunt while also staying really calm."

Elm had a thought of that. "If that were to happen, we have no choice but to place him on the suspicion list."

Ruby had a feeling to why but can't exactly place it. "I don't know about that. I guess he's...not normal."

Blake had a saying when she tried to talk to him. "Every time I ask him to join, he seemed to be really distrusting. I know he is an ally, but..."

"If thou holds such distrust towards the Ashen One that much… then I suggest thou adds me as well of suspicion. "Olivia interrupted though she remained calm. This surprised everyone as they heard her declaration. She may have been reserved, but there was a small lace of anger in her tone. "Ashen One is many things, but he is no traitor. Though time with him may be short, but I find it rather disappointing that you'd see him as such, when none of you have confronted him of his actions or reasons."

Weiss winces slight but immediately regains her composure. She quickly speaks as she wanted to ease the tension within the area. "We're not saying that you and he are traitors! We actually confronted him after his talk with my father if I can recall."

Yang can recall that in her mind. "To call someone like Weiss's dad a 'lecherous pest' and a 'mere afterthought' really takes a lot of encouragement for him to say." She left out the bit of her confront Ash after he killed Adam.

Winter did a double take on what the blonde said before looking at Yang. "He said that to him?!" Elm and Harriet, who were not present at the time, widened their eyes in shock.

Blake nodded in confirmation. "Yes… he even tricked Jaques 'to confess' that he branded Adam Taurus." There was a small hint of sadness upon saying her former lover's name that was only noticed by Yang.

Olivia knew full well of that confrontation and she recognised why her dear friend would say that. "Ah, the Ashen One hath not changed a bit. Although Jacques doesn't seem to be liking his words."

"I wonder what he is doing right now?" Ruby can't help but to wonder of the rather mysterious individual.

-Scene Change-

Ash entered his quarters after spending the rest of the day with his friend, Olivia. A tiresome sigh escaped through his lips as he walked towards the right side of the bed to lean on. He had one thought in his mind. "Olivia and the others are enjoying their time relaxing. Maybe I should do the same."

Sitting on the floor, The Unkindled leaned his back onto the mattress and began to close his eyes. The position he was in may be uncomfortable to some. But this is his way of relaxation. Despite being undead, he began to close his eyes and begins to imagine if he was dreaming.

…

…

…

The Unkindled immediately woke up as he sensed something very unusual. First and foremost, he was looking at the grey, cloudy sky. He sat up and saw he was lying within a lot of white flowers that covered a hill. He looked down to see that he was still wearing the Faraam set. All of this caused him to mutter somewhat confusingly. "What…is this place?

Getting to his feet, he began to roam around this strange place. He walked through a path that led him to a gate. After walking through it, Ash swathed the fog, fading away to reveal a building, which he suspected was a workshop, on top of another hill that overlooked a garden and many graves. Ash can't help but think back on his time in Firelink Shrine.

He hated to admit it, but this gave him a sense of familiarity with his temporary home.

His trail of thoughts was immediately broken when he heard the door open. He went to his back to grab his weapon, but he felt his blade wasn't there, including his Bottomless Box. His eyes immediately went wide behind his helmet as he saw someone inside the building's entrance.

It was a female by the looks of her strange clothing. But Ash knew that it wasn't human. It was a Doll, standing there looking at him rather curiously, as she didn't expect someone to be visiting. Her grey eyes locked on into him.

"Hello there," The Doll greeted the Unkindled with a strange accent. "Are you lost?"

"I think so," Ash admitted as he scanned the around behind him before looking back at…the Doll. "Can you tell me what this place is?"

The Doll blinked a few times. "This? This is the Hunter's Dream." She answered him. "A refuge for those who hunt beasts." She walks down the flight of stairs towards the Unkindled.

Ash felt uncomfortable seeing the inanimate object walking smoothly instead of smoothly, but he remained collected. As she stood in front of him, she continued her explanation. "Many Hunters come and go from here, and the graves stand in their honour."

"Is that so?" Ash stated as he couldn't help but sympathize with them.

"Yes," She plainly answered. "I care for them whenever the Good Hunter is away on his trips. He often visits them whenever he is troubled. "She glances at the Ashen One, who seems troubled in his thoughts. "I can see you share some characteristics with him."

Again, Ash was caught off guard by her statement. "What do you mean?"

Unexpectedly, the Doll smiled at him. "The Good Hunter is silent but kind. A humble person who likes to keep to himself. He bears many burdens, and I care for him and soothe his sickly spirit. I can see you, too, bear many similarities with him, correct?"

Ash hung his head in sadness. She was correct; he had to carry many burdens, and the only person who knew about it was his close friend, Olivia. He let out a bitter chuckle. "You may be right. Though I can't help but see a similarity with someone I know."

"Oh?" the Doll's head tilted curiously. "How so?"

"I guess it's the same aura emitting." He simply answered. "Is there any way I can exit?"

The Doll looked at his right side, which caused Ash to look in the direction to see a lamp sticking out of the ground that glowed a purple light. "You may use that to return to your world. But if I can ask, why are you leaving in such a hurry?"

Ash looked at her despite the helmet covering his face. "I have stumbled into something I was not meant to be in. This Good Hunter may not like me visiting without permission."

The Doll hummed at his words. She looked with comfort. "The Good Hunter will understand your sudden presence. As for your sudden apperance, perhaps you got sent here to have your soul eased from the burdens you carry."

"That could be a possibility," Ash admitted calmly, "But it is not your place to be involved with me." He sighed as he realised how harsh he sounded. "I'm sorry for saying that."

Like Olivia he spoke to before, the Doll doesn't seem to be taken aback by his words. "I know you are. There is no need to rush. The night is still young." She told him. "May I ask for you to have some tea?"

Ash already had an answer. "Of course." He may have unintentionally ended up in this dream-like place, but he was a guest in the Doll's perspective.

"Then we shall have inside of the Workshop." She told him before walking back into the building with the Unkindled following her.

-Scene Change-

The crackling could be heard in the fireplace of the Workshop as Ash sat down in a seat the Doll had set up. He looked around but couldn't help but notice a lot of things. First and foremost, an altar was in the centre of the room. Then he saw a table with a lot of tolls surrounding it. He can't help but make a remark on it. "This certainly does look like a workshop. Though it's different to the ones I know."

"Is that so?" He heard the Doll's calm voice as she approached the table while holding a teapot.

"Yes." He answered truthfully.

He saw the Doll pour some tea into the empty teacup in front of the Unkindled before sitting down. Her hands were resting on her lap as she sat on her seat opposite Ash's. "Your tea is ready. Try not to drink it while it's too hot."

Ash nodded in acknowledgement as he brought up the cup of tea close to him. He lifted his helmet to reveal his lips and began drinking it. It seemed so bland when he drank it, yet a sweetness coursed onto his stomach. "It doesn't taste that bad." He voiced as he continued to sip it before setting it down despite the cup being almost empty.

Seeing he enjoyed his tea, the Doll wanted to ask something from him. "If I may ask, what is your name?"

The Unkindled, who had fixed his helmet back in place, looked at her. "You can call me Ash. You?"

The doll clasped her hands together. "I am a Doll. I am a caretaker of the dream." She responded plainly.

A Doll. That seemed to fit well for her. Ash cleared his throat as he wanted to shift to another topic. "I see. And is this why you provided me tea to help me relax in this environment?"

The Doll nodded her head. "Yes."

Ash hummed as he looked at his tea in thought before looking back at Doll. "Do tell me, what roll does your… Good Hunter play? I cannot help but be curious if you permit it."

The Doll chuckled softly at his words. "The Good Hunter hunts beasts whenever he is in his excursion. He visits here sometimes here to care for the graves. I always soothe his sickly spirit."

It seems like the more Ash hears about this Good Hunter, the more he can't help but to see similarities between that individual and himself. "And where exactly is this Good Hunter right now?"

"He is currently visiting his friends in a world where there are many people that did bad things. It has an overpopulation problem that the only solution to combat it was to have an annual Purge. The Good Hunter is trying his best to aid his friends and allies to combat it without having to resort to violence." She answered still in that exact same tone. Ash got interested in that. Somehow, he had an odd feeling that she was referring to another world that he has no knowledge of. She saw the body language he displayed. "Perhaps you may want to talk to him one day."

"Hm." Ash hummed in contemplation. He glanced at the open door to see the grey sky becoming brighter.

"Ah, then that means it is almost dawn," She told him while facing him. "Then you better get going."

Ash looked back at her. "Why?"

"The Good Hunter may immediately think that you are an intruder in this dream." She answered.

"I see." He spoke as he got out of his chair and began to walk out. Right as he was about, he looked at the Doll once more to ask one more question. "Do you think I could possibly see you again?"

"It depends." The Doll gave her honest answer. "Though if that were to happen, then the Good Hunter would possibly want to meet you after I tell him about our unusual conversation."

"I…see…" He commented quietly before turning away from the Doll but not before giving his farewell. "I guess this is goodbye then. For now." He walked down the flight of stairs and approached the lamp. Having an odd feeling that it functioned similarly to a Bonfire, he put his right hand in front which started to make the light brighter. The next thing that happened was a bright white light, which forced Ash to cover his eyes…

…

…

…

Ash woke up and immediately saw the ceiling of his quarters. He felt a pair of thighs resting against the back of his head. Before he knew it, he saw Olivia, who was looking down at him. "Ah. You're finally awake, Ashen One." She greeted the awakened Unkindled.

"So, it seems." He responded in his stoic tone.

He immediately sat up and shook his head a few times. Despite his calm nature, Olivia can see he didn't have a good sleep. "Something wrong, Ashen One?"

"I…just had a weird dream. That's all." He answered truthfully to her. To be honest, he didn't how to describe it. The Hunter's Dream, as that…Doll says it, felt like a lucid event. Speaking of which, he decided to ask her on her experience with the others. "How was the bathhouse like?"

"'Tis nothing I have experienced before," She answered with a smile. "Team RWBY showed me how it works. Perhaps thou might like such luxury, Ashen One?"

"…" He hummed while nodding his head in acknowledgement. Looking at the clock that read '5:30 AM', he stood up and walked to where his Wolf Knight's Greatsword was before placing it on his back. He glanced at his friend. "I apologise if I have to go early, my friend. I need to get some done."

Olivia didn't seem to mind much. Honestly, she was grateful that she spent some time with him even if it was only just for half a day. "Then do what you must do, Ashen One." With her words of support, Ash proceeded to walk out of the quarters to begin his routine. Nothing could go wrong right?

-Scene Change-

In the cold wilderness of Solitas, an Atlesian convoy was stopped in its tracks. Multiple Atlesian Knights were quickly destroyed, and many Atlesian soldiers were lying in a pool of their own blood, which was caused by either huge claw marks that slashed at the bodies or bite marks seen all over their necks.

One sole Atlesian soldier blindly fired before hiding behind a destroyed military truck. They were sighing heavily as they were not expecting such an ambush to occur at this time of day. Especially since the soldier and his unit didn't expect to be attacked. It was neither bandits nor Grimm. Instead, it was…

Multiple Snarls surrounded the soldier, which caused the individual to get up and aim the rifle at where it came up. "Come here! I'm all that's left! I have nothing else to lose!" The soldier taunted, revealing it to be a woman. Her eyes looked at multiple grey and white wolves aggressively growling at her.

She pulled the trigger to fire off the shots, but only the sound of clicks was heard. The female soldier gritted her teeth before discarding it and pulling out her sword before pointing the blade at the animals. "What are you waiting for!? I'm right here!" Unsurprisingly, the wolves didn't react to her taunts. Good, that would mean they are easy to kill.

Right before she did so, a large shadow overlooked her and stopped her in her stop. A louder growl was heard on top of her while drips of sticky substances dropped onto her armour. She immediately wiped it off and looked up to see a Goliath-sized wolf looking at her.

"By…the Bothers…" She muttered, taken back by the sheer size of the animal that towered over her. She stepped backwards, fearing it could eat her in a blink of an eye. That was a huge mistake as she bumped into one of the wolves and looked down to see that it wasn't likely to do this. In a single moment, the wolf immediately jumped to bite her right arm, causing her to shriek in pain, causing her to fall on the cold ground. Immediately, it was followed by multiple wolves that bit all over her body. The soldier tried her best to fight against these creatures but seemed ineffective.

Feeling like the wolves had finished, the soldier couldn't help but close her eyes as she felt ever numb.

The last thing she heard was multiple howls as if they had successfully finished their prey off... before everything went to white...

If you have a feeling why I put wolves in, it's because I love those animals. They have to be my favourite of them all. Now, I am going to introduce to you all of a three-chapter original arc, Wolves of Solitas Arc. It is something I have planned for a while now.

I have to also thank triscythe59 for aiding me in certain parts of the chapter. Would have not completed it as soon as possible without his help.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed the chapter so far and please GIVE me constructive criticism so I can improve on next time. Other than that, I will see you all in the next update…