To anyone who picked up this fic before 12/1/2024

I just want to inform you that I went back and changed a lot of the previous chapters, since I had not like the direction the story had been moving into. It felt generally forced and overall didn't flow as smoothly as I wished it to. However I think I've worked out a path that I like and I am eager to continue the story with these changers in mind.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

(I) Chapter 5

It had been a long night, the redness of the sky in the east peaking over the mountains. Slowly, the sun rose higher and higher, banishing the darkness marking the start of a new day, yet the devastation of the night prior only became more evident with every passing hour.

Yoriichi could feel the soreness welling up in his youthful body, as the Grimm continued to rear their heads before promptly losing them.

At some point he was unaware of, the Grimm must have realized that this would be a battle they could not win, and thus stopped fighting. Whether they had fled or gone elsewhere was unknown to him.

Rushing back to the bridge, he could see that the plan was enacted, and the bridge had been destroyed. Looking down the chasm, he could it go down for many Ri before the fog and clouds obscured the way down further.

With the bridge destroyed, it seemed that the only way to traverse across it was now closed, meaning he would need to find his own way. Turning back to the village, Yoriichi made his way back.

Upon his return to the village, Yoriichi walked through the roads of the settlement, blade in one hand and eyes constantly scanning the area's he traversed. He patrolled the now desolate streets of this village, some homes completely burnt down, others which still billowed black smoke. Opening his senses to the world, Yoriichi hoped that he would find someone… anyone that may have survived this catastrophe.

Yet he would have no luck.

Every ruined home he entered, he saw the carnage that was left behind in the wake of the Grimm. Every body his eyes would scan over would show that their hearts had gone still many hours before and bearing wounds which were incompatible with life.

While he knew none of these people, he could only feel immense sadness. All these people had hopes, had dreams, had wished for the best in their peaceful lives. All of that no longer possible because of the animosity of monsters born of darkness.

It was roughly around noon when he had finished his patrol throughout the shell of the village, ending directly where he started: The Village Temple.

Where he had left him, he saw Father, peacefully laid up against the pole which he had his last breath. While he was not unfamiliar with death in his previous life, the sight was one a person would never get used to.

Dragging the body of his father to the small graveyard within the temple grounds, he searched for a spot nearby his mothers grave.

Fortunately, there was a nice plot nearby. Perhaps his father had already had his funerary arrangements planned out and had yet to tell him. Regardless of that, he knew that his father would wish to be close to his mother.

Digging the hole within the plot, each moment felt surreal.

It was not the first time he had dug a grave, and he always wished that it would be the last. It was never easy to dig a grave for anyone as in silence one could only think of everything that might of been, the weight of everything that could have been, everything that should have been, and what will now could never be.

Once he completed that, he took the time to sit silently in front of the grave, to mourn the loss of his father. Then he felt his fervor leave his body completely, causing him to feel all the pain that had accumulated over this long night.

Falling backwards, he could not even bring himself to move for a number of hours, however the sun had began to set well below the mountain lines by the time he could even consider moving once again.

He knew he was the last one alive within this village, and there was nothing left for him here.

As he wearily stood up, pain inflaming his youthful muscles, he initially thought of beginning his search to find the displaced villagers, but with exhaustion mounting up and no proper grasp of how the land was, he decided against it.

Yet as he tried to exit the temple, he could see the body's strewn unceremoniously caused him to feel terrible, especially since his father was the only one to receive a proper farewell. So with great weariness, he resolved himself to give them their final rites.

So Yoriichi did not rest, even when his body began to protest against him once again. For four more days and four more nights he found himself doing his best to treat each individual body with the care and respect a departed soul deserved.

Many of these poor souls graves were simple stone markers, with whatever possession on them mounted on a makeshift marker, and hopefully any members of their family or friends would be able to see that their departed was not left out to rot, or food for the crows and wolves.

On the fifth day, he went back to his house, and spent much of the time cleaning it up. While there was damage he could not repair, he did not want to leave it a mess, as if some survivor that had not escaped with the main group returned here, perhaps they would be able to come here and find refuge for a short time.

And on the fifth evening, he needed to rest, his youthful body not feeling so youthful from all the activity. While not a child mentally, he was one physically, and he needed to rest. Looking in one of the shattered mirrors, he could see the exhaustion painted on his face, the weariness of five uninterrupted days and nights of labors catching up with him.

Yoriichi woke up the next morning, while not fully rested, enough so to prepare for his departure. Fetching a clean garments, he fastened the red kimono shut with an orange obi sash, and prepared a bag with the essentials.

Dust powder and crystals for barter, preserved foods for when he must eat, and a map of the area.

The maps of the world were not precise enough for the purpose of local travel, so he had to rely on one that his father had drawn at some point. The map itself was old, and was likely used by his Grandfather as well, with a number of new areas sketched on since those days.

Hopefully this family keepsake would allow for him to find civilization should he need to.

There was one last matter he needed to attend to before he departed this village.

Finding himself at the temple, he brought incense sticks that his father seemed to use all the time.

"Father… I know you cannot hear me, but I wish to tell you that I am alright." Kneeling in front of the stone markers, he first placed the incense stick on the shrine, before brining up a Fire Dust Crystal, which lit up the stick, the strong fragrance a nice change from the smell of death and destruction. He placed the blade to his left side. "I helped the survivors escape, and have made sure all the Grimm were slain."

Yoriichi gave a moment of silence, as proper conversation etiquette would normally have the senior speak back.

"And then I buried each person. I know it was… foolish to do such a thing, but I couldn't leave all these people out… it wasn't proper." Yoriichi explained himself. "Even if they held scorn and distain for me, it was the right thing to do."

Maroon eyes remained focus on the stone circle.

"I will leave this place in the morning, in search of Dachi and the survivors." Yoriichi looked away for a moment. "I know not where they were heading, but I hope to find them."

Yoriichi looked down at the blade to his side.

"I am blessed to have a father such as you," Looking to the older grave, he smiled warmly, "and I am blessed to have had a mother who was cherished by many." Standing up now, Yoriichi picked up the blade. "Do not worry, for I will return one day."

"Goodbye Father. Goodbye Mother."

As he prepared to leave, a strange sound echoed throughout the mountain.

Looking to the sky, he could see a single silhouette in the sky.

It wasn't shaped like the giant Grimm birds he had fought, nor did it sound like one either.

Still, it was an unknown, and so he took shelter out of sight in the temple.

Passing overheard, it simply stopped and remained in the air, remaining quite close to where he believed the center of the town was. Five individuals jumped out of the metal bird, before it continued on its way away.

Yoriichi decided that it would be best to watch these newcomers before making contact.

… … …

Flying through the skies of Vale was a Bullhead Model V-60, a twin rotor VTOL with fast response capabilities and the ability to transport a number of people. Within said Bullhead was a team of Huntsman Students from Beacon Academy, along with their assigned professor.

While the four students were seated in the passenger bay of this Bullhead, speaking quietly amongst themselves of whatever matters were important, be it upcoming assignment or other personal plans, the young Professor Glynda Goodwitch found herself by one of the side doors of this aircraft.

The mission assigned to this team was a settlement check for an unnamed settlement which was high in the mountains. Surrounding settlements had reported black smoke originating somewhere in the mountain range, but could not find on their maps where this settlement was, and at first believed to be a mistake of some type.

Then when staff at Beacon Academy had checked settlement records, it turned out that there was an unnamed settlement located in this mountain, however it seemed that it had been lost to the bureaucracy of their Kingdom.

It did not help that due to it's distance from any larger settlement, it was given less priority by those who categorize and post jobs on the Hunter's Boards.

Still, the presence of a settlement was confirmed, now making it the job of Huntsmen and Huntresses to check up on the settlement, and make sure if everything was okay. While the students did not know it, she knew that there were likely two outcomes for this mission. Either they find the settlement and gain insight as to why there was a large fire, or they find a settlement in ruins.

While this job would normally be done by a single Huntsman or Huntress, it wasn't always possible to have a Huntsman or Huntress available, requiring student teams to be mobilized for tasks such as this.

And at her request, she knew that the team she was currently attached to needed the experience in the field. Huntsman and Huntresses were a valuable asset in this world, yet always finding themselves short-handed for the simpler missions like these.

Her verdant eyes scanned the changing landscape, trying to find anything out of order or if there was to be an influx of Grimm that might require immediate deployment. After minutes of their Bullhead flying in an upward manner, it seemed that their luck would hold as they climbed higher and higher completely unbothered by any of the avian varieties of Grimm that made themselves home in mountain ranges.

"Attention passengers, we will be there in five minutes." The pilot stated over the intercom. "Make sure you have all your gear with you."

"When we arrive at the settlement, the pilot will perform a flyby to allow us to get a better view of the state of the settlement." Glynda began to explain to the students. "If it appears inhabited, the pilot will find adequate landing space, and we will leave on foot."

A hand went up, one Apricot Prunus, verdant hair with golden beads intertwined in the mix.

"Yes Ms. Prunus?"

"What if it doesn't appear inhabited?"

The Professor could sense uneasiness from the first year team. For many of these students, it would be the first experience with death and devastation, and all she could do was best counsel them through it.

"If this settlement appears to be recently… depopulated, we will be flown to the center of town or the safest point and deploy from there." Glynda explained to her students. "If there are Grimm, we will deal with them to allow for a safe landing area for our Bullhead."

"And what will we do from there?" The male student in red with an apple pin on his straw hat spoke up, Brock Malus, uncertainty easily audible in his voice. "Are we going to look for survivors?"

"Indeed Mr. Malus." The blonde professor nodded. "It is standard protocol for Huntsmen and Huntresses to search for signs of life, and those who need our assistance."

"Gotcha Professor." Mr. Malus returned to nervously fiddling with his weapon.

"Any more questions?"

The students looked among themselves, checking to see if everyone was direct on the mission.

"We're all good Professor Goodwitch." The team's leader, Mr. Raja Musa shook his head, yellow eyes focused on the mission on hand. "Team ARBR will be ready."

"The village is in sight." The pilot stated. "Opening port side door now."

Grabbing the railing on the ceiling, Glynda Goodwitch felt the pressure between the cabin and the outside switch for a second, before the wind rushed into the passenger compartment, allowing for full unobstructed view of the village below

What they saw was a rustic village, one presumably of Mistrali heritage, devastated and depopulated. There were a number of residences that had damages that partially collapsed the buildings, and others that were completely burned down, the embers long since burned out.

In the streets were signs of resistance, from the claw marks left by the Grimm, to areas that were covered in dark spots, which she knew from her experience to be dried up blood.

"Oh my…" The final student Ms. Magnifera Rapoza, whose rich pinkish-red hair that slowly turned to green, put a hand over her mouth.

The young Professor Goodwitch remained outwardly stoic, as she had seen many sights.

"No signs of active Grimm activity." The pilot relayed information already known. "Moving to the center of town, drop in fifteen seconds."

"When we land, make sure you keep an eye on your surroundings." The Huntress reminded her charges. "Just because the Grimm aren't currently active does not mean that it will remain that way."

The Bullhead came to a halt in the sky, hovering over a town square directly adjacent to a small temple.

"The clearing to the west is perfect for this bird to rest while you do your thing." The Bullhead pilot stated as the bird remained in its spot. "Good luck out there!"

Glynda Goodwitch was the first to jump out, using her semblance to bring her weapon, The Disciplinarian to her hands. Her black cape waving in the wind as she fell. Activating her aura, she braced for landing as she touched down with a graceful stomp, the paved roads remaining undamaged by her impact.

The same could not be said for her students, who managed to maintain proper landing form, had caused more visible cracks and even further damage to the road in Mr. Malus's case, a small hole forming where he landed. While she would reiterate the importance of practicing one's landing strategy in extracuricular lessons, now was not the time to be metting out detentions.

The five of them remained on guard for a moment, all heads on a swivel and all weapons pointed outwards, awaiting any contact, whether it be friendly or hostile. When that moment passed, the professor spoke up.

"Pair up and begin searching for survivors." Glynda looked to the team. "If you find anyone, introduce yourself as Huntsmen and Huntresses and that you are here to help."

"Understood Professor. Maggie and Apricot, you search the north side of the town square," Mr. Musa began organizing team ARBR. "Brock and I will handle the south side. If you see anything, shout it out…"

There were more little details that their team had planned, but Glynda saw something that caught her interest. Walking up to one of the Temple's outer walls, she noticed that something large had barreled through there. Moving up to the hole in the wall, she could see that the wall supports had been completely shattered, and he stone pathway immediately on the outside wall showed signs of having been cut.

Gently stepping over the rubble, she could see a paw imprint where it seemed that the Grimm was barreling through. It was clearly an Ursa track, and given the size, it could only mean one thing.

"Ursa Major."

Stepping back out of the temple grounds, she followed the believed path of the Ursa Major, its tracks seemingly stopping only fifteen feet away. Standing where it last stood, she could see a metal pole bent out of shape, and dried blood which had pooled on the ground.

Walking up to the pole, she crouched down and could see how the blood had dried up, and while it seemed to be days old, the cool climate and lack of extreme weather preserved the scene pretty well. Someone had been sat up against it, and furthermore, this individual had either found the strength to drag themselves away, or were dragged away by someone or something else.

Following the path which the individual was seemingly dragged, the Professor could see hastily made defenses within the temple grounds, a number of antiquated dust weapons and simple spears lying about. As she moved deeper into the temple grounds, she noticed two prominent statues, copper statue with eyes made of silver which depicted the Brother of Light, and a cast iron statue with an amethyst ball in one hand which depicted the Brother of Darkness.

Looking around, she noticed that despite all the dried blood and weaponry lying around, there was no bodies, as if they had simply vanished. It was something she had initially noticed when they landed, yet she had not wanted to jump to any immediate conclusions, however it was now becoming more evident that someone had been here and moved the bodies elsewhere.

It couldn't be bandits, as the bandits would have either left the bodies alone or desecrated them, stealing anything of value that was not nailed down. She also knew that while wildlife could make a quick meal of a dead body, there would be remains left, bones at a minimum.

Continuing to move through the temple her footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floors, she could see more signs that bodies were moved and in some places mounds with stone circles were observed. This indicated that someone had buried them after the Grimm had departed. That could mean a survivor or survivors might still be in the town, and that might give better information on what happened here aside from the obvious.

Glynda then made it to a small cemetery, which was nothing short of humble. Few stone markers had names, some in the Vytal Standard, others in what appeared to be Old Mistrali. However, as she got closer to the end of the markers, she could smell the scent of something odd, like the wood and herbs.

Making her way to the origin of the deep earthy fragrance, she could see the small whisps of smoke in front of two graves. Of these graves, one was of carved stone, which had the script of Old Mistrali on it, and the other was more recent. The second grave was a mound which had circular stones to create a larger circle, with a final pile of stones upon which flowers and incense.

Crouching down to observe the incense, she saw that they were only a quarter of the way burnt, meaning that whoever lit them was here recently.

That was when she felt it through her aura, the feeling of being watched. Aura ready for any situation whether it be attack or ambush, she turned her head slightly as to get a view of the area behind her in her periphery, yet she saw nothing or anyone.

Standing up, she turned to another entrance back towards the temple to which she felt the gaze. Moving with purpose, she turned towards the direction where she felt the gaze from, approaching with a practice caution.

"Is anyone there?" Glynda called out as she reached the entranceway, keeping The Disciplinarian to her side, ready to bring up the riding crop at the moment's notice should the need arise. "I'm a Huntress, I'm here to help."

As she approached the entranceway into the temple, she felt her perfectly crafted professional demeanor momentarily fall as a boy dressed in a red kimono walked out of the temple. This boy had red-hair mixed with darker shades and was no taller than four feet, carrying a sheathed sword and a travel sack which both looked too large for his stature. Regaining her composure, she evaluated the boy for a moment.

"Oh, hello there." Maintaining the distance, she gently addressed the young boy. "Are you hurt?"

Shaking his head, she noticed that despite the initial report was from a few days ago, the boy looked clean.

"Is there anyone else here?" Glynda maintained eye contact and could see the weariness in the boy's eyes. When he shook his head, she continued. "Can you tell me what happened here?"

"Grimm came in the night." The boy's voice was level and held no emotion. "The village escaped to the east."

Pointing towards that direction, he continued to speak.

"There was a bridge across a deep ravine, where the villagers planned to destroy the bridge." The boy continued to look to the east. "I… didn't make it. When I returned to the town I searched for anyone else… there was no one."

"And how long have you been here alone?"

"For five days." The boy stated. "I was planning on leaving today."

"Do you know where the other villagers could have gone?"

"I don't know. Just east."

"Okay… and were you the one who tended to these graves?"

Nodding, she noticed that there was a weight that seemed to appear in his gaze.

"I was." Wandering past her, he moved to the unmarked grave. "I was saying goodbye to Father and Mother."

"I'm sorry for your loss." The seasoned Huntress felt her gaze soften. This was not the first time Glynda had seen a scene like this, a young boy orphaned by the Grimm, and she knew that it would not be the last. Deciding that the boy shouldn't have to lament the loss of his parents any further, she did her best to change the subject. "I haven't introduced myself yet have I?"

Moving over to the boy, she saw him turn towards her. Getting down on one knee to be at eye level, she spoke. "I am Glynda Goodwitch, a Professor at Beacon Academy. What's your name?"

"Yoriichi."

"Yoriichi, it's nice to meet you." Glynda allowed a small smile to peak out. "You've been very brave to be out here for these past five days on your own, but it isn't safe for you to travel alone or to be out here."

Yoriichi's maroon eyes focused on her, curiosity in his eyes.

"If you come with us, we can try and help you reunite with the people of your village, and if we can't then we will take you somewhere safe." Putting her hand out, she hoped Yoriichi would take it. "Is that alright?"

Yoriichi seemed to look at her hand for a moment, before taking hold of it.

Standing up, she took the boy out of the ruined town.

…

Yoriichi took the woman's hand, as he believed that was the proper action.

He had observed this 'Huntress' known as Glynda Goodwitch from the moment she had entered the temple grounds. How her physique had been trained to the hilt and she was ready to jump into action at a moments notice.

Yoriichi had noticed how she seemed to view the younger persons who had arrived with her with a stern but caring gaze. How she arrived at the temple and walked through its ruined halls, taking great care to avoid the areas in which the dead had met their final rest. Finally, how he heard the sincerity of her tone when she stated who she was and that she seemed genuine in her desire to help.

The red haired swordsman deemed it appropriate to reveal himself to her. When asked the questions by her, he answered them with honesty. While everything he had told her was the truth, he knew that the whole truth sounded to fantastical even if he was able to prove his abilities.

A child no older than seven years of age against a horde of Grimm with the might of a number of Kibutsuji's spawn? He would scarcely believe himself telling the tale if he had not been the one who slayed them.

When she further offered her assistance in finding the remnants of his home village, he figured he needed all the help he could get.

As he was led out of the temple and shrine, he was soon met with the four other individuals.

"Professor Goodwitch, you've found someone!" A pink haired girl seemed happy at this. "Is he alright?"

"He appears fine, though you four will continue to search while I take him back to the Bullhead." Their senior informed them. "I will rejoin you once he is safely secured in the aircraft."

"Understood Professor." The yellow-eyed one nodded before turning back to the team, telling them to continue searching.

Yoriichi was suddenly lifted up by Glynda, before she began to run, faster than he would've expected a woman in her footwear. Not only that, but she managed to maintain near perfect balance by performing leaps and bounds that he had only seen the Pillars of his time manage.

Within two minutes she had managed to cross what would have been ten minutes of walking through the village. The two of them reached the strange metal bird which he had seen them exit from, and if responding to her, a doorway sliding open.

Walking into the room, he was placed down, to which she got down on one knee again to be at eye level with him.

"Alright Yoriichi, I'm going to leave you here, but before I do so I need you to hand your sword to me." Yoriichi did not interject as he saw that the Professor had more to say. "It's the rules that we secure weapons of anyone we transport in our vehicles, as only licensed Huntsman and provisional students are allowed to carry them."

"This katana has been my family's even before my great Grandfather." Yoriichi let his hand rest on the sheathe. "I can't just give it up."

"You're not giving it up. It's going to be right over there." Glynda quickly added, pointing to a series of metal containers. "We aren't going to steal something as precious as a family heirloom from a boy who has nothing else."

Yoriichi considered her words for a moment, before he exhaled.

"Very well."

Taking the sheathed blade from his obi, he handed it to her.

"Thank you." She placed the blade down on the seats next to him. "Just get you buckled in."

Yoriichi got into the seat, and Glynda placed straps on him which were like the backpack, securing him in the seat.

"If you need anything, just call out for the pilot." Gesturing to a separate compartment which was shut at this time. "One of the two should hear you and check on you."

"Ok."

Glynda Goodwitch then left, the door closing behind her with a hiss.

Hours passed as the five of them continued to search the village, no further incidents occurring while he was seated before their return. From what he could gather, the younger members of the group had faces that spoke to the unspoken tragedy that occurred here. The elder member however maintained her professional air, yet her eyes revealed an exhaustion that came with time, that this was an a tragedy that occurred far too often.

The sound of the separate compartment opening revealed an individual peaking his head into their compartment, looking around before gaze stopping on the professor.

"Is everyone accounted for?"

"Everyone is."

"Alright, we'll be taking off, returning to the City of Vale." The pilot dipped his head back into his compartment before reappearing. "Another search party was already dispatched to look for the villagers say, an hour ago."

"Thank you for the update." Glynda nodded before looking to him. "We're going to get you checked up at the City, and i- when we find those in your village, we'll get you back to them."

Yoriichi dipped his head in gratitude. "Thank you."

The compartment closed, the students buckled themselves in while the Professor remained by one of the closed doors, looking through the small glass.

"Hey kid." A young woman with pink and green hair called to him. "Is this your first time on a Bullhead?"

"It is."

Yoriichi's ears were soon filled with the sound of a strange loud noise as the mode of transportation began to vibrate.

"First time flying little man?." Another student, one with an emblem of a fruit of some type spoke up. When he nodded, a little concern on his face, a weary smile on his face appeared. "Don't worry, we'll be fine."

Suddenly, the vehicle jerked forward and for a moment he felt his stomach churn as the weightless feeling caught him off guard.

"I'd suggest we all get some rest." The yellow eyed one spoke up, laying his head back against the seat. "It's gonna be a bit of time before we get back."

There were murmurs of agreement from those of the same age, however the eldest simply stood by the doorway as the 'Bullhead' got into the air.

Yoriichi felt the weariness in his body return and before he knew it, the rhythmic noise of the Bullhead had become white noise, easily ignored allowing him to sleep.

Yoriichi did not know what to expect from this 'City of Vale'.

Sixty years after the Great War, each nation branched out in their own technological ways.

Atlas focuses on wartime practicality first and foremost.

Mistral focuses on traditional aesthetic.

Vacuo doesn't have a strong technologcial base, and scavanges the wastes, repurposing old craft each to serve their needs.

And Vale focuses on peacetime operations.

The Bullhead V-50

The Bullhead V-50 was created 50 years after the Great War with the purpose of hauling important resources such as medicines or food shipments from outlying settlements to the City of Vale and vice versa. It is operated by two pilots and can be easily fitted with high caliber dust operated guns for immediate defensive capabilities.

When the City of Montain Glenn fell, the Bullhead V-50 found itself in the forefront serving the purposes of emergency insertion and evacuation vehicles, escort vehicles for the larger airbuses, and even as individual gunships to aid the Huntsmen on the ground.

It would be retrofitted with Atlesian produced Dust Engines in the 70th year after the Great War, into the Bullhead V-70, which only needed one pilot for operational flight.

Alright here it is! I hope everyone's holiday season went well or well enough, I know I needed the rest!

Took some time for me to work through this as I struggled to get that conclusion done between Thanksgiving and spending time with my loved ones, but hey that is life.

Tell me what you think of this chapter and I will see you in the next one!