Chapter 1: The Man and the Child

A man walked up to a family—two women were crying while a man sat nearby, drinking heavily. In a bassinet lay a motionless baby. The man with the drink noticed the tall figure approaching and slurred angrily, "What are you doing near my dead kid?"

The women, noticing the stranger, gasped and began to flee. Shadows moved swiftly around them, knocking both unconscious. The remaining woman, clutching a weapon, shifted it into a semi-automatic pistol and aimed at the intruder, her voice steady despite the tension. "Leave now," she commanded.

The man, cloaked with sleeves covering his hands, stood calmly. Two swords hung at his sides. "Ah, a huntress," he said, his voice cool tone. "Well, I guess I can't predict everything."

The woman fired with deadly precision, but the man evaded the bullets with ease. "This family," he said, a faint glimmer of amusement in his tone, "is perfect for my plans."

She glanced behind him and gasped as a glowing light enveloped his feet. In a swift leap, she realized the baby was no longer in the bassinet.

"This family needs a child to raise," the man continued. "I'll give them one, but I can't let any of you remember."

Lowering her weapon slightly, the woman, her emerald eyes glowing and her dog-like ears twitching, asked, "Why this family? What makes this child important?"

The man didn't smile or reveal his face, but his answer was chillingly simple: "To live—no more, no less."

Darkness pulsed from the man, and shadows consumed the huntress, rendering her unconscious. As she fell, he approached her, his hand glowing with a soft blue light. With a wave, her memories were altered.

Carrying the child, he ventured deep into the forest of Vale. Beneath a great tree, he whispered, "I'm sorry, little one, that you never got to live." He buried the child there, knowing the tree would grow large and strong.

Returning to the small village cloaked in shadows, the man moved the "new parents" to a room and placed the huntress on a couch. To himself, he murmured, "Find Ruby."

A Few Years Later

A young boy with slightly Dirty blond hair rose from his small bed and wandered toward his mother. She wore a simple outfit: a strong black blouse and jeans that complemented her figure. Her great onyx eyes locked on the boy as he approached. Her hair, soft white, was styled into a braided ponytail.

The boy's father was nearby, cleaning a weapon—a longsword with a shotgun Trnasformation. His sharp yellow-tinted eyes and ponytail of green hair gave him a striking presence.

The boy, dressed in green, stood silently, his deep chocolate-brown eyes gazing up at his father.

"I see you're awake, James. I hope you slept well," his father said with a smile, looking at the boy. "Honestly, if it wasn't for the DNA test, I wouldn't believe you were mine. Those eyes of yours are so different, and your hair is quite unique." He laughed, but his amusement was short-lived as a spoon flew across the room, hitting him squarely in the forehead.

"How was your sleep, James? And you"—the mother glared at the father—"I've told you countless times not to say that."

The child, now revealed as James, looked up at his mother and said in a sweet tone, "I'd better still be dark and bright!"

His mother chuckled, turned off the stove, and walked over to scoop him up in a warm hug. Meanwhile, his father's smile faded into a more serious expression as he reflected on the recurring dream that had been haunting him.

"I've noticed this dream of yours," his father said quietly. "Dreams like that... they don't always mean something. I wouldn't worry about it." Yet, his voice betrayed a hint of sadness.

James' mother, sensing the shift in mood, gently placed James at the table with his father. She ladled some porridge from the pot into bowls while the father condensed his weapon into a compact sword and set it beside him.

During breakfast, his father explained the day's plans. He intended to help repair some houses in the village, while his mother would head to the nearby city to gather water and restock food supplies.

Curious, James asked, "What about me? What am I doing today?"

His parents smiled at him warmly. "You'll be spending the day with the Bones family," they said.

Excitement lit up James' face, and he nearly bolted from the table without finishing his meal. His mother, quick as ever, caught him and returned him to his seat. "Finish your breakfast first," she said firmly.

James pouted but obeyed, eating quickly so he could go see Jane Bones. The Bones family wasn't particularly unique, except that Jane's mother was a huntress who often traveled for work. The village they lived in was a special place, built to encourage cooperation between Faunus and humans and test how their children interacted and grew together.

Once James had finished eating, he darted off to change into his usual outfit—a collared shirt with a green swirl emblem representing his family. Before he could leave, his father called out, "No fighting, and beware of Grimm!"

James laughed and replied, "Okay!" Though he didn't quite understand why his father always said that—he rarely fought, and even when he did, he usually lost to Jane or the other kids.

As he ran through the streets, many villagers waved at the young boy. Some mothers commented on how free-spirited he seemed, though others noted how he was oddly reserved when it came to his emotions. Doctors had once diagnosed James with unusually high levels of brain chemicals never before recorded in Remnant, but people in the village loved him regardless. He was helpful, kind, and sweet.

Suddenly, James saw a boy go flying across the road.

"Ranger! Hi! Did Jane do this?" James called out as Ranger got to his feet, brushing himself off.

Ranger glanced at James. "Oh, hey, James. What are you doing here?"

Before James could answer, Jane appeared from the side, aiming a kick in his direction. James dodged just in time, nearly tripping in the process. He waved at her cheerfully.

"Hi, Jane! How are you doing?"

Jane looked sheepish and apologized. "Sorry about that. I was just kicking Ranger around because he said I wasn't cute."

Ranger, now rubbing a fresh bump on his forehead, muttered, "I didn't say you weren't cute! I said you'd be even cuter if you wore dresses!"

With a laugh, James moved into the middle of the group, looking at Jane. He reached out and scratched her ear roughly, causing her to tilt her head and growl softly in enjoyment. When he stopped, she blinked and looked around, momentarily disoriented, as if she had forgotten where she was.

"Lucky you," Ranger muttered in a disgusted tone. "I can't even touch her reset ear."

James laughed and told Jane that he'd be staying with her for the day. Jane rolled her eyes at him, but before she could respond, Ranger grabbed them both by the arms and said, "Let's go climb!"

The three of them, all dressed in cargo pants, made their way to the largest tree in the area. Jane had dark brown hair with black spots on her ears, a signature of her Faunus heritage. Ranger, on the other hand, had strikingly orange hair that seemed to glow in the sunlight.

When they reached the massive tree, far larger than any others in the area, Jane looked up at it with a tone of wonder. "It's so weird how this one tree in all of Vale grew so big," she said.

James stared at it thoughtfully. "It's funny to think of this tree as our guardian tree. I feel like it has a soul... an aura."

Jane laughed, amused by his comment, but James stepped closer to the tree. As he always did, he ran his hands over its bark, feeling every groove and bump.

Ranger watched him with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you do that? What's with your touchy thing about everything?"

Before James could answer, Jane kicked Ranger's shin and glared at him.

"It's because I feel like there's more to this tree," James replied, unfazed. "It's like there's a story hidden inside it. Besides, I like soft things."

The others watched him finish his ritual before starting to climb the tree. Jane, being a Faunus, used her natural agility to climb faster than the boys, scaling the trunk with ease. She reached a branch, swung herself onto it, and landed gracefully.

Ranger, activating his aura, created a blackish outline around himself and leaped up to grab a higher branch. He pulled himself up and stood on it effortlessly.

James, on the other hand, struggled. "Why can't you guys not use your talents for once? Jane, you're a Faunus—you're naturally fast and agile. And Ranger, you've already unlocked your aura and semblance! You're one of the youngest kids in the world to do that! Meanwhile, I can't even fight or use my aura yet."

Frustrated, James let himself drop to the ground with a huff. Jane looked down, ready to jump to his side, but Ranger climbed back down first.

"Says the guy who learns faster than anyone else," Ranger said with a soft, reassuring tone. "And the same kid who can dodge just about everything. Not to mention your insane luck. You had less than a one-percent chance at birth and then surviving that Beowolf attack, and yet you're here."

Ranger lightly tapped James on the head. "You've also managed to trip, fall, or slip your way out of danger every time. Even your dad says the Grimm get so annoyed with you that they just give up."

James sighed, recalling the memory. It was still fresh in his mind—a Beowolf had chased him through the woods, but he'd slipped so many times that it kept missing. Eventually, it got so frustrated that it hit a tree, dislodging a branch that landed on it. After twenty minutes, the Beowolf seemed to roll its eyes and walk away. His dad had arrived just as the creature gave up, looking utterly defeated.

Jane jumped down and smirked. "Maybe your semblance is 'Expert Dodging.'"

Ranger burst out laughing at the suggestion, and Jane soon joined in. James, embarrassed but trying to keep up, lunged at them playfully. In typical fashion, he tripped and fell flat on his nose.

The others laughed even harder. James sat up, grumbling, and looked down at his feet. There was nothing there to trip over, yet somehow, his shoe had come off. Even when he switched to Velcro shoes, this kept happening. He rolled his eyes and let it go as the group continued playing in the tree for hours.

As night fell, Ranger headed home, and Jane pulled James along toward her house. His parents were still working, but her mother greeted them with a worried expression as they entered.

Every time James walked into the house, Jane's mother seemed uneasy. It wasn't until she realized it was him that she relaxed.

"How are you doing, James? And please, make yourself known when you come in! I keep thinking you're some kind of Grimm," she yelled.

James looked around in confusion, as he always did, and her exasperation was evident as she slapped her forehead. She gestured for the two kids to sit down at the table.

Jane's mother often gave James strange looks. Her semblance, a sort of radar that allowed her to sense people around her, always reacted oddly to him. His presence felt like a shifting spectrum of colors, unlike any other human or Faunus she'd ever encountered. Though he seemed normal outwardly, she trusted her instincts—and they told her something about James was very different.

As she turned her attention back to her cooking, Jane asked what was for dinner.

"Spaghetti with extra meat sauce," her mother replied.

Jane cheered happily, and James smiled, glad to be surrounded by friends.

"James, I need you to avoid playing in the eastern part of the forest for a while," Jane's mother said with a firm tone. "My team from Vale is coming to exterminate a horde of low-level Grimm, so no going near 'the tree.'"

James felt disappointed by her words but managed a small smile. Her semblance, which allowed her to sense aura, picked up a sudden shift in his—it changed to a light, soothing color instead of the red it had been before. She smiled softly and told him, "Your father will be here to pick you up soon, and your mother should be back in about an hour."

James perked up, excitement taking over as he quickly finished his food, practically inhaling it. The six-year-old rushed to wait by the door, his energy palpable. Jane's mother glanced back at him, noting another change in his aura, this time to a blue-white tint. She smiled again and discreetly jotted the observation down in a journal to ensure his family was informed.

When James's father arrived at the Bones household, the boy leaped into his arms with such enthusiasm that the man barely managed to catch him. Surprised by his son's jumping ability, he set him down gently and asked if he could speak with Jane's mother privately.

After ushering James to play with Jane, the father stepped aside with her.

"His aura and abilities are... strange," Jane's mother said, a hint of fear in her voice. "It's changed again—this time, a new color."

"This makes six different colors," the father replied, his expression darkening. "It makes no sense for a child to have so many. Please tell me no one else knows."

She nodded quickly. "I've made sure no one outside the village knows about him—not even Beacon or the other kingdoms. But the Grimm seem drawn to him, too. I'm not saying he's a danger yet, but... it's unsettling. Especially when his aura turns black."

The man's eyes narrowed. "What does it feel like when it's black?"

"It's like pure chaos," she replied, her voice trembling. "But freeing at the same time. And when it turns light, it's comforting... but it feels like chains choking me. Those two are the most concerning. The others—red, green, translucent, and now light blue—are less alarming.

"Red feels like raw strength from nowhere. Green feels protective, like a shield. The translucent one only appears when he's learning, like he's absorbing information. And the light blue... it feels like family. Like a pack."

The father frowned, troubled. "No one else can sense or see aura like you. It's fortunate you've kept away from the headmaster at Beacon Academy. This could cause problems if it became widely known."

He took a calming breath and placed a hand on her shoulder. Activating his semblance, he used it to soothe her nerves and clear her mind. His ability to calm and open people's minds was powerful, though not particularly useful as a hunter.

"I appreciate your help," he said finally. "But we need to head home and do some reading. We'll figure this out."

Jane's mother nodded. "I'll continue to watch over him when I can. I'll protect him."

As night fell, James and his father walked home. James suddenly stopped, prompting his father to ask, "Are you okay?"

The boy hesitated before answering. "I don't know why, but the dark always feels different from the day."

"What do you mean? How does it feel?" his father asked, his tone full of concern.

James gave him a questioning look. "It feels like I can do anything right now. But during the day, it's like... I'm restricted, even though I know what I'm doing is right."

His father didn't reply immediately. Instead, he knelt down and hugged the boy tightly, gently resting a hand on his head to calm him.

As they continued walking, James's father thought about his son's words. The boy's emotions and aura seemed to shift like two opposing forces, and it was as confusing as it was unsettling. By the time they reached home, James had fallen asleep on his father's back.

When they entered the house, James's mother greeted them with a warm smile. She asked about his day, and James eagerly recounted his adventures—studying small creatures, playing by the tree, and imagining it was alive, with a soul that was happy for the family.

She laughed softly. "It's time for a story and then bed," she said.

James hurried off to his room to change into green-and-black pajamas. As he did, his father sighed heavily, prompting his wife to ask, "Did something happen?"

"Yes," he admitted. "His aura changed again. A new color—light blue. She said it feels like family or a pack."

She smiled faintly. "He's unique. His brain chemistry is different, too. But... do you think he'll be safe? If a Grimm attack leads to word getting out, certain people might come after him."

"All we can do is protect him," the father replied firmly. "And learn more about what's happening."

Moments later, James came back, grabbing his mother's hand and tugging her toward the room. She rolled her eyes but followed, reminding him to slow down.

Once in the bedroom, James picked out a book: The Man with Two Souls, with its familiar brown cover. His mother began to read aloud, her voice soothing.

When she finished, she asked, "Do you think the story could be true?"

James paused to think before answering.

"I feel it's too real, don't you think? The story—it has too many similarities to history," Jimmy said, his young voice filled with curiosity.

His mother chuckled and ruffled his hair. "I wish I had your imagination. You've said the same thing about history lessons before. It's amazing how much you remember. My little genius," she said fondly.

She wrapped him snugly in his blankets, kissed his forehead, and turned off the lights. That night, a new dream came to Jimmy. Instead of the usual light and dark expanse, he found himself standing on a transparent floor. Everything else was empty—until he blinked, and suddenly the forest appeared around him. Eyes glimmered from every shadow, but a small, quiet voice whispered: "Not yet."

As the years passed, Jimmy and his friends grew, each developing their own unique skills. Ranger became adept with his aura, mastering his semblance of gravity at a remarkably young age. Jane, on the other hand, excelled with weapons, wielding a long dagger with a bone emblem that could transform into twin Glocks. Her extreme speed and acrobatics made her a natural in martial arts.

"One more year, and Ranger and I will be heading to Signal Academy," Jane said one day, a determined grin on her face. "Then, in four years, we'll be off to Beacon."

Jimmy's face fell. He knew he wouldn't qualify.

"I'm sorry, Jimmy," Jane said, her voice softening. "I forgot… your aura is too weak, and you can only dodge. That's not fair."

Jimmy waved it off with a sad smile. "It's fine. I'm ten now, and getting ready for academy exams… even if I know I won't make it. My intelligence doesn't help much when my abilities are so limited."

"At least you didn't change your name out of frustration," Ranger teased.

Jimmy looked away, embarrassed. He had indeed changed his name from James to reflect his intelligence and downplay his lack of strength.

The three friends sat near the tree, which had grown taller and now bore a single, perfect apple each time Jimmy visited. It always seemed to be waiting for him, just at the right height.

"Did you hear about the new horde of Grimm to the north?" Ranger asked.

"Yeah," Jane replied. "We might need to evacuate the village."

Jimmy chimed in, "I heard about it too. But I don't think it'll get too bad. The Grimm seem to circle the village but never attack directly. Even after all these years and the hunters passing through, they stay on the outskirts. My dad never lets me near the officials when they visit, though. It's like he's hiding something."

The conversation turned somber until Ranger broke the tension. "Why does this tree feel so different from the others? It's almost like it's alive."

Jimmy, eating his apple, ran his hand along the trunk, feeling its grooves. The bark seemed tougher than usual, and as his hand lingered, he felt something odd—like the tree itself had taken a breath.

Later, the trio decided to spar, testing each other's skills. Jimmy's strength was limited, but his ability to predict and dodge attacks made him a challenging opponent.

Jimmy crouched low, one hand on the ground and a leg extended. Jane pointed her dagger, now transformed into a Glock, directly at him. Ranger stood beside her, armed with a knife and a pistol fitted with a silencer in his Guantlet, his semblance enhancing his already impressive strength.

Jane moved first, firing Dust bullets. As the shots came, time seemed to slow for Jimmy. He weaved through the barrage, each bullet narrowly missing him.

But Ranger was ready. He lunged at Jimmy with his knife, but Jimmy dodged and countered with a punch.

"Crap… let me guess—it didn't hurt," Jimmy muttered, frustrated.

Ranger grinned and punched him back, sending him flying into a tree. Before Jimmy could recover, Ranger used his semblance to push him further. Jimmy managed to regain control, planting his feet on the tree and launching himself off with minimal damage.

"Why doesn't my semblance affect you like it does others?!" Ranger growled, frustration evident.

As Ranger spoke, Jane retracted her weapons into long daggers and aimed for Jimmy's legs, trying to cripple him. But Jimmy kept dodging, leaping out of reach until he landed a kick to Jane's stomach.

She barely flinched, smirking. "That tickles." She shifted one of her daggers back into a Glock, loading it with Fire Dust.

"I hate having no strength or aura…" Jimmy sighed. Before he could finish, Jane fired, creating an explosion that knocked him out cold.

They scanned his aura with a Scroll—it was in the red.

"You lost again because of your overconfidence!" Jane and Ranger called out, laughing.

When Jimmy regained consciousness, he looked at them and sighed. "You know, my strength is nonexistent, and my aura's pathetic. But my defense… it's unshakable."

They laughed again and were soon called back to the village. As Jimmy walked ahead, he noticed how close Jane and Ranger had become. Despite his feelings of inadequacy, he was happy. No matter what, they protected each other—and, in their own way, him too.

A/N

Hello! This is my first story, and yes, it takes place in Remnant. I do plan to include Ruby, but I wanted to change things up a bit. The main character is based on an original story idea I've been working on. I'm not sure if I'll release that story yet, but I wanted to explore it here first.

I'd love your feedback to help improve my writing. I'm planning to write a proper book—it's still in the works but nearly finished. If you're wondering how to say my name, it's Lodios (pronounced Load-IS). It's a bit unusual, but it's my original creation.

I hope you enjoy this chapter! Just to give you an idea, the main character will interact with RWBY and JNPR, but not as part of their groups. I have a specific plan for how Ruby will become his priority, and I'm excited to share it with you.