Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Chapter 39: Guts vs Glory-2
The morning came and went, bringing with it a sense of irony.
Such a peaceful day, so much promise and tranquility, hid the anxious air that encompassed the heart of the warrior, Aganju. In the stands, Pyrrha sat next to her father in the Imperial box, her face twisted with apprehension at what was about to unfold. Everything was riding on this moment and, despite knowing how proficient in the art of combat he was, she couldn't help but worry for the well-being of the faunus.
"You appear disturbed, daughter..." she turned to find a sly grin on the king's lips. It was beyond repulsive to see that smile on his face but, what could she do? "Perhaps you'd feel better back at the hotel?"
"I'm fine..."
It was a lie, but what more could she say that wouldn't make the situation worse than it already was?
Pyrrha couldn't help but fixate on the two combatants standing across from each other. On one side stood her loyal 'vassal', who was now sporting a stunning bronze sleeveless tailcoat with opal trim. She couldn't quite understand why he had covered his armored detached bicep sleeves and wrists with the same opal hue, but he had promised her it would serve a purpose. His black pants got tighter below the knees and he wore calf-high open-toed sandals, which Pyrrha found quite peculiar. The cherry on top was the ceremonial-style sash that fell just above his knees, adorned with opal trim surrounding bronze - a subtle nod to the princess.
Interestingly, what hooked Pyrrha's awareness was the double-edge blade he held, each side shining a brilliant silver.
She couldn't help but wonder why he had made such an intriguing choice.
On the other side, Ashton wore a royal blue and gold-trimmed armor that appeared bulky. With his frame, it was a wonder how we managed to stand in the gaudy thing. His head was concealed by a medieval helm. He wielded traditional lance and shield combinations, each matching with his choice of attire.
A strong defense... she had to admit.
Such analysis resulted in her missing the introductions. It mattered little to her though. As far as she saw things, it was truly demeaning to have her fate in the hands of men, though at least the faunus was by her choosing and willing to assist. The crowd's cheers brought her back to the moment; no turning back.
"Be careful..." she fiddled with a green ornament that rested on the bosom of her white dress. "Please..."
The warriors took their stances, their eyes locked on each other's form, waiting for the first move. A clash of speed and defense was about to unfold, promising an eventful encounter. As they circled each other, each one plotting their strategy, Ashton's lance shifted, but Aganju wouldn't be easily baited. Frustrated, Ashton decided to take the initiative, serving the first strike and jumping with his longer weapon.
Aganju was taken aback by the fighter's readiness and quickly rolled out of the way. He twirled around to maintain some distance from his opponent but found himself in a game of cat and mouse right from the start. The fighter seemed to be enjoying himself, mocking Aganju's attempts to avoid combat.
"Coward!" he jeered. "I thought you were a ruthless killer? A monster in the arena!"
"..."
"It appears the dear princess chose a rabbit for me to chase instead of a fighter! "
Such mockery triggered laughs and boos from the crowd of humans in attendance. Even the king joined in the spectacle, hurling insults while his daughter and wife watched silently. Had Pyrrha made a mistake? Was this alleged warrior nothing more than a fraud?
No... Pyrrha knew better.
The chase continued, Ashton, trying to land a blow while Aganju ducked and dodged each thrust and swipe with a sense of urgency. The fox wasn't winning any points in the eyes of the spectators, but he didn't care. He'd continue to use his agility to avoid being hit.
"Stand still and fight me, beast!" the gladiator roared, throwing his shield in a surprising twist of rage.
The battle was intense and the stakes were high. Aganju was putting up a good fight against Ashton, but as the latter's arm connected with Aganju's forearms, he was sent sliding on the gravel and sand. With his opponent now vulnerable, Ashton knew he could finish him off with ease as he rushed forward.
But Aganju was not ready to give up just yet. His limbs were growing tired, especially his legs, as he struggled to pick himself up quickly enough. He managed to block the upward swipe of Ashton's lance with his blade, but he could feel himself being pushed backward. It was a race against time, and Aganju knew he had to come up with a new strategy to turn the tide in his favor.
He's stronger than he looks... Faster too...
Pyrrha leaned against the railing of her seat, her eyes betraying her true feelings. Fear and worry slithered around her soul, making her take shallow breaths as she watched the soldier's strength. Doubt began to fill her mind, and hushed taunts filled her with dread as Ashton jabbed at the faunus' weapon with murderous intent.
"DIE!" his voice echoed underneath his covering. "DIE! DIE! DIE!"
Aganju dropped to one knee, his posture revealing the grievous reality.
He was losing...
If this continued, he was sure to die at this rate. Ashton appeared to have him overwhelmed with swift moves that now had the vulpine scrambling for leverage. The boos soon gave way to an eruption of merriment at his state of being. To them, this was nothing more than amusement from a creature considered lower than the dirt he walked on.
Do you put your faith in his strength? Pyrrha gasped in horror at the voice that sounded eerily similar to her father's. I've told you before that they were nothing more than insignificant worms to be trampled upon. Yet you're willing to put your destiny in the hands of their kind? Pitiful...
She clenched her eyes shut, ignoring the impending pretentious roar of laughter that came from her father. Was everything he said nothing more than platitudes to calm her? Was there no truth?
She cried in her mind, the silence nearly deafening around her.
Wait...
Silence?
Pyrrha dared to open an eye, finding that nobody, not even her father made a sound. They were all frozen in shock at whatever was happening before them. She would end up the most surprised when she turned to find Aganju no longer on the ground. Instead, it was a fair fight. Ashton was on the defensive now, fatigued from his earlier rampage.
Everyone was trying to understand what'd happen in such a short amount of time, yet there was no feasible answer to be had.
But, Pyrrha had an idea...
Just like before... she dared to crack a smile, her grip on the banister threatening to break the wood itself.
The two resumed their contest, allowing the princess to gather her thoughts. She recalled his previous battle against the trio of brothers, the wave of fear and anxiety of death's call triggering a shift in the faunus warrior.
Ashton's eyes blazed with fury as he swung his lance with all his might, determined to strike his opponent down. However, Aganju was quick and agile, twisting his body to the left and bringing his blade up to meet the blow with full force. The arena echoed with the sound of metal meeting metal as the impact cracked the spear's handle, forcing Ashton to drop it in surprise.
Not one to be outdone, Aganju's grip on his weapon slipped, but he regained his composure and stood ready for whatever came next. The tension in the air was palpable as both warriors stood, weaponless, and determined to emerge victorious.
"Heh... It would appear we are at a stale- Oof!"
Ashton's boasting would have to wait as Aganju rushed at him with a flying knee. He was fortunate enough that his helm took the bulk of the impact, the massive dent nearly cutting into his features. he wouldn't have much to do about it as he felt the vulpine's hand horse collar him into the ground. Such a crude act was fair game as neither was armed, leaving Ashton in a dubious position.
This was no longer a battle of skill but of will.
Aganju knew this as he stalked the insufferable male. He couldn't give him a chance to fight back if he was to win, that was the number one rule from the bloody past he'd hoped to leave behind. The pathetic human finally managed to remove the badly damaged helmet, only to wish that he hadn't Now it was his turn to unleash his rage as his left eye, burning sanguine gleamed with pure malevolence.
Ashton did his best to scurry away, his terror pouring out before the eyes of many.
"Please... Please! Mercy!" he whimpered, continuing his hastened retreat.
"Not interested..."
"No! I can make you rich! Give you a place in my court!" he pleaded. "I can have you sent back home!"
Aganju paused, if only for a moment. With a blink, his rage vanished, suddenly replaced with something that he hadn't felt in a long time. That look on his face was hope; a possibility of reclaiming that which was lost. The idea of using this pathetic excuse for a warrior was tempting. Stinging tears began to form, and a sharp pain pierced his side, causing him to stumble back a few steps. It wasn't a deep wound, but it did the job.
His moment of hesitation had bought Ashton enough time to retrieve his weapon nearby. No, he was wielding Aganju's blade, rushing forward to finish him off.
"Die, miserable mutt!" he thundered triumphantly. "Burn in hell- Mmmf!"
His boasting would seal his fate as he felt his thin face smothered by the faunus' hand. Just as quickly as the hate had disappeared, that volcanic rage returned in quick succession behind the burning gaze of the fox. Using his momentum, Aganju let the strongest roar he could muster as he slammed the noble's head into the gravel.
The blow was enough as Ashton lay in the dirt, semiconscious. What little strength he had was given to reminding him of the painful blow as well as the embarrassing reality that befell him. Above him stood the cold, unnerving frame of his conqueror. The baking sun made him look like a phantom; Death's counterpart ready to drag his soul into the depths of hell itself.
Was this the difference between the two rings of combat?
"I... I concede!"
His confession rang throughout the prestigious stadium, leaving an awkward stillness in its wake. The pressure of the wind was the only one that'd dare challenge this, whistling around without concern for the scene that'd unfolded.
Back at the Imperial stand, Pyrrha felt lightheaded. Her heart was elated but her mind was still trying to process the truth of what'd happened.
It was over.
The people surrounding her were silent, except for a few murmurs. Aganju had emerged as the winner, standing over the fallen soldier.
This meant that Pyrrha would no longer be forced to marry the arrogant man her father had chosen as her suitor since her chosen champion had defeated her father's preferred candidate. Pyrrha didn't want to take away Aganju's victory, so she stood up and slowly started clapping, showing her appreciation by tossing flowers towards him.
Her act would be joined in slowly by a few more until a full-on ovation for the faunus.
Surrounded by adulation, he was unsure of what to do at this point. Normally, he'd just go back to the pit where he'd await the next match but this time? This time, he was being praised for winning, not killing. The cheers and encouraging words made him uneasy but, once he laid eyes on the smiling face of the princess, Pyrrha, he couldn't help but succumb to the infectious gesture, a crooked smirk adorning his lips.
He bowed to her, earning a trio of reactions.
From the princess, a blush and tittered at such a kind gesture.
The Queen beamed with delight at her daughter's response as well as the warrior's triumph.
The King? He too joined in the sea of applause, but there was more behind his eyes.
Bloodlust. Hatred...
Aganju was a smart man who never missed an opportunity. He confidently reached for a rose with thorns on its stem and presented it to Pyrrha, who gratefully accepted it. Despite the king's anger burning in his eyes, Aganju remained unfazed and understood the situation perfectly. He knew that by igniting the king's fury, he could either force him into making a rash decision that would go against the people's wishes or let the king stew in his anger until he found a more appropriate outlet.
"All hail the faunus! Aganju!" members of the crowd continued to cheer to the point that the king couldn't hold his silence.
King Valentin stood to his feet, doing his best to quiet the crowd. His subjects soon complied with his orders, allowing him to address the resulting circumstances. Aganju stood back out of respect for the office of the crown. In truth, he wanted to avoid being blindsided, just in case, there was another hurdle awaiting.
"My people!" The king boomed throughout the arena. "We give recognition to the two combatants for such an entertaining match! Their efforts to entertain will not go without praise! That being said, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that Lord Ashton will NOT be my daughter's suitor, despite his best efforts to challenge such a brutal style of the victor."
Aganju and Pyrrha eyed the king in puzzlement.
"But, it is with great pleasure that I offer him a place within the house of Nikos. Will you, Aganju join my ranks as a knight?"
So, this was his ace... Pyrrha twisted her head in horror at what she'd just heard.
Meanwhile, Aganju's face never flinched. He wasn't expecting this particularly, but he foresaw nothing short of underhanded tactics from a man known for enacting power plays to demonize the faunus. Valentin had a reputation of malignancy when it came to those like the faunus and it was beginning to rear its ugly head now.
Was this the king's objective the whole time?
Pyrrha couldn't help but stare in disgust, knowing how this was to play out.
If Aganju accepted, he'd be conscripted into the king's army, most likely on the frontlines to die. Either that, or he'd be forced to serve the king's every whim; just another form of slavery in a different form.
However, if he rejected the proposal, especially in public, it was seen as blatant disrespect to the crown and Aganju would be slated for prison or execution. Nobody was permitted to deny him without proper cause for such a deed.
One would think that an outcome such as this would trouble the already exhausted Aganju, but, it didn't. Much to the surprise of many, he simply muttered to himself, earning a questionable glare from the king.
Was this checkmate?
"Speak up! What say you?"
"My king," he began, a dark glare directed back at the man. "Were this before this week, such an offer would have an appeal that no mortal in Mistral could resist. Unfortunately, it is with great sorrow to announce to you that I am unable to accept such a generous proposal."
"Unable?" the monarch tilted his head, stroking his beard curiously. "...and to what reason prevents your agreement?"
Aganju merely pointed to a surprised Pyrrha, her face reddening like a tomato. Her chest throbbed from her hastening pulse. What was he planning to say? Was this a marriage proposal?
"I am already obliged to the house of Nikos, Your Majesty. As your daughter's vassal, I am bound to her until or unless she releases me from her service. Without such a commission, I cannot be directly integrated within your royal ranks. Therefore, I am unable to accept such a glorious request, under your declaration for me to protect her with my life."
Awe washed over the princess's features at the truth behind the vulpine's words. It was a royal decree put into place by her father's very own hand and yet, it went unheeded until now. She wondered how he knew of such things given his past, but she could always question him about it later. By now, the king was grinding his teeth at the revelation.
He was bound by his decree; his word was law.
Sadly, it was turned against him, and by a lowly faunus no less.
Aganju simply wiped away some of the dirt from his arm nonchalantly. If one were to hazard a guess, they would be forgiven for thinking that he had a death wish given how many times, he flirted with danger. Still, he was taking measured steps, nothing more than what was necessary. He'd been threatened with death so many times it mattered little to him if he met with her sweet embrace now.
"Very well..." King Alessandro finally relented. "...if it's my daughter's wishes, then you are free to remain as her vassal."
Pyrrha said nothing but retained her smile as she bowed in compliance with the contract.
It allowed her to regain control of her life as well as contribute something on her end of the bargain. As she mentioned before, she had no reason to control Aganju and was always planning to bring him out of bondage with her, albeit in a verbal capacity. This only made the deal more official, but the results would remain the same.
Aganju bowed and, with a small grin at the princess, took his leave through the main tunnel to await his 'master'. After arriving in the waiting room, he plopped on a nearby bench.
The pain in his side pulsated with each beat of his heart. His body felt heavy and his breathing slightly shallow as he clutched at the laceration. His mouth felt dry and his vision began to grow blurry, forcing himself to focus by gingerly shaking his head. None of this helped his plight as he felt the need for sleep beginning to overtake him. He scanned the subtly lavish room, noticing that he was truly alone within.
Maybe I'll... shut my eyes... he yawned. Just for a moment.
The faunus' anguish began to fade as he felt his body tilting forward unexpectedly. He braced himself for impact, but instead of a hard fall, he felt himself being caught and supported. His head was swimming and he struggled to ask what was happening, but his exhaustion overtook him and he surrendered to sleep. When he woke up, he found himself lying on his back in a more comfortable position.
Someone had caught him and gently placed him down.
"Oh no! You're hurt!"
Throughout his weakness, Aganju did his best to peer through overcast lids. Red. But, it was short... It couldn't have been the princess. Her voice had a cheerful melody to it. This person sounded more nasally and excitable than what he was used to hearing, though he would succumb to the clutches of unconsciousness.
"How could this have happened?!" The king roared, pacing furiously inside the humble chamber. "This wasn't supposed to happen!"
"Like you, it appears that your daughter has no limits to get what she wants, Valentin..."
A raging fire flashed behind Valentin Niko's eyes as he turned toward the shadows. He could've sworn that he was alone; Persephone was busy shopping and Pyrrha had made it abundantly clear that she was going to be tending to her vassal's health.
"Who's there?! Show yourself!"
As if on cue, a bloody stare broke and answered the call as an armored figure emerged from the shadowed corner. The king immediately deciphered the identity of his unexpected guest; a grotesque mask, white as bone, did little to conceal the truth.
"Branwen."
"Nikos."
"You have a lot of nerve showing your face, Raven" he growled lowly, serving only to feed the amusement of his company.
"Spare me the bravado. We both know I wouldn't even be here if you hadn't summoned me," Raven simpered, removing her mask to reveal twisted glee settling on her lips. Setting the cover down, she cut her gaze toward the lone entrance. "Will you do the honors?"
The king's snarl weakened though his lips remained twisted. Raising a hand, a black fog covered the entrance.
"Our voices are sealed behind these walls so we can talk in peace" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sure you heard about today's event?"
"Cut to the chase, Valentin. You didn't summon me here just to discuss the lackluster results of your gambling habit. If you weren't king, you'd probably be rotting in a gutter by now."
"Your words are like venom, Raven..." He deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Sweet to the tongue, deadly like a blade," She savored his feigned annoyance. "Now, if we're done catching up, why don't you tell me who you're hiring me to remove?"
King Nikos of Argus sat in a nearby chair and let out a labored huff before addressing the woman. He knew what was to pass his lips would settle matters in one way or another. He eyed the Bandit Queen for a few more moments, pondering if this was all worth it.
"Everything was supposed to go smoothly," he sighed while burying his head in his hand. "My daughter was deemed to be a delicate flower, eager to blossom into a woman dedicated to the finer things in life, and yet, she wound up becoming... She was never supposed to be this stubborn and bullheaded. She was to be wed to a proper suitor who would protect and spoil her."
"...and now that you're out of potential bastards to force on her, you want me to get rid of them. Correct?"
"You make it sound so morbid."
"Can't blame me. You raised her..." Raven rolled her eyes, clearly losing her patience. "Spare me the ending to this pity party and hand over the official decree."
Valentin bowed his head in shame but reached into his robe to brandish the parchment. However, just before relinquishing it, he snatched his hand back. Raven almost thought he'd lost the nerve to do the deed, but one look in his stern glare put an end to such a nonsensical idea.
"You understand what I am asking of you, Raven?"
"Brothers above!" The Bandit Queen shook her head in dismay. "It's not like you're requesting me to do anything serious! It's not like you're asking for me to bring you the head of one of your enemies. It's one girl! I think I can handle a single child, even if you taught her... Now, give me the damn order so I can be on my way!"
"You're wrong..."
"Excuse me?" she blinked cautiously.
"My daughter isn't the one I want you to eradicate."
The king watched as the woman's frustration slowly melted away, leaving only uncertainty to rest on the pale woman's features. What she suspected to be a simple assassination job was now something far more interesting.
"If your brat isn't the one I'm supposed to eliminate, then who?"
"Aganju..."
The faunus began to stir, groaning softly as he struggled to open his eyes. He'd hoped to rest a bit longer as his body felt like it was being crushed under the weight of the world.
On top of that, the gentle blackness of his closed lids only meant that he'd be flooded by the harsh light of either the room or the sun itself. Not to mention, he was also forced to acknowledge the pain in his side, a token of the battle he won. Either way, he wasn't eager to return to full consciousness so quickly.
"Perhaps he needs convincing?" another voice chimed in, a male voice filled with dignity and glass.
"Say no more!" Once again, that nasal tone shattered what little solace Aganju could hold onto.
However, the voice was the least of his worries, or at least it was merely the harbinger of something far worse. What Aganju didn't expect was someone plopping themselves on his chest. The dull pain in his side grew slightly sharper in a matter of seconds, forcing his eyes wide open. Anger tried to well up, but what he found was more shocking than anything he had prepared himself for.
Soft candles adorned a wooden room; not the inn where he was originally staying, but close enough. The scents of Jasmine and lavender filled the room, like a cool mist. Even the sound of rain caught his ear, making the left one twitch.
"You're awake..." she whispered, helping him into an upright position before embracing him once more. "I was worried that you'd be in this state indefinitely."
"Nngh... I'm fine" he muttered at the princess hugging him, posing to wipe his face to hide the sudden rush of heat to his cheeks. When that didn't work, "It's just a flesh wound. Nothing serious."
"Not exactly..."
Both Pyrrha and Aganju turned their attention to the polite fellow standing near the door. He was rather tall, a bit shorter than Aganju by a bit, however. He had long black hair with a pink streak that matched his eyes. Standing next to him was a far shorter girl, standing at 5'1", shifting back and forth with a wide grin. The most notable thing about her though was her rather short red hair, the same hair he vaguely recalled before passing out.
"Who... are you?" Aganju's eyes narrowed somewhat.
"I am Lie Ren... Ren for short" the young man bowed respectfully, further shocking him. "...This is my partner, Nora."
"Glad to meet you!" she waved enthusiastically.
"Aganju..." he replied evenly.
"They're friends of mine, Aganju," Pyrrha beamed casually. "Nora was the one who found you when you fell unconscious. She was able to convince Ren to take you in while you recovered."
Aganju felt his stomach tie in knots at what he was told. Sure, he had a good reason to be cautious of humans and their motives; The king, Ashton, and the majority of humanity came to mind. Nevertheless, he had enough of an understanding that some were sincerely kind. Pyrrha and her mother, the queen, were good examples of that.
Now, this Ren and Nora pair were nice enough to tend to him when he was in bad shape?
"Thank you both," he allowed a shy smile to surface. "I hope I wasn't too much trouble."
Ren was about to ensure that things weren't so bad until Nora jumped in between the group.
"It was nothing! Well... Once Ren took care of the poison, you slept like an angel."
"Poison?"
The Asian man side-eyed the redhead but sighed in agreement.
"There will be time to explain soon, but first, are you able to move properly?"
Aganju tested his limbs. Wiggling fingers and toes. Stretching. Shifting, albeit gingerly.
"Aside from a little grogginess, everything seems to be in proper shape."
"Good. Because you both need to leave as soon as possible."
Why the hell is this happening?!
The cold air cut into the skin of the princess' face as she rushed through the clouded timberland. Her every step forward made her feet ache through and through, serving to slow Pyrrha down just enough to rob Pyrrha of any semblance of contentment. Thankfully, she wasn't alone, her vassal... No. Her partner, Aganju was pulling up from the rear.
"Don't stop!" he gasped down the panic itching in his throat.
Pyrrha hadn't questioned him regarding such a change of tone, but Aganju could tell that she wanted to know. Only their attempt to escape their pursuers warranted their focus more as the shattered moon eerily illuminated the lone trail before them. No longer were Ren and Nora around to support them; their attention was put toward diverting the assault that happened, promising to rejoin the pair as soon as they could.
The princess feared the worst for her allies.
The prince of Kuroyuri and warrior of thunder were more than capable of handling themselves when the raid happened. Several armored bandits arrived several minutes after they'd departed the inn, but it only bought them enough time to flee the kingdom. Aganju wondered why they were leaving Mistral and not heading back to the upper ring to her parents to which she sternly replied:
"I cannot endanger my family..."
Such a noble sentiment didn't go unnoticed by the faunus; an admirable trait, if not misguided. While he understood Pyrrha's need to protect her mother, he couldn't fathom the reason why she'd want to keep that pompous ass of a king safe.
Grant it, he was her father so he wouldn't make a fuss.
They both stopped to catch their breaths by ducking behind a hollowed-out tree, each deep inhale sweeter than the last. Pyrrha leaned against the large trunk while Aganju kept an eye on the main road. Mismatched eyes narrowed, alert and concerned, scanning the area from their hiding spot.
"Do you think they're alright?" she now lamented.
"Ren and Nora? I'm sure they can handle themselves... That Nora looks like she could handle an army alone."
"No..." she slowly shook her head, downcast eyes shaking with tears. "I mean my parents. They must be worried about me..."
Any protest that was sure to come had to wait when the faunus' ear twitched violently. The faintest snap of a branch above drew his glower to the growth above. Crispy leaves cut by the wind fell with an unsettling grace yet his gaze never left the shadows overhead.
"Aganju?" he couldn't hear the princess' voice as his senses had blocked everything else out.
"What's wrong?" he remained still as she shuffled closer to him, her worried tone continuing to go unnoticed.
Where are you?
Pyrrha's concern soon pivoted to desperation as she continued her attempt to draw the vulpine's attention, futile as they may be. He was too engrossed in scouring the land around them, trailing the tiniest noise. His instincts were sharp but he still couldn't pinpoint where they were. Was it a single person or were there more? For all of those reasons, he couldn't afford to lose his concentration.
"Aganju!"
"Run..." he whispered with a resonant glower.
"What?"
"Just run."
"But what about-?"
"Just go!"
His warning was too late as several hands reached from the shadows, each one dragging her into the depths. No scream, but Aganju was able to see the panic in her eyes just before she vanished deep in the woods. Aganju was about to give chase when a black and red portal appeared giving entrance to a familiar soul. His eyes shot wide and his blood ran cold as a young woman sped out with a sneer.
She slashed at him with her dual crescent blades, narrowly missing him by a hair only to pivot on the ball of her foot. Once again her attack missed the mark but only due to the fox preparing for her attack this time, blocked by his dual-ended blade. Their steel rang into the night with each attempt to hurt the other, the sound carried off into the wind.
"You're quite the warrior..." the woman taunted, her lips curled slightly in jest. "I was sure you'd fall to the first strike I threw."
Aganju said nothing, his eyes narrowing in irritation at his opponent.
"Oh... You must be the silent brooding type, huh?"
"Where. Is. She?"
He expected her to string him along a bit longer, but to his surprise, icy blue eyes darted toward the shadows behind him. "You know the way she went. But, I doubt she'd be alive after being taken by our scouts. We have orders to eliminate her, so there's no reason to chase after a corpse."
"No... You're lying!"
"Am I?" she snickered. "You heard her last scream, right? Those ears of yours should be able to detect the smallest trace of her voice... Or at least they would if she were still alive."
As much as Aganju hated her retort, there was some unfortunate truth behind her words, at least in theory. But, he was always taught to believe that the princess was a top-notch warrior in her own right, trained by her ruthless father on top of that. His senses were sharp but, even he had to admit that they had their limits.
What was he to believe?
"...and, what about me?"
The woman tucked a little of her short brown hair behind her ear before taking a battle stance.
"If I were you, I'd continue to the border and get the hell out of this country. While I don't care much for your kind, I guess with that royal gone, you're free to live your life elsewhere."
His eyes grew hard and narrowed, the rage smoldering behind the blood ruby of his right eye contorting his visage only adding to the intensity of his gaze.
"Give her back..." he snarled, his tone a menacing tonality.
"You would fight for her?" the woman choked at his resolve. "Her father is the king! He's mainly responsible for the state of the faunus here! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree..."
"NOW!" he roared, sending a shiver down her spine.
His eye burned with a sinister glow as he lunged at the woman. She raised her blades to deflect the blow but such an attack never came. Several seconds passed and still nothing. Her brows tightened once she began opening her eyes. She would find that she was alone, only scattered leaves accompanying her as she turned her head to the darkness behind her.
"Fool..." she smiled bitterly. "He was cute though."
Meanwhile, Aganju rushed through the forest as fast as his legs would carry him. He swung his weapon blindingly at any obstacle that got in his way. "Pyrrha?" he called out, his rage now morphed into trepidation. "Pyrrha!" he called out, hacking at a series of brushes until he arrived along the outskirts of a town where he was met with a sight he didn't expect.
His gaze remained fixed on the bodies lying motionless on the ground, then on the kneeling woman covered in blood; Pyrrha. Her previously done hair now hung wildly, some strands clinging to her sweaty profile.
Her eyes narrowed as she stood up.
"Pyrrha?"
"You... You came?" she slowly approached him, her body swaying lazily with each step. The hope behind her sad gaze made Aganju uneasy, even more, when he noticed tears beginning to form under her emeralds. That's when his eyes caught sight of the small lacerations along her arms and the deep cut on her left shoulder. "I thought you left!"
The pain in her voice was only accentuated by the desperation behind her embrace to which he hesitantly reciprocated. Neither of them moved after that. Aganju could feel his pulse hammering through his chest; he could even feel Pyrrha's heartbeat thumping in sync. She smelled nice, jasmine and lemongrass, drawing out a warmth he hadn't felt in such a long time.
This wasn't like him. He was usually detached from people, unable to connect with a stranger, yet here he was, comforting the princess of Mistral. Perhaps it was the fright behind her smile?
Aganju knew that sensation all too well; memories of when he was sold off to fight for his life. The witnessing and experience of shedding the blood of his fellow faunus brought along that feeling for the first few months before he'd become conditioned to bury such weakness.
Weakness...?
"Isn't this a touching scene?"
Several footsteps moved under the moonlight revealing a trio of women. The first to be recognized was the brunette from earlier, her icy pools amused at the scene in front of her. The second was a blond wearing a... bone mask. Aganju's eyes widened, enraged. He remembered her as one-half of the reason for his downfall.
The other half stood in between the two, removing her mask to reveal a pale-skinned woman with sanguine eyes.
Those eyes...
Those damn pools of suffering and anguish made Aganju's blood boil. Unknown to him, his right eye began to glow with his fury. This couldn't be the person he'd known for almost a year. This wasn't the woman who took him in after his arrival to Garneta. How could he betray them like this, especially after everything they'd been through?
"Stay back..."
The red-eyed woman placed a hand on her hip, her smirk rising, turning her head toward the masked blond. "Doesn't this remind you of something?"
"Reminds me of the time I dropped this wannabe tough guy with a single punch."
"Try it this time and see what happens!" Aganju boomed.
The woman stepped in between the two.
"That's quite enough. We didn't come here looking for a fight." Everyone pointed a curious brow at her, most notably Aganju and Pyrrha. She ignored their skepticism and continued toward the defensive pair. She cared little if they feared her or were just being cautious. "Given our history, I admire your attempt at chivalry, even if it's only to salvage your bruised ego and-"
"You're wrong..."
"What?"
"I'm protecting her because she's hurt, by your bandits!" Aganju narrowed his eyes, his sweaty hair clinging to his warlike visage. "I don't care about any of that. All that matters is that her safety is my top priority. I promised to protect her and I stand by that oath until she releases me from our pact or I die."
"That can be arranged..." The blond pounded her fist into her palm only to be stopped when the dark-haired woman cut her eyes upon her.
"I said, we aren't here to fight...! "
"But what about-?"
"Am I clear, Yang?!" she boomed, making the blond flinch from her ferocity. She remained silent, allowing her leader to return her attention to the exhausted pair. "This doesn't have to end in bloodshed. Just hand over the girl and you can leave."
Aganju didn't budge, his shoulders being what was keeping Pyrrha standing. He could feel her trembling against him, her haggard breath fanning the fuse of his resolve. He felt a smirk starting to surface but he pushed it back as the woman loured in frustration.
"Stubborn boy..."
"Nothing you say will change my mind. I'm not letting you kill her..."
Pyrrha peered over at Aganju with exhaustive eyes, her tiredness clashing with the jolt of such a desire to protect. She was injured; a liability to him and yet, even with the prospect of freedom and a new life he refused to hand her over. Were it not for the throbbing pain coursing through her, Pyrrha would've hugged the fox for his selfless bravery.
"Very well..." All eyes turned to the bandit queen as she put on her helm. "...If you will not yield, then you both will meet the same fate."
The princess showed no signs of understanding, but her vassal prepared himself for what was to come. Little did they know, the woman had already nothing to hide as she unsheathed her sword, Omen, only to slice the air beside her. Aganju recognized it all too well, shuddering at the cursed doorway. His stomach tightened at the memory of being knocked out without so much as a fight.
"If you're set on protecting the fallen noble, then you leave me no choice."
Once more, she reached for the accursed blade, drawing it with blinding speed. With the slash, another doorway emerged behind Aganju and Pyrrha. With a silent nod, Yang used the distraction to push the pair inside, hearing their screams fade as the portal shut.
The deed was done, but Raven could tell that something was troubling the two girls.
"Speak freely, Vernal..."
"Are you sure that this was the best course of action?" she eyed the spot where the duo once stood. "Such an act could end up backfiring on us and the tribe should the king ever decide to go back on the deal."
Vernal expected her leader to be furious for doubting her judgment only to find the woman chuckling softly as she sheathed her blade.
"Your concern, Vernal, while understandable, is not required. Valentin tasked me with exterminating the faunus, not her," she ignored the confusion that washed over the girl's features, though she was happy to oblige their curiosity. "But, he also made it clear that should she happen to fall during the scuffle, then we wouldn't be implicated; in other words..."
"The plan was always to eliminate them both..." Yang spoke up, crossing her arms as Raven nodded in confirmation.
"So why didn't you allow us to kill them then?"
"Elimination doesn't always require bloodshed, my daughters. " Raven lamented, pressing forward into the woods. "The same applies to the refugees we've relocated to Menagerie and elsewhere. As far as we're concerned, the client got what they wanted, so we're done here. Tell the remaining men to gather the fallen and report to the camp. Understood?"
As the pair acknowledged, Raven dismissed them before considering her actions. By now, most of her adopted kin were gone, mainly to start anew. She wasn't too keen on them leaving, but it was their lives to live after all. Fox and Coco remained, nevertheless, leaving her with a healthy means of intelligence and espionage when needed. However, an emptiness still plagued her at the thought of the now missing pair.
"Such fire..." she smirked bitterly. "I wonder if you can maintain those flames when we meet again?"
A single tear fell from her crimson orbs, shining under the beams of the moon until it fell onto the earth below. That symbol of vulnerability was wiped away before she slashed open another doorway. There was much to do back in her domain, starting with sharing the news with the king.