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 40: Turning Point-1
Some time would pass rather quickly after that night.
Upon their success, Raven wasted no time smuggling the rescued faunus out of the continent. Once they were safely out at sea, they were taken to Menagerie, far away from the cruelty of Anima's caste system. Despite her alleged allegiance to Valentin, she felt proud of their success after seeing the king's face morph from disbelief to outrage to deep contemplation.
Why wouldn't she?
I must say that she's played her role rather well... too well for my liking.
However, with every action, there would be consequences...
Dire consequences.
Unhappy with the loss of their 'assets', Valentin Nikos and his cohorts implemented heavier restrictions on the remaining faunus.
First, those who were to be sold would be branded. Illegal Faunus rings were also erected as a sadistic form of 'entertainment'. Depending on where one would travel, some contests were even fought to the death. Those awaiting their fates in one of the many ranches would endure even harsher conditions. From vicious beatings to starvation to outright torture treatments, it mattered little to Valentin or his accomplices. So long as their methods reaped desired results, they would continue. It's funny how a single act can bring out one's true self and desire; the hearts of the so-called superior race truly manifesting the darkest fissures of man's weakness within themselves.
Their hatred seemingly knew no bounds as time marched on.
The combined efforts of the alliance had an unexpected and devastating consequence. It triggered a chain reaction among the people of Mistral, leading to a tragic turn of events. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Mistralian Union underwent a coup, transforming from a unified council of leaders to an autocracy. This led to only certain areas being deemed safe havens for the faunus, while the open lands became the perfect hunting grounds for human traffickers under the iron fist of the new regime. It's a harrowing tale of power, tragedy, and the far-reaching consequences of our actions.
With Valentin at the helm of military power, the recovering Winchester family soon got their wish after striking a deal that would guarantee mass faunus labor to those high in standing, including Atlas' Schnee Empire; More workers meant more money to be made.
I find no joy in this outcome, but if it reaps the desired outcome, then the ends would justify the means.
Pyrrha's supposed death.
Aganju's disappearance.
This was the moment in time required to rectify my mistakes.
I believed that they'd be enemies in this world. Humans and faunus were supposed to hate each other and yet, to my dismay, they still managed to retain the bonds outside my domain. While time exists only if I will it, it felt like I'd waited an eternity seeking even the smallest cracks in their armor.
Race.
Class.
Prejudice.
Nothing seemed to put so much as a dent in their defenses despite neither knowing the truth of their positions. I had to take a different approach. After Raven's actions, I found the moment I sought for. The pair found themselves on the shores of Vale, as promised. However, their saving grace would hold differing outcomes for the pair.
I had hoped that things would subside after Pyrrha's discovery, but, my efforts and calculations could not measure a soul's strength. I suspect the departed professor was correct when he mentioned this. That won't stop me from keeping them from returning. While I may not have dominion over the minds and hearts of this world, I am still the authority of this realm.
Perhaps, instead of trying to reshape the future, I should consult the past.
Sedluk Cross Island, once bustling with life and full of light, was now nothing but a hollow shell of its former self. The only sounds that could be heard in this desolate place were the occasional bird calls and the howling wind. It had become home to one of the roughest prisons in Remnant. The prison was surrounded by black stone walls that obstructed any view of the ocean and, by extension, freedom.
It was a tactic to ensure that any convict would give up on any presumption of escaping, and it succeeded. The interior of the place was no better with the only areas exhibiting any form of life being the yard.
Imagine a place where only the most dangerous criminals are sent - a place that's so secure that it's almost impossible to escape. That's exactly what the Atlas-Mistral prison was like. From the see-through cell doors to the automated guards, everything about this prison was designed to keep even the most hardened criminals locked up for good. It was a place where people were sent to serve life sentences or await their execution - forsaken by the outside world and left to rot in a place fit only for the worst of the worst.
The cries of agony blended in with various sounds. The crack of whips. Unveiled threats from one prisoner to another. Debauched patrols abusing their power. Danger lurking around every corner. This was, quite possibly, the closest place to hell on earth. Nothing was off-limits here.
"Chow time! Wake up, maggots!" a voice over the intercom yelled, breaking the discord symphony.
The eerie silence of Sedluk Cross prison was shattered as the cell doors began to vanish one by one. The 'residents' of this forsaken place, both men and women, shuffled out of their cells like ghosts, uncertain of what the day may bring. The daily routine of heading to the mess hall seemed to be a facade for those on the surface level, for not all were as fortunate as they appeared. The air was thick with an impending sense of doom as if the walls themselves were warning them of the horrors to come.
Below them were the prisoners who were the true inhabitants of this harsh jail.
They were forced to work underground, mining the islands' soil for any trace of dust. This was yet another way for their kind to be exploited without any repercussions from those in power. No one cared about the faunus who were working under duress just to enrich the wealthy. Even with the treacherous conditions, injuries, or death they simply meant that there was one less mouth to feed, at least until it was time for another to take their place. On top of the humiliation, they were fitted with 'special collars' that locked their auras to discourage any uprisings.
With it being lunchtime though, most of the faunus were permitted very little time to enjoy the meals given to them. Among them, a fox faunus had just finished grabbing his tray before heading back to his cell. He was outfitted in a dingy grey jumpsuit that he wore from the waist down. A pair of heterochromatic jewels glared at the dismal meal afforded to him; familiarity breeds contempt, right? He sat down on the dirt floor after manually slamming the door to his cell closed. He didn't want to be disturbed as he prepared to scarf down the lumpy grey food.
"Open up, mutt!" a voice called out from the other side. His ears twitched painfully as he glared under the dusky lights toward the door. Yet, despite this, he remained where he sat, setting his tray on a nearby cot as the metal door slowly slid open. With arms crossed, he watched as two guards stepped in, dragging a whimpering young woman by her hair. "Umbrae?"
Umbrae...?
"Hey!"
"What?!" he peered over his shoulder, visualizing the extinction of the guard pestering him.
"Got some fresh meat for ya!" the greasy soldier guffawed, tossing the woman at the vulpine's feet. "You might like this one. The bitch got a nice set on her. Try not to break her too badly."
As they leave, the young woman knows that she's walking into a dangerous situation. She's brought a blanket with her, but it's not enough to protect her from what's to come. She's vulnerable, unable to fight or use her semblance due to the collar inhibiting her from doing so. She's in a precarious position, trapped with the male faunus. She backs away slowly, scooting back toward the door, but she knows that it's futile. The dark circles under dull amber eyes observe her with intent, and she can't help but feel a sense of dread.
Even then, there was a spark that refused to burn out.
What will happen next?
However, while she expected the male faunus to assert his dominance and have his way with her, she was instead greeted by something else far less frightening. Cautiously, she opened her eyes to find him grunting as he removed the top of his shirt, revealing a scarred and toned torso. She couldn't help but blush at the sight of him. Meanwhile, as he folded the top before handing it over to her, he noticed that she was covering herself even more closely than before, specifically her lower region.
"Here..." he stated gently, counting her act as nerves.
She eyes him momentarily before snatching the shirt out of his hand. From there, she watched as he turned around, allowing her some privacy as she moved to put it on. It was a rather large fit given her much slimmer figure, but it worked, all the same, covering everything just past her ass. She still held the dusty blanket close to herself from the waist down, still uncertain of the guy's kindness.
"Are you done?" she heard him ask irritably. "I'd like to look at something other than the dirt walls."
"Must be hard getting through the days then. Hmm?"
Seeing how he wouldn't take the bait, she swiftly put on the dingy top, using the blanket as a skirt in the meantime.
"Fine. I'm decent now."
The fox and his new cellmate sat in an uneasy silence, both sizing each other up. He couldn't help but notice her striking features - tall, slender, and undeniably fit. There was an alluring sensuality about her, yet she exuded a tough exterior that he found intriguing. Her jet-black hair cascaded over one eye, but her piercing golden gaze was impossible to ignore. For a moment, he felt like he knew those eyes, but he couldn't place her. The mystery of her only made her more interesting.
Little did he know, she mirrored his senses.
"What are you in for?"
"Hmm?"
"What did you do to make them throw you down here?" she arched a brow. "I was led to believe this place held the biggest and worst criminals in Remnant. Color me disappointed when I find a mere pup among wolves..."
"Day one and you're already starting shit? That's not wise unless you have a death wish."
"Should I be afraid?"
"Only if you don't want your throat ripped out?"
"Is that what they accused you of? I hear that princess was your kidnap victim..."
A roar ripped through the air. The woman shivered when she found herself caught between the now-feral faunus. He bore his fangs, digging his nails into the cold soil behind her. His eyes now held an eerie crimson glow. Trembling, the woman had a complete picture of the snarling beast before her. This was the epitome of evil, capable of ripping her to shreds with ease staring back at her...
...and it excited her?
"How do I get eyes like that?"
Her velvet voice made the faunus' head tilt in confusion. Even though her life was in danger, there was no fear to be found in his new cellmate. Steadily, he backed away. Deep breaths allowed him to return to his original state while she wiped her cheek. A thin line crossed her cheek, spilling a droplet of sanguine liquid down to her lips.
"What... Who the hell are you?" he eyed his fellow prisoner with growing skepticism.
The woman ignored the question, eyeing the state of her new home. There was nothing of note besides the company, a cot on either side of the room, and a tray of food. Though it didn't nearly appear to be appetizing, her stomach couldn't care less. For a moment, she'd forgotten about the faunus, her mind solely focused on the tray only to find herself surprised when said tray was placed in front of her.
"Whoever you are, you'd better eat up..." he handed over the plate while keeping a close eye on her. "If you're on the schedule, you'll want your stomach full before you have to work."
Though he came off a bit harsh, the woman didn't miss the amused chuckle her gave her afterward.
She glimpsed over at him as he went over to his cot, lying down with his back to her. Despite her earlier confidence, it didn't take long for her to heed his advice, scarfing down the bland slop, and spurning the horrendous flavor. Once she finally finished, she felt guilty after realizing that her cellmate had nothing left for himself.
"You're surprisingly kind for a would-be killer..."
"I didn't...!"
"Oh?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm not what you think I am" he forced himself to sit up, his irritation on full display. "All you need to know is that my only crime is being what I am and nothing more."
"You were accused due to her status then? Being sent here spells out a completely different tale. From what I heard, you were a merciless monster looking to solidify your name at the expense of the most hated man in Mistral. Why you two were on the shore of Vale is beyond me though... Do you have an explanation for that, Aganju?"
Aganju's ears perked up at the mention of his name. That cautious energy brought goosebumps to his skin as he tried to make sense of this woman. Despite being in the worst prison, seemingly for life, she was calmer for a newbie. None of this made sense. Even he wasn't able to achieve this measure of zen in these forsaken depths until about a year after his incarceration.
"If you know my name, then is it safe to assume you're no ordinary inmate?"
"Took you long enough," she allowed a gentle simper to pass her lips. "I'm here on an important mission."
This time it was his turn to laugh a bit, mostly due to the absurdity of such an outlandish claim.
"What kind of person would send someone on a kamikaze mission to this hellhole? What could be so significant for you to agree to come here?"
"I would say to check a mirror, but I believe that's considered contraband, right?"
Aganju's eyes widened at the woman's assertion. She was tasked with finding him? His mind scrambled for any rationale that could debunk her words, yet nothing would surface now. He couldn't draw any conclusion to this insanity.
"Me?!"
"We have much to discuss before our departure, Aganju. The one who desires your presence is adamant that you're brought to her safely. I too would like that as well, hence why I came here personally."
"You expect me to believe that you committed a serious crime just to get thrown in this place so you could bring me to your master?"
"My Queen..." she corrected with a rare frown. "Whether you believe me or not, my goal is evident. It took years to locate you and I won't be leaving without you. My methods might be... unorthodox, but..."
"Absurd is more appropriate."
"Either way, there is a place where you can be safe from the woes and prejudice. You and I both know that you were betrayed by the princess. She went along with the allegations to preserve her place in Vale. Even if you were to escape or be released, you'll always be known as the one who dared to harm the princess. I won't wait forever, but, if you decide to join me, I promise you that you won't regret it."
Aganju Umbrae, convicted "kidnapper", sat in disbelief while the woman moved to the empty cot. She flashed him a grin then curled up for a spell. He felt compelled to remind her about the work schedule but found it moot when a voice hummed through the P.A. system mentioning something about a cancellation due to a riot on the upper floor.
Talk about a stroke of luck... he leaned back on his cot.
There was a lot for him to think about and the last thing he could focus on was work. It took a year since his capture to forge this persona, yet in a matter of minutes, he found himself dragged back to that vulnerable vulpine who first entered this hellacious environment. If this woman was telling the truth, what could he expect moving forward?
For obvious reasons, Mistral and Atlas were difficult places to settle in. Vale had falsely labeled him as a criminal, and he knew enough about Vacuo to understand that it was a land where only the strongest could survive. There was the possibility of Menagerie, but that was a sanctuary exclusively for faunus.
How could any of these places be a paradise?
Esu stood before his tome with a dark frown. The image of an incarcerated Aganju pained him to his core, yet that wasn't what troubled him. This was a good thing, at least to him. All is according to plan... he reminded himself.
He needed the faunus as far away from Pyrrha Nikos as possible and that was accomplished in spades. He managed to take the tiniest sliver of time and reshape it to orchestrate this outcome. However, once again the dragon faunus felt that every step forward he would be pushed back five. Controlling the minds of another was forbidden, but manipulation was a loophole he thoroughly enjoyed; It was his greatest weapon to keep them in this world.
Despite this, Esu's patience was running thin.
"Where did she come from? This wasn't supposed to happen!"
"You lack the affinity to understand."
"What do you want?!" he growled at the disembodied voice. "I have no time for your pointless ramblings, witch!"
"Still playing the role of god, I see. I must admit, your foolish actions aside, I must applaud your commitment to this futile assignment. Many would have quit long ago after so many failures. I'm interested to see the conclusion of this chapter."
Esu huffed a gust of smoke from his nose. His eyes morphed into their reptilian form before he spun on his heel. A mighty roar ripped through his chest as all of his pent-up frustration poured out into the void.
"I was tasked with protecting him from you! So long as I am breathing, you will NOT have the victory you seek! How you manage to enter this realm is admirable, but even you must accept the power of my semblance, Salem! Your powers mean nothing here, so your taunts are a waste of both our time."
"If you say so..."
"What the hell are you...?"
"Casting my amusement aside," the sorceress chuckled. "Your mastery of such a phenomenal ability is admirable, but even you have your limits. It's why my most rebellious servant happened to infiltrate your machinations now."
How?! How does she know?!
"Magic, no matter how powerful the wielder, is taxing on even the strongest of wills and minds. You are no exception to this absolute and the more he resists, the more strain you experience. I know..."
"You know nothing!" Esu bellowed out a ball of flame, suddenly dropping to his knees with his hand clutching his head. Though Salem said nothing in response to this, he knew she was watching him, grinning at his vulnerable state. His body began to heat up while he coughed up some bile. His breathing suddenly grew heavier, each inhale becoming more difficult than the last. His stomach clenched with a throbbing pain before subsiding swiftly after. "What is happening? What have you done?!"
There was nothing but the deafening silence around him.
"SALEM!"
"Don't take your pain out on me, child. I've done nothing but warn you of the consequences of mishandling a power far beyond your comprehension," she finally sighed. "Your alleged semblance is magic in its purest form. Very few mortals can handle such power without some drawbacks. Even the one you've imprisoned has succumbed to the consequences of overuse, even if unconsciously. But what should I expect from the guardian of creation?"
This time, Esu froze, his face growing pale at the utterance.
"Don't act so surprised, boy" Salem's tone lowered into an almost motherly tone. "Like Ozpin, I installed contingencies to ensure that the playing field was balanced. But, a usurper is not uncommon. This magic that you embezzled from the true heir has finally called to collect what you owe. How does it feel knowing that you were given an unforgivable task?"
"I don't... don't know what you're talking about..." he coughed.
"Did you think it was a coincidence that he grouped you all at his little school? A team consisting of nothing but faunus while proclaiming equality between races? If nothing else, Ozpin was no stranger to hypocrisy. Still, a monopoly of those who possess a piece of the foe he wished to vanquish does sound like an appealing strategy; if only he bothered to learn why his pursuit failed."
The dragon let out a fierce hiss and groaned as he regained his footing. Despite the raging current in his head, he refused to back down and push himself to his limits. He knew he needed to rest, but he was determined not to show any more weakness. With a fierce glare, he fixed his gaze on the spot where he believed she would stand if she were physically present.
"What... What are you saying?"
"Save your bravado!" she dismissed his expression. "If you were chosen to take this power, then you must know the truth of the maidens, correct?"
"What about it?"
"Like Ozpin, I assembled counterparts to the maidens, with a few... disparities."
For the first time since their initial interaction, Esu could tell the witch was grinning at him.
It was a smirk that made his skin crawl because of the inevitable outcome:
He knew the truth...
...and so did Salem.
Aganju snarled, his eyes blazing a bloody crimson as he scared off a trio of faunus who'd been harassing his cellmate. It'd been a few days since they met with minimum information being given. Her name was Ella, though she preferred Cinder, and this was the most relevant information he'd receive aside from her constant invitations to join her in some uncharted kingdom.
In the meantime, he'd been taking a breather, catching his breath after carefully transporting a bucket of small dust crystals. He hated the job, but, with Atlesian Knights monitoring them, complaints weren't an option. On his way back, he went to check on Cinder only to find her backed into a corner by three faunus, a lion, tiger, and bear... (no pun intended). None of that mattered to him though as he rushed over without hesitation to protect his cellmate.
Based on their exchanges, Aganju figured she could handle herself, yet she settled on playing the damsel in situations like these.
After a brief stand-off with the lion faunus, the other two watched as their leader stomped away, following close behind him down the dark tunnel. Aganju did break his disapproving gaze until he was certain that they were gone. He turned his attention to a still rattled Cinder slowly rising to her feet.
"You alright?"
"Don't I look alright?" she replied sarcastically.
"You look like you were about to be raped."
She simply chuckled bitterly, unwilling to break character, even if he was correct in his assessment.
Before the foxes' arrival, she was caught off guard by the trio of faunus. By the lecherous look in their eyes, it was obvious that they had less than noble reasons for approaching her. Thankfully, she'd been given a prison jumpsuit to wear, otherwise, the dialogue would have taken a more direct turn. When she turned the lion down, he didn't take kindly to the rejection, deciding to take a more 'persuasive' approach. Cinder was given her first true manifestation of Sedluk Cross.
The second taste of the culture came when she looked around for any sign of help only to find none. All eyes were either on their work or intentionally avoiding the scene altogether.
The truth pained her... If Aganju hadn't come along, there's no doubt that she'd been victimized.
Cinder hated being in such a position. She reviled having to be saved by someone else, and yet... She couldn't bring herself to hate Aganju for stepping in on her behalf. Even when she glanced at the faunus, she saw no sign of pity in his mismatched gaze... wait... weren't his eyes a different color before? As she pondered, she vaguely heard him mention something about 'sticking together' before he smirked and left to return to his station.
Staring blankly for a moment, Cinder couldn't help but chuckle humorlessly before one of the robotic soldiers ordered her to get back to work. Grabbing a pick-ax, she began digging but, her mind was baffled, in an entertained sort of way. Just who was her cellmate; what secrets did he possess? Whatever he was, Cinder couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue begin to build in her mind.
"No wonder she wants you so badly."
"Have you figured it out yet, Esu Dragnus?"
The dragon chewed his lip and averted his eyes to the ground. Fists balled, he stood there like a child who'd been caught sneaking snacks from the kitchen. Any bravado had vanished from his visage, replaced by a knowing shame mixed with anger. Salem knew the answer to her rhetorical inquiry, but there was a sense of entertainment behind her voice that wasn't lost to the faunus.
"Let's say... What makes your warriors any different from the four maidens? How do I know that you're not just trying to manipulate... distract me from my mission?"
"Because my power operates under a different method and authority. While the maiden's energy is restricted to young women, I preferred a more inclusive approach. This magic goes to those I've deemed worthy regardless of trivial boundaries like race or gender. However, one of the most significant rules is that when the wielder dies, their power doesn't transfer the same way. This leads me to the price you're about to pay for breaking this rule."
Esu coughed a little as beads of cold sweat descended his face.
"While the power of the maiden transfers randomly to another young woman at worst, my chosen return to me."
"Chosen...?"
"In public, they are known by such a moniker. However, if I can be transparent, they are more than pawns to be used as a means of advantage," Salem's voice awaited a response but found none as the nervous dragon's eyes widened in realization of his actions. "You're beginning to remember, aren't you? I believe it was the battle at Beacon Academy, wasn't it?"
"...no..."
"You were tasked by Ozpin to retrieve the power of time from my daughter. You are responsible for spilling the blood of the one whom you claimed to love so dearly that night. You are guilty of murdering my daughter, Scylla and now, you're feeling the curse of your sins."
Curse?! What is she going about now?!
"That tome is more than a weapon, Esu Dragnus. It is a manifestation of her spirit, designed to grant her access to multiple timelines and shift her actions accordingly," her voice shifted once again, this time to one of judgment and absolution. "However, my dear Ozpin thought it best to eliminate her and take the power for himself as if it would grant him another advantage..."
"He... He didn't...!"
"Of course, he didn't tell you the whole story," she finished his sentence with a simper. "Four blessings, gifts bestowed upon four children to combat their misfortune. Time, elemental, and soul magic were given to a trio of souls in desperate need of aid. I bestowed the first three with these in hopes of..."
"You wanted a few elites to find the relics, right?"
"Wrong."
Esu was confused now; Why would Salem go to such lengths if not for the endgame of claiming the relics? As if reading his mind, the immortal resumed.
"While my former husband loves to play this game of good vs evil, I didn't do such a thing just to claim the relics. I'll admit that my goal was originally for that purpose centuries ago, I began to realize that I was missing something in my quest for vengeance. I began to see those who possessed my power as my children. Your "precious" Scylla was no exception. I only wish I could've met her directly, but I guess you will have to do."
"So, you're poisoning me as retribution?"
Salem was growing impatient with the constant interruptions at this point, deciding to end things before she lost her composure.
"You have two options, boy: Either you release those you've captured, or else you'll reap the seeds you sowed. If you think the agony you felt earlier was suffering, imagine when my other child finds the truth; And he will find out. The longer you use this stolen power, the more your entire being will be ripped asunder by the oldest form of magic long lost to history."
"Wait!"
"Choose wisely..."