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:
Welcome back, ladies and gents!
It's been a while since I said a few words so I'll keep things brief. First off, Happy New Year to everyone!
Secondly, I'd like to point out a few details about this arc of the story. In case it was missed, this is an alternate realm molded in Esu Dragnus' image. If you forgot who he is, he is the dragon faunus who was once a member of Team ASRE (Azure) under the leadership of Aganju. He is also responsible for the death of Scylla who was also his partner on the team during the Battle of Beacon.
The previous chapter revealed that this power is not his own but once belonged to Salem who gifted the power to a select few based on her prerequisites. Esu was tasked by Ozpin to secure this power though not realizing that without the witches' approval, it is poisoning his soul the longer he uses it to hide Aganju and Pyrrha from the real world. Also, aside from Aganju and Pyrrha, everyone else is a construct of the universe manifested by Esu.
Aganju is one of these children chosen by Salem, though his true nature is still developing.
Finally, there is the case of the story itself and where things are leading. We are reaching the latter half of the arc (which covers Volume 9), and Esu is doing all he can to avoid those he's captured to be revived. Cinder and Salem's roles in this arc are a prelude to their roles in Aganju's life back in the real world. Also, there will be a short collaboration with Monster Hunter World moving forward as I wanted to touch on the mysterious Dragon continent that's found on the actual maps of Remnant.
With that being said, I won't keep you all any longer. I hope you enjoy the chapter and I will be aiming to update this story regularly.
Once more, happy New Year, and may 2024 be a year of blessings and love for you!
Chapter 41: Turning Point-2
Some time passed and Cinder was beginning to get used to the system of the prison as she carefully handled a bucket of dust. After delivering another haul, she was immediately on the search for her cellmate, Aganju. With lunchtime drawing close, she hadn't seen the faunus ever since their breakfast call. She'd been assigned on carrier duty which had her moving all over the various underground passages so there was no way she'd be around anyone spot long enough to spot her only ally.
Her dried hair bobbed with each step forward, and she disregarded the looks she received from other prisoners, though she would be lying if she claimed she wasn't uncomfortable with the lewd looks she received from both male and female inmates. As she passed by each of her peers, the wolf whistles and catcalls only got louder. Her shield of resolution was soon punctured by several vile remarks made about how she looked. She picked up some pace and soon found herself standing in front of her "haven." Remarkably, she would discover the comforting item within initially.
While she was glad to see a friendly soul, she'd find her relief swiftly morph into concern when she noticed his head buried in his hand. Not on that, Aganju was mumbling something. His eyes were locked on the bag of Dust in his muscular arms.
Form your armies, dream your dreams
Make your plans and plot your schemes
"Hey... Aganju?"
Send your fighters, one and all
"Hello?"
Watch. Them. Fall.
"What's going on with you?" she whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Aganju blinked several times before turning toward her. his eyes burned with a demonic crimson hue, startling Cinder and halting any further progression. A low growl, like that of a wounded creature, soon turned into a groan before he regained his senses. The shift was only for a few seconds but, whatever happened in that time frame was enough for her to look at the vulpine in wonder... and trepidation.
It was a look that Aganju would come to recognize when he opened his eyes once again. Normally, he'd just shrug it off but, this time, seeing the sight of his cellmate looking at him as if he were... a monster, it was too much to handle. A sharp pang cut into his soul. Meeting her shock with horror, Aganju scrambled to his feet and left the cell, leaving her to contemplate what she'd just witnessed.
It was just how it had been on the day he was apprehended near Vale's shores.
Just like Pyrrha's, he thought, staring into the eyes of the princess again.
He didn't care whether he ran across other convicts. It was almost lunchtime, so Aganju could do whatever he wanted with this time. His trudging soon took him to the lowest points of the mines, but he wouldn't be content until he was entirely hidden from sight. This determination led him to a recently excavated section of the mine, assuring his privacy.
"She turned her back on me..." he sighed at the dirt wall.
That look of guilt on her face was burned in his mind, haunting him at every opportunity. He thought he'd left that dark memory behind, but, seeing the normally confident Cinder look at him as if he was a vicious beast? His stomach dropped as more intrusive thoughts filled his mind. Screw escaping. Damn, some fantasy kingdom!
His eyebrows furrowed as he scowled at the many stones and bits of soil strewn all around him. He needed a target for his suffering even if they hadn't done anything to him yet. The faunus eventually resorted to hiding his head in his knees in the hopes that his cognition would be forgiving. It was already awful enough that he would ultimately have to face Cinder—or worse, an empty cell—but right now he was hoping that his subconscious would be forgiving to him.
"You poor child..."
"Who's there?"
"Why do you bear the burden of other's decisions?"
Aganju looked around the surrounding area, expecting to find someone. There was nobody around, his night vision revealing only various faintly glowing jewels for what he assumed were miles. This did little to calm the foxes' nerves. He stood to his feet, his senses still sharp enough to know not to let his guard down.
"What's going on?" he muttered.
Silence.
"I guess I was just hearing things. I must be going mad..."
"Only if you continue down the path of sabotage, dear."
Aganju froze in place. This time, he felt something almost familiar about this voice. While it was gruff and deep, there was a soothing nature to its tone that commanded respect while withholding fear. While there was no tangible source to the voice, he couldn't bring himself to refute them.
"You... You sound familiar."
"You're beginning to remember, aren't you? I've heard much about your exploits since your time at Beacon. I must say I'm impressed at your fortitude and ability, Aganju... Dare I say, I'm proud."
"Who are you?"
"You already know me, yet we've never formally met. I am the one who's witnessed your journey. The one who saw the beauty behind the beast. Whether through love or enmity, you've managed to not only survive your trials but you've grown far past the dying cub I saved all those years ago..."
"Saved? I..."
Aganju's protest was abruptly cut short by a loud shout piercing the hollow corridors. Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately recognized the sound and rushed off to investigate. As he ran down the seemingly endless corridor, he could hear a cacophony of panicked grunts and whimpers, intermingled with the sound of laughter. Fueled by rage and instinct, Aganju was determined to take action and put an end to whatever was causing the commotion. He knew that he had to act fast, and nothing would stand in his way.
"Well, looky what we have here boys..." the lion faunus snickered at the alarmed woman backing away from them. "Some prey that strayed too far from the herd."
"Looks that way, Alistair!" the bear faunus guffawed at the lion, licking his lips hungrily.
"We shouldn't waste time," the tiger growled. "It's almost time for the second shift to arrive, so we'd better hurry! No telling what those damned Atlesian knights will do if we're caught!"
Alistair nodded with a demented grin.
Soon, the trio began advancing closer to the exhausted Cinder, amused by her futile attempts at fighting the air. It was almost sad to see her labor in the inky abyss, but they were prisoners, each having been locked away for Oum knows how long. She was fresh meat and they were about to mark her.
"Hold her down, Edgar. Keep her quiet, Shiro!" The bear and tiger acknowledged their orders respectively.
Cinder attempted to yell once more but was swiftly silenced by a large paw clamped over her mouth. Her limbs were restrained behind her back, rendering the woman helpless. If it weren't for that damn collar around her neck, she would've used her semblance to turn the three into coats and rugs.
That cursed sensation of defenselessness brought burning tears to her eyes as the one she assumed was Alistair began toying with the buttons of her jumpsuit. Though she violently struggled, she was no match for the collective strength holding her back as a coolness soon kissed her exposed chest.
"Nice ones! Now, let's get a look at the rest of the..." Alistair never finished his sentence. The sound of something dense filled the immediate area followed by a rough grunt from the lion. "What the hell was... No. You?!"
As the three faunus nervously looked around, their eyes suddenly locked on the last person they wanted to see. Alistair felt a shiver down his spine as he noticed the intense gaze, burning like hellfire. Suddenly, the leader of the group jumped to his feet with wobbling legs, emitting a deep growl from his chest. Aganju strained his ears to hear the commotion and could sense the other two dropping Cinder in the process. The tension was palpable, and it was uncertain what would happen next.
"It just had to be you, huh?!" the cocky inquiry failed to mask the fear stirring in his stomach.
Aganju didn't utter a word at this point. The devilish stare said all that needed to be spoken anyway.
He was a ticking time bomb now, no doubt about it. Based on the current situation, it appeared that they had just two choices. It's either run or die. There was an aura of darkness, one that made Alistair uneasy. Something wasn't quite right. He and his friends had previous conflicts with the fox, but none of them could compare to this one. Something extremely evil was oozing from the faunus. That didn't matter anymore because Sedluk Cross's primary directive was very explicit in situations like this:
Kill or be killed.
"Dammit! Tear him apart, boys!"
Despite Alistair's orders, no sound or movement could be detected as the lion looked back, wondering why his companions had not yet acted. The bear and the tiger were nowhere to be seen, and only Cinder, who was still recovering, remained in the darkness with him. Had they run away?
Both faunus knew that the notion was logical, but lacked any validity. The main decks could only be reached by one way out and the other side of the tunnel was currently a dead end. It seemed as if Edgar and Shiro had simply vanished into thin air.
"What...! What did you do to them, you bastard!?"
Alistair's night vision allowed him to catch a glimpse of the fox's expression, which was as bewildered as his own. Who or what was behind this bizarre turn of events? Was it him or that mysterious voice? Before he could even begin to make sense of it all, a muffled scream pierced the air, bringing his focus back to the present. Cinder, who was now half-naked, was struggling to break free from the lion's grip. In a flash, Alistair saw the lion pull out a makeshift blade from his jumpsuit and press it against Cinder's neck, sending chills down his spine.
"Come... Come any closer and I'll slit this bitches' throat!" Alistair snarled, regaining some of his 'courage' now that he felt in control again. "Do you hear me, punk?"
The woman shook as red eyes narrowed and then focused on her. He would not simply leave Cinder to be exploited and mistreated by monsters like this one, even after what had transpired earlier. Part of him wanted to charge at the man and rip the feline's spine through his throat, but there was something he had to do first. He took a long breath, taking care not to rouse the lion. The voice started to reappear in his thoughts as he closed his eyes.
Are you prepared to take your life back? Will you chart your course or allow others to control your destiny?
"Cinder? Is that offer still on the table?"
For once, she ceased any struggle, her body going stiff at the mention of their first interaction.
"What does...!" she grunted under Alistair's tightening grip. "What are you doing?"
"I've made my decision. Hold still."
"Hey!" An enraged Alistair snarled. "Did you hear me, fucker! If you move, I'll fuck this bitch..." his tirade was cut short by another growl, this time far more primal than anything he'd heard in his time in the prison. It was foreign in the sense that he hadn't heard something like this in ages and yet, he knew it all too well. He could feel the hot breath on his neck, making his knees buckle.
NO. It can't be... Here?!
The Beowulf alpha gave him a snarling greeting as the lion looked over his shoulder. The only Grimm believed to be on this secluded island were those who soared overhead or dwelt in the abyssal depths. Alistair was confronted head-on by a gigantic Beowulf despite this. A stinging agony shot through his neck as he let out a cry. He attempted to breathe in, but all that appeared to go into his lungs was a warm, viscous liquid.
Blood.
He was drowning from the flooding amount of plasma, gurgling as the force that pierced his throat clamped down on his windpipe. It took all of his remaining strength to face the source of his suffering before his body began to go limp. Those demonic eyes stared back at him, only now they were surrounded by a void of damnation. A sinister grin slowly pulled on the right corner of his attacker's lips before his blue eyes rolled back in his head.
Alistair then fell into the mouth of the Grimm, his carcass carried off into the depths elsewhere.
Once it disappeared, the fox finally let his anger subside. He turned his attention to the shivering form of his cellmate, his heart aching at her plight.
"Are you alright?" he whispered, kneeling next to her. She didn't say a word though. Instead, Aganju would be enveloped in a tight hug when he moved to comfort her. They remained that way in silence.
"It's okay. They're... gone," he whispered, gently cradling her in his arms. "They can't hurt you now. It's finally over."
"Is it really?" she finally replied, her tone a far cry from the confident and strong woman he first met.
There was no sass or snark, just... openness. He wondered if he was ready to handle that side of someone again. On top of that, he felt something rather strange coursing through his body, a form of energy that stirred in his gut.
"For now, it is, Cinder" he carefully scooped her in his arms, surprised when she didn't fight him.
"Ella..."
"Hmm?"
"Call me Ella," she anxiously simpered, savoring the stillness around them as she relaxed in his arms. "My real name."
"Okay, Ella. How far is this place you were mentioned?"
She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and let out a chuckle. If I had known this would get the ball rolling...
As for Aganju, his mind was filled with questions but, those would have to be put on hold as her concerns began to resonate within him. He felt something... familiar... Those monsters, creatures of Grimm, didn't feel like a danger to him. He couldn't fathom why, but a low rumble, nearly inaudible to the average person's range, told him all he needed.
Deep down, he understood that he was the one who summoned that demonic creature, but there was something far more sinister lurking within him. Normally, he would've tried to hold it back, but if that damn choker didn't shock him for using it, perhaps there was some advantage to it.
Perhaps it was time to start fresh.
[A Year Later]
The moon shined brightly over the waves, where a massive ship was sailing. The ship was sufficiently rocked by the waves to prevent its passengers from becoming overly alarmed. The idea of arriving on a new land under the name of unification among the kingdoms was a source of great excitement for many of her cargo, who were prone to unrest on the high seas.
With emerald eyes gazing out at the shimmering waters below, one such passenger chose to ignore such folly. Donning light armor, Pyrrha kept staring down into the abyss as something lingered in her thoughts, mocking and tormenting the warrior.
It'd been some time since she wound up on the outskirts of Vale that fateful night... alone. The whole ordeal was traumatic when she awoke with a headache and a lack of understanding of her plight. Her heart ached whenever shut her eyes and a flashing recollection struck her.
"PYRRHA!" she recognized the voice, the frantic struggle mixing with desperation as if they were being taken away. "Tell them! Please! Pyrrha!"
Her thoughts grew scattered every time she risked trying to figure out what happened, sometimes triggering a headache. Even still, Pyrrha persisted, each time piecing a little deeper. By now, she'd managed to grasp the event that led her to Vale in the first place.
The Bandit Queen.
Raven.
She and her hoodlums were responsible for chasing her and... She groaned as the dull throb began to surface in her temples. She gently rubbed the sides of her head in hopes of fending off the impending aches. Sadly, the more Pyrrha tried to focus on other things, the more her heart pressed forward. A shadow of the person she was with that night began to surface, their visage blurred like the rocking waves.
She couldn't see clearly, but some of her recognized the mysterious figure.
As the inky blob began to take shape, two shining jewels appeared before the young woman. A brilliant garnet and emerald captured her attention, emanating a powerful energy that both pained and enthralled her. The intensity of their glow pulled her into a hypnotic trance, overwhelming her with their passion and fire.
Lost.
Floating.
Such a peaceful feeling should calm the woman, yet she was vexed.
Infuriating umbrage ate away at her, wracking her head with a tiny gnawing at her brain. It was enough to make one want to scream at the top of their lungs. More thoughts came down like a hailstorm.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Pyrrha opened her eyes, finding herself no longer in the void. A few blinks returned her to the hull of the ship then with the green eyes of another redhead. On her face was a look of worry for her well-being, causing Pyrrha to silently curse her carelessness.
"Oh, hello Penny..." she forced her lips to smile softly in hopes of distracting the girl from her misfortunes. "I was just enjoying the view of the sea. Did you want to join-?"
"You look like you were deep in thought," Penny cut in, her emotions unreadable. "If I had to guess, perhaps someone you were once attached to?"
The direct approach brought a sudden redness to appear on Pyrrha's face. Desperately, she shook her head, further confirming the Atlesian's suspicions. Finally,
"It's nothing... Just a distant memory best left alone."
"But..."
"I should retire for the night, anyway..." Pyrrha turned around and left without any intention of continuing the conversation. Despite Penny's objection, the determined warrior pressed on, showing her ally and friend a sweet smile before heading out. "It's getting late. We need to be at our best if we're going to be fit for this uncharted continent. Who knows what perils await us?"
Pyrrha spun on her heel with determination and left the mess hall, striding purposefully down the hall to the sleeping quarters. Each step resonated with confidence and her smile transformed into a look of fierce determination, as she finally released the breath she had been holding for too long. Being lost in her thoughts was tiring, but Pyrrha knew that this time was different.
Ever since she joined the Valerian Huntsman fleet, she had felt that something was missing. While she was granted citizenship and later, earning a prominent position, scant moments of sobering brought the former princess back to earth. From time to time she would encounter a few individuals who'd either point a look of disapproval or downright fear.
It was disheartening, but she accepted this nonetheless.
Velvet. Sun. Blake.
She remembered them from their adventure to rescue the former. However, they were oddly reserved whenever she found time to see them. It wounded her heart as she didn't understand until the horrific news broke. From there, she was pelted by the media to go along with a fabricated story or face serious consequences.
Under duress, she chose the first option, choosing to suffer the road of loneliness.
I guess it worked out in the end...
Now, as they drew closer to their destination, Pyrrha felt a surge of adrenaline and excitement, her stomach filled with a fluttering energy that propelled her forward.
She wasn't afraid of the mysteries that this new land possessed; she was excited to be exploring an unknown future. She was a fighter and would tackle any obstacle with precision and determination.
Yet, somehow, Pyrrha once more caught herself thinking about the figure long forgotten and their piercing gaze. It was the only thing that truly sent a shiver down her spine. Was it fear? Excitement? Anxiety?
"All hands on deck! Repeat, all hands on deck!"
Once more she was robbed of any progress in her mental journey, the ship suddenly swaying wildly and sending the young woman crashing into a wall. All she knew now was that she needed to help the crew and her comrades.
In a distant land, there was a village located along the coast. The village was full of life and bustling with people and faunus who worked together in harmony. From the newest member to the team leader, everyone seemed to be contributing their fair share to ensure that their community thrived. Large cat-like creatures were working diligently at the canteen, where members sat and enjoyed delicious food and ale. Both physical and intellectual capabilities were utilized as warriors and researchers worked hard to either study the land's riches or maintain the land's ecosystem.
Just a normal night for most at the stronghold.
Along the edge of the village, a blond woman with green eyes was busy going over plans, flanked by two of her most entrusted associates. As they discussed what to do about a nearby location, she spared a glance at the sky above, noticing faint clouds advancing.
"It appears the storm's going to be here for a while," a stout and bulky man remarked, arms folded as if he were nodding off. "Are you sure it was wise of us to let them go so young? Perhaps we should've sent someone to tail them just to be safe."
"You worry too much, Hazel..." A tall and spindly man with a caterpillar for a mustache chuckled behind his research parchments. "That's what our culture is all about, isn't it? Traversing the elements in hopes of research and the stability of this land? Seriously, for such a fierce combatant, your compassion never ceases to surprise me."
Hazel didn't take the bait of his colleague, instead, he settled on sighing his disapproval.
"That's enough, now..." the blond casually interrupted, not bothering to glance up from her map. "Such empathy is both a blessing and a curse, depending on how far we allow it to work. Arthur, you know as well as anyone what the war did to Hazel which is why he grows attached to the ones he trains. Maybe you could lighten on him as the safety of our people will only result in greater rewards for our home, including your studies."
Arthur Watts, ever the strategist he was, knew that she was covering for the hulking brute. Whereas, there was truth behind her words; Arthur couldn't deny that.
"Of course, you Grace! Forgive my ruthlessness."
"That being said, Hazel, you mustn't let your love for your students blind you from how much they've grown. Unlike many of our people, you trained them personally to ensure their ability to survive. You should have more faith in them if they are to ever truly experience growth."
He nodded in agreement though the conflict on his face never vanished.
"Perhaps you're right..."
"Wasn't Tock leading the mission, Commander Salem?" Arthur raised a brow when a silky, elegant tone entered the conversation. "She is quite capable in her own right, though I'd question her brutal methods."
Both Hazel and Arthur exchanged an amused glance.
"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?"
"I agree with Hazel," the latter of the two simpered in amusement. "From my recollection, Tyrian, you're probably the most brutal of us all when it comes to being in the field."
"Oh? Forgive me for being thorough in my line of work," the scorpion faunus feigned betrayal, placing a hand on his chest to emphasize his 'pain'.
"That's a funny way of saying vicious," Arthur countered with a smirk at the dark humor. "The last time you were given a mission, there was hardly anything left of that Great Jagras for us to study."
"It would've eaten me if I hadn't carved it up."
"What about that one hunter you traumatized during a protection mission?" Hazel's deep voice thinly veiled the edge behind his words.
"Occupational Hazard?"
The approaching argument would've escalated had a mighty gust not come in. Shortly after, a small group was seen entering the village, each one tired but full of smiles as they approached the headquarters. Tock, a crocodile faunus, led the party her pointed teeth revealing pride in her company.
Behind her stood a scarred dark-skinned young man with copper hair, his most notable feature being that he was blind. He managed to escape Mistral after Raven's actions, somehow winding up on the mysterious land. Next to him was a pale girl with pink/brown heterochromatic eyes and hair to match, completely contrasting the boy. Similar to him, she too was slated as having a disability as she was mute.
Both were shielded from the light rain that began to fall under her umbrella. Finally, there was the duo of a young woman with amber eyes and a young fox faunus, each one covered in dirt and grime.
With the blond woman turned around, her normally stern features softened at seeing the soul's return.
"I'm pleased to see you all back safely," she flashed a ghost of a smile before stepping behind the war table. "With the storm coming rapidly, I was worried that you'd be stuck without a way back. How did you fare?"
Tock took the lead, stepping toward her leader with a straight face.
"The culling went off without a hitch, Commander. The Jagras and Kestodons weren't a problem despite their numbers. These four are more than ready for the big boys."
"And yet, something still troubles you..."
"Yes, Commander Salem. When we saw signs of the storm, there was also a ship off in the distance," Tock frowned gently, crossing her arms in displeasure. "I don't know if they're coming here intentionally or just passing through, but it... concerns me."
Salem rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her eyes flashing red for a moment before returning to their original green gems.
She understood that staying here would only offer them temporary solace before someone came barging in. This place was not only her abode but also a sanctuary for those who wished to flee the blazing flames of war in the four kingdoms. That's why she left her homeland many years ago and settled on the continent shaped like a dragon; she wished to give a home to those who longed for peace and didn't want to bear the pain and havoc that ravaged the lands.
But now, all that she worked for was being threatened.
"Tyrian?"
"Yes, my liege?" he bowed respectfully.
"I want you and Hazel to investigate near our borders. Do not engage these strangers unless it is to divert them away from our home."
"As you wish/Understood" the two acknowledged before taking their exit. Tock continued her report while the four waited patiently though, the fox's mind truly voiced his exhaustion.
Thankfully, she didn't mention the pissed-off Anjanath... The raven-haired woman huffed, crossing her arms. I don't know why it was so angry at us...!
You...
Excuse me?! she challenged, turning right her eyes meeting the red and green stare from the vulpine.
That monster was pissed at YOU, Cinder! he chastised, his glare laser-focused. If you hadn't tried to steal one of its eggs, they wouldn't have chased you all through the damned forest!
Cinder rolled her eyes at the scolding, but it was clear that the fox was in no mood for her complaint. Even worse, with their minds connected thanks to the copper-headed male, it meant that he and the pale girl were enjoying the entertainment.
Why on earth would you try to steal their eggs when you were supposed to be helping us, anyway?
Before she could explain her actions, everyone grew quiet when a loud rumbling sound interjected. Eyeing her, they found that it was her stomach robbing her of the opportunity to manufacture a savvy response, leaving her with nothing to do but look abashed. Meanwhile, the fox was trying his hardest not to laugh at her embarrassment.
I guess we have our answer!
"Shut up, Neo...!" Cinder finally growled while her smaller teammate stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Alright, that's enough, you two." the blond woman finally stepped in. "I'm happy to know that you all are safe... For now, you four should call it a day and get some food and rest. We'll discuss the next move after we've weathered the storm. Fox? Make sure that you and Neo get some food before you rest, I don't want either of you forgetting to keep yourself nourished."
"Yes, ma'am..." he smiled at the woman, turning to meet her presence through his aura.
The dual-colored woman pulled him towards the canteen where a hot, delicious meal awaited them. Cinder and the vulpine followed but were stopped by a hand placed on their shoulders.
"As for you two..." Salem felt them tense under her touch. "...I trust that you are staying out of trouble out there?"
"Y-yes/Mhmm...!" they nodded, each one fearful of the woman's wrath being brought down on them.
"Good. The last thing we need is for either of you to jeopardize the safety of others with your petty rivalry," Salem spoke in a motherly tone, a sound far scarier than her usual stern fashion. "In that case, Cinder, your vassals are waiting for you in your quarters. Aganju, one of the hunters is waiting for you as well, I suggest you don't keep them waiting."
They both agreed and swiftly took off the moment she removed her grip, prompting an amused chuckle from her and Tock.
"It's a wonder how they've managed to survive with their antics. A lesser hunter would've been an appetizer for a beast like the Anjanath by now."
"It just goes to show that their training has come a long way" The crocodile nodded in agreement. "However, I am concerned with our true home being discovered. Eventually, they'll have to put their skills to the test against these newcomers."
"Your concern is justified, but for now... Tyrian and Hazel will see to it that anyone who lands here will be dealt with accordingly," The blond woman let out a sigh and directed her attention toward her subordinate. "In fact, how goes our work on the new kingdom?"
"Monsters have been kept at bay and most have become acclimated to the harsh climate. The kingdom of Seliana has remained strong after all of this time after the Elder Crossing a few years back."
"Then it appears that it's time we made our list of those who will enter the monastery to greet our guests."
"Are you sure about that?!" Tock's jaw nearly dropped at her leader's declaration. Under the pouring rain, Salem looked out at the waves bustling under its gusty master without flinching. "We'd be revealing our home to outsiders! Many of our people were deserters and refugees!"
"I am aware."
"But, why?"
"No doubt they are not alone..." she calmly spoke, eyes hardening, shifting into their crimson form. "Such a discovery of our existence would be inevitable, would it not?" Her gaze fell upon the reptilian faunus, finding only shock and silence as she blankly nodded in agreement. "Since this is unavoidable, wouldn't it be better to reveal oneself under your terms; such an act, while transparent, would also prove to be advantageous, would it not?"
Tock contemplated the words, slowly realizing their significance.
"I see... If we reveal ourselves, then we'll be able to dictate and direct the actions of these invaders while masking our own. But, why Seliana?"
"The conditions would be rough even for the toughest strangers. Between that and the beasts that roam there, it would be the best place to gauge who we're dealing with while keeping our home here safe from prying eyes. For now, we should focus on getting the word out to our allies there. We have much work to do before these 'visitors' arrive."
Tock bowed with a subtle smile, revealing her perfectly jagged teeth.
"As you wish, QUEEN Salem. How soon should make arrangements to leave?"
Salem looked up at the now dark sky, silently marveling at how the lightning tore through the dim blanket with a tenacious scowl. No anger. No, the mere mention of her true status in this land was appropriate as she was deemed such an honor by the people themselves. Such tenacity came from a sensation that pulsed through her, an outcome that only one person could incite.
A being from her past.
Salem Kai-Fa knew all too well what would probably come from this and was prepared for the day of their arrival. For now, she'd let nature take its course; it was the aftermath that would determine her next move.
"As soon as the weather permits."