(A/N: 1 out of 5. That's right, I'm shooting for 5 out of 5 again. Lets get locked in everyone.)
XOXO
Plain clothing?
I adjusted the loose collar of my simple black long sleeved shirt before lifting and dropping one of my legs, testing the similarly dark pants and boots. Not of it was perfectly my size but between them and the white sash tied around my waist, there wasn't anything connecting me back to the tribe. Even the satchel thrown across my chest was as plain as could be.
So, check for that.
Mask?
I unclipped the pitch black mask hanging off the back of my waist, twisting the hefty thing about. I'd fashioned it after the one mom wore, similar red markings spread across it. I slipped it on, the familiar weight settling in place. While I didn't hide some of the things I was capable of, none among the tribe actually knew what my semblance was, the mask slits limiting the corners of my peripheral vision but consequently hiding my eyes completely. My Sharingan was a mystery I intended to maintain out in the greater world.
So, check there.
And the Fusion Sword?
I raised and dropped my shoulders, tugging on the dark strap across my torso. Blade fully bandaged up, the sizable sword hung off my back, its end not far from being dragged across the ground at certain angles. Glynda's semblance had many uses that I discovered over the years that, despite the sword's cumbersome size, made it a perfect weapon to use with it. I'd wanted to use multiple weapons but carrying several separate blades had come with its own problem. In the end I ended up stealing the design from a movie in my previous life.
Huh…maybe my semblance taking the form of the Sharingan was saying something about how unoriginal I was.
Either way, it was the last significant thing I'd be leaving with.
"Hey!" A familiar call beat out the cool winds of the night and I turned. Vernal, who'd skirting the edges of the whole farewell the tribe went out of their way to have for me, had emerged from the wooden spiked walls of their latest camp. Dirt and grass crunched beneath her feet before she stopped just beyond arms reach, a slight glare aimed up at me. "Don't go getting yourself killed out there."
"Yeah, Yeah." I waved her off, fully turning around and holding up a fist. "Watch after my mom for me."
"Pfft, momma's boy." She insulted while raising her fist, the both of us bumping our knuckles together. "Got it." She turned, making her way back to the camp, those on guard opening up the entrance for her.
It hadn't been the most conventional place to live, especially compared to the standards of my previous life, but I'd miss it. Mom especially.
But there was plenty to get done over the next few years.
I ripped my gaze away from the camp, adjusting my sword one last time, before taking off into the moonlit greenery of the surrounding forest.
Salem might've been target number one but taking her down would be no simple matter. With any luck I wouldn't just get a better understanding of all of Remnant, but I'd secure connections of mine on this little journey. And if I crossed paths with any of her people?
Dealing with them would be far simpler.
XOXO
I bit into a salty piece of jerky as I swerved and twisted around trees, a trail of dust left in my wake as I sped forward.
Life amongst the tribe hadn't been bad. Everyone had their roles and fulfilled them as best they could, that basic understanding keeping things operating like a well oiled machine. Learning about their history during my time there had also been pretty interesting too.
That aside, being on my own was nice in its own way, the isolation allowing me to do things I normally couldn't.
Jumping, I dodged the lunge of a king taijitsu's hiding amongst the surrounding greenery. By the time I landed back on my sword, I was already far out of its reach, surfing around the trees long before the snake like Grimm's second head could get a bead on me. A few more twists and turns and the beast, like all the other Grimm I happened to cross paths with was left behind to attack anyone else unfortunate enough to catch its eye.
Telekinetic powered sword surfing, a way of travel that didn't have much use amongst a large group, was just one of the benefits of being alone. Feeling the air sweep past as I made quick turns and swerves through the forest reminded me of the one time I rode a motorcycle. Back then I hadn't understood the appeal, the inherent danger a major put off.
Back then I hadn't been one turn away from encountering Grimm either.
Silence and time to think were other benefits. I didn't have to keep an eye out for those who couldn't really do much in a fight or be pulled into a conversation by others. It was just me, my thoughts, and the wilds.
"AAAHHHH!"
I pulled back, my sword rising up as I came to an abrupt stop before sending dust flying as it resettled to a steady float just above the grass covered dirt of the forest. That scream hadn't been far. A good distance to my left, I think.
Hand raised in that direction, I sent my aura forward.
Another use for Glynda's semblance, I found, was sensory in nature. By spreading the influence of my telekinesis across a wide area, not moving or applying pressure to anything but just letting it brush against anything in the path of my aura, I could map out my surroundings, Grimm and people included.
And by the feel of things a small caravan was in the middle of fending off an attack from the former.
Might as well work this opportunity in my favor.
I turned, zooming around trees and over bushes. As I neared the distant presence's, the familiar sounds of combat growing closer I dropped off my blade and into a sprint, the bandaged weapon flying into my grasp. I caught glimpses of the horse drawn wagons I sensed as I neared the end of the forest line as well as one of the Grimm beginning to rise on its hind legs near one of them.
An ursa.
I jumped, breaking through the green canopy above and, with telekinesis boosting the strength behind it, I chucked my sword straight at the Grimm. Despite the bandages, it pierced clean through the beast's dark form, turning the moment it exited the other side and returning to my hand. Another ursa, on the opposite side of the wagon, stopped its attack to follow the blade path's up to me, mouth opening for a roar.
Both hands grasping the handle of my sword I spun, using it at as a blunt weapon and slamming the broad side down on to its maw, the roar silenced as soon as it dropped to a motionless heap. I jumped off its body, moving onto the rest of the Grimm, small beowolves swarming onto the dirt paved trail.
It quickly became clear that the fight I'd inserted myself into wasn't being fought by one cohesive group.
Those fighting alongside me, all desperate to defend a trio of wagons containing a mix of people and goods, were probably just part of a local village militia rather than actual huntsmen. Their aura shields were rough and only good for a hit or two at most while their simple weaponry weren't much better.
Meanwhile, the single wagon ahead of all the others, containing nothing but inanimate objects by the feel of it, was protected by a trio of fighters actually working in tandem with one another with more standard weaponry capable of both close ranged and distant combat. They were holding off on using much gunfire, however, likely trying to avoid more Grimm gathering up.
Despite being so close together, these were very different groups with differing priorities.
Bandaged blade cleaving through one final trio of beowolves, I glanced around. Those I'd been fighting with were regaining their breaths, their weak shields already dropped. The fighters in that other group were still on guard, a close eye kept on the surrounding forest and weapons at the ready despite having long since fended off those attacking them.
"What was that!?" One of the desperate group's fighters was quick to stomp forward, stopping just in front of and glaring at the small group that hadn't made a single attempt to help them. "Why didn't you help us? The whole point in all of us traveling together is protecting each other not-"
"We never said anything about traveling together." Bald with a number of tattoos spread across his body, one of the more experienced group's members stepped forward, glaring down at the much shorter man before him. "You're distractions, nothing else. Now step back." Adjusting the dark great axe he wielded so it rested across his frayed purple vest, the man raised a brow. "Unless we have a problem you want to settle?"
Life on the road in Remnant was as brutal as it was merciless. And not just because of the Grimm.
"Thank you, thank you so much." Another of the group I helped said, stepping in front of me. The man, on the chubbier side, offered a strained smile, managing to maintain a steady gaze but unable to completely hide the countless micro expressions my Sharingan picked up on as well as the faint quiver in his voice.
A pitch black mask and a giant sword I managed to split Grimm with despite the bandages dulling the blade? Most would think twice about approaching me this far from any settlement.
I gave him a slight downward tip of the head.
His face instantly relaxed, only the customary tension to be expected out here remaining. "We don't have much Lien on hand but we we're headed to the capital for some trade." The man said, gesturing toward the house drawn wagon he'd come down from. A number of curious eyes peeked out from holes in the worn cloth cloth covering it. "Its not much but if there's something you want, like food or maybe clothes, I'd be more than happy to give it to you for your help."
"No thanks." I said, looking past the man and back at the other group. The one who dared to question their lack of action had been successfully scared away, all of the rugged fighters already prepping to take off.
The bald man wasn't the only tattooed one. Each, many wearing purple in some shape or form, had a dark tattoo in the form of a spiderweb on some part of their body. The neck, shoulder, and more.
They weren't some ragtag group of fighters but an organized one with shared routes.
And, as it just so happened, the group I'd planned on looking for once I reached the city.
"But I wouldn't mind a ride if you're willing." I said as I raised my sword and returned it to its place on my back. "I'll help with any Grimm until we reach the city."
His eyes lit up, rapid nods leaving him before I even finished the offer. "Of course, of course. We'll make some space for you right now." Calling over some of the others who'd been fighting, they led me towards the rear of the wagon. After readjusting some crates and bags, a number of their group, mostly a few children and the weaponless, having been waiting out the attack behind all of it, they created a seat for at the end of the wagon.
It wasn't long before the caravan resumed its forward march, all of them remaining together despite the brief argument. Not like there was much of a choice when taking alternate, less traveled paths, usually meant death.
Lil' Miss Malachite.
Admittedly, not a character with a lot of screentime, but without even visiting the capital I've already heard her name from others throughout Mistral here and there. She was the go to person for anyone interested in the ongoings of Mistral's thriving underworld. Certainly not someone to be written off if I wanted a good source of info while in the city.
And her people were going to lead me straight to her.
XOXO
(A/N: You know, I don't blame people for dropping any story including mine for stuff they might not like, hell I encourage you to do that so you don't waste any of your precious time, but it always pains me to see some inaccurate comment in the first few chapters and someone dropping it because of their assumptions. Like someone mentioned that because the MC is older than the main cast this is obviously going to have a lot of OCs and while I don't like spoiling my own story I can tell you even in the chapters I've written ahead, not a single prominent OC has showed up. Unnamed background people like cashiers or something, sure, but whole OCs meant to effect the story? If that happens at all there presence will be kept to a minimum, because you know, I'd like to explore all the interesting stuff the show already offers us.
I could always explain that to them but eh, if they read any part of my story and decided it wasn't for them, fair enough. Besides, if I'm not sure I want to attract any readers that won't give an aspiring author the trust that they can do something creative and cook as its called today, so fuck explaining anything. That shit just sounds draining and I enjoy what I'm doing so no thank you.
Little rant aside, hope you enjoyed this, and of course, here's the link for anyone looking to read ahead:
patreon .com/ thirdratewriter
I also dropped my first log thing or whatever there. Its just a post avaible to all members, free or paid, that lists out my plans for the month. Nothing too crazy.
See you all in the next one and here's to hoping we hit another 5 out of 5 this week.)