Authors Note:

Well, here we are. After FIVE months of on and off writing along with constant world building and plot development, I finally got this chapter done. I am thankful for all the Follows, Likes and Reviews, it really motivates me to move onward. Volume 7 was somewhat good, but they definitely wasted so much potential. SPOLIERRANT(They wasted Jacques, they wasted Atlas, they brought Penny back with no change whatsoever and made her the Maiden to subvert your expectations, they wasted the Aceops and they made General Ironwood the baddie despite the fact that he was just being pragmatic and trying to at least make a tactical retreat. There's more but I don't feel like addressing it yet.)RANTOVER. I'll say this, if by some miracle I'm able to ever finish this story, the Atlas Arc is gonna be Very different. RWBY and friends will probably be a little more understanding of some things. The whole political crap of the last volume was stupid and it'll be even more clear how stupid it was in this story, foreshadowing.

Anyway, on with the story! Enjoy!

Reviews:

Another S.T.A.L.K.E.R: I try my best to work on this story whenever I can. The biggest obstacles for me is trying to get into the mindset for each particular character and constantly developing new lore for the sadly bare bones lore for RWBY. Of course, I also get distracted with Work, Games, Anime and other FanFics as well. I realize as I've gotten ready to update this story, it's already halfway through 2020 and this story started in January 2018, so I promise to work twice as hard.

Yes, they actually are. In fact, I'd say the entire Last Legion's Culture, aesthetics, religion and tactics are based heavily off the toxic parts of the fictional factions of Caesar's Legion, along with the Empire and Stormcloaks from FO:NV and TES:V and the real world inspirations come from the Toxic Parts of Spartan, Roman, Viking and even Aztec Cultures and Religions. (What I mean by toxic is that those factions and cultures did have some positives to balance out the negatives, The Last Legion honestly has none.)

Sorta, but it's way more complex than it seems. Let's just what Umbra goes through is a combination of Guts inner Beast of Darkness from Berserk and Senua's Madness from Hellblade.

I try my best to find and correct errors, it's just that's it a bit hard sometimes because I write on my phone and stupid autocorrect can make a correctly written sentence into a fractured mess and that goes undetected for months. Also, sometimes I mistype because I write when I'm tired.

To be honest, I'm finding that most chapters I write are way too long. The chapter you're about to read is shorter than it was going to be.

I know what you mean, people usually have things go over the top for no reason when it comes to Cardin. I'm glad mine was the most balanced, I wrote that encounter how I envisioned he would react. Those other stories, I notice, just literally make it go 100 for no reason or just as you wrote, they do the "Bullying bad mkay" Umbra isn't going to attack people for bullying, unless it's really serious or it reminds him of something bad. Now, I'm not going to spoil anything but things with CRDL might escalate as the chapters go by.

"People usually experience being both bully and victim." This one line is actually ironically relevant for the entire story.

I will admit, RWBY has shit character development and world building, though some of that could be fixed with longer episodes. Most of the villains motivations are so one dimensional and so are some protagonists as well. In all honesty, it's why I created the Last Legion. I'm not going to spoil all their motivations though. I know Remnant is supposed to be barren but I actually created dozens of new cities for each kingdom and even accounted for cultural conversion like Æthel becoming Ethel. I even made maps, though I have no way to show anyone.

Your welcome for the chapter and here is another one for you.

Guest: Thanks.

Srikara: Here's another chapter for you.

Starlord Master: Happy May to you as well. There's a lot of themes in this story, but I'd say two of the biggest themes is the best and worst aspects of Human nature, grey morality and indetermism vs determinism.

But if you want a good picture of what this story is akin to, then I recommend looking into the mangas of Berserk and Vinland Saga. Because I was inspired a lot by these two stories and some of the messages they have.

Warning: Graphic Content and adult themes (Seriously, just in case anyone gets triggered. This story is unironically heading towards GOTs level of Maturity. Oh, just to clear it up, I don't approve of the Bad Guys actions, that's why they're the Bad guys. The Last Legion are the most Toxic society possible with no redemptive qualities.)

"I don't own any of the series I write FF of. I only own my OC's and my unique aspects added to the story. I don't own any music or songs possibly mentioned, they are just recommendations. All credit of Rwby goes to RoosterTeeth."

Chapter 12: Clash of Swords.

"Begin!" On Goodwitch's words, Dove and Umbra-just stood still and eyed each other. RWBY, JNPR, CRL and the rest of the class watched in anticipation. Many whispered and talked about the Swordsmen. The Ominous Red Sword wielder, Umbra and Dove Bronzewing, The most skilled member of CDRL-some say to the detriment of Cardin. Umbra simply let his sword lean on his shoulder as he started walking to the right, his stance was casual and easygoing. Dove was cautious, moving in a stiff stance. This continued for a moment, until Umbra spoke.

"Are you descended from Nobility?" He asked, making everyone pause. Weiss rubbed her face, and spoke as they all watched.

"What is he doing?" Dove however Responded.

"Yes, I am." Dove said proudly, "I'm heir apparent of the great House Bronzewing." Umbra smiled devilishly.

"I guess that explains the shitty armor, Bitchwing." Dove jerked back in shock, while some of their classmates laughed and others agasped. Glynda pinched her nose.

"How dare you insult my ancestors and my family!" The Normally calm Brunette growled, "I will make you suffer for those words-" His Noble rant however was interrupted as Umbra took the opportunity to dash at him and swing his sword with both hands. Missing narrowly because of Dove jumping back at the last moment, Tyrfing was swung again at him. The Brunette boy rolled to the side and got up, then backed away with his sword high and his breath shallow. Umbra Just twirled his crimson blade in his hands.

"Your sure quick on your feet, I'll give you that Little Dove."

"You're pissing me off, you Scarface looser." Umbra laughed.

"Alright Squinty Eyes, why don't you give me your best shot?" Dove grinned.

"Gladly..." He then aimed his sword at Umbra and fired three times. Everything slowed to a crawl for a moment for Umbra as he activated his instinct to deflect the bullets in time but as it ended, Dove came at him. Swinging horizontally and diagonally at him while he blocked every time he could. However Umbra jumped back and came forward with his sword in a two handed left diagonal swing, Dove met him with his one-handed Blade only for him to be knocked down and forced to roll out of the way of a second strike. He got up quick as Umbra raised his sword up with one hand.

"I got to admit, you about hand me there. Unfortunately for you, it seems that I'm stronger." He chuckled.

"Strength doesn't win everything." Dove asked with spite.

"Your right, Shitwing." He said with a smirk, "Though if I used all my strength right now, it would." The Noble-blooded boy snarled and retorted.

"Shut up, you Ratson!" He viscously lunged forward only for Umbra to disappear. "What the-"

"Over here!" Dove turned just in time to dodge a slash from his left. In a blink of an eye, Umbra disappeared again, Dove was knocked forward from a pommel strike to his back. Dove rolled into a kneeled stance and was horrified. "Over here!" Umbra kept on saying as he flashed all around Dove.

Back in the stands, Team RWBY and JNPR witnessed the stunt. "What is he doing?" Yang asked, confused at the Banter-filled fight. Blake answered her as she watched the fight closely.

"He's toying with him, wearing him out mentally to weaken him physically to make him lash out." She told her Team, "This is what he did to us." Everyone's eyes widened in realization.

"I see," Pyrrha said with a frown, "He pushes people's buttons to make them lose focus. That is one of his fighting styles." Weiss found herself reflecting on that night, watching this fight and so did Jaune.

"I fell for it." They both thought concurrently.

"Face me coward!" Dove shouted warily. Umbra just walked slowly around him.

"Why should I?" He asked with a smirk.

"Because, we're in the middle of a fight!" Umbra chuckled.

"Well, I guess you make a point-" He suddenly threw a throwing knife at Dove who dodged to the side, then ran up to him drawing his dagger. Dove raised his blade in defense as Umbra duel wielded Tyrfing and his dagger, like a whirlwind. Dove side stepped and slung his blade in a horizontal slash only for The Dark Swordsman to roll out of the way and throw his dagger at him. Dove leaped out of the way for Umbra to suddenly appear behind and knee him in the back.

Knocked forward, the Young Noble turned and shot his sword's gun mechanism at the Shadow. He deflected every last shot as he charged him. Their swords met in sparks as they battled fiercely. Neither giving an inch nor a sign of submission. The sound of metal clanging and ringing was a familiar sound to Umbra, one he had long since adapted to. It was a sound that saddened him and it was a sound that thrilled him. His blood pumped in his veins as felt the desperation of his opponent, something he had relished for so long. The rest of the class watched in amazement and in concern as the two boys went at it.

"They're fighting like dogs!" Weiss exclaimed, witnessing the savagery of their blows. Ruby was beginning to get worried.

"Miss Goodwitch needs to stop this fight, they're going to hurt each other really bad."

"They're both still in the green." Blake said, looking up at the Aura Bars above the arena. Everyone looked up in surprise.

"COME ONE DOVE, KICK THAT SCARFACE'S ASS!" Cardin called out, Russle and Sky followed.

"SEND THAT NEW KID PACKING!"

"NO MERCY!" Yang looked at the bully's with annoyance before standing up and shouting.

"COME ON UMBRA! BEAT HIM UP!"

Goodwitch just watched the fight with Amazement, Umbra had far exceeded her expectations and so did Dove as well. They both met each other with metal, fist, kick and sheer willpower. Like dancers at a party and boxers in a ring.

Umbra slashed at Dove only to be met with a fist to the face as he then kicked the Noble in the side. Dove nicked him with his sword but he slapped him back. The Shadow pommel striked the Bronzewing in the chest knocking him back on one knee. "I won't lose to someone unworthy like you!" Dove screamed as he activated his semblance to the shock and anger of his team leader.

"NO! DON'T DO IT BRONZEWING!!" Cardin shouted in rage as one of his secret weapons was revealed to the whole class. Bronze colored fiery wings formed from Dove's back as he stood up. Umbra grinned, this fight, this was what gave him pleasure. He charged the winged Noble only for dove to swoop out of the way to strike him in the back. Umbra quickly turned to the now laughing Dove.

"Behold, peasant, this is the power of house Bronzewing." He said in a haughty tone, his arms out stretched with a smirk.

Umbra laughed in his face. "That's your grand power?! The Semblance of House Bitchwing?!" He struggled to reign in his mirth, "I've face far worse than you."

Dove's face wrinkled in pure anger. "You insufferable upstart!" He swooped forward with his sword, and assaulted the Swordsman with a fury. Umbra block as much as he could but he was hit hard a few times by the blade and the Bronzewing's free hand. Umbra tried to strike back with Tyrfing, but found some of his strikes deflected and blocked by Doves wings like a sword against a bronze shield. With a gamble, he tried to close the distance and grapple him only for his opponent to beat him to it.

Dove smacked and tossed Umbra around as he relentlessly beat him. He flew up into the air with his hand around Umbria's throat and threw him down onto the ground hard enough to crack the tiles. The Brown haired boy let go as he flew up into the air and readied his sword, as he flew straight down, the Reaper smiled at him. Before his sword made contact, a red flash blinded Dove as he heard a roar from above.

"ITS OVER!" The Redsword bearer shouted as he brought his blade down upon him through the air. The Noble couldn't do anything as he slammed into the flow pretty quick, while his attacker gracefully landed. The bleachers erupted in cheers at the surprise move, Jaune however just stared on in self reflection. He felt envious, he was way out of his league. While himself moved stiff on the battlefield, Umbra danced to the rhythm of battle.

The Dark Swordsman stood up straight with a cocky smiled and looked up to the class. "And that is what I call a victory-uff!" He was interrupted as Dove struck him in the side with his fist and knocked back by his blade. He quickly got up and grabbed his sword to see a furious Dove before him.

"I WILL NOT LOSE TO A WORTHLESS SCARFACED PEASANT LIKE YOU!!" His eyes were wide open, his teeth visible gritting. Umbra just laughed.

"Oh, your soooo impressive." He said as he readied his sword, "I'm just getting warmed up." He needed to think strategically, "Ok, obviously his Semblance gives him heightened mobility and defense. Break that shield and he should be back to being more open."

"JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!" The Young Noble rushed him, he just smirked. Umbra sidestepped and reached his left hand out. A subtle crimson flame formed around the hand, catching the attention of his new team. He grabbed the bronze colored wing made of aura and tore it off with the momentum. Dove fell forward onto the ground and let out a cry of pain as his other wing evaporated. The Aura wing dispersed like embers in the crimson flames.

"How is that possible?" Weiss was amazed. "That should be impossible! You can't tear someone's Aura!" Yang looked at her arm.

"Did he do that to him?"

"He's in the Yellow while Dove is in the Orange." Blake said, breaking everyone's stupor as they looked at the bars. Meanwhile, down below Dove raised himself up off the ground.

"Looks like I've practically won, Bitchwing." He said with smirk. The Brunette looked at him with wide, weary eyes.

"Damn you, you Whoreson."

Umbra's face flattened.

Whoreson.

Images of two boys with black hair running across the beach flashed through his mind.

WHORESON.

The rays of the sun shined as they ran up the hill. She was there with a smile on her face, brown wavy hair flowing in the wind along with her white dress.

WHORESON.

They ran up and hugged her. She looked down at them with black eyes as she ran her hand through their hair. "My Baby Boys."

Whoreson.

"She's was just a whore."

"Shut your Goddamn mouth." Umbra spoke, silencing the whole room. He was visibly shaking, his crimson eyes were wide with hatred. "You can say anything you want about me. But don't you dare call MY DEAD MOTHER A WHORE!!"

"What did I say-" Dove was interrupted as Umbra teleported right by him and punched him in the side.

"I SAID SHUT UP!" He shouted as brought his sword at him, hitting the Noble's armor hard enough to crack, then again and again multiple times. He knocked him back and forth using teleportation and then he kicked him back. Umbra brought his left hand along the red blade in a swift motion and summoned the crimson flame, coating it as he twirled around and brought the sword in a upwards motion spouting flames as it threw Dove into the air. Then slamming it downwards, the crimson fire throwing the Bronzewing into the ground forming a red explosion.

When the dust cleared, The Redson stood over the Noble, panting with fury still lit in his eyes. The latter, laid broken in a cracked crater moaning in pain. Above them, Dove's Aura Gage was red while Umbra's was full. The room was dead silent.

"Your lucky." Umbra said, looking down at Dove with malicious intent. "Your so lucky we're right here." Then, he turned around, sheathed his sword and grabbed his knives around the arena as he left the room. Glynda called the nurse as she rushed over to the downed Student, shooting a gaze at the back of that Monster.

RWBY, JNPR, and the rest of the class just sat silent as CRL rushed down to the arena. It was safe to say, Combat Class was over today.

Locker Room.

Umbra just sat there in the corner, he put Tyrfing up but still he could hear the sword trying to comfort him. He blocked it all out. The memory of his mother stung him deeply, second only to her. He could remember his mother's loving voice, he could remember that time of peace. He could remember him. The days they played, the joys of youth. All gone.

"Why am I here?" He asked himself, a question he found himself asking all the time.

"You know why." Spoke ominous voice, the sounds of loud steps caught his attention as he looked up at him. The tall hooded figure looked down upon him with a sketal grin. "We're Destined to burn this world down." The figure knelt down and looked him right in the eye. It had the face of a skull and the red eyes of a demon. "All you got to do is stop caring."

"Why won't you leave me alone?" He just says in a sigh of defeat.

"We're one in the same, Um-Bra." It snickered, "I can never truly leave you alone." It got closer to him and he could feel and smell the hot rotten breath of the apparition. "Don't you remember? That feeling you felt. When you first killed mercilessly." The room began to dull into a dark and oppressive forest.

"No..." He tried to close his eyes to no avail as the demon grabbed his head and made him look. "Yes."

In the clearing, there was a small Boy over someone else.

"DIE!" He shouted as he continued to raise a large rock into the air only to bring it down upon his enemy. A loud crunching sound was made as blood sprayed on him. "DIE!!" Umbra walked towards him. "DIE DIE!!!" He screamed once more as the stone hit its mark and blood splattered again.

Umbra reach out to him "Please...stop..." The boy dropped the stone and turned to look at him. Red eyes gazed back into his as the boy's face was caked in blood along with droplets soaking his wild hair. Everything froze as Umbra felt cold hands grab his shoulders from behind.

"Don't you remember the feeling you had that day, the ecstasy." It whispered in his ear. "The sweet and iron taste of Blood and Victory. You loved that feeling and you still do. Your stronger than them all Um-Bra. But, your too emotional to be the man you're meant to be." The things mouth was right by his ear, "Just let me have your body and we could fulfill our purpose or, you could finally come to your senses. Either way, we will do our Duty."

"Fuck your duty." He said with gritted teeth, "I'm not anyone's Slave!" The hands clamped down on him in pain.

"We're all slaves to something, Um-Bra." It's voice became more snake like with hissing, "You will see that one day. Just like your mother saw you before she was beheaded by him."

Suddenly, he was sitting against the corner again. "Umbra, Listen to me!" The Sword Mentally screamed. "It's going to be alright, I know that made you think of her but you need to stop letting these people get to you!"

"I know." The dark haired boy responded as he stood up. "But I couldn't let him call her that..."

"Umbra..." The Sword spoke softly.

He could only imagine how the rest of the school views him now. He sighed as he heard footsteps, he look towards the door and Jaune was there. "Umbra! Everyone was wondering where you went." He walked into the locker room, the Ravenette just sighed.

"I just had to clear my head." He replied in a quiet tone. "Am I in trouble?"

"Well...I don't think so. You did break Dove's Aura but, that's not exactly against the rules."

"In all honesty, he's very lucky." He darkly said. Jaune nervously laughed and tried to defuse the situation.

"Well-I mean-You did beat him!" Umbra looked at the blonde with a sad expression.

"I'm sorry for being...off putting." He scratched the back of his head. "I just...I'm not a normal person."

"Who really is? I'm no different, I'm so far behind everyone in Combat skill, you on the other hand Umbra. Your a prodigy like Pyrrha and Weiss." The Blonde tried to make him feel better.

"I wish I wasn't." The red eyed boy look forward, "I wish I never had to fight to begin with. All my life, it's been the same never ending story. It's a curse. Yet I can't help but love it, because I have nothing else. You saw it, didn't you Jaune. The way I acted, the smile on my face. I loved fighting him, if he didn't say that one goddamn word, I would've been smug.."

"Umbra, for what's it worth, you have my sympathy." Jaune spoke looking away. "Everyone heard what you said and I guess I never thought about it, but I'm sorry for your mother."

"Thanks." He spoke wearily. "I wish I could just forget."

"What?"

"The face my mother made when she died." Jaune was left speechless. Ruby held tears back when she heard that, hiding behind the door.

After a minute of silence, he spoke again "I'm sorry for laying that on you. Let's change the topic, how did you know I was here?"

"Oh...Ruby said you might be here. She went to go look for you in courtyard." Jaune replied, trying to get his mind off what he just heard. "Everyone else went to the cafeteria."

"Well, let's just go." Ruby sighed. Jaune had done a better Job than she would have. She was afraid she'd screw up, the anxiety was more than she could bear. Even now her body shook from her nerves. She always found herself calm in a fight but these situations, they tested her in a way Grimm couldn't. She hardly could handle her team before Umbra, how is she gonna handle it with him. She swallowed her spit and turned the corner.

"Oh there you are!" She spoke with feigned cheer.

"Hey..." Umbra said quietly.

"I found him Ruby, you were right-" Jaune was cut off when she hugged him.

"Thanks Jaune!" She let go and walked up to Umbra, "Why did you run off mister!? You made everyone worried!"

"I'm sorry... It's just that, I had some bad memories." He ran his hand through his hair, "It makes me angry." Ruby awkwardly patted him on the back.

"It's ok Umbra. I'm here if you need to talk about it."

"Let's just go to the cafeteria, I might as well try the food here." He walked off, Ruby and Jaune just gazed at each other awkwardly and followed.

Ozpin's Office, Beacon Academy.

Ozpin watched the footage with a stoic face. Umbra was just as skilled as he knew him to be, but his anger was also a problem. He suspected something like this would've happened, but he didn't think he would hold back so much. "Ozpin!" Glynda got his attention from the footage. "You need to expel him, he's too dangerous."

"I know, which is exactly why we need him."

"What?!" Glynda's face turned blood red, "Are you kidding me?! This isn't about her, this is for the safety of our school and our students!"

"I understand your concerns Glynda, but tell me, what did you think of his fighting style?" She paused and thought for a moment, reflecting on the fight.

"He is a skilled fighter, I will admit that. But he is simply too dangerous-" He cut her off.

"Did you notice his semblance?" She shook her head.

"The Red Flames?"

"Yes, "Soul Drain" as it's labeled." He took a sip of his coffee, "That Semblance is more than meets the eye Glynda." She huffed and rebutted him.

"Listen Ozpin, that doesn't matter! He almost killed a student!"

"He almost did, he held back though."

"Argh!!! Why are you defending him?!" She snapped, he took another sip.

"I think it's time I tell you something Glynda, something I've not even told the rest of our clique. This should provide the insight that you need." She flinched.

"What is it? Tell me!" She demanded, he just sat his mug down on his desk.

"Very well, Umbra is a very important piece on the board..."

Beacon Academy, Cafeteria.

He felt anxiety eating him up as he entered the Cafeteria. People eyed him and whispered, apparently news of his fight spread like wildfire. He Ruby and Jaune talked behind him, but he didn't really listen. He grabbed tray, got some food and followed his companions to their table. He noticed all their eyes on him, it was like spiders crawling up and down his skin. The two Redheads still gave him a sharp glare as he sat down right beside Ruby and looked at his food. It's been a while since he's ate welll, months even. Is this food even going to be good- a hand waved in his face.

"Hello? Earth to Umbra? Anyone there?" The Blonde in front of him spoke. He looked up to see everyone staring at him.

"What?" He asked in a almost dead voice.

"What happened? Why did you storm off like that?" Blake asked with concern.

"I..." Images of her decapitated head flashed through his mind as he remembers the look in her eyes, crying out to be saved. "I just got a little heated and I needed to cool off."

"Well, that understandble." She knew it was a lie of somekind, she heard what he said out in the arena. Yang interrupted with a laugh.

"You really did good in your first Combat Class Umbra! Your fight is the talk of the school!" She said trying to cheer him up.

"Yeah, I really wished it wasn't." He could feel all their eyes on him like daggers.

"You did take it a bit too far in the end." The hidden Faunus commented.

"Well, I did hold back on him." As everyone mulled over these words, Weiss asked a question.

"Why was your Aura gage green at the end of the match?" Umbra's eyes widened as everyone shifted their focus to Weiss.

"I noticed that as well," Blake jumped in, "Usually, a persons aura doesn't regenerate that fast." Everyone stared at him for an answer, both new friends and foe alike. Sighing, Umbra took a deep breath.

"It's because of my Semblance." He answered. Internally screaming because of the explanation to come.

"What do you mean it's your Semblance?" Pyrrha spoke up, "A Semblance shouldn't be able to regenerate Aura out of nowhere."

"It didn't come out of nowhere, Miss Cereal, I absorbed it from Dove."

"How is that possible?" Weiss asked, "An Aura is strictly unique to the person it belongs to. It can't be took forcibly by others, at least that's what all the books say, only it can be given by one's own will or by a semblance that enhances or heals."

"My semblance is unique, or so everyone who has observed said. There are three factors that are important about Semblances and Auras, a semblance is supposed to be an extension of Aura, everyone has a certain amount of aura in them their entire lives, Jaune for example has a lot, and aura is supposed to regenerate overtime like cells in the body." He explained, "My Aura is unique in the fact that one, naturally I have a very small aura well compared to most people. Two, it doesn't regenerate."

"WHAT?!" Nearly everyone shouted in shock, the cafeteria was in awkward silence as Umbra pinched his nose. The two teams looked around and found themselves in a awkward situation.

"I ain't finished." The cafeteria eventually started to get loud again as they went on with their conversations. Umbra looked up at them and raised his hands. "I'll explain that after this next part. Three, my Aura is my semblance."

"What do you mean? Isn't that what they are to begin with?" Yang asked.

"They're an extension of aura. Mine is my aura entirely." He raised his right hand. A crimson flame sprouted from it, covering his entire lower arm and hand. They could all feel a very light burning sensation. "This is my semblance in its purest form, an all consuming aura." It clicked in Yang's head.

"Is that what you used against me in the forest?"

"Yes, my Semblance's core feature is the ability to absorb or drain the aura from other creatures and make it my own."

"But what about the teleporting and the other things?"

"That's apart of my semblance as well, the thing about it is that it gives me mastery over my aura. The teleporting, it isn't really that. But instead, I'm taking control of my aura and repositioning it around other people's aura. For example, I can teleport all around this room right now because of everyone in here. When there's no one around, it's more difficult to do and I can't use it to travel in a closed off solid room, even if there's someone on the other side of a wall. That ability is kinda like a pinpoint version of Ruby's semblance."

"That's really cool! We could use that in team attacks!" The Red Reaper said excitedly.

"Well, I guess-" He was interrupted by Blake.

"What about the other abilities as well?"

"Well, I'm not going over them, but a common trait is that all the extra tidbits my semblance can do, they exist so I can absorb someone else's aura easier. For example, the teleporting ability, when I first was able to use it, I could only teleport to a person-so I could grab them easier."

"That sounds like a really overpowered semblance." Jaune spoke, "How were you not able to defeat us all?"

"Well you see Jaune, my semblance is really powerful but it's incredibly dangerous. I can't use my abilities without absorbing others Aura, because using them drains it. And if I use my semblance too much, it affects my mental state."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Ruby asked with concern.

"Let me give a basic description, my power is like a prescription drug, a highly addictive prescription drug. I need to use it to survive but, if I use too much of it, I begin to want too much. My semblance can kill people by draining their aura empty, and it can absorb the aura of people I kill. Back tracking to before..."

"Are you saying?..." Blake's eyes widened.

"If I use my semblance too much, I become someone else. I go berserk and try to consume all the aura around me, from animals, Humans and Faunus." Everyone went silent, even Pyrrha was shocked. "In that state of mind, it doesn't matter who or what is around me. I become a monster that only cares about that warm feeling I get from absorbing others aura. Most of the time, I've been able to knock myself out of that but, I've been unfortunate before and...innocent people have have died from that version of me." He looked at his hand, "That's why I didn't really use my semblance against you all. I can easily kill people with this power and go crazy as easily too."

"That's...dark." Was all Weiss could say as everyone just mulled that over in their heads.

"It is, but I'm not a Monster. I've practiced and I've learned how to limit my use of it and control how much I absorb. So I don't risk hurting innocent people." The wild crimson flame turned to crimson embers lightly coating his arm, he laid his arm on the table. "This is the lowest intensity of my semblance, touch my hand."

"W-What?" The Heiress sputtered, Blake and Yang flushed.

"I want you all to touch my hand, it won't hurt, it's a very light sting at this level."

"I don't know..." The Hidden Faunus pondered for a moment before Ruby and Yang grabbed his arm.

"That feels so weird..." Ruby took note note of the very light stinging sensation, it was uncomfortable yet relaxing in a way.

"This is very different from what I felt that night on the mountain." She remembered the horrible burning she had experience, this was nothing in comparison.

"That's because Yang, I nearly used my full power on you that night, I'm sorry again for that. My semblance at full power can burn people's flesh and turn them to shriveled up husks." This made everyone grit their teeth.

"That's concerning..." She responded as she and Ruby took their hands off his arm.

"Well, I didn't use that much power on you for a reason—Weiss?" He was surprised as Weiss grabbed his hand. Even with his hot semblance activated, her hand was ice cold. It felt weird and very...relaxing. The only comparison he could make would be being in a pool filled with glacier ice in the middle of the hottest part of the Vacuoan Desert. She felt a similar comparison, his hand felt like being in a hot tub in the Tundra of Solitas. They both felt things they never did before, a feeling of a mutual ecstasy. Weiss took her hand off and looked at it.

"You know, you shouldn't make big deal out of nothing, you dolt. There was hardly a sting at all." She lied.

"Well to each their own." He responded trying to get his mind off that feeling.

"Let me try it." Blake asked as she grabbed his hand. She felt to Umbra, surprisingly Warm and Cold. Like a night in a Mistralan Rain Forrest. To Blake, he felt so similar to him. His grip alone was identical, but besides the stinging sensation, that warmth was parallel to her ex Mentor and Lover.

"I don't think it's as bad as you make it out to be, it's almost pleasant." She smiled in a way that made Umbra blush.

"Oh, well, I'm done showing off my semblance and all that stuff." As he gently removed his hand from hers, he almost noticed that she held onto every bit of his hand as he slipped it out of hers. He deactivated his semblance and actually got to eat his food, it was good for a change despite the fact it was cold. Everyone else mulled the information over in their heads differently. His new team was concerned, but in different ways. As the bell rang, it was time for the next class.

Vale, Industrial District, Last Legion HQ.

He hated it. He hated the waiting and the delay. Every day that passes for him is another day of disgrace, another day of dishonor. The thought of dying before redeeming himself was terrifying. He sat alone on his bed, looking at his huge hands. Mars had always been big, when he was six, he towered over every other boy at the Conscriptio, he alone out of all the yelps at that village was chosen. The rest only grew up to eunuch Slaves, while he walked the glorious path. He excelled in the Agoge, out preforming all others in all types of training. And then, he was chosen to become a Champion too, just like his dead Father.

He only saw victory after victory, never once did he face or tasted defeat. Never did he ever run like a coward in Combat, he was always first to the battle. That was, until he faced Him. He couldn't stand it, he couldn't stand it! He had followed the path of Tyrr and served him faithfully, he had been a devout warrior with a iron will and a unbroken resolve. Now he was-there was a knock at his door.

"What is it!?" He shouted, the door opened as a frail man with a collar on spoke.

"My Lord, dinner will be in ten minutes." He told him in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, I know, now leave me alone Slave." He replied in spite.

"Yes my Lord. May Tyrant smile upon you." The man closed his door as Mars just sighed. He never liked male slaves, they're just reminders of what could've been if one was born weak or deemed unworthy by a Priest. He got up and went to his bathroom, he was met by his rough face and shaved head. His orange eyes were just like his fathers, he remembered the last time he saw him when he was four. Ares the Bold they called him, Ares the Towering. When he learned that he died in Combat against some Huntsman or Huntress, he was beyond furious. Despite all his efforts, he couldn't find out who killed him.

He looked at the mark on his chest and grit his teeth. A sign of failure he couldn't remove.

Cafeteria, Last Legion HQ, Ten minutes later.

He always hated when he had to eat in a messhall with common grunts, he is above that. In his veins is the blood of the greatest Sky-Kings and the fiercest Warriors of the Angelic Kingdoms. The Eagle Tribe was unmatched and indomitable of all the Avian Tribes, before the Empire of Old, they were on their way to make their own. That was, of course, until the advent of the Prophet. Not that he was complaining or blaspheming, he just didn't like being away from his people with these ground walkers in the lands of Weaklings and Mutts.

He took a bite out of the lamb chop before him and completated his current situation. Jupiter wasn't one to let things drag on and be stuck behind enemy lines. Now, because unfortunately he was forced to work with two mindless brutes who have no tact whatsoever, he was stuck in Midgard of all places in Sanus. Forced to live in a dank and dark factory that's filled with Legionaries, caged slaves and dirty rodents.

In Aquila, there was no Rats or Mice. They couldn't reach the floating islands and infest the grand castles of his People. But since he's been here, he's seen three. It was all so disgusting and boring. He was a Champion, not just of the Legion, but of his People! He deserved better, like the grand bedroom he had back home and the concubines that covered his bed. He even missed the Human and other Faunus ones as well. As he took a drink of wine he saw the biggest and most aggravating man he ever met. Mars entered the big room, pushing purple clad Legionaries aside as he made his way to get some food. He hated that Coward.

All he did was cause trouble and be a detriment to the mission. It was a shame that he wasn't straight up executed the moment he came back from his failure. To think he called himself a champion of the God of War, such arrogance. He looked forward to the day he could do the Legion a favor and put that waste of space down. Death before dishonor, that is the basic expectation of any warrior. He chose to run away from a Loki of all people too. Jupiter snickered, "Truly, what a weakling."

Mars.

As he grabbed a tray, he sighed. It reminded him back when he was a captain of his own raiding party and ships, the feasts on the decks, the types of women he would bed, the raids themselves. He missed it so much, the brave but pathetic last stand of the heretics, the slaughter he and his men would commit fighting against such weaklings. It was soooo...invigorating for him.

He grabbed some food and cup of beer, he looked around at the nearly full cafeteria. But here he was in a room full of Men who had no respect for him. He walked to Jupiter when he saw him and sat down at a table with him. They didn't speak as they ate, Jupiter eyed his fellow Champion with disdain as Mars just ignored him. They continued to eat in peace until a couple of Legionaries approached their table.

"Hey, your Mars Brutalis right?" One of them in the front asked. Mars and Jupiter just looked at them with intense glares.

"What do you want Soldier?" He asked in his thick accent.

"Me and me Boys were wondering if you'd tell us about the Loki?" The Leader spoke, the Warrior grit his teeth.

"And who are you to ask me such for such a thing?" He asked.

"I am Tysander, and these men are my Cohorts." He answered. "We want to know if the rumors and stories are true." He was clean shaven with a dark undercut, his eyes had a dull purple to them.

"What stories?" Mars asked with annoyance.

"Is it true that he bears the Red Sword of Tyrr? That he can burn the souls of his enemies?" The Legionary asked.

"Yes, it's all true." Mars expression turned to subtle rage, "I wish it wasn't, but it is."

"That's good! He's a challenge befitting men of steel like ourselves!" One of the Legionaries said with a prideful voice.

"Aye! I say let him come!" Another spoke, "The Man who defeats him most certainly shall be crowned a champion!"

"It isn't that simple..."

"Why sure it is, Champion. It doesn't matter how strong he is, fighting him guarantees Championship or Martyrdom." Tysander had a smile on his face.

"You didn't face him, he's beyond your strength."

"Oh, then tell us Champion, tell us of your faithful encounter with the False Prophet." Mars looked down for a moment and sighed, before looking him straight in the eye.

"Very well."

Eleven Months Ago, Northern Sea.

"Eleven months ago, on the northern sea, me and my Auxiliaries sailed for a secluded village on the coast."

There was a bang at the door as Mars strapped his helmet to his head. "Come in!" He spoke as he turned. The door opened up and a centurion appeared.

"Sir! Land has been spotted, Centurion Lars has gathered the Men. They're all waiting on you my Lord."

"Good job reporting Gernar, let's go meet the men." The Brutalis straightened his belt and sheathes as he walked towards the door as the Centurion turned around and walked out into the hall. Sailors ran about to their stations as they walked by, Mars grabbed one and spoke to him. "Nauta, tell Navarchus Wendolen to get ready to do a beaching maneuver and to relay that order to the other Captains to do the same."

"Yes sir!" The Sailor ran off as they walked up some steps onto the deck. There was around fifty men standing in formation on the deck, mirrored by the two ships flanking their sides.

"Alright you maggots! Prepare yourselves! Dux on deck!!" Lars stood infront of the formation and shouted before turning to Mars and slamming his fist onto his breastplate. "CONSALUTO MARS!"

"Salve Mars!!!" They all shouted in unison.

"Back then, I still had respect, honor and status. Men who would die for me in a blink of an eye and Comrades who I had fought many battles with. That day, I lost everything..."

"Legionnaires! Today we serve Tyrr once more on the field of battle!" Mars began his speech, "Ahead of us lies a Profligate Village full of weak Men, wild Women and untamed children cursed by Tyke! It is our duty and obligation to put them either to the sword or in chains! The Gods are with us, ready yourselves! Swordsmen, draw your blades! Riflemen, steady your aim! Shieldguardians, you will surround the Village and protect us from Grimm! Brave Legionaries, today we either gain another victory or we head to Tyhall!" Mars drew his blades and raised them into the air.

"VICTORY OR TYHALL!" The Men on all three ships shouted. Mars walked to the front of the ship, a Trieme-92 (think of a combination of the Fire Nation Ships from ATLAB and ancient Triemes). The Village was in sight, he could see the people start to panic.

"Drums!" Slaves chained in the lower decks of the three ships started to beat the drums before them, projecting a eerie and intimidating beat. "Spare no one who gets in our way! Slaughter every Old baggage! Capture every Woman and Kid you can! Kill every Man who resists! Typhon and Tyrr wills it!!!"

Silverfin Village, two minutes ago.

"So who do you think they are?" Colton asked, a rifle in his hands. He had swept back blonde hair tied in a ponytail and scuffled beard. His eyes were grey and his skin pale.

"Not friendly," Homer replied, looking through some binoculars "I think they're raiders of some kind. Definitely not any of the Seaborn nor are they definitely affiliated with Cadoc's Men." He lowered the binoculars, "We need to get everyone inside and rally the men." He had white hair, sapphire eyes and a dark complexion.

"You radio everyone, I'm going to get my family inside the house real quick." Colton got up and ran through the Village shouting "Get inside!" As he made his way to his house by the eastern road. He saw his son and daughter building a snowman as he ran to them. "Nathan! Zara!"

"Daddy! Look at our snowman-" He cut his daughter off.

"There's no time, you need to get inside!" He slung his rifle on his back and carried his kids inside, surprisingly his wife who was sitting on the couch reading.

"What's going?!" She asked as he sat his kids down.

"The Village is being attacked by raiders. I have to go join the defense, lock the doors and hide."

"Oh gods..." She said in horror as he grabbed and kissed her.

"I love you, keep the kids safe." And with that he ran out the house only to hear hellish drums to start echoing. Grabbing his rifle off his back he ran join the defenders. He knelt down behind a barricade with Homer and a Elk Faunus named Sona. "What's happening?" He asked them.

"They're heading for the beach." Sona answered him, "There's got to be over a hundred of them!!" He peaked over and saw the ships approaching the shore and readied his rifle. They could all hear chanting in a foreign tongue and in the Common one. The praising of a unknown God coupled with the eerie drums made some of the other militiamen resolve shake. Noticing this, Colton spoke loud and authoritative.

"We have to make a stand!" Colton shouted, getting the attention of the rest of the militia. "We cannot retreat, we cannot surrender and we cannot lose! Our families are counting on us!" This rallied most of them, except when one man turn and ran. Colton aimed his gun at him and fired, he fell as a round pierce the back of his neck, making others gasp in surprise. "We're all in this together!" The ships approached the shore line as he aimed at them, "Ready!" An anchor shot out the side of the ship and planted itself on the beach. "Aim!" A man clad in black and purple armor jumped off the side of one of the ships with one sword in his hand. (A/N: If you want to know what their fighting styles are like, guys with one sword are basically the Centurion from For Honor while the guys with shields basically fight like Marius from RYSE: Son of Rome.)

"TYPHON!!!" He shouted as he charged the Militia as more joined him.

"Fire!!" The sounds of shots were followed by the sounds of pings as the rounds pierced the armor of about two dozen fanatics, blood splattering on the sand. "Hold your fire!" Colton shouted as they stopped coming, a few of the shot marauders stumbled forward with gasped as others on the ground writhed in pain, the rest were all dead. One in particular stumbled forward onto his knees with his sword firmly in his hand in the errie silence.

"M-Martyrs...take me...t-to Tyhall..." He fell forward dead, as gunshots rang out and several militiamen were shot dead. Homer's head jolted back as his brains were splattered from a round, shocking Colton.

"Homer! No!" Sona screamed as she opened fire onto the now disembarking marauders with shields. A round pierced her neck as the Shieldmen got covering fire from the ships.

"Testudo!" A voice cried out and Colton peaked out and saw them form a shield formation of about forty men. The militia only had around thirty-six members, now less. He saw the bullets deflect off the shields and the other forces running behind the shield men for cover. "Sons of Tyrr! Advance!" A rough and loud voice cried out as a humongous man jumped from the ship onto the ground infront of the shieldmen. Colton gasped as he saw the bullets deflect off him.

"He's like a Huntsman, he's got an Aura!" There's no way they can win this. No one in Silverfin has their aura unlocked, there's no huntsmen nearby except in Argos and Leonidas, Leonidas is at least a hour away and the nearest village is thirty minutes away. He had no choice, he had to get his family and run.

"FORWARDS! TO VICTORY OR TYHALL!!!" The Huge man shouted as the warriors all charged. Colton stood up and ran shouting. "Fall back!" He looked behind him and saw friends and comrades get slaughtered as men with swords ran them through or decapitated them, he even saw one tackling a man named Vern and then stab him in the chest while screaming. Others were shot, some were cut to pieces by the duel wielding leader. While one man aimed at him-he jumped behind a house as rounds passed by.

"There's a Coward behind that house! Kill him!" A voice shouted as he heard fast approaching footsteps. He aimed his gun as they turned the corner and started blasting. Four men fell before his clip ran empty, but two more still came. He blocked the Gladius with his rifle and countered with a buttstrike of the buttstock. As the marauder stumbled backwards he brought the rifle upon the other, knocking him down and grabbing his sword. The Armed man came at him, only to meet a blade stabbed in his armpit, piercing his lungs and heart, killing him. Pulling it out, Colton decapitated the rising fanatic. Blood sprayed on him as he made his way through the battle. Three more men appeared with blades, one shouting "Typhon will drink your blood!"

Colton wasn't a pro with a blade but he had learned a bit from his youth before his dream of being a hunter was squashed. So when one came at him recklessly, he parried and slashed the man's throat. "Kingdom Bastard!" The fallens comrade shouted as he stabbed at Colton but luckily he sidestepped and stabbed him through the gut, and threw him at the Last Warrior who was coming at him. Unbeknownst to Colton, he was being watched by a approaching foe.

"There was one man in that village who fought harder than any other, if the Gods had blessed him, he would've made a great Soldier-perhaps even a Champion in our Legion. But unfortunately, he was a Profligate Kingdomer and he was in my way."

Colton tackles the Legionary and struggled with him as he pushed the blade towards the exposed throat. "I won't die this way-agh!" He took advantage of the soldier's taunt and forced the blade into the throat of the man. He stood up only to hear laughing, he looked behind him to see the towering man.

"Very good. You gave them a swift death, efficient but not pleasurable." Colton was horrified, there were the sounds of gunshots, screams of terror and the sound of jubilant laughter from the invaders.

"Why? Why are you doing this?!" Colton screamed.

"The strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must." He responded with a wide grin.

"Fuck that! I-I won't let you hurt anyone else!" The Villager shouted in nervous fury raising the gladius in his hand.

"Are you strong enough to stop me?" Mars said raising his blades. Colton hesitated for a moment as he swallowed his spit and charged. Mars just toyed with him as he deflected and blocked his strikes. Colton got desperate and went for a stab when in on strike, his sword arm was severed and he was knocked forward.

"Shit!" He cringed as he reached for his pistol on his side left side and brought it up to shoot the marauder, only for that arm to be severed too. "Fuuccckk!!" He screamed as both stubs poured blood, while he laid flat on the ground, writhing in pain. "Gods save me!"

"Your Gods have abandoned you, Profligate. Look around! All your brethren put to the sword!!" Tears streamed down Colton's face as he saw who was left were being executed. Harlan was stabbed by a Legionary through the chest, Yetsen got shot down while an old couple were dragged outside and cut down. "Our Gods are with us! They are guiding our weapons and they are taking your souls to feast on! All the while, my fallen Comrades are lifted into Tyhall! Cry, cry for me you weakling Sheep. Cry in Despair!" Colton broke down in tears as Mars sheathed one blade in order to grab him by the throat. He tried to hit him with his bloody stumps, but it didn't work as Mars brought one of his Carnage Scissors up and pulled the trigger, causing it to glow orange and burn. "Now scream for me, you pig!" He shouted as he stabbed Colton in the stomach with the heated sword, twisting it with a smile on his face.

"Fuck! Fuck!! D-amn it!!! Arrrrfgggghhh!!" He screamed as the blade went up from his gut all the way through his lungs and out his shoulder, cutting him in half. His last thoughts were of his family as he died. Mars let the pile of meat fall to the snowy ground as he took in the smell, sound and events all around him. His Brave warriors slaughtered all opposition, along with any too old to be of use. The Grimm were being held off while his men dragged Men, Women and Children out of their houses into the city square. He noticed a few maidens were being taken by some of his men, he didn't care. The Spoils to the Victor after all.

"Victory was all but assured. But, soon enough, he appeared and changed everything. We fought for a bit, but then we both got serious."

Their blades met in a inferno as they clashed, melting the snow under them. "Your going to DIE, you LOKI!!"

"You gonna have to make me, BASTARD!" They both jumped back and went at each other in a blade storm. Umbra swung upwards at the Champion, but he sidestepped and brought his blades down upon the Swordsman. In a flash Umbra was behind him and striked him with a downwards slash across the back.

"Fuck!" Mars shouted as he hit Umbra with enough force to launch him with a pommel strike. "I'll crush you!" He spat as he rushed the Shadow slowly get up and kicked him through a wooden house. Umbra quickly got up and jumped back from a attack from another Legionary, but with a shield this time.

"Victory to the Strongest!!" He shouted as he swiped at the Swordsman with his gladius, he dodged to the right and cut off his shield arm. "Damn it!" The Legionary shouted in pain, "You will burn in Tyhel! You heretic!" The Fanatic shouted as he lunged at Umbra. He sidestepped to the left and cut the man in half vertically, as he fell dead, Mars came up and punched the Reaper in the back. He turned and blocked the downwards slash of the two blades.

"DIE YOU PIG!!" The Champion screamed as he kicked Umbra back and activated his flaming semblance. He came at him with his two machetes swinging wildly as flames engulfed him. The Shadow dogs and blocked every strike he could but was hit a couple of times, Mars knocked him through two houses. Umbra struggled to get up on the snowy ground, when he finally sat up, a Legionary tackled him down.

"TYHALL AWAITS ME!!" The man screamed as he grabbed the Swordsman by the throat and squeezed. He tried to beat him off him, he had to pulled his dagger out and stab the man in the side to distract him and pushed him over, got on top of him and stabbed his throat repeatedly. He got up only to roll out of the way as Mars charged at him with five Legionaries.

"Typhon is with us!!" One of them screamed, shooting at Umbra as he ran and teleporting right behind them, cutting them right in half. Mars and an Legionary with a sword attacked him at the same time. He ducked under the Carnage Scissors as the Legionary foolishly got himself decapitated by his own comrade. The Swordsman sliced at Mars exposed leg before teleport behind him and kicking him forward. As the Champion stumbled forward, a Legionary with a shield charged at Umbra. "FOR THE EMPIRE's REBIRTH!!!" He shouted as he swung at him, the Reaper blocked and kicked him back before throwing a red fire ball at him. The Legionary screamed out in horror as he fell to the ground rolling around in sheer pain whil screaming in agony. As the Man's Soul was burnt for fuel, Umbra felt himself regain some Aura. Mars and the other two Legionaries watched in horror as their comrade's skin turn burnt and crumbled as he stopped moving.

"In that moment, I saw something that shook myself to the very core as he burnt the soul of Barbanus. I have fought in many battles, I have burnt many enemies alive, I've seen Comrades flail around on fire after an explosion. I've never seen a man get his soul burnt."

"You Bastard!" One of the Legionaries screamed as he charged the Swordsman, only for him to be decapitated in one strike.

"Tyson!" The other shouted as he aimed only for a throwing knife to hit him through the eye hole on his helmet. He dropped his rifle as he fell over dead. Umbra turned around and got into a stance, ready for Mars.

"You will pay for their deaths, Loki." Mars said in a stern voice as he attached his two blades together, forming their scissor form.

"I will, right after you pay for all the ones you caused." Mars laughed.

"Ha! Now there is some of that Kingdomer Slave Morality! If you fancy such a high horse, who are you to judge us worthy of death? Is that not what the slave courts are for in these lands?" He proposed a philosophical question.

"It's simple, I'm stronger than you. Isn't that what the Legion's Philosophy is? The Stronger Victor is right and the Weak Loser is wrong? You seem to think I've adopted the codes of the Kingdom but that ain't it. I've REJECTED all codes but my own!" He charged Mars and they met in a fiery clash. Tyrfing sparked against the Carnage Scissors as the battled. Mars tried to grab him with the scissors, but he dodged everytime and countered. Umbra tried to slash his week spots, but Mars kept on parrying. Umbra sidestepped and punched Mars in the stomach only to receive a pommel strike to the face. He swung Tyrfing upwards as Mars advanced and cut at the aura of the Behemoth. But unexpected for him, Mars grabbed Tyrfing and tossed it aside as he grabbed Umbra by the throat and readied his Scissors to cut him in half. Umbra beat on the huge arm of Mars to no avail as he brought his scissors forward.

"DIE DIRTY PIG!!" Then something unexpected happened as Umbra placed his palm on his armored chest.

"BURN YOU LEGION FUCK!" Suddenly, the most terrifying and painful feeling Mars ever felt erupted through him. The feeling of being coated in lit fire dust times a thousand hit him.

"AAAAAAASSGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" His scream of terror and pain echoed through our the area, making his soldiers and sailors pause in fear, the first time in a while they had all felt that. The people cowered in fear. The Grimm, It attracted all of them in seven miles and made them berserk.

Mars threw Umbra off him, then turn and ran while screaming "FALL BACK! FALL BACK TO THE SHIPS!!" He ran by his men as they were conflicted at what just happened. Some followed him, others stayed put. The one thing apparent though, from the ravenous Howls and Roars, the Grimm were coming...and they were Hungry.

Mars ran up to his ship and climbed the anchor with a few panicked Soldiers behind him. When he climbed aboard, he shouted "GET THE ANCHORS UP! WE'RE LEAVING!"

"But Sir, what about the Men still out there and the Sheildguardians?" A Sailor asked, Mars grabbed him by the collar.

"THEY'RE ALREADY DEAD! WE NEED TO LEAVE, NOW!!" The Sailors didn't complain as they began the pulling out process. Mars looked back and saw a horde of Grimm descend upon the Village. His Men, both the attackers and the Shieldguardians ran to the ships as they pulled out and left. Grimm were right on their tail and he saw them, he saw them get torn apart by them, Beowulves ripped some of his men to shreds as Ursas mauled others. They fought back, but there was too many. He heard their screams and cry of pain as the Grimm tore into their flesh and ate them alive. He saw Lars hold his ground against five of them before a Beowulf bit his throat out. Then, he had realized.

He was a coward.

Present.

"That's my story and why I ran. I didn't want to die so pathetically that it clouded my honor and I left my Men." He looked down at his cold meal. Tysander laughed along with his men.

"That's it? The reason you disgraced yourself? All I've took away from this, is that your just a big pussy."

"You don't know how that felt!" Mars hissed.

"Felt? What are you? A Woman?" He slammed his fist down on the table, "It matters not what a Man feels; what matters is Victory or a Glorious death. If someone say, like me were to kill him, I'd become a Champion and if I died a great death instead, so be it, I'm just going to join the Martyrs in Tyhall." He pointed in Mars face. "Your just a coward, a warrior when your enemy is weaker; a marathon runner when a true challenge comes!"

"Shut it. Now." Mars growled.

"Boo woo, gonna cry? Shit and Piss? Maybe cry for mama?" Tysander mocked him, "If your a Champion, then we really need to revamp the selection process."

"I said shut up."

"What are you gonna do? Kill me? Strike me down, an honorable and well renowned Soldier, for slandering a disgrace? That sounds like murder. You could face being sacrificed for such a transgression."

"I SAID SHUT UP!" He slammed his fist down, cracking the Table.

"So be it Tyrant, just let it be known Tycoon is with me and one day I'll be a Champion and you'll be a worthless no body." Tysander got up,"Let's go men, drinks are on me!" They cheered as they got up and left the two champions. Mars just sighed and took a bite out of a chicken leg.

"Your a pathetic excuse for a warrior." Jupiter told him. Mars snorted.

"So says the pampered Bird Prince, why don't you just go back to your shitty city in the Sky?" Jupiter glared at him intensely.

"I would've already if you and that dreaded Bat didn't impede our mission." Mars then mocked him.

"Blah, blah, blah. That's all that ever comes out your mouth."

"You cretin-" He was interrupted when a Legionary approached them.

"My Lords!" He spoke while putting his right fist to his chest.

"What is it?" The Eagle Faunus asked.

"Lord Jupiter, Lord Regem requires you to report to him immediately for a assignment." He explained.

"Very well, thank you for informing me, dismissed." The Legionary left as he got up from his seat, "We shall continue this insightful conversation at a later date Mars." He turned around and walked off.

Mars just sat there alone and reflected on his life. He was just about as low one of his station could get. All he wanted to do was just make that boy pay and redeem his honor. Yet it seems the Grimmfather is content with making him suffer to test him.

Vale, "Abandoned" Warehouse, Industrial District.

"Listen, There's only so many dust shops we can rob and rob again in this city." Roman Torchwick was getting aggravated. He was Man in his late twenties, redheaded and had emerald green eyes. A bowler hat adorned his head and a white coat his torso. A young woman in a red dress took a few steps forward sat down in a chair infront of his desk, she had black hair and amber eyes, her name was Cinder Fall.

"I don't care, rob the VDF armory if you have to."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think these animals you roped into working for us have the skill or the balls to tackle the most heavily defended garrison in Vale successfully and I'm not too eager to get gunned down by some trigger happy Valen Soldier Boy who has literally done nothing his entire Military career. If you're so inclined about us robbing dust, why can't we move our operations to somewhere that has it like Kenton, Frantus or Ember?"

"Vale is the place for our operations for a reason, it is essential that we continue to make Dust hard to come by in this city alone." She explained, "Those Cities are close and unimportant to our goals but they're still useful, the more dust becomes scarce in Vale, the higher the prices become in other Valen cities. They have dust, but Vale has been using its Emergency Dust Acquisition Act to make its cities give Dust away for free to the Capital and the VDF because of our endeavors. It doesn't matter if the Kingdom's other cities, towns and Villages have a overwhelming amount of it, the Government isn't willing to waste anymore money on the matter." She raised a hand with a smug smirk on her face, "What we're doing is subverting Vale by making its own arrogant rulers destroy their own economy and using the dust to arm the White Fang. So it is absolutely necessary that we continue to deny them dust wherever they may have it."

Roman took a drink of whiskey from a glass, "That's easy for you to say, but we have caused most shops in Vale to be closed down. And the VDF Armory is heavily defended."

"Why don't you get your Partner over there." Cinder pointed to an Girl laying on a red couch eating ice cream, she had Pink and Brown Hair, Eyes and wore a pink, brown and white outfit. Her name was Neapolitan, she waved Cinders words off. "And use that Criminal Mastermind you apparently have and steal the dust reserves."

"We'd need more than these useless animals you have under me to pull that off. It might be doable if you'd make that masked weirdo and that green haired brat help us out with it."

"That masked "weirdo" is currently busy in Ethel and has done far more than you." Roman smirked when he noticed he touched a nerve there, pulling out a lighter and grabbed a cigar.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I should've know better to ask for your favorite pet." He said sarcastically before putting it in his mouth and lighting it.

"Your lucky he ain't here, he'd cut your tongue out for saying that."

After taking a huff, Roman let the toxic air leave his lungs before he continued "I know he would, but you gotta admit, send that crazy Bastard against the VDF and they'd piss their pants."

"Well as I told you before, he is busy with Mercury in Ethel." She told him, "However, Emerald is free, so I'd think-." They were interrupted.

"There's people outside the Warehouse!" The three turned their attention to a White Fang Member. Roman put his cigar in a ashtray as he grabbed his cane, while the two Women sprang onto their feet.

"Whose outside?!" Roman asked, "Tell us mutt!"

"T-They're wearing weird armor and there's a guy who is asking for a audience with you all." He told them. Roman paled while Cinder smirked.

"What color is their armor?" He ask that one question calmly.

"Black and Purple."

"Neo, we need to leave-" Cinder placed a hand on his chest.

"Calm down Roman, let's hear what they have to say."

"Do you know who your dealing with?" He asked frustrated.

"I do and I want to see what they have to say." She said with a smile.

A few minutes ago, outside the warehouse.

The suv stopped surrounded by White Fang members. "Get the fuck out of the car!" One White Fang Member demanded. Slowly, one door opened as a caped armored man stepped out, he held a Katana in one hand. Two wings spread out from under the cape and it made them all fall to the ground in amazement, "Don't you dare order me, you Mutts."

"T-Those wings, I've never seen an Avian Faunus with wings that huge..." One of the White Fang Soldiers said in amazement.

"An Eagle Faunus? With those big wings? He's a Purebred...they're supposed to be extinct..." Another said with fear and astonishment.

"I assure you Mongrels, that we are not." He told that one whose eyes widened at the thought. "Now listen well, you lesser beings. Me and my associates," He gestured to the car, "Have come to talk to your," He pointed at them all, "Leaders. Now we can do this peacefully or I can show you all why your pathetic ancestors called mine Birds of Prey."

Present Time.

The entourage followed Servus as they walked through the Warehouse, eyeing the White Fang Soldiers they passed by. Servus had made sure to bring Jupiter along for this diplomatic situation for just this reason. To the Faunus of the Kingdoms, Purebreds were just myths or Legends, symbols of a time before they were all forced to unite against Mankind. He also made sure to bring along four Legionaries just in case. So far, everything went according to plan. As they walked up some stairs, they were lead into small office room.

He took a seat and beholden the sight of the people he was supposed to make a deal with. Roman Torchwick, An Master Thief and Criminal Mastermind. Once the head of a huge Gang in Vale, until he stepped on the previous Praefectus of Vale toes. He had a target on his head for a while before he became buddy buddy with recently executed Praefectus of Vacuo, Pompey. Staying there for a while until, Servus at least presumes, most of the old blood of Vale was purged by the Loki. Then you had his partner in crime, Neo, he didn't really have much on her.

And finally, Cinder Fall, the enigmatic Young Woman who somehow is connected to several other players in the world and unbelievably got Adam Taurus and his sect of the White Fang, who are Faunus Supremacists, to work with Roman Torchwick and her. He was impressed.

"What brings you fine gentlemen here?" She asked him with a smile on her face. Putting a leg over another and his hands together, he spoke.

"I've come on behalf of our Imperator, Lucius Numen Tennebrius XIII, descendant of the Prophet, bearer of Durendal, Commander of the Last Legion and Rightful Ruler of the Draconian Empire." Cinder nodded.

"That's quite a impressive introduction, if only he was here to hear it."

"He's heard it plenty. I assume you know who we are?"

"Oh of course, you can't interact much in the Underworld of the Kingdoms without hearing about the mysterious Forign rulers who have their hands in all Criminal syndicates and Governments-well, except the Atlesian Military." She smirked.

"My, you sure know a lot for being at such a young age." He knew her types of tricks, she was trying to push his buttons .

"Well, it's important to know the players if you seek to become one yourself." She changed the topic, "But I think the real question is, why have you come to meet us?"

"Our Imperator wants us to work together, seeing how your subverting the Kingdoms."

"How so?" She asked with feigned interest.

"Don't play dumb with me, you have been stealing dust from Vale in order to destabilize the Kingdom and the region, economically and militarily. Your working with the White Fang, a Freedom Fighter group now turned Supremacist when you easily could have been working with the Krimson Hand, a Human group instead." He raise his hand in a gesture, "But you don't want to remold the Kingdoms into their past selves like they do, you want to burn them down and build over their ashes, like the Faunus and like us."

"Yes, but are you curious why?" She asked slyly.

"No, I am not. I'm simply following orders." He told her, "If you agree to working together, you will have access to our resources, our soldiers and agents, our intel and transportation." He didn't have time to deal with this all night long.

"What do you want in return?"

"We would like a constant share of the dust you have hoarded to supply our forces, we know that other than arming the Fang, there is no reason for stealing the dust than economic subversion. Secondly, we want the White Fang instead of killing every human they capture, to give them to us so we can make them slaves. Finally, we want to know what your plans are, so we can know if our end goals are similar." He explained.

"That sounds agreeable, but..." She then ask, "I want to know, why would being allies with you benefit us? We already have resources, we already have agents and we already have White Fang Soldiers. What does your faction bring to the table in quality?" Roman about had a nervous breakdown.

"Are you kidding? Don't insult these guys!!" He had seen what happened to those who insulted the Legion before.

"I'm not insulting them, Roman, I'm simply inquiring on whether working with is worth it."

"I assure you, that our resources are excellent, our agents are the best in all of Remnant and our Men are far superior to any trash trained here in the Kingdoms. In fact, let me show you how far our men will go." He then said without looking behind him, "Can one of you Legionaries come here?" Immediately, one of them rushed right to his side.

"My Lord! What do you need?" He asked, his rifle on his back.

"What's your name son?" He asked, looking him in the eye.

"Daikon, Sir."

"Daikon, I thank you for your service. I'm sorry for this." His voice became sad for a moment.

"What's wrong Sir?"

"Daikon, I order you to take your own life." Roman and Neo's eyes widened as Cinder smiled.

"Shit..." He cursed as he then did a salute by hitting his chest, "Yes Sir!" He then pulled out a pistol and before anyone could blink, shot himself under the chin. After his body hit the ground in a audible thud, the other Legionaries and Jupiter turned to him just saluted his corpse.

"What the fuck?!" Roman cringed at the scene he just saw, "Why would he do that?" Neo looked away in disgust while Cinder just kept smiling.

"Because, Mister Torchwick, he had to if he wanted to go to the hall of the Gods. I just gave him an early and easy passage to Martyrdom." He then ordered he rest of his men, "Take his body to the SUV! He's going to be given a Hero's Ceremony back at the base."

"Yes Sir." They went and grabbed his body, and took it outside, a puddle of blood was left on the floor.

"As you can see, our men are willing do anything if they're ordered to do so and they're the least likely in the world to retreat or cower. Why you might ask? Our training and our faith makes us unbreakable. Our society is a strict hierarchical and deeply theological one, we are all willing to serve our stronger betters because that's the lesson our Gods taught us. We are all warriors and servants in the Legion, as expected, we have to sacrifice, even our lives." He explained, "Those who die a warriors death or doing their duty while accepting the authority of our gods descend into Tyhall as Martyrs. Those who serve diligently, slaves and women, go to Tyland and inherit paradise to rest. Finally, those who reject the Gods, who rebel or cower in the line of duty are casted into Tyhel. The fiery stomach of the greatest and most powerful of the Gods, Typhon. There, they are tortured with the greatest pains unimaginable, their flesh and blood is served to the Gods great feast." He finished with "So you can see why Daikon chose death instead of rebellion."

Roman was took aback from the religious sermon, he had never believed in the Gods of Ceithirism, nor the divine bullshit of Jitsugen. He had always found such people displeasurable. But these guys, he didn't even know that they were this fanatical. "I accept this proposal for alliance." Cinder spoke, "But it we are to start working together, we need your help for a very important mission." Roman just looked at the woman with blank expression.

"What is it?"

"We're planning on raiding the VDF armory." She told him boldly.

"Now that is ambitious. That's in right by the city's wall and the VDF garrison, the most fortified and well guarded area of Vale." He smiled, "We cannot send our Legionaries to help you, that would be too risky, but since you have the White Fang under your thumb..." He looked at Jupiter, who was bored. "I do have two Faunus operatives who could help you."

Jupiter looked at him, "You really want me to work with some Woman and a bunch of Mongrels?" He wanted to scream.

"Pluto is going to be working with you on this mission, and you need to put your royal pride to the side." He said, not even looking at him. Jupiter wanted to speak out, to complan but he just calmed down.

"Yes Sir..."

"Very well," He continued the negotiation, "Two of our greatest Champions, Jupiter and Pluto will be assigned to help you in your heist as a show of trust and to begin this new relationship. This alliance will be formally signed when our Commander is done with...current business and arrives in Vale."

"I think we have a deal." Cinder spoke.

"Excellent, by the way, Roman Torchwick," He addressed the thief, "Your Debt has been cleared, your affiliation with Pompey is forgiven. I have both a warrning and some news."

Roman swallowed his spit as he spoke, "What is the warning?"

"Never cross us again, do so and you'll find yourself broken beyond your imagination." He darkly said. Roman started to sweat.

"Ok...what's the news?" He asked nervously.

"Your brother Dilan is dead." The words hit him like a train.

"WHAT?!" His whole world shattered like Neo's semblance, fear and tact was thrown out the window. "HOW?!" He demanded to know.

"He was killed by an longtime enemy of ours." Roman gritted his teeth and slammed his fist onto his table in fury.

"I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONE WHO KILLED HIM!" He shouted, "THAT BASTARD! EVEN IN DEATH HE DOES NOTHING MOCK ME!" The Sly Criminal had quickly become a enraged Beast. Neo looked at him with concern while even Cinder was took a back. "WHO DID IT?!" Servus smirked with a stoic face.

"His name...is Umbra..."

Authors Note:

Finally finished! What happens now? Find out next time! Oh and if you want me to make a glossary for terms, I will.