5Two whole years. It's nothing crazy like, say, a century or two. But maybe that's because staring at stars and planets more up close than watching through a handheld telescope took my mind off certain topics. Something about the beauty of nature and space puts me at ease, putting me in a trance, kind of like when you're meditating. What I can't stop thinking about are the skeletons in my closet. My first kills shook me, scared the shit out of me, but then the other casualties followed suit. After that, it became a sort of second nature.
When I heard about what happened in New York Zero with Alex and Heller, I went on a little trip from my hometown. And let me tell you, the damn place didn't look good. You'd think Blackwatch has completely wiped out the virus from Manhattan Island, but those bastards didn't do shit for almost Eight Years! I swear, they're way lazier than me when I was a little kid. Seriously, the virus still covered every inch of the island: spores ranging from something as small as a water balloon to bulges as big as a house! Everywhere you looked, slithering columns of biomass were weaving in and out of the ruined buildings, some seemingly frozen in time, though pulsating every few seconds. Tanks and cars upturned on the roads. The husks of the poor bastards who turned into infected roaming the streets. Some feed on the dead bodies of civilians and employees from both Gen-Tek and Blackwatch, who either gave up their lives fighting or hiding. I booked it out of there when I got ambushed by a bunch of Hunters and Brawlers. Then some idiot mistook me for Mercer in the Yellow Zone and called Blackwatch on my ass.
I managed to escape and recuperate on top of a building in the Green Zone, thinking about what I should do now. Since Heller's been at the top of the chain after killing Alex, some of the Infected started becoming more neutral than hostile, and the virus was slowly retreating from the Yellow Zone back to the Red. I can already feel Gen-Tek and Blackwatch scratching their heads over this. I laughed out loud at the thought for a few seconds, and then the smile on my face disappeared as fast as it came. I asked myself, gazing into my hands as I felt the virus underneath my skin. 'What should I do?' Then making sure nobody was home, I snuck inside an unused apartment room and looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. Underneath my hood was unkempt dark green hair (possibly because of Blacklight), paired with a young face staring right back.
Colby Luntian. It's kind of a strange name I know, it's because my dad is Filipino, while my mom is a foreigner. But back to the story; I was fourteen when I found out I had a strand of Alex's strain of the virus, which somehow made its way from Manhattan to the beaches of Cebu. I was swimming when a rock cut my leg, coincidentally giving the virus a way inside. I was bedridden for almost two months after it happened. My parents thought I was going to die soon, so I pulled through and lived.
But being one of the two remaining Blacklight carriers on the planet, I told my parents about it, said my goodbyes, and took a rocket to space for me to hopefully suffocate in the empty vacuum, since every injury I've taken didn't phase me as long as I had something to consume, i.e. an animal or human being. But instead of the cold embrace of death, I got sent to a whole other planet and woke up with a splitting headache as I lay there under a cracked moon and trees with orange leaves. Then I checked my pockets, thanking the stars I still had the keychain of one blonde brawler I bought at a convention. I would've panicked if I lost it in space. I dusted myself off and wandered, somewhat confused, and hurt from the landing. The sound of gunshots rang out as I looked up at the broken moon, I turned towards the direction of the noise and ran.
Brushing off a few leaves from my shoulders, my eyes wandered in front, seeing someone surrounded by – Wait, I think I recognize these monsters: jet-black fur, red markings, and protruding bones… Grimm!? Why am I here? They stood out like sore thumbs in the snow. Even more so the girl in the red hood, Ruby Rose. It was a slight surprise to see her here, I'm guessing she was visiting her mother. While my thoughts were running wild, the ground quaked a couple of minutes after my muttering just as my ears perceived a goddamn Sonic Boom. I looked up and saw her standing around with used casings of gravity dust bullets with a scythe behind her back and the blade pointing down to the ground.
Observing the rosebud for a couple more seconds, the fatigue of fighting a pack of Beowolves almost the size of a horde finally hit her; Ruby fell on one knee, leaning on her weapon, Crescent Rose, for support. She was visibly panting, then looking not at her but around her, another pack of Grimm waited in the foliage around the clearing. I'm surprised they haven't targeted me yet, I wonder why. Their size was smaller than the one Ruby fought but this one had minor Ursai thrown into the mix, including an Alpha Beowolf and an Ursa Major.
Well, I could have just left her there and eaten her later, but of course, I may not be that good of a person, but I am still very much sane, and her half-sister wouldn't be taking that news very nicely, especially her father. So I jumped into action, running briskly as the biomass I've grown to accept writhed from under my hoodie, tendrils erupted and covered my right arm, ripping the cloth and turning my appendage into a long, double-edged blade. With my free un-transformed hand, I started by grabbing an Ursa Minor by the nape of its neck and slammed its face on the snow. And like a ghost coming back to haunt me, a small grin crept to my lips upon hearing the crack of bones from underneath me, I followed it with a clean swipe at two rushing Beowolves to my right, their torsos sliding down to the ground like melting ice cream, dissipating past me in a cloud of ashes.
Their attention's now focused on me, so I step backward away from Ruby and stab another Beowolf who tried to lunge at me from behind; Flashiness won't get me anywhere. So long as I can kill my target, that's what matters. I shift my normal hand a combination of the Whip and the Claws. I cracked it twice and used it as a hook to make the Major easy pickings later; I snagged a Beowolf before cleaving it in half, then I wrapped the hook around the waist of another and repeatedly slammed it to the ground, and some of its fellow Grimm. I let it go as it turned into ash, knocking a Minor Ursa on its back. I easily dispatched it and left a gaping hole in yet another Beowolf in front of me.
Now my grin turned into a full-on smile. I ducked under a slash coming from an Ursa behind me, and retaliated with a strong kick straight to the side of its head, adding to the pain was a blade I shifted on my foot. The oversized bear's brains splattered to the floor, the sound sending a slight tingle down my spine. 'Now it's starting to get exhilarating.' I chuckled, backflipping away from the Ursa Major just in time. I ran past it toward Ruby; kneeling beside her, I took a quick look at her for injuries, and for the most part, she was fine due to her Aura. But the look of surprise and confusion on her face was a rarity for me. Most of the time, people would immediately be terrified and hide or contact Blackwatch to apprehend me, but not her and hopefully the rest of her team.
"Get down, you'll get hurt! And cover your ears!" I ordered. She complied and laid down on the snow, then I stood up and cracked my whip hands around faster than any average human, creating afterimages in the hundreds and sounds loud enough that you could hear them from the edge of the forest. The perimeter dealt multiple gashes to the skin of the Grimm charging at us. Some of them bled to death, while the others were staggered. Using this window to my advantage, I dashed toward the still-dazed monsters and cut them into ribbons with my claws. I turned my head to the side a second too late, one Ursa Minor managing to hit me in the stomach, sending me flying to a dead tree. I got back up with no problems at all. Only a groan escaped from my lips. That attack packed a punch like a Hunter but slightly weaker. The Virus was making quick work of the wound as I dusted myself off.
The remaining Grimm slightly backed off as I approached, the Beowolves gnashing their teeth, and the Ursai growled in a low tone. They're scared. Good. I shifted my arms into hammer fists and slammed the ground: snow was launched into the air, the surrounding trees shook, and Grimm's legs quaked from the aftershock. Forget about beating the Major in a one-on-one, I need to finish this now. So I forgo the fists and shifted more biomass into my legs, running at a speed only Ruby could dream of. To her, I looked like I was teleporting as I appeared behind every Grimm and cut their heads off. The irritating trait about these monsters is that I can't consume them. Seconds passed when the last of the Grimm dropped dead and disappeared into ashes. The only clues you'd see that a fight happened here were the footprints of Grimm and the absurd amount of dust casings scattered throughout the open field of snow. As I got off from the slight high I felt from the fight, I walked over to the young Rose, who was just recovering from the shock of me showing up. To say I wasn't shocked myself is an understatement. I'm dumbstruck. Who would have thought I'd land on Remnant of all planets?
Thinking about it, it sounds like your average otherworld isekai. Something I've come to accept as impossible, but now I'm having second thoughts. I then clasped my hands together into prayer, 'Here's to hoping some dumb bastard doesn't die of ignorance and a speeding truck.' I whispered to myself. Oh well, introductions are in order. So I held a hand out for her and spoke in fluent English, "Colby Luntian, I like to go by Cole," my voice might have sounded a little too fast, judging from the look on her face. Nevertheless, she accepted my outstretched hand and hoisted herself from the ground, concealing her weapon behind her back after dusting off her skirt.
"Hi! My name's Ruby Rose, you can call me Ruby!" But she returned the greeting nonetheless with that happy-go-lucky attitude I remember. Honestly, if she and Nora switched places I wouldn't even notice. Okay, some things will differentiate them from each other but you get the point. I couldn't dwell further into the thought when Ruby shot me a question out of the blue. She practically ran up to my face with the brightest stars in her eyes. I couldn't make out what she was saying since her voice was going three hundred miles per hour, but it was along the lines of "How did you do that? Where are you from?" or something like that.
So, I sat down on the snow underneath a tree and slumped my shoulders, then went on the longest monologue I've ever done and explained my forged story to her. After exactly an hour and a half, I discreetly looked up at the young reaper. The stars she had in her eyes died down now Red Riding Hood had a look of pity and sorrow on her face. Good, it's working. I Continued the sad act, forcing tears to well up from my eyes. Minutes passed, and then I felt a pressure on my right shoulder, I glanced in that direction. Ruby was leaning on it as her arm caressed my left shoulder delicately. Looking again, Ruby had her eyes closed, her lips were curved upward, and surprisingly, she wasn't turning into a blushing mess just from the contact. The number of fan fiction I've read did a number on my head. Pushing the thought aside, I looked up at the sky with a blank stare, the broken moon dangling above my head beneath some clouds, the stars twinkling in sync as Remnant rotated slowly but surely. Whoever high up there sent me here I'll be grateful for, but why me?
Someone broken like me isn't suitable for hero work. Even more so being a neutral pawn in two immortal beings' chess board. Ruby and the others don't know that yet, and that irritates me a bit, why train children to fight your battles for you? I mean, Ruby's sixteen years old for crying out loud! Even if she's in the double digits, she's still a kid! I don't understand why Salem and Ozpin still haven't settled their problems even after millions of years. Even crows don't hold a grudge that long! Now I kind of know why Ozzie gave Qrow the ability to turn into one himself. I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the sounds of quiet snoring on my shoulder, I glance and see Ruby, sleeping like a koala because of exhaustion from fighting and my story.
I let her be for the time being as snow continued to fall on my face, my head felt empty as I stared at the broken moon this time. Minutes flew by and my neck was beginning to hurt a bit. I took out my phone and earbuds – both surprisingly intact and stuck to my pockets after all those years in space – and listened to a somber song. Now I'm starting to get bored, maybe I should carry Ruby back to her family. Family… leaves a bittersweet taste in my mouth when I say it. What are Mom and Dad up to? Looking for me, that's a given. Losing your only child can be devastating to any parent, I can feel some of the voices screaming at the thought. I forcibly took their lives for my gain. Another cacophony of screams. I haven't been that good of a person ever since Blacklight entered my system. Children became orphans, People lost their loved ones, and the minds of scientists were wasted just so I could get into those damned Blackwatch facilities.
~But you liked killing them, right?~
'No, I didn't Alex.' And there's the fucking migraine I won't be able to get rid of. It's a surprise I haven't gone insane from you. Honestly, If I'd known we were all connected to a single hive mind I would've disconnected right then and there when you visited me in my dreams. Since when have I gotten the chance to turn things back to the way it was?
~Never Colby, not one single time.~
'I was being a rhetorical dumbass. Now can you let me carry Ruby in peace, please?' I wait for a reply for a few seconds, then gently scoop her up and carry her on my back. Since she was strapped tight to my back by the virus, searching for their house was as easy as pi. Well, I take back what I said about the scientists, their minds improved my own too. one of those things is the first million digits of pi having engrained themselves into my brain; not that I needed it, just something I could show off to somebody. Back to my chore, I landed with a loud thud outside in their front yard. It looked just like how I saw it from the show. Wooden from head to toe – except for the roof which was made from a sheet of metal. – overall the house looked nice and well-kept. Of course it was, they lived here after all. I was pulled out of my thoughts when the front door of the house swung open, revealing the overprotective dad of the year, Taiyang Xiao Long. My heart immediately ran faster than the speed of light when I saw who was trailing behind him,
"Dad, who is it? Is it Ru–" She stopped at the sight of me and Ruby standing in a decent-sized crater. Both of them had shocked looks. But Yang was all I could focus my attention on; her hair, shining as bright and golden as the sun, swayed slightly to the left from the breeze of the cool, snowy air. And her Lilac eyes. Oh my god, I'm smiling, aren't I?
~Yeah you are. You can't tell Coby, but I'm laughing my ass off.~
'SHUT UP ALEX, NOT NOW!' My face felt like fire as I stood still like a statue in the middle of the crater. I vigorously shook my head as the Xiao Longs ran towards both of us. I got Ruby off my back and handed her over to Tai, who gave me a wary look. Before he could ask what happened to his daughter and why she was with me, I spoke up.
"She's fine, just exhausted. Found her lying on the snow with a pack of Grimm surrounding her." I explained to them in a calm tone, composing myself from the outburst a minute ago. I dusted myself off and removed my hood, albeit hesitantly, revealing my face for all to see. I put up the most sincere smile I could make and introduced myself.
"I'm Colby Luntian, pleased to meet you." I then noticed Tai's shoulders loosen a tad. That's a good sign. Trust was something I needed from Tai. ~So you could get closer to the girl of your dreams?~ 'Ye– I mean, No! Stop! You're going to make it obvious!' A bite of my tongue brought me back to reality, with Tai extending his hand for a shake, which I gladly accepted with a firm grasp. 'I admit that's one thing but another is… Uhm, what was it a–' ~Stop lying to yourself, Coby. I can see your thoughts as clear as day.~ I mentally screamed whilst exchanging names with Yang. Just looking at her wakes a billion butterflies in my stomach. It took all my willpower to not blush and stutter right then and there. After that, Tai invited me inside their home for bringing Ruby back safe and alive. At first, I was reluctant, but Tai insisted I come in since it was freezing and dark outside despite me wearing a jacket. Nonetheless, I refused, reasoning that I have places to be; running into his daughter was merely a coincidence. I waved them goodbye, which they returned in kind as I ran in the opposite direction of their house, slowly disappearing from my view.
My heart plunged to the depths of my being as I ran; It felt like the countless times I ran from home – three to be exact – I stopped to think when I felt I was far enough. I wanted to stay, really I did, but I had some business to attend to. As I jumped on roofs and slipped through alleyways, I mused, 'Now, who's the unlucky soul that'll forge my documents? Maybe Junior knows somebody.' My lips curled upward, so I set my sights on Vale.
A/N: I'm back! It's hard to write when you can't think straight. Pile that with senior high school and It'll take up most of my day. It's been a while. I'm using a backup since in my idiocy, my phone fell into a body of water so I'm – more like trying – to save money, fix it, and transfer my email before giving it away. It might take a long for me to release an update but I'll try to put one out in like two or three weeks since Christmas break's coming soon. I just wrote this on a whim months ago – I forgot how long – so uh, yeah, I'll be seeing you all in a couple of weeks.
Goodbye!
P.S.: Watch Freiren, It's so amazing, the first episode alone made me cry twice. As of writing this, I'm still only on the second episode. :D