Free As A Bird [A RWBY Re-do Isekai]

An Intrusion

I know I said more RWBY stuff this chapter -and it WILL come- but we need a little bit more exposition for our main character before he...you know...

That being said, we have to take a vote -purely for the viewing pleasure of you, my readers. 

*Would you like to:

Have a level up system like the Gamer and other system novels?

Or...

Be without a level system?*

This won't affect the story or our protagonist's growth (you'll see what I mean), but some readers like to see the progress that the MC makes as quantified. Ya'll vote for what ya'll want and I'll make it happen.

 Enjoy!~

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Silence. I opened my eyes to yet another void -this time with no cherrywood table or other entities in sight. I let out a frustrated huff. "I thought I was going to be reincarnated? What the hell happened?" I wait for a bit for something to happen before I realized what path I might be taking. "Wait...am I...going to GO THROUGH THE FETUS STAGE AND CHILDBIRTH?" I scream mentally, seeing as I didn't have a mouth in this space seemed to affirm my thinking. Before I could freak out, I heard a quiet cough behind me.

I wheeled around (somehow?) and found myself looking at the buffest old man I have seen in my miserable life. Toothless, wearing a toga (or a towel, I wouldn't know -never seen a toga back on Earth after 2021), and as bald as a newborn baby.

"Um, yes. You will be going through those stages, but not at this very second." The old man rubbed the back of his bald head as he chuckled awkwardly. "Who-" I began to ask (slightly confused by my voice coming out without a mouth). "-Am I?" The old man completed with a smirk. The old man now assumed an arrogant air and was studying me for a reaction. 'Goddamn afterlife spirits reading my goddamn thoughts,' I thought to myself with another huff. I was starting to get tired of beings reading into me like a book. "Don't be like that," the old man shook his head, "These kinda things are the only way immortals find entertainment these days." I deadpanned at the geezer. The confusion of being dead had passed, and I was starting to get more than a little angry -which was reasonable, seeing the events surrounding my own death. Before I could insult the self-proclaimed immortal and accuse him (a person I assumed to be god) of neglect for life, he raised his hands in a placating gesture. 

"Woah sonny, I'm not an immortal by birth -had to fight and cultivate* for my immortality."

*(A/N: The term 'Cultivator' is referring to fantastical characters who were able to expand their lifespan and strength by partaking in spiritual meditation, martial arts, and qi-cycling. They're usually found in Xianxia novels and have a basis in Eastern mythology. Cool stuff if you ask me)*

I blinked. This grandpa was a cultivator? Flabbergasted didn't even begin to describe what I was feeling by this shocking revelation. I had so many questions from reading Xianxia novels all the time as a kid. But before I could get a word in, (once again, to my never-ending frustration) the old man interrupted me:

"I'm dying kid."

That took the wind out of my sails. I forgot that cultivators were never truly immortal unless they could break Samarasa. "T-then what are you h-here for?" I stammered. I was never really good with death -I don't think anyone is- and it showed. The mere mention that this old geezer was dying made me sober up from the high I had in being reincarnated in a formerly good show.

He smiled at me. "You're a good kid. You barely know me, but from the look in your eyes I can see that you care." His smile became smaller and sadder. "The world you going to ain't gonna be kind to the version of you now. While all that can be dealt with in time, there is something far more sinister coming for you. Tell me, have you heard of the people called the Asura?" I nodded my head. They were a violent people of Hindu Mythology who lived and died by war and bloodshed. The old man gave a slight nod. "You are an Asura. More specifically the last Asura." I froze, shocked for the god-knows-the-number time since I've been dead. "But none of that should matter to you at this moment. What you need to hear is a request of mine. I have accumulated a vast amount of experience in getting stronger, and I have an inherited technique from your people. I'd like to pass on my legacy to you. Remnant is a broken world without a responsible being to protect it after those two cowardly brothers fled from it. With you being there to change the fate of that world and being the last Asura, you will be hunted down for who you are and-" he gave a pause to gaze at me kindly, "what you stand for. You will need to become strong enough to protect yourself and what you love."

I shook my head -all other thoughts about the future can wait. "I am not a good person," I said with vehemence. "Obviously," he replied, "you're more of a villain than anything else -selfish to a point." I shook in anger. What is this senile old senior citizen saying? Being whimsical enough to interrupt a reincarnation was one thing, but being whimsical enough to contradict what you're saying is another.

"You're a villain who sticks to being selfish above all things. But your desire is purer than anything else ever desired before." he smiled at me sadly. For some reason, my anger left me then. It still didn't make sense, but it seemed to resonate with me...and it filled me with grief.  We stood in silence for a while -I don't really remember how long.

"I accept," I said softly. There was nothing else I could do. I had other choices, but...this felt like the only choice I could accept taking as a person. So, I bowed my head and murmured, "I can only respect the last wish of a dying person." He chuckled and put his palm on my head. "Then that's it for me," he grinned impishly, "have fun as a fetus, brat." My eyes widened. FU-

A flash of light exploded and the world faded.

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I'll prolly post another chapter today, so lemme know what ya'll want for the poll thingie on this page by commenting. This chapter was more or less dedicated to our character before he becomes...you-know-who. Until next time -peace.