CACE: A RWBY Story

Ze

A tall, well built man overlooks his wild collection of berries in his giant, weaved basket. He slowly carries the basket, careful not to drop it. Despite his human like appearance, a proud set of grey wolf ears sit atop his head. Twitching back and forth to each sound, echoing in the woods. The set of wolf like ears complement his graying head of hair, which is not unusual for his kind at his young age. The Faunus in the world of Remnant are a diverse species that share features of animals in the kingdoms. This man lives in the outskirts of the kingdom of Vale.

The trees in the forest tower over him, reaching to great heights. A few birds circle above in the moon lit sky. The grass on the forest floor is lit an eerily blue glow, only broken up by dark shadows, cast by the nearby trees. As the man walks, his ears pick up an owl's hoot and a bird's distant cry. As time passes, the forest grows quiet. Besides the footfalls of the man, no other sounds echoes through this part of the woods. While the man doesn't stop his slow pace, he becomes even more alert as the hairs on the back of his neck raise.

He darts his head to the side as a small object whistles passed the place his head was a second ago. Dropping the basket, he raises his hands into a fighting position. A cloaked figure rushes out from behind a tree, looking to engage with the man who had been carrying the basket of berries. While trying to swipe at the well built man, the figure is met with strong kick to the abdomen. The figure buckles forward and coughs from the impact. Still watching his attacker, the man with the wolf ears continues to listen for others. Now still, the claw gauntlets worn by the Faunus man are clearly visible.

"Where are your friends?" The man breathes, voice only above a whisper.

"Don't k-know what your t-talking about?" The cloaked figure stammers back. "J-Just wanted your b-berries."

"As if." He growls. Clearly sure that the stammering figure is lying. "Take a few, if your truly that desperate. I have a family to support."

"You have children?" The figure asks.

"No, too young for that."

"Then you have time to join the White Fang?" The figure asks, now more confident.

"No, is that why you attacked me in the middle of the night?"

"Of course." They pause to watch him carefully. "We members of the White Fang wanted to see how formidable the great Ezekiel Moon performs."

"So you know my name?"

"A rhetorical question, but yes." A smile is seen under the cloaked figure. "What is your answer to my question of joining the White Fang? A member like you would be well rewarded for joining."

"I already said no, I don't need your dirtied money. Will you leave me be?" He asks raising his voice.

"You know, your three younger siblings would make wonderful additions to our cause." The figure's grin widening into a wicked smile.

"I will-" He hesitates, before stepping forward proudly towering over the scrawny figure below him. "If I get back and they're gone, I'm hunting you down. I will pick every one of your villages apart until I find you."

The figure raises its hands. "No worries, only a suggestion."

Ezekiel steps back giving the cloaked figure some space. "I would have considered joining, had the previous leadership been replaced with someone of a similar mindset. It's clear to me now that your kind of change is more violent and dirty than my liking."

Picking up his basket, he turns to leave.

"It's a shame it has come to this Ezekiel." He pauses. "I really wish you would have come forward willingly. A good dog must be tamed, shouldn't it?"

A snake's forked tongue darts out from beneath the cloaked figure's hood. Ezekiel's eyes widen as he spins on his heel. The once hooded figure is a Faunus with a snakes tongue and scales on parts of their bald body.

"It's-s to s-s-see you again Es-zekiel." The smile widens. "Wish it were under better s-s-circumstances-s-s."

An angry Ezekiel charges toward the snake Faunus, tackling them to the ground. As the snake Faunus struggles to escape from Ezekiel's firm grip, the doomed Faunus gets out one last sentence.

"They were tasty."

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