RWBY: The Hidden Grimm Book 2

Chapter #4 Rumors

After a full day of running errands for Shion I finally had enough money to by supplies for my trip to the next village. So as night fell I went to a tavern and got some food before deciding to call it a night. I order my food and sit at the bar as I listen to the old men who hang around for a few extra hours talk. "Ah the whole worlds going to hell over one attack. Back in my day attacks like that would happen every other week. But these kids can barely handle classes let alone a war." A drunken old man grumbles. "Well back in your day we were fight each other not each other and the new hoards of stronger Grimm that are walking around now a days. Rumor has it that the Island just off the coast of Vacuo is where they come from and that some witch creates them to destroy the world." The other old man says as he take a swing of his beer. "That old story, please next your gonna say that you believe the part about them being born from pits of blood or whatever it was." the drunken old man says. "Pit's of blood that birth the Grimm huh, that sound a lot like what Aaron was born from. Maybe, just maybe if I find one of these pools on that Island I can bring him back." I think in my head as my food arrives. "Excuse me but I couldn't help but over hear your conversation and I was wonder if you could tell me more about this birth place of Grimm." I say as the waiter leaves. "Oh hey your the guy who's been running around Shion all day. It's good to see a youngster so hard at work these days since it's so rare." The old man says. "Yes, very nice now about the Grimm birth place you two were just talking about." I say as I turn in my chair. "Ah right, right, so long ago when Grimm were starting to get pushed back to the brink by man rumors had it that they retreated back to their homeland which is an Island in the shape of a dragon that's just off the coast of Vacuo. But in reality it's quicker to go through Atlas from here. People believe that the Grimm spawn from pools of blood and emerge ready to kill. But no one actually knows since that story is older than me." The old man says with a laugh. "You wouldn't happen to be looking for such a place would you youngster?" The drunk old man asks as he finishes his beer. "I am in fact. Now if you would be so kind could you tell me what's the quickest way to Atlas from here." I ask as I start eating my burger. "You shouldn't go chasing after fairy tales but I to was an adventurer in my younger days so I'll tell you a secret trail I found during my many adventures. Once you get to the next fork in the road look left and you should see a tree with a slash mark in it. Go behind that tree and you'll find an old path that will take you all the way to a farm that an old flame of mine owns. Ask her for help and she'll guide you to the fishing villages on the edge of the continent. From there your on your own when it comes to getting a ship to take you to Atlas. But be warned it's not a short walk it will take two months at least. " the drunk old man explains. "thanks for the info gentlemen, I wish you all good night." I say as I pay for my meal and leave for the Inn.

The next morning I make my way down the road once more. I spent the next two weeks on the road until I finally reach the next fork in the road. "Oh by the gods finally, ok so what did that old man say again left and behind a marked tree." I say as I walk off the path and look at the trees. After checking three trees I find that one that was marked and find the path behind it. "There we go. Alight girl let's get to it." I say as I pet Elaina. I walk down the highly vegetated path until sunset. Once the sun started to set I looked for a clear enough area to set up camp for the night. In my search I find another path that lead to an old and seemingly abandoned cottage. "Well I would usually be creeped out I am about done sleeping on the ground." I say as I walk towards the cottage. Elaina's hair stands up as we get closer and closer to the cottage and she hides away in a pocket on the inside of my duster. "It's okay girl I know it's scary but I'll keep you safe." I say as I open the door. A cold wind blows out as I open the door and nearly blows off my hat. "Well that has bad implications. Oh well were already this far may as well see it to the end." I say as I enter the old home. The place is run down and full of vegetation but even then it still fells alive. It's a small place but and in the first few steps in a see a kitchen with rotten chairs and a termite ridden table. "Okay this is some creepy shit." I say as I explore the run down kitchen. I see nothing but empty shelves and drawers, most of which have rotted away with time. After finding nothing on the first floor I venture  up the stairs to the second floor where I find a bedroom.  The bed is old and sheets have holes and mold on them but the bed looks stable. I notice a nightstand just to the right of the bed and open it. I find a old book with a name written on it but it's faded away to the point that I can't read it. I open the book and find out it's some kind of journal or diary. I read through what I can but none of it makes sense it tells of lands that don't exist and meeting with kings and gods and where people could preform magic. Then it says that after a failed revolution the world was reset or something and that the god's abandoned us and broke the moon as they left us to our own devises . "What the hell. This can't be real can it?" I say as I look out a broken window and look at the shattered moon. I keep reading and finally find a name. "Ozma? Who the hell is Ozma? It kind of sounds like-" I stop my thought as I hear a clicking sound come from behind me. I quickly turn and see a Grimm like orb floating with tentacles coming out of the bottom of it. "Oh and what the hell are you supposed to be." I say as I hover my hand over my holster. It just floats there and clicks. I move left and right and see that it is tracking my movements but it's just sitting there. After I stop moving it raises a tentacle and points to the book in my hand. 

"Is this yours?" I ask as I raise up the book. It moves it's tentacle up and down in a yes motion. "Apologies but I-" the creature shoots a tentacle into my ear and cuts me off. "WHO ARE YOU!" A feminine voice screams in my head. Elaina jumps out of my pocket and bites the tentacle but the creature just throws her to a wall and put the tentacle back in my ear. "ANSWER ME!" the voice screams in my head. "Ugh my name is Ben Cutler." I answer as I fall on one knee. "Why have you come to this sacred ground." the voice says as I feel the tentacle slowly go deeper in my ear. "I wasn't aware this was sacred ground I am just a traveler who was in search of shelter when I found this place." I explain. "Leave and you shall be spared." The voice say as the tentacle starts to leave my ear. "Before I do I have a question if you don't mind my asking." I say as I stand up. "You may speak." The voice says. "Your Salem aren't you." I say. the creature shoots tentacle around my limbs and raises me up in the air. "HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME!" she yells in my head. "I found one of your flunkies and they mentioned you in some reports. Then after a tension filled chat with Ozpin and his friends I kind of figured out the rest from there." I explain. She let's me go and I land on my feet. "So you work for Ozpin then." She says. "Nope I just knew the guy." I explain. "Is he still alive?" She asks. "Don't know don't care, I had my own shit to do in the meantime so I never checked the school ruins. But my money is on dead since he hasn't shown himself since." I explain. "I see, so let me ask you something now. Who's side are you on?" She asks. "Oh please I'm not on any side other than my own. I don't care if the world lives or dies, at this point I just what to get back what was taken from me." I say as I draw my gun and shoot the creature to the other side of the room. I walk over to it as it raises a tentacle and stomp the orb into dust. "Bitch." I say as stomp out the dust from my boot and pick up the unconscious Elaina. "Okay girl let's get out of here before more weird shit starts happening." I say as I start to walk out of the room. I start walking when I remember the book and grab it. "This may prove useful eventually." I say as I put the book in my duster. I walk out of the cottage and return to the trail I was following earlier. 

(Meanwhile in Salem's castle) 

"Ugh he may prove a nuisance." Salem says as she grips her chair. "Shall I deal with him my Queen." A very enthusiastic follower says. "No, this is a job for our sleeper agents in Mistrial, but in case they prove ineffective, Hazel." Salem says as she turns to face her followers. A very big and muscular man raises his head. "Travel to Mistrial in their stead, we will not fail now." she orders. " I will depart immediately." Hazel says as he leaves the room. "Tyrian." Salem says as she looks at the excited follower. "Yes my Queen." he says as he bounces in his seat. "Leave me. I must inform our friends in Mistral of their new assignment. Oh and check on Cinders condition and report back to me once your done." Salem Orders. "Yes my queen." Tyrion says as he slinks out of the room.  Salem closes her eyes and posses another orb like creature that resides in her sleeper agents hide out. "Muker I have a new assignment for you and your brothers. A little wolf is in need of dealing with. You can convince him or kill him it matters not to me, just make sure he is no longer a problem." Salem orders. "You got it boss lady just point us in the right direction and you wont have to worries about him any longer." A rough voice says from the other side of the line. "Good, now this drone will give you his last coordinates You will have to hunt him down from there." Salem says as she breaks the connection.