The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 17 Yellow and Black: Arc 2 End

Blake idly counted five hours passing since Archer and Yang's departure, and by now, the tension in the forest was clearing. She eased the constant grip that she'd been keeping on her weapon of choice, Gambol Shroud, a katana-like sword with multi-functions, and sucked in a calming breath while shutting her eyes.

It was fine. Everything was fine.

Blake blinked, and once more found herself clutching onto the grip of Gambol Shroud.

No, everything wasn't fine.

Blake observed the scenery around her and paled, her cat ears atop her head drooping down in her caution. Much like her father and every other Faunus in the area, she was huddled near them with their backs facing each other as a defensive measure. Around their vicinity and peaking through the underbrush of the forest, were all manner of Grimm.

They growled, huffed, and howled, their claws scrapping dirt off the ground and leaving gouged holes, but they remained at a constant perimeter. The snapping of twigs and the toppling of trees indicated the presence of towering Grimm that could crush a man with a single strike. Further away were behemoth-like Grimm the size of buildings that shook the ground with every step.

At first, there had only been standard Grimm such as Beowulf and Boarbatusk, but admittedly, the presence of fear acted as the strongest of lures. Blake knew that she was beginning to despair at the sheer number of adversaries. She just hid it better than most of the Faunus in her group openly cowering as Adam and Sienna encouraged them to stand strong.

Not wanting to show her weakness, Blake gripped tighter onto Gambol Shroud to obscure the trembling of her hands. Wind began to blow, the sudden chill causing her to shudder before she shifted her attention towards the red spear stabbed deep into the ground nearby.

It was the weapon that Archer had used previously to save everyone.

Prior to leaving, Blake had overheard Archer saying "not to worry about Grimm," to her father, Ghira. After seeing Archer's capabilities, her father had decided to trust in Archer's words and here they were now.

As the hours had passed, more and more Grimm had collected; however, none had drawn near.

"It's safe. They won't come," Ghira finally gave the call for everyone to relax.

Blake knew that no matter how much trust her father had put into Archer's words, caution was still key. This was why he'd ordered everyone to gather up in a defensive formation as a 'wait and see approach,' when the first few Grimm arrived.

Blake carefully put away Gambol Shroud, a layer of intrigue making its way into her amber eyes.

Like Archer had said, the Grimm would not presently be an issue, and Blake knew why. The perimeter the Grimm were keeping was not in precaution to Blake and her group, but towards a single weapon radiating with an oppressive intensity.

Blake's gaze returned to staring at the crimson spear erected over the ground. Just like the knife she'd wrestled with Yang over, the spear must have had some sort of unexplainable property. There was no Dust or Semblance involved. As a person who hand-crafted her weapon like many aspiring Huntsman and Huntresses, she was certain that the spear possessed no hidden mechanisms.

Blake did not have much faith or belief to put into fabricated stories, but as an avid reader and someone who'd previously experienced the impossible, she now approached the situation with an open mind.

Apparently, she wasn't the only one.

After Ghira had given the go ahead for everyone to relax and step out of a defensive stance, Adam took no caution in approaching the spear that had the ability to ward away Grimm. If anyone in the current group could have a grasp of Archer's character and abilities, it was Adam.