The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 22 The Pride of Vale: Part 4

Mother always said every hero knows not to get in over their heads, and honestly, Ruby knew better than to just jump into things head first without a plan, but this had to be different.

"Those are Beringels," Ector said solemnly while looking at six ape-like Grimm in bone armour that could be seen just past a distant building. "They. Are. Inside. The. Walls."

Neither Jaune or Ruby had a response to this. The two were just as shocked as Ector at the situation.

The three were presently alone after Nicolas and Aurelia Arc had guided everyone back to Mt. Glenn's central hub roughly three hours ago. One by one, the people in the group had dispersed to attend to their own matters, and Ruby, Jaune, and Ector were no different, just that they chose to stick together.

Ruby was alone while Shirou had left with Summer, so she decided to tag along with Jaune and Ector. The both of them were from established Huntsman families so they were quickly provided access to repair shops and ammunition which Ruby required to stock up on the Dust rounds she'd previously used.

Jaune and Ector didn't exactly contribute to the previous ordeal, so the two were more than willing to let Ruby restock on her supplies and do some quick maintenance with Crescent Rose.

Problems only began to arise when Ector decided to lead the two through a short-cut past a more secluded area of Mt. Glenn. The path was safe, and one that Ector often used in his time in Mt. Glenn, yet this time was different.

"Why are there Grimm insides the walls?" Ector balled his hands into fists before staring at Jaune and Ruby. Carefree as Ector generally was, he knew that he'd led his new friends into danger.

"We should go back and alert the others," Ector concluded heavily. Either there was a breach in the walls, or the Grimm were coming out of a place no one knew of.

"But there are people there," Jaune pointed out.

Near the Beringels, several people that hadn't had time to leave the area were desperately hiding from view behind rocks and debris from nearby buildings. Regardless, the Beringels were surely making their way towards them with unerring accuracy.

"Their fear makes them targets," Ector elaborated.

Ruby shuddered at the sight, a memory playing in her mind about hiding in a wagon pulled by her sister deep into the woods near Patch. Then the Grimm had come and Mr. Hero had made his appearance. Scary as the memory was, it was also a reminder of why she too wanted to be a Huntress, a Hero.

"We have to help them," she said sternly. She knew how it was like to feel helpless at the hands of the Grimm. This was all the more reason why she as a future Huntress-in-training must act.

Jaune had similar thoughts and nervously revealed the sword he'd been carrying in a sheath. At any other time, Ruby would have gushed at the sight of new weapons, but not right now when people were in danger.

She nodded at Jaune before the both of them began to inch forward; however, Ector was more level-headed by experience.

Ector abruptly placed a firm hand on both of their shoulders. "Leave them. We can't save them." He shook his head at the surprised expressions on their faces. "We'll likely die trying."

Reality was harsh. This coming from a young teenager who'd constantly seen his family members disappear one by one in the line of duty.

None of the three had ever fought against a Beringel let alone six, and Jaune in particular still struggled against normal Beowolfs. The three of them surviving this fight was unlikely to impossible at best.

"N-No," Ruby shuddered, appalled at the prospect of abandoning others. She shifted out of Ector's hold. "T-That's not what a hero does! That's not what Archer would do! He'd jump in and save them all!"