Leon traversed the streets of Shian Shi, his path lit by various dust powered lamps, hung on wooden posts serving as street lights. Very few citizens were up at this hour.
Soon, he arrived at his destination. One of the bigger buildings in town and by far the most advanced, the transmission tower stuck out quite a bit. It was a simple two story building at its base, with long blue flags that bore the Mistralian crest. A large metallic spire rose from the roof, taller than any other structure within the town.
Leon made his way to the double doors at the base of the building, pushing them open and entering. The interior was rather homey, a wooden room illuminated by lantern light. A desk stood near the middle of the room in front of a staircase, with a man idly sitting and reading a newspaper, bags under his eyes. Six terminals sat around the room, all currently vacant.
“Evening!” Leon greeted the man with a short wave. He slowly lowered his newspaper, looking at the huntsman with tired eyes.
“Evening.” Was all he said in response.
“I was wondering if you’d be able to patch me through to Mistral, Professor Lionheart’s personal line.”
“Right. Can I see your license please?”
“Of course.” He reached into his pocket, extracting a card bearing his name and photo. A title at the top read ‘Huntsman License, Mistral’.
“Furthest terminal on your left.” The man replied, tapping away at a holographic keyboard briefly, before returning to his paper.
The huntsman made his way towards the designated terminal. A holographic screen materialized in front of him and he tapped it. The call began, and he grabbed a nearby pair of headphones, placing them on. Soon, the video screen popped up bearing a familiar bearded face.
“Who is it- Oh, Raphael?” Lionheart said from the other end of the transmission.
“Yes, sorry to bother you at this hour, Professor.” Leon replied.
“Oh it’s no issue. It’s actually lucky that you caught me now, I was just about to go home.” Lionheart chuckled slightly. “Now, I know whatever you’re calling about must be important given the time of day, so I’ll let you explain.”
“Thank you Professor. I’m calling about this.” Leon inserted his scroll into the terminal and tapped a few buttons. “It’s an image I captured today. A Grimm that one of the students defeated.”
Lionheart turned his head slightly as the image appeared on his screen. He adjusted his glasses and raised an eyebrow. “Oh my… How peculiar.”
“Yes, it’s quite unlike any Grimm I’ve ever laid eyes on. According to the students who killed it, the beast was also much tougher and more intelligent as well.”
“And this was the only one?”
“As far as I know, yes.”
“I’ve never seen a Grimm quite like this either. Perhaps it’s a new variation of the beowolf?”
“I thought so too… But look at the green liquid it secreted when it died. It almost looks artificial.”
“You may be right. I’ll send these findings to Grimm studies immediately. Given this event, do you wish to terminate the mission early?”
“With all due respect Professor… I believe that the mission should be allowed to continue. The students dispatched the Grimm without too much trouble, and it’s only been an isolated event so far. I have faith in these students and I want them to complete the mission.”
“Very well. Keep me updated. If the situation becomes too dangerous, we may need to send professionals.”
“Understood.”
“Have a good night, Raphael.”
“Good night Professor.”
The feed ended and Leon hung up. With a sigh, he removed his headphones, grabbed his scroll and made for the exit of the building. No more than a single step outside, he suddenly froze.
“Mr. Leon sir!” A pair of guards ran up to him, somewhat out of breath. “Commander Brandford needs you at the Northern gate, it’s urgent!”
*
“...So after Thalia marked it, we didn’t have much trouble taking out the Grimm.” Robert said casually, from his spot on the floor of team MABL’s room.
“I killed it.” Bruno added with a grin.
“He didn’t kill it. Thalia did.” Robert corrected.
“Huh? No, I definitely killed it! She just had the last blow!”
“It was still moving before she decapitated it-”
“So what? It would’ve died literally right after that if she didn’t finish it off sooner!”
“Whatever, that’s not important.” Robert shook his head and sighed. “After that, the rest of the day was pretty normal. We mostly just patrolled around. No other Grimm showed up.”
“You guys are lucky.” Ash said from his bed. “All we did was wander around all day!”
“Hell yeah we are! Sucks I missed out on Geralt getting his ass beat but whatever. It’ll make the day that I beat his ass feel even better!” Bruno said.
“That Grimm seemed pretty weird. Hopefully we don’t run into any more beowolves on steroids…” Merlot said, laying back on her bed.
“I hope we do! They weren’t that tough to beat, and saying I beat a super strong Grimm will make me even cooler!” Bruno said. “Tomorrow I think I’m gonna go use the tower in town to call Yin and Lazuli so I can brag to them about this!”
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“I thought you and Lazuli were fighting before you left.” Ash commented.
“Oh yeah. Well, I kinda miss Lazuli now so things are basically back to normal.”
"Huh?" Merlot raised an eyebrow. "Bruno, that's not how friendships work y'know. You might be over it, but what about her?"
"It's not that deep Merlot, jeez."
"How do you know that?"
"Because Lazuli is one of my friends! Stop trying to bring your girly emotional stuff into everything..."
"Wha- What's that supposed to mean?!"
“I’m going to sleep.” Robert muttered, removing his armour and setting it aside as the pair bickered.
“Same.” Ash said, turning over and pulling his blanket up. “Night, Bruno”
“Goodnight Ash.” Bruno said, ceasing his argument and curling up on the ground. Merlot let out a sigh of annoyance, but regardless, flicked the light switch on the wall and bathed their room in darkness.
This calm silence in preparation for slumber lasted about five seconds.
“EVERYONE UP, NOW!”
The slam of the door being thrown open followed by Leon’s shout snapped the students to attention. Ash and Merlot both sat upright in bed, Robert looked around rapidly in confusion and Bruno jumped in surprise.
“Grab your weapons and meet me downstairs!” Was all Leon said, before moving on to Team SRGT's room. The four teammates all looked to one another, before moving.
*
“I wonder what’s going on…” Merlot said, descending the inn's staircase.
“I was looking forward to a good night's sleep but… This seems urgent.” Robert said.
“No big deal to me. I’m used to waking up early from my days on the farm.” Ash said with a shrug.
Team MABL reached the downstairs of The Next Best Gentleman, soon joined by team SRGT and Leon moments later.
“There isn’t a moment to lose, listen up everybody!” Leon called to the group in front of him. “I’ve been informed by the guards that the town is under attack. There’s a massive army of Grimm on the way, and we need to take up battle stations now.”
The students all for the most part shared concerned glances.
"G-Grimm-?" Scarlett shuddered, but she didn't manage to utter out much else before Leon continued.
“At the moment we’re this town’s most useful asset. We need to spread ourselves out as evenly as possible.” Leon said. “Thalia. I want you on the wall with the other marksmen. You’ll be in charge of focusing any flying enemies. Shin and Merlot, you two will be on the ground helping to hold the Northern gate, along with me. Most of the Grimm are coming in from that direction. The southern gate will be manned by Geralt, Robert and Bruno. There’s a good chance we won’t be seeing too many Grimm down there, but it’s not zero. Ash and Scarlett., you two are directly in charge of the citizens. They're all being evacuated to the town hall as it’s currently the safest spot in town. Escort them to safety and defend them at all costs. Does everyone understand?”
“Yes sir!” Shin exclaimed.
“Good! Let’s get moving!” Without another word, Leon moved towards the door, the two teams in his wake.
*
“This is wild, no way it’s really happening!” Bruno exclaimed as he rushed down the town’s streets. Citizens were in a frenzy around them, exiting their homes in fear and making a beeline towards the town hall. High above them in the night sky, dark shapes could be spotted, illuminated by moonlight.
“Bruno this isn’t the time!” Robert replied. “I just hope we’ll be able to hold out…”
“Stop worrying, first years. If you get all scared in battle you’ll just be more dead weight than you already are.” Geralt grunted.
“Oh yeah, I’m the dead weight. I heard about how you got your ass handed to you, asshole! Meanwhile I was busy actually killing Grimm!” Bruno shot back.
“Not another word.” Geralt abruptly halted in his tracks, nearly causing Bruno to slam into him. “I swear to god, it doesn’t matter if we’re under attack I’ll beat some sense into you.”
“Now is not the time! We need to be moving-” Robert began.
“Your teammate decides what happens next. He can either shut up and go do his job like a good, obedient little faunus… Or I’ll send him to the hospital before the Grimm do.” Geralt said, turning to stare at Bruno.
Bruno stared back at Geralt angrily. Robert watched on with concern, waiting for his teammate’s response.
*
“Looks like you actually decided to show up.” Brandford turned to greet Leon, Merlot, Shin and Thalia as they arrived at the northern gate. The area was packed. Tens upon tens of soldiers lined the patrol paths of the walls, some clutching bows and crossbows, others choosing to wield rifles and pistols.
A force almost as large was assembled upon and around the path behind the gate. Guards wielding ranged weapons stood ready in the back, while the front was manned by others wielding swords.
“What’s the situation like?” Leon asked, turning to the captain.
“Come take a look.” He replied, beckoning Leon towards the upper level of the wall.
“Take your positions.” The huntsman commanded to his students as he followed Brandford.
Shin and Merlot moved behind the front gate, amongst the other soldiers, many of whom expressed relief and confidence upon seeing the new arrivals. Thalia meanwhile, followed Brandford and Leon up the wall, drawing her bow and notching an arrow.
“Oh man…” Leon murmured, peaking over the battlements. Grimm crested the horizon ahead as far as the eye could see. Easily hundreds, perhaps thousands of the creatures. There were varying types as well, from beowolves to ursa to beringles and even nevermores. The Grimm were rapidly approaching, with only a few hundred meters now between them and the city.
“We need to call for backup.” Leon said quickly, rushing towards the stairs. “I’ll contact Mistral, but we'll need to hold out until they arrive!"
“Don’t need to tell me twice.” Brandford grunted, before raising his arm up in the air. “ARCHERS AND GUNMEN! READY YOUR WEAPONS!”
Immediately, rifles were cocked all along the wall whilst arrows were notched and aimed.
“FIRE!” He made a chopping motion with his arm. A volley of arrows flew from the archers and into the horde, killing some individual Grimm in the wave. Precise gunshots rang out, blowing limbs off beowolves and heads off ursa. A couple of seconds passed following the volley… Before explosions rang out amidst the horde. Bursts of fire, ice and earth dust, exploding like land mines in the wave of darkness.
Thalia looked surprised, before catching a glance at the arrows in question as they were pulled from containers lining the walls that bore the SDC logo. Each one was infused with dust, marked by a colour on their shaft. Thalia grabbed a handful of these arrows for herself and placed them in her quiver, before letting another projectile fly.
*
“I wonder how it’s going over there…” Merlot said nervously, listening as explosions rang out amidst the shrieking of Grimm.
“They must be holding the line. The door has been unimpeded thus far.” Shin replied. “But if their numbers are as large as Leon was suggesting earlier… We shouldn’t expect the walls to hold forever.”
“Oh god… I never thought something like this would be part of the mission.” Merlot admitted, trembling slightly.
“Stow your fear. Focus on protecting the people. Even if you fall tonight, know that you will be remembered as a hero of this town, and that you fought until your last breath.” Shin said with a steely expression on his face as he faced down the door. "As both leaders and future Huntsmen, this is our duty."
A few seconds of silence passed, before someone rushed past the duo and their spot by the gate. Merlot and Shin both snapped their attention to whatever this was.
“Leon?” Merlot said. “Where are you going?!”
“There’s no time! We need to send a message to-” Leon began, but was interrupted by an ear piercing, familiar shriek.
“UP THERE!” One of the nearby soldiers shouted. “A Giant nevermore!”
Another screech filled the ears of the defenders as the shape of a massive black bird passed over the village, flying just above the walls. A volley of arrows and bullets were lobbed towards it, but even the explosions of dust did nothing to hinder the beast. It let out another shriek as it swooped low. Leon caught on quickly, pursuing it on foot through the town.
“I’m… I’m gonna go with him!” Merlot said, bolting off.
“What- MERLOT!” Shin exclaimed.
“I might be able to take that thing down, just trust me!” She shouted back, disappearing around the corner of a house. Shin let out a groan of annoyance but held his position regardless.
*
“NO, NO!” Leon exclaimed, rushing down the street, barely keeping pace with the Grimm. As it flew it began to grow lower and lower, to the point where it was only a couple meters above the taller buildings. Despite the aura concentrated in his legs as he ran, Leon was still unable to run as fast as the creature could fly. It overtook him, finally nearing what the huntsman realized was its target. The transmission tower.
Leon ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but he was too late. The massive wingspan of the Grimm collided with the upper half of the tower, smashing directly through it.