Chapter: Prologue
Another day, another dollar. That's what my Mom always said to me about work. I walk in the locker room, whistling a tune I heard on the radio while I was on my way to work. I think it's called "The More". It wasn't that bad; I've heard better and I've heard worse. They got me singing it, so they win. I went to my locker, opened it, and then took off my hoodie and hung it up. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I'm dress in simple clothing, since I was told to rush over here, and I'm wearing a black sports bra with a pair of gray sweats.
"Stay beautiful." I wink at myself before digging for white bandages in my duffle bag.
I stuffed my gear in the locker before closing it. I sit down on the only bench in the room and start wrapping up my legs first.
Aggressive tendencies leads to trauma,
Ain't changing shit, fuck the karma
Let it be, just what it is
No matter what, I handle-
I shook my head. That song is really stuck in my head. I hate when that happens. First, "Shine", and now this song. At least it made me get ready faster.
I roll my head to get the stiff feeling out of my neck. I finish wrapping my scarred left arm, and then flex my hands and feet a bit to make sure the bandages are secure and comfortable. Okay, I'm all ready.
I wonder what I should eat after the fight tonight? Take out or dabble in cooking again?
…
…
...
Take out. I wasn't able to fight for two weeks after eating my own cooking. I should take lessons. Making your own food is healthier and less expensive in the long run.
I lean back on the dirty bench, taking in a big breath of air through my nose to calm myself. The familiar smell of sweat, blood, and backroom dealings fills my nostrils. They really should clean this locker room every once in awhile.
I exhale slowly. Remember your training. Remember what you learned in the forest. Do not lose yourself in the fight. You are a Faunus, not an animal, no matter what they label you. You are not a wild beast; you are adorable 18 year old girl who has a bit more muscles and scars than most.
"Yo, champ, it's time. You ready?"
I jump up from the bench and smile at the so-called referee/Boss. "Always." I walk towards him, stretching out my arms. I have to be prepared for anything. I wish they would tell me who I'm fighting.
"Still not using your weapon?"
I shook my head. "You know me John, it's more fun to fight without a weapon." Plus, I'm not worthy of using it. Not after what happened in Mistral. "Also, it is why I'm famous around here for. Good for business and all that jazz." Last time I checked, the number of people attending had double since I've come here.
"Good for business hmm?" John murmured.
John is human male about as tall as me, which is pretty tall since I'm 6'2. He never told me his age but he looks like he's in his mid-forties. John is a skinny fellow with graying hair. I think I might start calling him 'Gramps' after today's match. Anyways, he has helped me a lot since I came to Vacuo. He gave me a job that pays pretty fucking well in my opinion, and a place to stay that isn't too shabby. Overall, he is a nice guy. For that reason, I won't lose. Well, that, and I really like living.
We walk through big doors. I shield my eyes from the sudden light that almost blinds me. Every single time, and I never learn. Maybe I should start wearing sunglasses?
"Good luck kid." John said before jogging to the referee stand.
Good luck? The last time he said that was for my first match. If he said that to me, then I probably need it. I jump up and down, punching and kicking the air to get the blood flowing. Suddenly the lights shut off and silence fills the whole place.
"Showtime." I whispered.
"Hello ladies and gentleman!" John said to the crowd. "Are you guys ready for the fight of the lifetime?!" The crowd cheers like no tomorrow. They seem more excited than normal. Must be about the guy I'm facing. "Today's match is a special one folks. Today, at our lovely abode, we have a special visitor straight from stuck up Atlas itself." Atlas huh? Never fought someone from there before. "You may have heard of him, he was reeking havoc on the streets. That's right, the man who had killed hundreds of Faunus, Gregor "Grimm" Green!"
The light shines on a big burly man with a buzzcut hairstyle. He has a serious expression that screams killjoy. He is also not wearing a shirt. I guess to show off his hairy chest and muscles. I focus my attention on his weapon. It is a rifle, but base on the gears, it probably can transform into something else. That actually might be a problem. Shit.
"And in this corner, your Champion for two straight years in a row! The Bull Faunus, who always charges in head first with nothing but her wits and fists guiding her to victory!" I start smiling hearing the cheers being louder than Gregor's. At least I beat him in fanbase. "Rajah Blood!"
I run into the middle of the arena, blowing kisses to the crowd. I shower in the cheers of today's attendees. Honestly, I don't think I can get tire of this. It's fun being treated as a superstar. My ear's twitch and I drop to all fours on instinct. A bullet flew over my head which silences the crowd. I groan internally-I hate eager guys like him.
The overzealous man starts firing his weapon at me. I hate gun users. They are pain in the ass. I run straight for Gregor, dodging whatever bullets I could while letting my aura deflect the rest. I was quickly able to close the gap. I jump up, reeling my right fist back, focusing a lot of my energy into it. He places his weapon in front of himself in hopes of blocking my attack. My punch made contact with his weapon causing a shockwave to erupt from it. I fought the urge to grin. I can already feel my blood boiling in excitement and I just landed one blow, which he blocked. Please don't disappoint me Mr. Buzzcut.
He pushes me off his weapon and twirls his gun to transform it into a labrys, a double-bitted axe. I arch myself backwards to dodge a swing that was sure to cut me in half if I didn't have good reflexes. I can see my opponent's frustrated expression, which makes him look constipated. But more importantly, I can see strands of my orange hair falling. Then a thought hit me.
Do I really need a haircut that bad?
I plant my hands on the ground, and crab walk away. This causes a bunch laughter from the crowd, and a growl from my opponent. He follows after me, swinging his axe downwards, creating craters after craters every time he misses. We kept this little game of crazy axe wielding psychopath and crab up for a couple of minutes...I love to make my fans smile.
"Nowhere to run Faunus!" He roared.
Really? I look behind me and sure enough I was about to hit the wall. I should keep better track of the terrain. That was part of my training. I look back up at him and he his axe is over his head, readying himself to cleave me straight into two. I really hate guys like him.
Time seems to slow for me as we reach the wall. I brought my legs up and start walking on my hands, all while smirking at him. This seem to infuriates Gregor even more. Perfect. Then I hit the wall which hurt quite a bit. The crowd seem to like this based on their laughter. Gregor also seems to like it based on the murderous gleam he has in his eye. Just as he swing down, I did a full one-eighty split while still being on my hands. And just like I planned/hoped, I'm not dead, and his weapon is stuck in the wall.
Not missing a single second, I roll out of my handstand, using the momentum and my superior strength to punch him where no man ever wants to punched. I can hear the collection of 'Ooo' from the male audiences. I always found it weird how guys can somehow feel the same pain when another guy gets hit in the balls. But anyway, I got a fight to win.
Gregor hunches over, grabbing his manhood that is sure to be fine dust after the blow I landed on them. He took a couple of steps back from his weapon. I jump up and grab hold of his face, squeezing my nails into his skin. I then slam his head straight to the ground. He is lucky his aura is still up. But not for long.
I straddle on top of him. He looks afraid. I wonder why? I punch his face and I did so again, then again, then again, then again, again, again, again, again, and again. His bloodied horror filled eyes and his squirming to get out of my barrage of punches brought a feeling that I almost forgot about. I guess his aura isn't healing as fast I'm beating him. I love it. I relish every moment of it. I want more fun with him. I continue to pummel on him with my fist till his aura broke. Then I dealt the finishing blow.
But I did not stop. I continue to punch him till the nerves in his body no longer react to the attacks. The next thing I know, I started hearing laughter. I'm happy someone is happy with the show. It wasn't till I hit the ground from the hole I made in Gregor's head did I stop. I look at my hands. My bandages are soak in his blood, dying it completely red. And bits of pieces of his brains and fragments of his bones that didn't turn to fine powdered dust from my unrelenting assault, is stuck to my hands. I turn to look at the audience and none of them look like they were laughing. In fact, they look frighten at the sight of their Champion.
It was me, wasn't it? I was the one laughing in joy of the slaughter. Again. It seems my little mantra before the match didn't help out at all.
"Winner, and still Champion, Rajah Blood!" John announces.
I heard the slow clapping turn into cheers. I stood and smile at everyone. I wave goodbye to everyone as I leave the arena in a hurry. I walk past some guys who take care of the bodies I leave. I went straight for the locker room. I went to see myself in a mirror and I paled at the sight of my face. It was not the blood that is all over me that bothers me; I got used to sight of blood a long time ago. It is my grin that I didn't know I had that is scaring me. I look like a madwoman from a bad serial killer flick.
"Fuck." I murmur.
Maybe I should take a break from fighting and start living like a normal civvy? I irritatingly groan from the thought. Nobody hires Faunus anymore because of those damn White Fang terrorist. And I'd rather be mauled by Grimm than work for those damn slave drivers Schnee. Plus, I don't know how to do anything except fight. I should've listened to Mom. Guess I gotta work for John for a couple more years. Great, I just made myself depress. Good job me.
I start unwrapping the bloodied bandages off my hands. I dump them in a trash bin before I sense someone's presence. I look at the only entrance and see three individuals who look around my age.
I curtly turned away, hiding my scarred arms. "Sorry, no autographs. John's rules."
"Oh, we are not here for an autograph Ms. Blood."
"Really now?" I walk to my locker to take out my favorite orange hoodie. I put it on and grab my towel. I quickly wipe the blood off my face. "In that case what do ya three want?"
I turn to face the individuals. I take a better look at them. I immediately focused my attention on the only male of the group since he is kinda cute looking.
He is a bit shorter than me but not by much. He has silvery-gray hair that is partially slicked back while unkempt at the front. He is wearing a gray and black two-tone partial-zip jacket that covers his upper body and matches with his black pants. He is quite well built and bit pale looking. And he has quite the charming smirk. Me likey.
The next one of the list is the one who has an unimpressed and disgusted look in her eyes. Hmm, there's also a hint of something else in her red eyes. Ah, I know what it is: Fear.
She is a thin thing who has same shade of brown skin as I. It really makes her light mint green hair pop in a good way. Her attire consists of an intricate, exotic-looking white top and olive undershirt, which is matched with white pants and brown chaps that ends at her calves. She has an overlong belt, twice-wrapped that brings me attention to the weapons on the back of her waist. They look like pistols, maybe revolvers. Man, I hate gun users.
And I save the best for last. She looks like the leader of the bunch. She is even paler than the boy and has ashen-black hair which makes her amber color eyes kind of alluring. She is wearing a dark-red, off-the-shoulders, v-neck mini-dress with yellow designs and and black heels. But more important than what this girl looks like, is what I'm feel just by staring at her. I already have urge to defend myself, but also to fight to test my strength against her. Damn my training.
The black hair beauty step forward. "I would like to acquisition your services. Your set of skills is exactly what I need."
I roll my eyes. One of these guys. I turn away. "Not interested. I'm no thug." I, at least, have some honor left. "Hire some other guys who actually likes knocking teeth in for chump change."
"I'm fine with that." I heard gun wielding girl said. It seems I was right about that green hair girl. She hates me.
"Silence." I heard the leader hissed.
I pick up my duffle bag and sling it over my shoulder. I turn around to make my way out of the locker room, but cannot go further because these three goons in training are blocking the exit. "So, do you guys mind moving to the side? I gotta pick up my winnings and get dinner." I cock my head to the side. "By the way, do you three think I should get burgers or pizzas tonight?"
"Depends, what kind of pizza?" The boy responds. He was elbowed by his green haired cohort.
"Very well." They move to make way for me. "We won't bother you any longer." She said.
That was easy. Usually these type of people don't take a no for an answer, until I beat them to a pulp. "Thanks." I begin walking out of the room.
"Oh, before I forget. Are you still a student of Sanctum?"
I was halfway out the door when I heard the question. How does she know about Sanctum? I drop my bag and march my way back to the three. Green hair girl got in front of her leader, already has one of her guns drawn and aimed at me, but that didn't stop me. I continue walking till the barrel of her gun is touching the bindi on my forehead.
"Who are you?" I look right past the gun wielder to stare right into her leader's eyes.
The leader smirks, motioning her friend to stand down. She walks up to me with her hand out. "My name is Cinder Fall, and I think I can help you with your problem."
I glance down at her hand before looking back into her eyes. "What exactly is my problem?"
She puts her hand down and folds them behind her back. "That you can no longer be an Huntress in your home country." Her smirks is starting to piss me off. "If you join me, I can make that dream of yours a reality."
"A reality huh?"
If she knows about my problem and what happened at Sanctum Academy, then why does she want me? She saw how I fought today, yet she still wants me. What she said about making me an Huntress, can I trust her in that? I try to look for any tales of lies, but there is none. She's telling the truth, she can make me into a Huntress. I've wished for this since I was young.
I turn around, ignoring the curses Cinder's green haired cheerleader is spewing at me. I walk to my duffle bag and kneel down. I open it up and take out a tanto. I heard Cinder's group getting ready for a fight. I unsheathe my weapon, admiring the gleam it has in the light. The only gift Dad ever gave me. He gave it to me once I completed his hellish training and attended Sanctum. He said he used this beauty back when he was starting out as a Huntsman. He also promised to give me his family heirloom once I become an Huntress. The only time he ever treated me like a daughter.
I sheathe the tanto and stuff it back in my bag. I slung it over my shoulders before standing up. I glance at them in the corner of my eye. "You three in the mood for burgers or pizzas tonight, my treat?" I said with a smile.
Let's hope I don't regret this.