Initiation Part 1

A breeze traveled through the air, carrying a cool air that calmed the soul. The clouds were puffs of white, creating a picturesque scenery. But it was a sheep in wolf's clothing for what was to come, masking the dangers lying in wait.

They were gathered atop a cliff facing the vast expanse of Emerald Forest, a playground for Grimm. Each stood on small platforms. Rindel stood beside Jaune and Ruby. While Ruby was practically jumping with excitement, Jaune on the other hand…

"I-it's just a test. There are no Grimm, there are no Grimm. I'll be f-fine," Jaune repeated to himself.

...was shaking like a leaf.

Rindel couldn't understand why Jaune felt so nervous. If anything, this is looking like a walk in the park if they were doing what he was assuming. This couldn't compare to what he has done before.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest," Ozpin said while holding his mug.

Glynda further explained, "Now I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates… today."

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years," Ozpin explained.

Rindel swore he could hear glass breaking as Ruby's mind shattered, yelling, "Whaaat?!"

"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die. You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

Ignoring Jaune's raised hand, Ozpin continued, "Good! Now, take your positions."

Rindel shifted his stance slightly in preparation.

"Uh, sir? I've got, um… a question," Jaune said while platforms began to launch students, rocketing them into the air over the forest. "So, this landing strategy thing… Uh, wh-what is it? You're like, dropping us off or something?"

"No. You will be falling," Ozpin said while taking a sip from his mug.

"Oh, uh, I see. So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"

"No. You will be using your own landing strategy." Well, at least Jaune asked.

Rindel didn't hear anything Jaune said afterward as he was launched into the forest, initiating the beginning of the trial.

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Falling through the air, he steered himself towards a large branch. Reaching the tree, he flipped through the air after using the branch to redirect his momentum. Launching through the air in a backflip, Rindel pulled out Lost Requiem to slow his descent by stabbing it into another tree.

Landing on the ground with light feet, Rindel scanned his immediate surroundings for Grimm or people nearby. Sensing nothing, he walked leisurely through the forest, towards the temple he saw midflight.

Nonchalantly walking through Emerald Forest, he wondered who he would encounter. Ruby, Yang, Blake, Nora, and Ren were the only people he knew so far. He would probably work best with Blake or Ren. Nora and Ruby were fine but too energetic at times. And Yang… well Yang was Yang. The few he could think of besides them were Jaune or the ice princess Weiss. Jaune was inexperienced in combat while he didn't know much about the heiress.

Ozpin mentioned pairing up, but Rindel assumed they were going to be put in teams of four based on either Ozpin's decisions or the items they were going to collect. Actually, come to think about it, Rindel noticed an odd number of people during the opening ceremony. "Oh well, best not to think about it," he thought, shrugging it off.

The forest was eerily quiet, with no signs of wildlife around. No insects or birds chirping could be heard. The verdant forest belied what was awaiting in its depths. The mute atmosphere was broken by a series of low, reverberating growls. A pack of sixteen Beowolves formed a circle around him, waiting with hungry crimson eyes.

Gripping his dark blade, Rindel took a step forward with an impassive expression. Strangely enough, a thick fog began to envelop the area as the black beasts began to converge. With fog blocking vision, only crimson orbs full of darkness could be seen, glaring at his dull hazel eye. The nearest lunged at him with claws aiming for his life. Continuing his slow pace forward, he shifted slightly to the right instinctually, dodging the Grimm while thrusting his weapon into the beast's skull.

The wolves continued to come, each wildly attacking with intent to rip him apart. Rindel was unaffected by the maelstrom, deftly dodging each attack with minimal movement and countering when necessary. Even without clear vision, Rindel fought like a rushing stream, each swing flowing unobstructed with precision, massacring the Grimm one by one.

The Grimm roared in pain as his sword claimed their life. Weaving and ducking beneath blows, not a single one scratched his aura. Enraged, the wolves increased their rate of attacks, only ever managing to hit air or their fellow Baewolf. Rindel was a ghost of death among the mist, unleashing an onslaught of thrusts and slashes.

All Rindel felt was emptiness. He found no excitement in conflict nor battles, fighting only when necessary. He could never understand why others enjoyed the thrill of battle. All he ever saw was violence and turmoil. Too many glorify war with ballads and poetry for his tastes, never considering the horrors the soldiers face.

Spinning and slashing through the Baewolves, only a mask of apathy could be seen. Each strike was a reaper's scythe, claiming the lives of the Grimm as wheat. With a final stroke, the last of the sixteen perished, leaving a forest of decaying Grimm. With that the fog dispersed as he continued to walk through the trees, each step peculiarly silent as he headed to the temple.

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Glynda Goodwitch had an unpleasant scowl on her face as she searched through the records of a certain hazel-eyed boy. His records were suspiciously average. The only things documented were that he was home-schooled, came from abroad, and was previously living with his now-deceased grandparents. He was completely average except for his academics at which he excelled.

It was as if the boy simply appeared out of thin air, and everything else about his history was basically non-existent. While his records seemed legitimate, that only made him seem more suspicious. Even she, who was confident in her ability in collecting information, couldn't find anything else out.

Even during the initiation, she couldn't measure his skills in combat. A mysterious fog emerged from nowhere, blanketing the area so the cameras were blind. It was as if it appeared only when that boy was about to fight. Even with all her years as a Huntress, she couldn't get a read on him. It was unnerving.

Annoyed at her lack of success, Glynda turned to the headmaster. "Ozpin, doesn't this boy seem strange to you? There's something off about him. His records are even more dubious than Jaune's," she said while holding his picture and records.

Taking a glance at the monitor, he raised a brow before looking over the forest again. "I see nothing wrong. He does seem a little odd, but who isn't? I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

Glynda frowned. The boy was too nonchalant and indifferent. While most would want to prove themselves during initiation or at least be wary of danger, he only continued as if he was on a stroll through the park. There was no hesitation or any sign that he was in danger.

It wasn't only that. It was his eyes, well the one, that gave off the impression that he was more than he seemed. It was a look that was only seen in professional Huntsmen and Huntresses. Someone who's seen too much and cheated death. Someone with a lifetime experience of battles and bloodshed.

She would get to the bottom of this. He could be a danger to the school.

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A/N: First time writing a fight scene (Even if it was against a few Grimm). Comment on what you thought!

The second part should come out within the week

Remember to review if you've enjoyed it so far!!

Plot ideas, etc. are welcome under comments. Let me know what you would want to see