Chapter 4: beginning the raid

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Scáthach is now 6 years old she has began to look more feminine whilst before there was still no doubt she was female most whom did not know her would think she was a tomboy however that was not the case now most of her childish fat had gone beginning to show the outline of the face of a future world breaking beauty.

Over the years her training with Raven had paid off dramatically her aura reserves increasing six fold now to the point she could be considered an aura tank. Ever since receiving her dear red partner two years ago she never separated from it even keeping it at her side when she slept in case of being caught unawares.

Speaking of Gae Bulg her aura usage whilst using this masterpiece of ancient metallurgy with her semblance seemingly halved. She could now launch 7 successive mini Gae Bulg in succession or 2 small Gae Bulg's which never miss their targets a skill Raven quickly grew to despise during their little 'friendly' sparring sessions.

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Scáthach today was sitting on a crudely made wooden stool combing her hair backwards in its usual fashion however not for the charm it inevitably gave off. No instead to make sure none got in her field of vision for today was the day Raven was going to take her on her first raid.

Her blood pumping faster than normal and a strange glint in her ruby like eyes she released a faint trace of a smile. Death was no stranger to her neither in her previous life nor eventually this life.

Slowly standing up she picked up her red companion taking it with her to a large basin in which she proceeded to clean the spear from its long shaft to its ever sharp tip. She always had a motto for her weapons in this life 'your weapon does not belong to you nor you to it you are companions and should treat each other as such' so she always made sure to keep Gae Bulg in pristine condition to the point you could see your reflection in it clear as day.

Honestly she's been looking forward to this day the day she can fight someone seriously don't get her wrong she loved sparing with Raven it's was just they could never go all out in the fear of killing one another. From what she knew they were raiding another tribe the Gund tribe because recently they have been encroaching on our turf more and more even becoming bold enough to attack a reconnaissance squad from the Branwen tribe .

Anyone who knew Raven for more than a day knew she would use this as an excuse to gain wipe out her competition in anima without having to deal with the other larger tribes attacking her since she was had a good justification to raid them.

Scáthach seeing all he equipment was in pristine condition went towards a hangar and picked up a leather jacket although fashionable it's main purpose was more than served it was highly insulated and flame resistant which elemental semblances and the weather can be a pain in the ass for raids like this one.

Walking out of her tent she saw her mother and her tribesmen gathered before her raising their weapons cheering for the raid that will soon begin. Raven began "today my tribesmen we well be attacking the Gund tribe because they think they can walk all over us and get away with it will we allow that!" Shouted Raven to the tribe.

"No!" They all screamed in unison

"Will we allow them to disgrace what we fellow scum and degenerate's alike built for ourselves off of our hard work!" She shouted twice as pound as before.

"No!" They responded to her once more

"Now tell me what do we do to those who challenge the pride of the Branwens!?!"

They with fervour aswell as respect and admiration in their voice screamed at her "Raid the fuckers!!!"

And just like that the start of the Branwen's raid had begun. Each and every man, woman and even some of our elderly picked up their weapons ranging from cannon cleavers to pistol knives with a glint in their eyes.

Marching one by one they all marched into the forests every man and woman knowing this day may be their last in the back of their minds however for the Branwen's death is better than having our pride tainted and those who do face the wrath of Branwen. Whether they be rich or poor, young or old we will always take out vengeance.

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Scáthach POV

As we marched through the forests Raven had split the direct raiders into 3 groups each with a leader one led by Raven herself with her elite force trained by herself. Thomas leading his own force of fifty something men and most shocking of all me with 10 elites behind my back rearing for the combat we all so desperately desire.

I was called into a meeting with Raven, Thomas and myself as well as a small council to discuss strategies one thing to be noted is Raven wasn't just a brute warrior some considered her to be but a tactical genius who could give even the old me a run for my Lien.

"So me and Thomas shall surround them from the south and west entrances to their camp from what we can see their are only two entrances however we cannot dismiss the possibility they have a hidden escape route somewhere like an underground passage or a semblance user." Raven said giving us time to digest the situation before turning to me "now Scáthach tell me from the information we gathered what is your opinion on all of this."

'Tough question she already explained the concrete details perhaps she wants me to hypothesise other things other than it's physical condition.... hmm so that could be useful' I nodded to my internal dialogue. "From the way that the bandit we captured instantly gave up the information with barely any torture we can assume that either their loyalty to their leader is highly lacking unlike our own situation or he is using half truths I'm more inclined to say the former however"

She looked at me with a proud look and solemnly nodded "indeed from what we have seen it does seem they have low morale so what could we do with that Scáthach?" She asked clearly testing my knowledge of strategy and warfare tactics.

"Simple" I responded "people with less morale are less likely to listen to their leaders in times of crisis. Meaning if they are overwhelmed with a largely superior force they will more likely than not break formation and abandone all rational thinking and either surrender to us which we will then proceed to eliminate them since defectors are a ticking time bomb. Or they will run for their own lives due to their evident lack of loyalty to the leader of the Gund tribe. However one thing is bothering me though..." I pondered out loud

"And what is that Raven" asked a councillor who was seemingly impressed by my in depth analysis of the enemies psyche. Raven and Thomas also nodded in affirmation of his comment.

"In theory they should have rebelled LONG~ before they reached this point considering how volatile is bandits can be but they still obey them in just confused at the reasoning for that."

Raven also noticed something was off and began pondering deeply since in her words 'even something as trivial as a gust of breeze can make the difference between a failed and successful raid.' After thinking this Ravens grinned like the Cheshire Cat before letting out a hearty laugh.

"Bwahahaha How could I have not noticed that and a child figured it out before me... god damn my child is a prodigy.... it looks like that the leader is holding some sort of leverage over them perhaps addictive drugs to keep them docile or worst case scenario 'toys.'"

Hearing this all bandits in the room including myself had a solemn look on their face. This thing was rather common in smaller tribes they kidnap some fairly attractive women and use them to release their 'stress.' And by controlling the who gets them he can effectively use them to reward those who work well. Despicable I'm well aware but it's highly effective in smaller encampments such as the Gund tribe.

After hearing this all females in the tribe became twice as riled up and swore to not leave a single living person escape the camp.

Hearing this I murmured though loud enough for everyone to hear "let's hope it's the former" they all nodded hearing this.

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The camp itself was surrounded by a wooden planked wall made from ash wood a wood in anima that is resistant to fire unless practically drowned in lighter fluid. a miracle of evolution if I do say so myself however it makes it a pain to create usable fire wood.

My small squad was aligned with Ravens for the main assault luckily from what we can see their defences are minimal at best and one of our faunus members who had superior vision saw that their guards were half drunk and asleep.

The sun was setting behind us our hearts were pumping an addictive adrenaline throughout our bones we would attack at sunset so that the sun is behind us and in anima the sun glowed viciously at sunset with the sun behind us they would find it harder to attack us with the blinding glow in their eyes. 'Honestly the more I think about it the more I realise this encampment is a abomination of strategy almost as if made by a half drunk and stoned incompetent with a cock with more inches than he had brain cells..... wait that's actually a possibility I can't cross off anyway Mom's coming time to prepare'

Hopping off the top of a rock I was ever so diligently sitting on top of she looked around at every single member of the tribe "soon we shall attack the disgusting Gund tribe whom has polluted the land of anima for far too long if anyone has an objection please speak up" she said. Not a single person had a complaint "Now Scáthach its time for your grand opening use your semblance to pry down their petty walls!"

We all stood up preparing our weapons wether they be big or small I raised my secondary spear charging it full of aura it glowed a resplendent glowing red colour mesmerising those who saw it as I prepared to throw it I said the famous words "GAAAEEEE BUUUUUULLLGGGG!" Before throwing it with such speed a bullet would cry in envy their petty wall crumbles beneath Gae Bulg's brutal embrace returning to ash.

Seeing this the bandits cheered a vicious cry for combat launching towards the encampment with a lust for blood cladding each and every bone in our war loving bodies.

In sync both me and Raven muttered under our breath ".... cry havoc,and let slip the dogs of war"