Chapter 10: the Branwen pilgrimage

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Pitter patter the rain fell onto my face with increased pace by the minute. A few minutes ago I had woken up in the middle of the woods besides a campfire with Ravens glare burning into my face like the flames of hell themselves this is not going to stop is it... well let's ask and hope for the best. "So ummm mom why do you look like someone pissed in your coffee." Shit now was definitely not the best time for a witty remark it's now on instincts shit!

Raven continued to stare or at least that's what I'd assume if her hair didn't now cover her eyes like some kind of Hent@i protagonist. She released a breath that with its exhalation the atmosphere became less and less tense. "Look runt I'm not angry... I'm disappointed" those words were like someone dragging a knife all over my very soul.

"Not because of you attacking the Beowolf no if anything I would usually congratulate you. BUT" her face twisted in various emotions. "you went in there head first for two people you don't even know you FOOL!" Her eyes did something Scáthach had never seen before they began to water. "I know I'm a hardass at the best of times but your my daughter for Oume's sake. I raised you from birth how do you think I'd feel If I saw you hurt!" Scáthach seeing this cautiously approached her in attempt to apologise to her. But before she could utter a single word she was pulled into a love and anger fuelled hug. She murmured to herself "she's ok, she's ok, she's ok" in rapid succession.

If I had ever had doubts about Ravens love now they had just been choke slammed into a meat grinder. The shear force of Ravens emotions even subconsciously flared her aura behind her. "Don't ever leave me your my runt only I'm allowed to beat your ass understood" she said looking at Scáthach with a loving look in her bright red eyes.

In my head I swore. I promise As Scáthach Branwen I will not allow the past to repeat itself. 2 of my past regrets have already been resolved I now have a large happy family haha shay D Mann, uncle Thomas and the tribe they are my family and I will protect them. My second regret was living a meaningless life. To whoever you really are who sent me here I thank you, I thank you for my second chance I will repay you. She thought as a stray tear made its way down her usually emotionless face(A/N it's ok runt just enjoy this life I'll make it fun for you)

Raven released her from her hug of loving death. Looking at Scáthach she said before "you return to the tribe I must take you on a journey a journey all future Branwen leaders take at 12 but I believe you are already ready follow me." She said standing up she walked into the forest as I followed Raven the deeper we went the barren forest became more lush and beautiful the barren trees became emerald green decorated art. And the rotting wood becoming unmovable pillars to hold up their emerald jewels.

Ravens face became strangely reminiscent and joyful. As the plant life increased as did the animal life maggots became squirrels, rabbits and foxes whilst Ravens and crows became robins and songbirds who released their melodies as that could make a berserker calm and serene. "What is this place" I muttered to no one on particular.

Raven hearing my question released a smug grin "this is the same place my father took me and his father before him, this is Satanta's burial ground or more commonly referred to as 'heroes rest' our ancestor was well versed in magic this forest was once a vicious war zone between all tribes . Our leader who was at this point well into his eighties knowing this would lead to the destruction of all tribes used all of used his last remaining years of lifespan to turn all of his enemies and foes into this forest. Each of these lush trees was once a living breathing human the final trial for all leaders is to come up with their own interpretation of this story's true meaning the best place to focus is in the middle of this forest a shrine you will see it soon..."

As we have wondered throughout this forest one thing I noticed was it was untouched by humans the air was fresh and full of life you could never find in the cities. Wondering deeper the fauna became more beautiful flowers everywhere you could see roses, poppies and many more bright and colourful flowers. The more we walked in this direction the more nature filled the forest became making believe we were heading to the center of the forest.

After marching straight for hours on end my knees began to ache and sweat covered my forehead like rain. However Raven mad me keep going forward whilst this place is beautiful it does little to take away the growing pains around my body that keep increasing. Raven asked "have you noticed yet, what's happening?" She asked.

Shaking my head she sighed and replied "it's fine I was the same the closer we get to the center the more the gravity increases currently it should be around 20X usual levels the gravity was made to keep humans from desecrating our ancestors resting grounds and as you can see..." she pulled aside a branch in her way to reveal the largest and most beautiful tree you could ever see. "It works splendidly"

The tree before me was white as chalk and thick as a house. It's size was unimaginable if I had to give a rough estimate I'd say 5-6 double story houses atop each other would be accurate idea of how tall it was. It's leaves were a glowing blue colour and some were slowly falling to the ground in a graceful dance that none other could be compared in grace.

Raven seeing my awe dragged me forwards towards the tree. "This was once our ancestor Satanta he was according to almost all the legends an unbearable ass but he still loves his tribe like sons and daughters." She pulled out two cups from a small satchel strapped around her hips and a flask of water. Pouring a cup for me and her I realised the water was hot scaldingly so. Before I could notice several leaves fell into my boiling water my water no... this liquid now resembled the night sky it was black with an endless reverie of stars the longer I gazed into it the more I wanted to continue However a slight pinch from Raven I woke up and she simply said "drink" nothing more nothing less, throwing away all apprehensions I drank it all in one go if there's anything I've learned about strange liquids it's best to either not drink them at all or drink them in one go.

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Damn it all my plans have gone down the drain with her power I could've finally gotten rid of Salem once and for all. Her aura reserves would make her the perfect front liner and her semblance which is similar to... that mans semblance of not identical.

Satanta was a fool he was honest to those he called friends and ruthless to his enemies all it took to beat him though was me to sow some discord among them and they came crashing down like a house of cards. The fool he shouldn't have even tried to talk some sense into Salem sure she mellowed down but still evil must be extinguished for the greater good. Suddenly I felt a pulse of mama not felt since.... "you Bastard you chose a successor to your power you FOOL!" Now I have to kill the unstable factor... again poor summer but she came too close to the truth.

A blonde woman walked into my office knowing who it was I put on my lazy fool facade. "Ozpin are you alright" asked the woman putting my coffee on the table.

"Yes I'm fine Glynda just tired is all I feel w headache coming on" she nodded in understanding what a useful pawn she is.

Today for some reason I was brought back to thinking of an good friend an old friend his name was Satanta. He despite being a bandit was nice to most people although he loved to mess around and his luck was simply horrid someone even tried to dub him the legendary sucker... now those were the days.

I remember the day I met the funny fool like it was yesterday I was sitting here in this throne staring into nothing when he kicked down my door he said 'FBI open up Hand over the Loli' strange man but he was amusing. When he looked at me it was not with fear but with pity when I asked him for the reason for his gaze he simply said 'you just look full of hate' he visited me with a few drinking buddies every so often to speak. It was quite hones one of the happiest portions of my immortal life. Though countless times I threatened to kill him he always replied the same 'meh blame my luck for befriending a dangerous woman.'

Countless times I tried to understand him I offered everything from land, wealth to even immortality like my own only to have him turn me down replying in his usual manner 'Money doesn't buy happiness, land is a pain to deal with and immortality just sounds boring don't you agree?'

Slowly but surely we became true friends trusting each other with our troubles I told him everything. My thirst for revenge against the gods and how Ozpin essentially sacrificed his own children for the 'greater good' hearing my story despite all I did he just looked at me with pity. He visited for many years i mellowed down during those years Satanta was what people would call these days a 'therapist' for me.

He grew old as all mortals do quite frankly I was planning to make him immortal just so I didn't become lonely again. (A/N in this version she can make people like her under certain conditions) he when he turned 70 managed to drag me to the Branwen camp somehow there despite all the horrors of remnant I saw people dancing enjoying themselves making merry and Satanta the father figure for them despite his old age dancing like a fool.

But once again Ozpin took EVERYTHING. Just as i finally grew some hope in humanity it was thrice as quickly extinguished Ozpin caused a rebellion from all other Bandit tribes offering them gold and a clean slate and just like that they barred their fangs at the hand that fed them. Hearing this I raged rushing towards the battlefield with an army of Grimm in tow only to find a forest it was at that moment I realised he used an old spell that only he knew 'Eden' turning himself as his enemies into a large stunning forest free from humanity that only his descendants could survive in.

After that my hatred for Ozpin was rekindled and all I wanted was his destruction he took everything my four daughters turning them into the four maidens, my first true friend after gor knows how long along with my happiness. I remember Satanta left a note that said 'If you ever meet my successor you have my blessings I'm a married man you know hahaha' even in death he was a prankster. What are the odds of me falling in love.

Suddenly I felt a pulse of blue energy spread across all of Remnant and a happy and elated smile took my lips "the successor has awoken" I shall send someone to look after whoever it is since he said his inheritor will be a child. Yes that emerald girl will do...

A strange voice asked me in my head [if you were to choose one thing that made a good ruler what would you choose]

I thought for god knows how long and replied "LUCK"

[of course my inheritor would want luck haha]

[system initialising.....]

[system chosen goddess of gacha]