#storiesofremnantwritten

[storiesofremnantrwby]

Stories of Remnant - Chapter 2

Changing Seasons

It had been years that Pandora had worked for the Styx gang. She became deadly, effective, and one hard force to be reckoned with. The opposing people’s militia of Bronzefield were suppressed with little struggle, but still pushback was faced and complete control did not take for the bandits. There was more resistance in the shadows, trafficking necessary for the gang’s influence were diverted, tasks became forgotten and punishments were forgiven. Midas became less concerned about if his people were really following his orders, and more concerned about his own mortality. He was paranoid, convinced that someone was out to get him. He would spend days on end locked inside his chambers in the hideaway. Pandora became his messenger, and the second in command. Because of this, his control over her actions lessened. At first, she wouldn’t notice, even reminding herself of her duties with her very own personalized head-voice. It mimicked the abuse that was constantly spewed forth since she was eleven. But as visits from The King- as they called him- became less frequent, she found a new type of freedom. She could go and do mostly anything, as long as someone from the gang wasn’t watching. Despite Midas’s paranoia, there were a certain amount of people that Pandora was certain had been tasked with tracking and subtly stalking her ever since he hid away. She’d notice it sometimes, out of the corner of her eye. There were also whispers of differing factions developing within the gang. Without it’s King, some became less loyal, aware that their safety and welfare became side-tracked as their jobs became less and less bountiful. Then there were those who seemed not to care either way, using the name of their gang, and their associations to bully the townspeople into submission, taking extra “offerings” on occasion, suddenly spiking prices, or even outright stealing from people who were already starved of everything. Last were those who were loyal to the King still. They were also similar to the former, but instead of not caring that their wondrous leader had gone away, they instead continued on with the rhetoric that they believed he would have enacted. Pandora was more like one of the loyalists- or at least she was at first. She gave thrashings and beatings to those who would step out of the line of order she was raised within… However, because of the Impartials and the Rebels, her views had started to change. It was foreseen from a while ago, when Midas was still around- mostly anyways.

She had found herself unable to sleep one evening after curfew. She had been sneaking out before, going for walks, getting food and so on, but tonight she felt especially restless. So she threw open her window from her room, having broken the lock on it, and jumped out. She climbed her way down the scale of the building, a place made of stone that had been remade with brick, wood, and metal. It was a castle, but one that had been cannibalized as their main base. She landed safely, and crept into the woods quietly. She made for the main road, which would take her to the town square in just a half hour of walking. When she had made it there, the sun was gone and the stars and moon had settled into place. She went to her favorite little food stand. It was an open bar that served a few nice dishes, but even better home-made swill. She ordered a drink and had a seat. That’s when she noticed him.

A man she’d never seen before was walking to the stand from the inn. It was certainly unusual to see visitors, as those who came through would have to pay heavy tariffs to cross the dam. People stopped coming through in favor of more dangerous and lengthy trade routes, so his visiting meant something was important. He sat near her, a seat away and took one look at the drink she had and ordered one for himself. Pandora wasn’t much for small talk, and instead, elected to ignore him altogether. One of the reasons he stood out so much was because of the colors he put off. Bright oranges, contrasted by blacks. A big flaming skull was situated on the back of a cropped jacket. He wore a black bodysuit under it and had a spiked belt, and piercings. His hair was the brightest, an undercut that was put up in a messy, stiff updo. He definitely looked like a person who had experience with the less fine points of traveling. She had a suspicion that he was a Hunter- which was fine. A lot of the people in the gang weren’t trained all that well when it came to hunting Grimm, but the skills of a Hunter against the gang could be very annoying.

He must have noticed her accidental stare because he pulled a double-take, but then stopped. They went back to ignoring each other. After a while, and a whole cup of swill later, he finally looked at her again.

“What? You got a problem?” Pandora threatened, looking at him back dead in the eyes. The man flinched and put his hands up in a passive way.

“Huh? Me? No!” He looked away awkwardly, “Just thought I recognized you is all.” He mumbled a bit.

That was weird, no one really does that to her. He was new in town, how in the world would he ever have seen her before?

“What is that supposed to mean,” She smiled into her cup. She found this entertaining, and was slightly enticing a fight with him. She’d enjoy some action; maybe it’d tire her out.

“Nothing, nothing…” He looked back at her, clearly more relaxed than before. There seemed to be something telling in his eyes, “Just swear I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

After a few more moments of silence, Pandora was tired of this. She rolled her eyes and sighed, straightening up. “I guess you’re new in town then. Well, before you get yourself into trouble, I’ll let you know something.” She took another sip, “Rule one is don’t ask questions. It isn’t worth the bruises you’ll get. Unless you’re a masochist.”

He giggles a bit at that. She gave a slight smile that was more akin to an annoyed sibling than a threatened stranger, “And rule two is don’t talk to strangers. People will think you’re trying to do something that isn’t…” She paused, looking for the words, “Fitting, for this town.”

Now her smile was a little more maniacal. The man didn’t really react, which kinda pissed her off. After staring at him to see if he intended to reply, she demanded another cup of swill by slamming her flagon down next to him.

“Just what are you doing here, anyway? Aren’t there better places in this shithole of a world to be?”

With that, the man turned his head to her with a smile, “Heh, yeah, I guess so. But wasn’t that breaking rule one?” he giggled again, and before she had a chance to react, he had pulled out a slip of paper and shoved it almost in her face.

“I was right. I did recognize you. You’re Pandora Fae. You went missing nine years ago from Olympus,” He sipped the last drops from his cup, “Crazy how happenstance works, huh?”

Pandora was frozen. It was a missing persons poster. It had a childhood photo of her with the words “Missing”, it had her old address, and a reward of 250,000 Lien. “Wh-what?” She whispered to herself.

It didn’t make sense! Her father had sold her, why would he put up a missing persons report with a high reward for her if he sold her? Why did he want her back? How come he never came looking? A flood of questions raced through her mind, and that voice that had so tightly nestled within her brain- the one that mimicked Midas- became silent for the first time since she could remember.

She sat down again, stunned. She was grasping the poster, and didn’t realize how weak she looked until she saw the man’s eyes prying to reach her. She looked up at him.

“Wow, by that reaction, I’m guessing you didn’t know you were being searched for.” He laughed. “But I guess I should leave you alone now, huh? Got a busy day tomorrow helping the caravans get past the dam. Other passes are out of use at the moment, so gotta get these supplies to the people who need them. Even if it means to take a risk and barter with the scumbags who-”

“What do you know about this?” She stopped him in his tracks. “Tell me. Please.” She looked sincere, a softer tone overtook her eyes, replacing the distrust and anger.

The man shrugged and settled back on his stool. He ordered another drink. “Well, you went missing nine years ago from your home. Your father says you had last been with your trainer, and that a servant had put you to bed. Apparently, they thought your trainer took you, or went missing too, but it turns out he had just made a trip out of town since he wasn’t from around there. He came back and said the last time he saw you was at training that day… He said you had gone to bed that night- basically corroborating everything your father had said. All suspicion had been cast aside thanks to your father’s trust in the guy, and his help in the search.” He sipped, and sat back in thought.

“Damn, I can’t remember the guy’s name… Something something Aurum?”

“Midas.” Pandora blurted out, her voice was low and steady. “Midas Aurum.” She looked at him, confusion and conflict sparring in her mind, “The King of the Styx River Bandits”. The man looked at her with slight surprise.

“Aurum is what now?” He asked.

“The King- but… It doesn’t make any sense, he saved me!” She looked back into the man’s eyes, her mind working to process everything, “He told me my father sold me! He was a cruel old bastard, my father! Midas saved me!”

The man shook his head, “I don’t see it… Your father put together search party after search party, he never stopped traveling around to try and find you. He only stopped after a few years because… Well, he was ill.” He took a softer tone, trying to steadily explain the sensitive nature of the topic, “His body was failing him, and a lot of people said that his grief was causing him to be ill.”

“He’s… Dead?” She asked, trying as best she could not to tear up.

He shook his head, “No, but he’s really sick. His servants are caring for him, but he couldn’t bare to live in Olympus anymore. He moved somewhere else after three years of non-stop searching… Him and everyone else in Olympus held out hope but, you never came back. You were just… Gone.”

She was silent. Defeated. She slumped in her chair, looking over the poster again. It couldn’t be true. All this time, she knew what the truth was. She knew her father was a horrible, evil thing. This had to be some sort of trick. Somehow, this had to be. How couldn’t it be?

“So, this… Midas fella… Did he take you?” He asked, gently interrupting her thought process.

“No!” She yelled. “No…” She said again, less aggressively this time. “He couldn’t have…”

The man leaned to try and look at her again, “Hey, you gonna be alright?” He tried to reach his hand out and touch her shoulder, but in a panic she pulled away and stumbled from the chair.

“I… I have to think…” she was nearly hyperventilating now, “C-can I keep this?”

The man nodded, “Well yeah. It is you, after all.”

She turned to walk away, but stopped to look back. “Tomorrow?” She prompted

“Yeah?” He replied.

“Don’t cross the dam. Don’t barter with them, don’t do anything. Just… Leave. Turn around if you know what’s good for you. Please.” She looked sincere. Not a single indication that it was a joke at all. He would have laughed, but she wasn’t trying to be humorous. Before he could respond, she fled back into the night and into her room. She turned all the lights out and retrieved the gold-lined necklace with the remnant of her mother’s aura crystal in it and cradled it in thought.

“What do I do mom? Midas can’t be lying… Can he?” She started to cry, until she fell asleep hours later.

[storiesofremnantrwby]

Stories of Remnant - Chapter 1

Pandora’s Jar In a remote town in the Northern mountains of Vale, atop the ridges of the town of Olympus lived the private, privileged, and lavish lives of those of formerly royal blood. Making their money abroad, the rich landowners sat atop their thrones, making a life for themselves. The village below the mountains was that of a poor farming community, and some hailed the creation of Olympus as a chance to make money, but others of Bronzefield have thought that their new neighbors may be out to exploit their resources. In the decades that the two villages became allies, trading agricultural and energy goods between one another. However, as a growing tribe of bandits started causing trouble for the lowly town of Bronzefield, those from Olympus turned their backs, not wanting to get involved with anything that could endanger them. However, their small numbers of trained hunters made them vulnerable, and crime eventually spread to them as well. While it was a tough journey from the bottom to the top of the mountain, the bandit tribe was large, and had several fortified hideouts both on the mountain, and guarding the river Styx that flowed at it’s base. But crime never overcame Olympus, but instead haunted it. An underbelly developed, and crime fell into dealing in the shadows. The rich landowners became scared of the sinister things the bandit tribe had accomplished and instead, some took deals of protection. Those who didn’t, would pay, according to the Styx Bandits.

Within that so lavish of towns was a family. The Fae family, and within it lived a very unique individual. The daughter of a very gifted and powerful father who ran a high position in a regional dust company had just discovered her semblance. While normally a happy occasion for most families, this particular incident was unique. It was unique because the discovery of her semblance came with consequences, and an incident that would scar her relationship with others forever. One cold morning in winter, Pandora was attending a social gathering with her family. The gathering had some of the most powerful men and women in all of Vale in attendance. She had been taught her manners so young, and seemed to be a promising and cherished child among the Fae family. While excused to play with the other children, Pandora was talking with another girl when someone had thrown something in her direction. The object was a rock, which hit the base of her head where her neck met her skull. Nearly blacking out in pain, she fell to the ground and cried, and screamed. A child crying out for help because she was hurt and scared. Her aura had blocked any serious damage, but she was hysterical. When her mother had heard her cries, she rushed to Pandora’s side, attempting to comfort the child. However when Anesidora reached for her, a mysterious feeling overcame her. Despite it, she picked Pandora up and rocked her slowly back and forth, until someone shouted in horror, “Annie! Your aura is being drained!” while they pointed. When Anesidora had turned to meet the one who had shouted, she asked for a clarification, before her eyes rolled and she dropped Pandora and fell to the ground. Her aura was now broken, and she had fainted.

Standing next to her was the hurt and confused Pandora, who had been outlined in the gleam of her mother’s absorbed aura, and her eyes had changed color to those of her mother’s. She began to cry again and again, which triggered the semblance of the aura she had absorbed. Everyone that could hear her became affected, and started to sadden and cry as well. Very soon, the negativity radiating from the event drew in Grimm, and such an attack was inevitable. But still she was a child, and still despite absorbing aura, it was weak. A hunter had worked past the effects of the semblance and knocked Pandora out. The people fled in fear and the Grimm attack was curbed, but the damage was still done.

When little Pandora had awoken again, she was back in her house, tucked into her bed neatly. A fire was crackling just a few feet away in the fireplace. There was a servant making up linens across the room, who took notice of Pandora’s activity, and promptly dropped what she was tending to, and scurried away. Pandora was still getting her bearings, but the mirror above the fireplace reflected her. She looked bruised, but her eyes had returned to their original colors. She stared at her hands, recalling the incident. A moment later her father came barging into her room. She looked at him with guilt, and tucked the blanket over herself more securely. Her father said nothing at first, an uneasy silence had settled over him. But after a moment, he sat and sighed.

“Papa, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to do it…” Pandora started to tear up again. “It-it just happened! That boy threw a rock at me and then I just... Mama touched me and I-” She couldn’t get the words out.

Her father interrupted her, “Pandora,” He said firmly. She brought herself to quiet and looked back at him. “It is alright. You are just a child. I know you did not mean to kill your mother.”

At this shock had taken her, “Mama is… Dead?” She asked slowly. Her father nodded slowly, “When the Grimm attacked, your mother did not wake. Without her aura, she was killed in a manner of minutes. I couldn’t get to her in time. You survived because the Hunter who stopped you brought you back to me.”

Pandora clenched her hands in her sheets and cried hard. “No, I didn’t mean to!” She kept screaming in disbelief. After she had tired herself out and broken her voice, her father again spoke to her, “My child, do not be sad. This is a joyous day indeed.” He patted her back, “You have a unique gift. The gift of absorbing other’s semblances. And that gift will help this family greatly.” He smiled.

Pandora became dissociated, disconnected, and nearly unresponsive. Her father snapped his fingers, and soon after the servant came scurrying back into the room. She handed him a cylindrical device. He tapped Pandora’s shoulder.

“Pandora, my child. Look what I have made for you.” He said gently, trying to cheer her. He presented her with a jar of sorts, decorated with jewels and arches of fine metal. It had a magnetic lock on the side of it, and was pristine glasswork.

“This shall be yours, my child.” He pressed a button down on one side of the jar, and soon rolled out a small, turquoise, faintly glowing crystal. It was shaped as if it was picked straight from the wall of a mine- unevenly. He presented the thing to her in the palm of his hand.

“This was next to you when the Hunter found you. He said it formed from the wisps of light that radiated around you. It is all that is left of your mother, because it is the only fragment of her aura there is. Keep it with you.” He said. He handed her both of the objects, “Pithos will be your vessel to store these abilities in. You will be the source of so many very good things to come to this family, my dear child.” With that, her father stood, smiled, and began to exit the room.

“Get some rest,” He spoke, turning back briefly to meet eyes with his daughter, “There is much to be done in the morning.” With that, he left her. Her lasting understanding of who she was now terrified her. She was afraid of herself. It would last a lifetime.

Over the next two years, her father had taken her out of schooling and instead educated her within the estate. Hiring hunter after hunter to refine her skills and teach her new things. On any day she would be locked in her room, not allowed to socialize with anyone else. Even if she tried to, she would be met with vitriol for being the child who foolishly caused the incident. She was still very young and didn’t understand how it was her fault. It made her more scared of herself, because surely no matter her training, she would still never be able to control herself and her powers. This caused so much strain for her, she was feeling herself fall and crumble apart. Until one night, her new teacher showed up.

The hunter was named Midas, a golden figure himself, he seemed as though he had a taste for the lavish. He was scarred everywhere, so he still stuck out among the unscathed royals of Olympus. He was not a local, and told tales of his adventures from far off lands. He had heard of the Girl with all the Gifts even from so far away. He had charmed his way into becoming considered as a tutor for her by her father. Their training began.

Midas was a gentle teacher, far more than any other teacher she had had over the past two years. She felt safe with him, connected, as if he was more like a father to her than her own blood. Midas once confided in her that he understood what she was going through. “You see,” He told her, “I too influence those around me when I touch them. It made me an outcast. It made me afraid of what I could do. I lost so many friends and family because of it. No one wanted to be manipulated, no one wanted to be out of control.” He explained that his semblance caused what he called Gold Affliction, and said that he could charm people into thinking he was “gold”, which meant that people thought he was rich, and amazing, and everything else under the sun. He progressed in life because of this manipulation. Pandora felt so connected to him, and Midas seemingly returned the affection.

However, one night Midas appeared in her room. It was late, and she was just about to go to bed when he had the servant unlock the door to the room. He spoke in a hushed tone, quickly, and nervously. He sat her down on the edge of her bed, and confessed things to her.

“Oh how very attached I have grown to you, darling little Pandora.” He stroked her face gently. “You outshine everyone in this wretched town, do you know that? You are wasted here.” Pandora was uncomfortable with how he was acting, and attempted to pull away. She was only a kid. He gripped her wrist, almost breaking it, and suddenly the room grew cold.

“It’s why I came here in the first place, Little Treasure.” His eyes glowed gold and Pandora felt herself slowly lose control of herself. “I was going to steal the treasure from the king and take it for my own.” He laughed, “These insolent people will pay for their mistakes. You will be useful to my bandits indeed.”

She was screaming out in her mind, but her mouth did not move. Nothing moved, and nothing mattered in the end. All she saw were his golden eyes. Influencing a child must have been so much easier for a grown man.

With that, he swept her away into the night, disappearing completely. The next thing she remembered was waking in another room, but this one was decorated in white porcelain and gold. She was chained by the wrist, and her jar was fastened on a nightstand on the opposite side of the bed. Scared she yelled out, “Help! Please anyone! Help me!”

No one answered. So she sat, and waited. For hours on end, no one came for her, until she thought she might starve. Then, just before she felt she would pass out, the large doors to the room opened, and Midas waltzed in, tray of food in hand.

He sat on the edge of the bed, “Hello my darling,” He smiled widely, “How did you rest?”

Pandora was shaking, all she could think about was the food. “W-where are we? What happened?” She stuttered.

“Oh darling, you must be so very scared, and so very hungry. I will give you what you need in time.” He motioned to the food, he brought it closer to her, just out of reach. She looked at the food, but then at him, “Where is my papa?”

Midas became stoic. He removed the food from proximity, and took a moment to seemingly calm down. His smile returned, “Oh my darling, my poor, poor gem. Your father sold you to me.”

“W-what?” She asked, her eyes welling up with tears. “No! Papa would never do that to me! He I am his family!”

“No no, he said you would serve his family, not that you were his daughter.” Midas laughed, “No, your father sold you off. He never forgave you for killing your mother. I was supposed to be the one who took you too the buyer, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I protected you.” He explained, his voice was unsteady and he seemed as though he was on edge.

Pandora’s mind raced. She realized it was true. If she was afraid of herself, it made sense for others to be as well. As much as it hurt her, she knew it must be true. Why would he have any reason to lie? He had been the only one who seemed to understand her. He cared for her, and she knew she couldn’t go anywhere else- she was a child after all. A scared child who needed some sort of anchor to the world, and it seemed like Midas was the only one who could provide that. So she stayed, did little to resist, even became accustomed to his behaviour.

The next nine years would consist of more and more training, teaching her how to exploit her semblance for the Styx gang in order to appease Midas’s wishes. He demanded it of her as repayment for rescuing her. A great deal of things became of her. She became deadly, and an effective torturer, blackmailer, and exploiter. The town of Bronzefeild was practically theirs. She was recognizable to everyone, and everyone worked for the Styx gang one way or another. She was commonly thought to be the second in command for the gang. Over time, her innocence slipped away, and she was numbed to a great many vile things that she had been taught to do, and the vile things that had been done to her too. She was no longer the little girl that was spirited and hopeful, instead she was violent and reclusive. To the present, she is not allowed to be out of sight from Midas for a long time- of many things, his paranoia had grown with his age. He had also developed more feelings for her, but they morphed into something dangerous and evil even before he had met her. He was obsessive, and did little to truly care for Pandora. Still, their relationship was complex and bound by fear and necessity; symbiotic and entropic. It was bound to fall apart.

And fall apart it did…