Disclaimer: I don't own the game 'Minecraft'. I only own this AU Series.

OC warnings, not really crucial to the story. Just placeholders.
☆

Elicia, Poppy and Gloria helped Killia unpack her things and showed her the building they stayed at. They brought her to the leisure rooms, the gym, the stables where she said hi to her sorrel american paint, Alastor and finally, to the showers.

She woke up to see Poppy putting on her uniform and went downstairs to the showers. It was a little cramped but Killia still had lots of time to kill. She went up after her shower, put on her brand new uniform and tried to polish her boots as she waited for the other girls to come back. Apparently, Elicia and Gloria liked to go for morning jogs, and would be back soon.

Once everyone was suited up and ready, they went down to the dining hall together. The girls let Killia sit with them, and she found that she had new friends. As she was eating, she kept making eye contact with other elites, mostly those who knew the commandant well. She also kept an eye out for her brother.

"Hey, is that your little brother?"

She looked at the direction where Poppy was pointing and sure enough, saw Kei walking down the stairs surrounded by other male soldiers. They were laughing at what Kei was saying, and behind the group was Seto. The sorcerer looked at her, and Killia held her gaze.

The sorcerer looked away and brightened up when he saw a particular blond who had saved some food from him. The soldiers saluted Seto as they separated from him, and settled down a few tables away from Killia. The girl excused herself and walked over to the other table. They took no notice of her, even as she squeezed in at Kei's side.

"Made some new friends, I see," she drawled.

Kei grinned at her and said, "So have you, the facilities here are quite good."

Killia reached over to grab a chicken leg on her brother's tray. He frowned and playfully elbowed her in the side. She smiled softly as she bit into it.

"Drew!"

Both siblings looked up. Kei's roommates went silent. It was Seto, who looked between Killia and Kei before confirming, "Ah... Kei Drew."

Killia resumed eating her brother's chicken leg. Kei turned in his seat to face his superior. Seto smiled at him and asked, "Do you know where the medical bays are?"

Kei shook his head slowly. His eyes widened as if he forgot something and he quickly added, "Uh, no, sir."

One of his roommates butted in, "We can show him, sir."

Seto clasped his hands together in delight, "Great! When you're done eating, Dr-Kei, you can find me in medical bay four."

Kei nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, sir."

Seto grinned then added hastily, "Oh, and take your time. We're in no rush, I have no outside duties today."

Kei smiled back and nodded before turning back to his food. Just as Killia was about to resume conversation with her brother, Seto asked her, "How's the burn?"

Killia turned her arm to reveal the scabbing, "Healed pretty fast, sir. Hurts just a bit. Your cream helped a lot."

Seto looked a little bashful, "I was testing out a new brew, so please tell me when something odd comes up or happens. I'll also inform captain Ellis to take it easy on you."

Killia shook her head, "Thank you, sir. You don't have to do that though. I'll be fine."

Seto sighed, "Precautions, Killia. We all have to take them."

He muttered under his breath although Killia could hear, "Makes my job a hell of a lot easier..."

"Seto!"

Killia looked up as Seto turned around. She saw a blond walk towards them. He was in full uniform, and had a cloak draped on his arm. His hair was an alarming shade of yellow, but he seemed quite proud of it. Killia sneaked a look at his rank on his shoulder. Officer cadet.

"Let's head up?"

The blond jerked his head towards the stairs. Seto smiled warmly and nodded, trotting after his friend. Killia watched as they move in closer, their shoulders brushing as they talked and chuckled between them.

Huh.

-

"Drew, you ready?"

Killia raised her head. Kei had left a while ago to the medical bay. Her roommates had outside duties under other superiors, so she was left alone. She saw her captain stand before her in full uniform, cloak draped over his shoulder.

There were three people behind him. Two women, and another man. They were all sergeants. They all were in full uniform, and had their cloak with them. Ty handed her one, he seemed to have an extra.

"You wear this cloak outside, when it's raining, cold or need shelter from the sun. Take good care of it."

Killia nodded and took the cloak. She stood and started to put it on, the others doing the same.

Ty put on his before ordering, "Saddle up and meet me at the gates. You have 10 minutes. Don't keep me waiting."

With a dismissive hand gesture, they ran to the stables.

She separated from the rest as she spotted Alastor shaking his big head in his stall. He spotted her and whinnied, tapping his hoof onto the hay impatiently. She cooed as she walked closer, and opened his stall. She put on his tack, before taking his reins and leading him out. Once she was outside, she pulled herself on top of him and kicked at his belly to run to the gates.

She was the second last to arrive. They were waiting for the last girl. Ty was doing rounds on his horse, Jenny. The mustang was playful, stamping her hoof and swishing her nose in the water buckets at nearby hitching posts.

Finally, the girl arrived and Ty took off without a word. The rest fell behind him, spaced out but close enough for them to communicate. Killia let Alastor gallop beside Ty.

The captain shouted over the harsh wind, "We're put under hunting. We'll be going to the forest near the old abandoned mines. You all got your bows and hunting knives with you?"

Killia looked at the knife sheath on her belt and the bow stored on her horse's saddle. She shouted back with the others, "Yes, sir!"

All recruits had to get their weapons (excluding firearms) by themselves. Killia and Kei enjoyed going out that day, spending time together away from their studies at the time. They splurged a bit, buying more aesthetically pleasing weapons.

Kei went and got this customized hunting knife. The blade was made of a special pearly white metal and the wooden handle had his initials carved in alongside a pretty carving of an eagle. Killia got the same exact thing but with blackened steel instead of white. They also bought matching sheath belts.

Kei built his own bow. It was made of red elm, with spider silk string. They weren't allowed to get magic folk to enchant their weapons just yet, but Kei was planning to. Killia just bought a customized bow. It was made of cedar, with twisted rawhide for string. She carved a couple of designs into the wood herself. She carved a little feather into it.

Ty continued his orders, "I want five big game and at least 7 small ones. That seem fair?"

The reply was instant, "Yes, sir!"

Ty kicked his heels and with a tongue click, he sped up, leaving others in the dust. Killia watched as the soldiers, one by one, went after him, forming a line behind him. She reached down and stroked Alastor's neck.

"You ready, Al?"

The horse tilted his head and gave a snort.

"Let's go!"

Alastor obeyed and went into a full gallop.

Ty heard her cry and spared a glance behind him. He saw Killia join in the formation. She could easily move up the formation, but she doesn't know that. He hummed, before urging Jenny to go faster.

-

As soon as they reached the forest, the horses slowed, breathing heavily. Ty ordered them to let the horses rest, getting off of Jenny. The rest followed, hitching their horses to the nearest thin tree. The horses grazed at the grass, while their owners drank their water and waited for Ty's next instructions.

Killia fished out an apple from her satchel and fed it to Alastor. Jenny, who wasn't too far away, whinnied at the sight of the fruit and rocked her head at Killia. The soldier looked back at Ty, who was busy talking to the other male soldier. She took out another apple and sneakily gave it to Jenny.

"Alright."

She spun around as Jenny chomped down. She made eye contact with her captain, who just squinted at her suspiciously. Killia maintained a straight face and folded her arms behind her back.

Ty blinked at her before starting, "Drew, Vaughn and Gardner, you'll head towards the lake. Simmons, you're with me. We'll head towards the abandoned mine."

He paused. "Drew."

"Yes, sir."

"What do you do when you encounter trouble and need assistance?"

Killia replied without hesitation, "Shoot into the air."

Ty furrowed his brows, "You have flares. Why can't you use them?"

She replied again, instantly, "Too much forest coverage. You won't be able to see where it is, and flares are dangerous to use in closed spaces."

Ty nodded, impressed. "Hm. Well, off you go, then. Be back within four hours."

He didn't wait for a reply and turned, one of the female soldiers following. Killia turned to Gardner and Vaughn.

Vaughn, a tall woman with short silky black hair waved, "Hey, we've heard a lot about you. I'm Vivienne, you can call me Vi. This is Gabe."

Gabe nodded at her. Killia nodded back and said, "Killia."

Vi smiled brightly at her and started walking, Gabe and Killia falling in behind her. Vi engaged in conversation, and Killia found herself enjoying it. Gabe mostly kept quiet, only grunting when Vi asked him a question.

Honestly though, Killia didn't think he was bad to look at.

"Tracks," Gabe's monotone voice rang through the trees.

Vi and Killia walked over and found Gabe kneeling down. He was standing in mud, and there was tracks in them. Vi bent down, Killia joining her.

"You see these?" Vi asked.

Killia nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

"More than one. Deer probably."

Gabe stood up and removed his bow from his shoulder. He said, "Ran different ways. Probably heard us. Shouldn't have gone far."

Gabe disappeared into the trees. Vi turned to Killia, "You know how to hunt?"

Killia answered, "Yes, ma'am."

"Then I trust that you can bring back a deer."

She stood up and got out her bow as well, following the tracks into an opposite direction. Killia unslung her bow and observed the tracks, finding that it leads towards the river they passed moments before.

-

Ty and Simmons had passed the entrance to the abandoned mine, carefully stepping past it to not attract any spider colonies living inside. They came across a clearing where they tried searching for tracks.

"Sir! Wild cattle. A small herd of them passed through here. No more than six."

Wild cattle were common, but hard to hunt. Their big bodies and thick hides made it hard for them to be brought down. Usually rifles would be used but the only firearms on them were their pistols.

"Sir?"

Ty looked at Simmons and ordered, "Where did they go?"

Simmons looked down at the tracks and followed them to the treeline, "East. All of them."

Ty brought out his bow and walked towards Simmons, "We got some cattle to hunt."

-

Killia had spotted movement in the corner of her eye and immediately stilled. She turned her body towards the movement and crept closer. She lightly stepped on the ground, trying to move as silently as possible.

She grinned to herself when she saw a brown head poke from behind a tree. A young buck looked around, chewing on something, before bending back down to graze. A buck was good, Killia could either donate the antlers and pelt or make them into something cool.

She pulled an arrow from her quiver and moved closer. The air was still, the buck shouldn't be able to smell her. She narrowed her eyes and stopped once she could see the buck's entire body clearly. It moved around slowly, completely calm from its earlier spook.

Killia aimed her bow, taking a small breath before pulling it back. Once she fixed it to the area where the heart roughly was, she used all of her strength to pull back the string. Her hand on her bow tightened in an attempt to keep it still.

She let go.

Killia loved hunting. She loved the swooping sound of the arrow soaring through the air. She loved the adrenaline leading up to the release. The buck cried and reared up on its hind legs. The arrow embedded itself deep in its lung. It stumbled, before getting up and running.

Killia stood up, grunting in frustration when she thought she was going to lose it. The buck cried again and finally collapsed though, and Killia ran towards it before it could get back up. She slung her bow and took out her hunting knife.

The buck was still alive, its hooves trashing when it saw Killia coming towards it. She soothed it with a hum, bending down and stroking its stomach just as she sunk her hunting knife into its heart. The buck gave a final cry before stilling.

"Thank you."

Killia took out the arrow and cleaned it with a swipe against the buck's fur. She removed her knife and stood up, panting. She put her hands on her hips and studied her first kill.

A very, very young buck. Probably his first or second set of antlers. Quite small, but still had meat.

She bent down to slide the buck onto her shoulder, taking her time to walk back.

-

Ty and Simmons found the herd, and saw two stragglers. They were weak, probably injured from a predator attack. Ty and Simmons charged, frightening the herd as they scattered. Ty ordered Simmons to go for one while he went for the other.

Once Ty was some distance away from Simmons, he took form. Being in his half form heightened his instincts, so he ran faster. The cattle ran towards and open area, and Ty grinned. The moment he burst from the trees, he spread his leathery wings and took flight.

One big flap got him closer to the cattle and he dived, knife in one hand and claws extended in the other. He couldn't help but let out a great big roar when he landed on the cattle's back.

The cattle bucked, startled. Ty bent down and stabbed the knife into its neck, his claws digging into its fur. His head was ringing, and he could feel the saliva collecting in his mouth.

He dug the knife in deeper, and the cattle grew even weaker. It stopped bucking, just running as fast as it could. Eventually it stumbled and fell, Ty using his wings to steady himself as he jumped off, not wanting to get his legs trapped under its heavy body.

He stalked towards the dead cattle and slid his hunting knife out of its neck. The scent of fresh and thick blood filled his nose, and he breathed in deep. His throat let out a pleased rumble and he kneeled by the cattle. He removed its horns, and calmed himself down before skinning it.

The exposed flesh and muscle was tempting, but Ty wanted to save the pelt for provisions. Once he had the pelt to the side, he started to cut slabs of meat from the carcass, and stored them into clean bags meant for meat. It took him a while, and his arms and uniforms became bloody and itchy.

Once Ty was done removing all the meat for the military, he bent down to sniff at the fresh carcass. It has been so long since he had stuffed himself full of raw meat. Ever since he was given the DNA, he craved raw meat and rather despised cooked meat. Back at the base, he would eat all the fruits and vegetables and give his cooked meat to his soldiers, who accepted it eagerly.

He raised his head, his breathing heavy. He sniffed at the air, making sure no one was near. Simmons was probably skinning his kill. Ty spread his wings and let them hover above his meal, perhaps an instinctual drive to protect his prey from anyone who wants a bite.

He then went to town, gnawing meat out of bones and chewing. It was a gruesome sight, watching a hulking winged half-dragon half-man creature gorging itself on a dead cow. It was even worse that he was wearing military uniform. Though, at the moment, Ty didn't care, solely focused on getting his stomach filled with the delight that is raw meat.

Just as he was chewing at the cow's neck, trying to lap at the blood, he heard a twig snap. His first instinct was to cover the carcass with his torso, his nails digging into the ground. He snapped his head up and growled.

Across from him, crouching at the bushes, was a wolf. Not that big, but old enough to have just left its pack, maybe. It was looking at Ty, somehow more curious about him than the carcass. Ty still growled, louder this time to scare it off.

The wolf didn't move.

Ty spread his wings and bared his teeth. He snarled, showing off his fangs. If the wolf didn't back off then it would become his new kill.

"Y-You're not like other humans."

The wolf was male. His voice was curious and young. Ty halted. He knew he understood animals, he could ever since he was given the DNA. However, the only animal he talked to was his beloved horse, Jenny.

The wolf continued, "Are you a hunter?"

Ty didn't move, but let his wings drop, "No. What's it to you?"

"I-I thought you'd hurt me..."

The wolf was scared. Of him? Usually wolves were defensive and brave, lashing out at anyone who came to close.

Ty let his nails loosen on the dirt, "I won't. I thought you've come to take my food."

The wolf looked down at the carcass, "I did come when I smelled it... Do all humans eat prey like that? I thought they put it over a fire."

Ty flicked his tail, and the wolf stared at it. He leaned back on his heels and mumbled, "I clearly ain't a human. Now scram. Go back to your pack."

The wolf cowered, submissive. His ears flattened on his head, "I-I don't have a pack."

Before Ty tried to shoo him away again, the wolf continued, "When I was a pup, humans came and killed my parents and littermates. I ran away, but was trapped. The humans took me to their homes and used me. T-They used me to fight dogs."

Ty narrowed his eyes. He suddenly noticed how thin the wolf was. He also gulped when he saw several scars all over the wolf's great white pelt. Some were healing, some were fresh.

He deduced, "So you just escaped?"

The wolf whined, "Yes. I-I don't want them to find me again. I'm so hungry. Could... Could I just have some meat?"

Ty paused. Wolves in Minecraftia, or rather, animals or creatures in Minecraftia grew to be much bigger than animals everywhere else. Minecraftian wild wolves and horses were huge. This wolf looked to be about full size, but in reality, was small and had room to grow. It was also scarred and scared.

The wolf reminded Ty of himself.

Ty gestured to the carcass, "Help yourself."

The wolf's tail started to wag as it cautiously stepped forward. It looked up at Ty before slowly crouching and licking the meat of the carcass' bones. Ty sat on his heels, watching the wolf hungrily lap at the bones.

He frowned, "Do you even know how to hunt?"

The wolf spoke while chewing, "No."

Ty felt concerned, "How will you survive out here?"

The wolf halted, before whining, "I-I don't know. I guess I'll just hope I come across someone like you again."

Ty leaned closer and said, "Knowing my kind, it won't happen."

The wolf suddenly lost his appetite. He sat down, his ears flat on his head as he looked at his paws.

It was silent.

"W-What do you mean?"

Ty huffed, spreading his wings. The wolf leaned back, frightened. Ty folded them again and explained, "They did this to me."

He looked down at the carcass, and at the blood on his uniform and hands, "I can't even enjoy my favorite food anymore."

The wolf took a step forward, half-sitting and half-standing, "Your kind betrayed you? Just like that?"

Ty did not meet the wolf's eyes, and hummed affirmatively. As the wolf whined in pity, he hastily added in, looking up, "Not... Not all of them are bad."

An idea popped into his head and he voiced it out loud, "Someone... Someone helped me. Taught me everything I needed to know. He has connections, maybe he can find someone to help you."

The wolf looked unsure, "Is he like you?"

Ty shrugged, "Not really, but he's not like most people either."

"But... He'll help me?"

"I promise," Ty said, "You can come with me. I'll keep you out of harm's way until we meet him."

He paused, watching the wolf think. He smiled softly as the wolf finally stood, crossing past the carcass and closer towards Ty. His white tail wagged behind him, and Ty couldn't help but scratch the wolf's neck. It flinched away at first, but the moment Ty started petting him, it leaned in.

Ty stood, and the wolf looked more happier and more excited. Perhaps back at the base he'll feed it some more to fill his belly and look like a proper wolf. They left the carcass, walking away side-by-side. The wolf watched in awe when Ty shifted back into his human self naturally.

"What's your name, by the way?"

The wolf answered after a moment, "My mama called me Rive before I was taken away."

"Strange name."

"What's yours then?"

"Call me Ty."

"That's worse."

"You're a wolf, you have no say in that."

"Well, you're human. So you can't call me strange."

"Fair enough."

-

In the Aether, two wolves looked down from the clouds. The female huddled close to her mate as they watched their son below. The male seemed untrusting of the human his son has befriended, but the female wolf reminded him of a human they knew when they were alive. Behind them, their pups played and wrestled with each other, but still missing their littermate.