Kingdom of Mistral...

The Kingdom of Mistral, externally an extremely beautiful Kingdom, if the most architecturally beautiful one out of the main four. However, on the inside, it was a lot different. While the upper levels of the Kingdom embedded in the mountains, was as you'd expect, bright and filled with seemingly loving people. The lower levels however, were not. Dark, crawling with thieves, scammers and shady dealers. Despite this stark contrast between the two levels, there was one thing that the lower levels had over the upper levels, and that was their treatment of Faunus. Aside from Atlas, Mistral was another Kingdom notorious for its treatment of the Faunus, despite the headmaster of Haven Academy being a Faunus himself. Despite all of those glaring issues however, Mistral overall, still was a Kingdom both species could live in, even though doing so harmoniously is nigh impossible.

Amongst the residents of the Kingdom, living along the lower areas of the Kingdom, was a family of two, a cousin duo.

Akira: "Hah!"

A younger Akira, around 15 years of age yelled as he swung a wooden sword, striking the wooden dummy in front of him. With another yell, he struck it again, this time with a horizontal swing of his training weapon. He began to pant lightly before gritting his teeth as he yelled loudly and delt one final, downwards slash, the wooden blade becoming coated in a frosty aura, encasing its blade in a sharp, icy shell as the training dummy fell over, with a noticeable slash mark along its frontal area. Beats of sweat fell from his forehead as he panted out of exhaustion. He stared the training dummy down, before looking down at his training weapon, which he had ended up turning into a real weapon with that ice encased blade. It made him internally feel proud of himself, a smile crossing his lips briefly.

???: "Well isn't this a surprise? Improving again, Akira?" The black-haired boy turned around, his icy-blue eyes landing on the second figure that had entered the room. A young woman, possibly in her 20s, with free-flowing long, dark purple, almost black hair, slightly darker fair skin and golden eyes that shined as the lighting of the room caught them. A playful grin laced her lips. "You really are determined to surpass me, huh?"

Akira: "Hmph. Of course, I did say I would do everything I could to surpass you, Yomihime." The female laughed as she stared at her younger cousin.

(Kaneko Yomihime)

Yomihime: "Well, the only time you'll ever surpass me is when you finally beat me in a one-on-one battle. But you're still too young for that I'm afraid." She said, her tone slightly teasing as she walked over to him and patted him on the head, causing the ambitious male to shrug her hand off.

Akira: "Whatever." Yomihime let out a gentle laugh before she hummed and dropped her smug attitude, her expression becoming more genuine and caring.

Yomihime: "Mother and Father would be proud of how far you've come."

Akira slightly froze from her mentioning them. The parents in question were Yomihime's but had also adopted Akira from an early age after his parents unfortunately had been killed in battle. Since that time, his aunt and uncle, Yomihime's parents, had taken him in and helped raise him, but recently, her mother had passed away due to a disease, more like a curse... while her father was killed earlier in a battle.

Akira: "You really think so? I mean... I haven't really worked on training the little magic I inherited." He stated, looking down at his hands as a faint and thin aura coated it, radiating an amazing power that completely outclassed any Semblance or Dust.

Yomihime: "Hmm." She stared at her cousin for a brief moment before resting a supportive hand on his shoulder, causing him to look at her. "What defines a powerful warrior is not the extraordinary powers they possess. Rather, their skill and their soul. Despite your... tendencies, you have a battle-hardened soul, Akira. If not for our family's lineage, I'd suggest that you sign up for a Huntsman Academy." Akira fell silent, processing some things for a moment before he looked at his elder cousin.

Akira: "Have you ever wondered... How did my parents and your father die? Weren't they some of Salem's best?" The ravenette was a bit surprised by

Yomihime: "They were. Unfortunately, they were as vague with me as they were with you. We may never truly know, but I plan to find out eventually. The mistress of darkness owes us an explanation, but before I can get it out of her, I need to grow in strength." She looked down at her hand, dark red flames bursting from her palm as her golden eyes dilated intensely, her pupils becoming snake-like. But she soon sighed, her flames extinguishing and her eyes returning to normal. "But we'll think about that another time. I made lunch and I bet you're hungry~."

Almost immediately on cue, a light rumble came from the raven-haired boy's stomach, causing a blush of embarrassment to coat his cheeks as he looked away. Yomihime giggled lightly, enjoying her younger cousin's reactions to things such as that. It reminded her that despite everything, despite the position they were, in the end, they were still... "human" in a way.

>>Some Time Later<<

A now 16 year old Akira sat in the living room of his house, while Yomihime was in the kitchen, preparing to cook up dinner before there was a knock on the door.

Yomihime: "Akira?"

Akira: "I got it." He answered as he stood up, doing a little stretch before walking over to the door and opening it. Standing in front of the door was a young woman, possibly around Yomihime's age with dark brown hair and amber orange eyes. She wore a short red and orange dress, with two silver swords holstered on her back. And behind her, was a young male, around his age wearing a white and green hood. He had silver hair and light green eyes, his left eye being covered by bandages. He was holding a large bag. "Uh... Can I help you?"

Woman: "Yes. We are looking for Kaneko Yomihime. Is she here?" The raven-haired boy slightly tensed up but slowly nodded before he glanced back into the house.

Akira: "Yomihime? Some lady wants to talk to you."

Yomihime: "Oh? I'll be there."

Akira looked back towards the woman, who merely smiled, which immediately filled the young man with an unsettled feeling. He could tell that she was powerful, maybe even as strong as Yomihime and she knew that. Her confidence was beaming. As for the guy behind her, he also rubbed him the wrong way. Nothing about him felt human, despite him clearly looking like one and the way he stood there, was just unsettling.

Woman: "Cinder Fall."

Akira: "Huh?" He looked back at the woman, who held her slightly cocky and confident smile.

Cinder: "My name. And behind me is my subordinate, Jet Noroi." Jet remained silent but gave a small wave towards Akira. The black-haired male started the two down but just slowly nodded.

Akira: "Right... I'm... Yasusada Akira."

Cinder: "Yasusada huh..." She hummed to herself while curiously looking at the male before her. Akira felt a bit self conscious suddenly as he glanced away, about to say something. However, thankfully for him, Yomihime had already made her way to the door.

Yomihime: "Sorry for keeping you waiting. I was-" She paused, her shocked eyes landing on Cinder before she narrowed her eyes and stared down the female. "Cinder... What a dishonor to see you again."

Cinder: "Oh don't be like that, old friend." She said with a laugh, with her placing her hands on her hips.

Akira: "You know, her?" he questioned his elder cousin in a slight whisper, with the ravenette sighing lightly and shaking her head.

Yomihime: "Unfortunately. Let's just say we're... 'old colleagues'." The young teen just stared at the ravenette before looking back at Cinder, who held her grin. Crossing her arms, Yomihime lightly sighed. "Please... come in."

She stepped aside, allowing the two visitors to enter the house. Yomihime looked at Akira, her expression clearly saying to 'stay on guard'. He nodded before the two entered after them, closing the door behind them. Akira and Yomihime sat down on one couch, while Cinder sat on a sofa-chair on their right, with Jet standing next to her, bag in hand. The atmosphere was slightly tense, but neither woman really said anything to start a conversation. Akira was mainly just observing both Cinder and Jet, trying to figure out what their motives were and their abilities, but unfortunately for him, the two were clearly extremely trained to not give anything away. After a minute, Yomihime decided to break the silence.

Yomihime: "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Cinder: "I'll just get straight to the point. Our Mistress has requested your services. At this, her golden eyes widened in surprise.

Yomihime: "Salem...?" Upon hearing the name, Akira's expression turned to one of shock as he looked at his elder cousin. "She wants me?"

Cinder: "Indeed."

Akira: "Salem...? As in the Mistress of Darkness that our lineage works with? But Yomihime's been living without having to answer to her. What does she want with her?"

Cinder: "Well, why don't you ask her yourself?"

Cinder gestured towards Jet, who nodded before opening the bag. Akira instantly became defensive and startled as a Seer Grimm gradually floated out of the bag, its tendrils swaying from side to side gently.

Akira was about to conjure up a sword of ice, only for Yomihime to stop him by holding her hand out in front of him. He was confused for a second before all of a sudden, a shrill, woman's voice was heard being projected from the Grimm.

???: "Hello, Kaneko Yomihime."

Staring into the Seer Grimm's orb-like head, a faint projection was seen of a pale woman, with white hair tied into a bun with multiple black ornaments. Her sclera was pitch black while her irises were blood red. She looked like a woman infested by Grimm.

Akira: "I-Is that...?"

Yomihime: "Mistress, what an honor it is to hear your voice for the first time." She spoke, standing up before gently bowing to show a sense of respect. Akira just stared in complete and utter surprise before slightly stumbling to his feet and bowing as well. This woman was the one his parents worked under, the one that his aunt and uncle worked under, that his entire family lineage worked under. Salem.

Salem: "At ease." The two relatives both sat back down. "I have noticed that you never truly seemed to seek me out like the rest of your family did in the past."

Yomihime: "I apologize, Mistress. It's just, I haven't really had much of a reason to go down this kind of path. All I really care about is ensuring my cousin has a good life for himself. After his parents and my father were lost in battle and illness took my mother away, naturally the duty of guardian falls onto me, the older of us."

Salem: "Mmm. That was indeed a great travesty. I deeply apologize for your loss, the both of you." The woman's voice sounded sincere in a way and she even gave a small bow of 'respect' to the fallen. The two siblings shared a glance, before the ravenette gently hummed.

Yomihime: "Thank you for your kind words, Mistress. But if I may ask, considering you've sent Cinder to track me down means that you'd like my help with something?"

Salem: "Indeed. I'll keep it brief. We are making preparations for our hostile takeover of Vale, so I've sent out Cinder and Jet to recruit some... locals to assist."

Cinder: "I plan to pick up an apprentice, along with the legendary assassin, Marcus Black. Then after going to Vale, the thug Roman Torchwick and of course, Adam Taurus and White Fang."

Yomihime: "Wow, aiming for the top dogs, are you Cinder? Here I thought you wouldn't be able to handle large tasks." She said, her tone sarcastic as the brown-haired woman slightly narrowed her eyes in annoyance. "But that aside, it sounds like you have everything under control Mistress, so why do you request my help?"

Salem: "That's because you hold the abilities we need for my plans to be successful." The ravenette blinked in confusion. "Dr. Tucker needed a final component to complete his 'perfect specimen' and you hold that component."

Yomihime: "... My family's magic?" The white-haired woman slowly smiled.

Salem: "Your family has received their magic directly from the Gods themselves. Dr. Tucker may have completed the 'perfect specimen's' body, but they still need to be brought to life, a soul, something that you can provide us with."

Akira's thoughts: "To bring life to a lifeless corpse... Our Family's magic is that powerful...?" he thought to himself. The more he thought about the endless possibilities he could have with the Magic he was born with, the more he was eager to train and unlock more of these abilities. It made him crack a small smile even, something that Salem noticed out of the corner of her eye.

Yomihime: "I see... I cannot guarantee that it'll be an easy and quick process, but... I can get it done, Mistress." She said, giving a small nod but then she slightly frowned and looked at Akira, her expression softening gradually. "But in doing this, I'd be leaving you behind. Will you be alright without me?" Akira was slightly surprised, hearing the genuine worry in his elder cousin's voice. He steeled himself and rested a supporting hand on her shoulder.

Akira: "You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. Just worry about yourself." The ravenette just sighed slightly and crossed her arms underneath her bust. From the vision of her Seer Grimm, Salem watched the interaction between the two, humming softly to herself as an idea came to mind.

Salem: "Actually..." The two relatives looked towards the Seer Grimm as Salem's lips slowly curved upwards into a smile. "I have a better idea."

>>Time Skip<<

Time had flown by quickly. Akira finally was able to meet Salem, who ended up requesting that he join Cinder's group, but only after he received the training he needed. As for Yomihime, she was escorted to the Realm of Darkness to work her magic. Upon starting his training, Akira was handed a weapon, one personally made by Salem herself. A dangerous scythe named Harvester.

Its black and green surface gave off quite an eerie feel, as if the scythe itself had its own aura to it. However, Salem never specified the details on the weapon itself. All she told him was that "Harvester will respond to you the moment you let the rage consume you.".

While he was training, Cinder would end up recruiting a young thief girl named Emerald Sustrai, along with the son of the recently deceased Marcus Black, Mercury Black. Currently, Cinder was preparing to move to Vale to recruit Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus, but in the meantime, left Emerald and Mercury with Akira at his house. Emerald and Akira were locked into a heated battle in the backyard while Mercury watched with his arms crossed. Throughout the entire fight, Emerald had an annoyed scowl on her expression. She did not like Akira one bit. His snarky comments and attitude towards her, the way he always defeated her in training sessions, and the way Cinder always seems to praise him more over her. His entire existence pissed her off! But despite how much he pissed her off, she still considered him a 'friend' at the very least... though, that's a very rocky way to put it. As for Akira, he was more or less aloof about Emerald's attitude towards him. He didn't care after all. He just cared about seeing Yomihime again. After all, she was supposed to be coming back around this time. Emerald, and by extension, Mercury too was just more of an existence for him to tolerate. Mercury seemed not to care much. He just found watching the two bicker with each other amusing and would often mess with them about it. As for Jet, he was more of a mysterious one. Akira couldn't put his finger on it but nothing about Jet felt inherently human. However, he wouldn't get the chance to get much information on him as he would rarely encounter Jet.

Emerald leaped back, aiming her Thief's Respite at Akira while rapidly firing off shot after shot, aiming to hit the raven-haired male. However, he was simply too fast for her shots to comfortably land as he'd twirl his scythe, Harvester around, deflecting every bullet that came at him, all the while rushing the thief. Emerald flicked her tongue in annoyance as Akira closed the distance between them and made a horizontal swing with his scythe, forcing the green-haired girl to backflip out of the way. However, before she could fully complete the motion, Akira had rushed her again in an instant. Emerald gasped as she found herself falling, after having her feet swept from underneath her. Before she could hit the ground however, a hand grabbed hers, preventing her from falling. She slowly opened her crimson eyes, only to be surprised... and annoyed to see that Akira caught her.

Emerald: "Tch. I didn't need your 'saving'."

Akira: "Oh really? I could have sworn you looked like you were falling just now."

Emerald: "Yeah, I wonder why I was falling, asshole! Eep!" She yelped as he pulled on her arm, pulling her up and causing her to fall into his chest a bit.

Akira: "Well sorry, I'm not gentle like Jet is to you. If you wanted to be treated like a princess so badly, then you should have just said so."

Emerald: "W-Whatever." She pushed him away and looked off.

Mercury: "Well aren't you just the most adorable couple?" He said, the mocking tone in his voice as clear as day as both Emerald and Akira collectively glared at him in irritation.

Akira and Emerald: "Don't you fucking dare."

Mercury: "Yeah, yeah I get it. Don't need to get all stingy about a joke." He said while rolling his eyes and laughing in amusement.

Cinder: "That's enough." The three looked over and saw Cinder approaching them, her hands on her hips.

Emerald: "Cinder! You're back! Wait, where's Jet?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow in confusion as the silver-haired male wasn't with her this time.

Cinder: "He's currently testing out Watt's creation."

Mercury: "The Epyon?" She nodded in confirmation.

Cinder: "But that can be discussed later. We're going to be moving to Vale now to begin our operations. I hope you three are ready." Emerald nodded in confirmation while Mercury just smirked while cracking his knuckles.

Akira: "Wait. I can't leave just yet." They all looked at him. "Yomihime's set to return soon. I have to see her before I leave." Cinder silently stared at the young male, before slowly, a grin began to form on her face. It wasn't a playful one or a genuine one... More like, it was a knowing and disturbing grin.

Cinder: "But of course. Don't worry, we'll go on ahead. Jet will bring your 'dear cousin' to you. Let's go." She addressed her two subordinates before she began to take her leave.

Mercury shrugged and followed as Emerald was about to follow, but took one final look at Akira, the raven-haired male's back towards her as he waited. With a slightly confused but suspicious expression, she turned back towards Cinder and quickly caught up to her only to hear Mercury ask her something.

Mercury: "You don't really mean that, do you?" Cinder merely chuckled.

Cinder: "Of course not."

Mercury: "So, what did you do with her?"

Cinder: "Let's just say... My dearest 'friend' is gonna be spending some 'quality time' with our Master for a very, very long time."

Emerald: "Wha...? What do you-" She was cut off by Cinder.

Cinder: "Come on. We're heading to the airship."

Emerald: "But what about Akira and Jet?"

Cinder: "Jet will join us when Watts is done with the Epyon. As for Akira... what about him?" She questioned, a small grin on her face.

Emerald remained silent and shocked as she had a feeling what this met... but even then, she didn't question Cinder. She 'saved' her after all... So she had no reason to question her... right?

Emerald's thoughts: "Akira..."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Akira waited, and waited, and waited... It felt like many hours went by as he waited for Yomihime's return. He looked out of his house's windows every now and then, in the hope of catching her as she returned, but she never was spotted. It felt like a repeated cycle, going to the window to check for her every now and then, only to leave the window, feeling disappointed.

Eventually, as the sun began to set behind the mountains of Mistral, Akira found himself wandering through the markets of the lower levels. He silently wondered to himself, could something have happened to Yomihime? No, that was impossible. He could never believe that something could happen to someone as strong as Yomihime.

???: "Yasusada Akira." Startled, he turned around, his hand on Harvester's, only to be surprised to see none other than Jet Noroi, his hood over his head as he had his hand in his jacket pockets.

Akira: "Jet? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Cinder and the others?" The silver-haired male said nothing as he took his left hand out of his pocket and tossed something at the raven-haired male. With a gasp, but quick reflexes, Akira caught it. It was a golden pendant, one that he immediately recognized belonged to Yomihime.

Jet: "Cinder said I should return that to you. For you to keep... 'a piece' of Yomihime."

Akira: "Huh?? What do you mean by that?" He wouldn't get an answer as the hooded male began to walk away. "Jet! ANSWER ME DAMN IT! Where's Yomihime!?" Jet paused in his tracks, slowly looking back at the male, his emerald-green gaze piercing through his soul. His expression didn't display any emotion. No sadness, anger, regret. Nothing. Just a cold and empty stare as he spoke.

Jet: "You want answers? You'll get them from Cinder and Salem. Not from me." He began to continue along his way. "All I know is, Salem wanted to put your cousin to use in a... permanent way."

Akira watched in silence as Jet made his silent exit. His words echoed through his mind as he stared at the pendant, his cousin being the only thing in his mind. His hand trembled as he managed to flick the pendant open, but he ultimately wished he didn't as greeting him within its golden shell was a picture taken around the time Yomihime's mother was still alive. She had decided to take a picture of the two and Yomihime kept it in her pendant all this time. Akira remained in this deathly silence, his hair hiding his eyes as he slowly gripped the pendant tighter and tighter...

Thug 1: "Oh? What do we have here?"

Thug 2: "It's a random kid!"

Thug 3: "Hey kid! Empty those pockets of yours and we'll consider letting you go!"

A group of at least 5 thugs, all men dressed in black soon surrounded the young man. Akira didn't respond, as if he hadn't heard him. The Thugs continued to call out to him, their voices progressively getting more and more irritated. They were out in the open, but as the saying goes in Mistral, Stay away from the slums. No one cared about what happened here. After all, all the people down here desired for their own survival and money.

Thug 4: "H-Hey! What the hell is that thing???"

All the Thugs' eyes were fixated on the object strapped to Akira's back. Glowing a dark and ominous green, Harvester twitched in Akira's tightening grip as he unstrapped it. Its large scythe blade sprung into action as the same aura coated the young male, with what sounded like ghastly whispers filling the aura.

Thug 5: "D-Don't tell me this kid's a Huntsman!?"

Thug 1: "Shit! Run!"

Lifting his head, Akira's now glowing and soulless white eyes shone through the dark area as the terrified screams of the Thugs echoed throughout the area, followed by the howling of Harvester. All Akira saw that night... was Red.

>>Time Skip<<

Ironwood: "Ozpin, please rethink this through!" he exclaimed, walking through the prison of Atlas, with the headmaster of Beacon Academy on his Scroll.

Ozpin: "Is he really a danger, James? From all I know, he's just another child, like the rest of children in the world."

Ironwood: "You wouldn't know how I felt. That night in Mistral, it was gruesome. He murdered all of those men in the most brutal ways possible! And that weapon and power of his, you said he's one of the descendants from that ancient family! And you want me to enroll him into a school filled with other children!? Have you lost your mind!?"

Ozpin: "... Tell me, James. Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance at life, rather than to rot away, unable to do anything for themselves? You were given a second chance with all of the modifications made to your body. You've given all of the Faunus in your school a second chance. And if I remember correctly, you gave that young Snow Fox Faunus girl a second chance, even when she tried to steal from a Dust shop. And now you're telling me, he doesn't?"

Ironwood: "It's... It's not the same... I'm just..."

Ozpin: "Worried. I know. You have every right to be." He said as the general halted him movements, standing in front of a hardlight dust door. "I'll take responsibility for anything that happens. Just please, trust me on this. Mr. Yasusada will be a major driving force for us. I know you're aware of that too."

A sigh of hesitation left Ironwood's lips as he finally made up his mind, but stared at Ozpin through the Scroll, with a steeled expression.

Ironwood: "Alright... But on one condition. I'll put a tracker on him. I need to take extra precautions with him." He said as he stared through the Hardlight Barrier, spotting Akira, unmoving as he sat in a corner, his head buried in his knees.

>>Time Skip<<

Lapis: "I wonder what our new teammate will be like." The human male wondered out loud, sitting on his bed as the Snow Fox Faunus female sat above him on her top bunk while kicking her feet in excitement.

Saria: "Whoever it is, I hope they're another Faunus like me."

Maya: "Well whoever it is, we'll treat them well! Now that we're finally getting a 4th member, we'll be able to participate in Tournaments now!" The blonde leader exclaimed, while hopping in one place, unable to contain her excitement.

Soon, there was a knock on the door as Maya was instantly there, with her teammates behind her. With the door sliding open, they were greeted by General Ironwood, their Headmaster and General.

Maya: "General Ironwood!" She, Saria and Lapis all saluted as the General gently waved his hand.

Ironwood: "At ease." The team of three relaxed their postures. "I am sure you three are aware that you will be getting a new teammate today." He could see the excitement in Maya and Saria's faces as he spoke while Lapis managed to keep himself together, but he was intrigued to see who their new teammate will be. "Akira?"

Stepping to the side, the trio would be greeted by the sight of him. The young male with black hair, wore a black shirt, with a white and black hooded coat-jacket, black long pants and a pair of combat boots. His eyes were ice blue and filled with mystery as he stared at the team before him. One thing particular about him however, something that Maya instantly noticed was the silver advanced looking arm-band around his wrist, secured tightly with a complicated lock.

Ironwood: "Maya, Lapis, Saria, this is your new teammate, Yasusada Akira. I do hope you get along with him."

_____________________________________________

Next Chapter: Haven Academy

(A/N: "So yeah! I decided to make a slight backstory chapter for Akira! I hope you guys enjoyed it. Especially the guy that actually owns this character!)