Chapter 104:

A/N: Surprise! So I had a decent chunk of a chapter set up before all of this mess happened, and I decided that you amazing readers have waited long enough. So here's a chapter that probably isn't as good as you all deserve, but it's a start and took a lot out of me to do. So enjoy and have an amazing rest of your day. Rhino out.

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Reila: "Well thank you. Your friends are in here."

Stopping in front of a small shack, Reila motions towards to door as she talks to Topaz.

Reila: "I'll just wait out here."

Topaz: "You can come in if you want. We'd be happy to have you."

Reila: "Oh… well thank you then. I will join you."

Nodding his head, Topaz opens the door and steps into the building. Inside he sees Scarlett and Nova sitting by the small fireplace while Neo and Ariel are sitting on the bed, sharing a blanket. When Topaz steps into the room, Neo's eyes are immediately on him and when she realizes who it is, she's on her feet rushing towards him.

Neo: "You're finally here!"

Topaz: "Yeah, I'm here. Sorry for taking so long."

Ariel tries getting to her feet, but stumbles back into the bed. Neo rushes back over to her and forces her to lie down.

Neo: "Ariel you have to rest. You hit your head pretty hard and are more than likely concussed from it."

Ariel: "But I have to say sorry to Topaz for what happened."

Topaz: "Ariel, you know you will never have to apologize to me for anything. All I care about is that you are safe."

Ariel: *sighs* "If you say so, but I truly am sorry for what happened."

Topaz: "Ariel, it's fine. Really."

Pulling Ariel into a gentle hug he can feel her shaking slightly. Neo joins the two in the hug and they stay there for a little while. After a few minutes of the quiet hug, a small cough is let out and the three break apart, slightly embarrassed for losing themselves to the moment. Turning, Topaz sees Reila standing there rubbing the back of her head with a slight blush on her face. Neo walks up to her with a large smile on her face and holds out her hand. Reila reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small pile of Lien.

Topaz: "Um… why?"

Neo: "I won our bet."

Topaz: "What bet?"

Neo: "Oh nothing."

Reila: "I didn't think you would be back so soon."

Topaz: "What do you mean?"

Reila: "Well, your friends seemed so confident that you would be alright all things considered, so I believed in them, but didn't think you would be able to make it here in such a short amount of time, if at all."

Topaz: "Ah, well sorry then, haha."

Neo: "See, Topaz is amazing."

Reila: "I can indeed see that."

There is a sudden knocking on the door to the shack, and then a slightly muffled voice.

?????: "Hey Rei, you in there?"

Reila: "Yeah Joanna, I'm here."

The door opens revealing a rather sizable woman. With a deep bluish green hair, and a couple of markings on her face, the woman makes her way into the shack. She gives Topaz a once over before turning to Reila.

Joanna: "So this is the guy?"

Reila: "He is the guy."

Topaz: "The guy?"

Joanna: "Yeah, the guy that your friends over there can't stop reassuring us about. The guy that team RWBY claims to be neigh invincible. A lot of hype for someone that looks so average."

Reila: "Joanna-"

Topaz: "It's alright Reila. I can understand her hesitation towards me. If you really want me to, I can prove myself however you see fit."

Joanna: "Very well tough guy, follow me."

Joanna turns and walks out of the shack, not turning to see if Topaz is following or not. Topaz turns towards his friends and gives them a quick nod before following her. After walking for a few minutes, Joanna leads him towards where Fiona is sitting.

Joanna: "Hey Fi, where are the grimm congregating the most?"

Fiona: "Why are you asking me that Joanna?"

Joanna: "I want to see if Mr. Tough Guy over here is all that he's been hyped up to be, and what better way than to throw him into the fire?"

Fiona: "You can't be serious Joanna. He just got back after a airship crash, then being stranded out there. He should rest until we actually need him."

Topaz: "It's Fiona, right?"

Fiona: "Yes, Fiona Thyme at your service."

Topaz: "Topaz Nemea, nice to meet you. And don't worry about her testing me, it's not the worst I've been pushed through. If I can help in any way go for it."

Fiona: "If you say so, then I think you going to the Northern-most point of Mantle would be the best place to help. We haven't had an opportunity to check if anyone is still stranded out there due to the sheer amount of grimm there."

Joanna: "Alrighty then, you heard the girl. Time to head North."

Fiona: "Please be careful out there."

Topaz: "No need to worry Fiona. We'll be back as soon as we can."

Fiona: "If you say so."

Before Topaz can react, Joanna has grabbed him by the shoulder and is dragging him away.

Joanna: "See you later Fi."

Fiona: "Bye you two."

Topaz gets Joanna to let go of his shoulder and follows after her as she heads towards Mantle. After they leave the gates, she turns towards Topaz and crosses her arms.

Joanna: "Alright tough guy, you're leading and doing all the work. I'll help with anyone we find, but the grimm are all on you."

Topaz: "Works for me."

Spinning his spear and walking forwards Topaz keeps his eyes peeled for any signs of movement. Seeing nothing, he continues along through the empty streets of Mantle.

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After walking through Mantle for an hour, taking care of the occasional small grim here and there, Topaz spots a large number of Sabyrs gathering around a building, scratching at the walls and door, trying their best to get in. Rushing forwards, Topaz slashes three Sabyrs before they even realize he's there. Ducking under a slash of claws from behind, he takes care of the Sabyr. Slashing and stabbing at the Sabyrs that come towards him, he eventually takes care of them all and Joanna makes her way towards the door.

Joanna: "Hello? Anyone in there?"

An upstairs window is opened and a female head pokes out. Her blonde hair falls past her shoulders and wide eyes look towards Topaz and Joanna.

?????: "A-Are they gone?"

Joanna: "Yes, they've all been taken care of. Are you alone in there?"

?????: "No, I have my daughter and two other little girls in here."

Joanna: "Okay, we will escort the four of you to where everyone is."

?????: "Thank you."

After a few minutes of waiting, the door is forced open, and outside walks the woman carrying one little girl who looks to be around four or five years old. The little girl had bright blonde hair, slightly lighter than her mothers, but she looked like a miniature version of the woman elsewise. Two more girls that look to be around twelve or so follow out after her. The first girl has light brown hair, and matching cat ears poking out on top of her head. She looks towards Joanna with a trace amount of fear in her eyes, but then she sees Topaz standing next to her and lets off a small smile. The second girl has bright pink hair, and a long thin tail of a matching color. She sees Joanna as well and tenses up until Topaz gives her a gentle smile.

Topaz: "Hey girls, my name is Topaz, and this is my friend Joanna."

Joanna: "Friend?"

Topaz leans towards Joanna and whispers into her ear.

Topaz: "Just go with it, those two following after are afraid of you. They must have some bad experiences with humans."

Joanna: "Very well then."

Topaz looks back towards the four girls and gives them a warm smile.

Topaz: "What are your names?"

The blonde woman is the first to introduce herself.

?????: "My name is Mary, and this is my daughter Sue."

Topaz: "Nice to meet you two."

The girl with the brown hair and cat ears takes a cautious step forwards with the other girl right beside her.

?????: "W-We are sorry mister. W-We d-don't have names."

Topaz: "What?! How can you two not have names?"

The two girls begin to tear up which breaks Topaz's heart. Making his way over to them quickly, he hugs them both gently as they begin to sob into his shoulders. Joanna makes her way over to Mary to try and get the story out of her.

Mary: "I don't know much about their story, or their past. I'm sorry, I only met them as this craziness started."

Joanna: "Any information can help."

Mary: *sighs* "This is what I know…"