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Once, there was a village.
It might have been unfair to call it so, as it neared the size of a town. But that was all the people there knew, so the village it stayed. It was a prosperous place, for those who had found it did so in a place that monsters seemed to avoid. Its trees were plentiful, its water fresh, and flora and fauna were both in plentiful supply. And so it grew, expanding upwards and outwards, towards the sky and into the woods, chopping and carving as they went.
Until one day, the trees and sky took their revenge.
The pleasantries of a shepherd on the village’s outskirts were suddenly shattered by a thunderous roar, like thunder without clouds, echoing across his fields and sending the sheep running wildly. It was quickly followed by a terrible gust, like that of a hurricane, as a shadow suddenly descended on the shepherd from up above. With a fear he had never felt, the shepherd through himself to the ground, as beastly roars shook his head, threatening to throw his brain from his skull. And then, as suddenly as it started, the shaking roars stopped.
Silence.
Total. Silence.
Slowly, shakily, the shepherd stood.
Nothing. Nothing was left. No grand, carnivorous beast.
And no sheep.
Things would continue like this for the village for many weeks, and many months. A thunderous cacophony of roars would echo across the land, and a great shadow would fall upon the flocks and herds of village livestock, leaving nothing in its wake. All too soon, it appeared the village would starve come winter, as their livestock dwindled.
Until one day, one woman had an idea. An unassuming blacksmith, but all the same, she believed she’d struck gold. Literally.
The village would soon enact her plan, with no other hope in sight. Every home contributed, from silver platters to golden bracelets, large oaken cupboards and jewelled rings. An item from every house was piled together, on the outskirts of the village, ladened in an ox-drawn cart. And so, they waited. And waited. And-
The thunderous roar blew across the rolling fields, and its shadow descended on the cart, flying back into the air. The beast had accepted their offering. For now.
Ooo, ominous.
Hey, shush! Don't interrupt the story.
Come on, you two. No arguing.
Once more, for months, the villagers would pay tribute, learning their lesson when a flock was taken after their first tribute. But once more, they were on a time limit, as house after house began to grow empty and bare. With little hope of improvement, some began to leave. After all, what could they do against the issue's true source?
These people, however, would do more good than any tribute. For word began to spread of the village's plight, through hamlets and cities and towns.
And into the ears of one young monster hunter.
OOO, what weapons do they have?
What happened to no interrupting?
Armed with a spear like a cross and a solid steel shield (cool!), the hunter traversed the land, following the trail of the village’s woes, floating across the current of migration. After weeks of searching, she would find a town with a carriage willing to take her there - for a hefty price, of course. But the hunter obliged, and with a coin purse much lighter, she stepped foot on the village’s soil.
Within minutes, she felt for their plight. She could see it in their faces, their homes, their fields. Barren and empty, devoid of hope. And so, she took to the village square and called to them all. With the strike of her spear butt against the wooden ground, she took their ears. With a fist to her chest, she took their eyes. And with their full attention, she spoke.
“Hello, dear village folk! I am a monster hunter from beyond the mountains and hills, and I have heard of your plight! And so I have come to deliver you from it!”
Whispers floated throughout the crowd, from lip to lip and ear to ear. Suddenly, someone spoke.
“How can you expect to kill that monster?” The murmurs grew.
“Simple!” She yelled back, puffing her chest and spinning her spear. “I am a monster hunter, am I not? The duty I carry fuels my spear, and through my determination, I have been undefeated. And so, dear villager, I promise like a lightning bolt, I shall strike this beast down!”
Cheers erupted in the crowd, her hopeful grin infecting them with their own. With their hope at her back, she found the mayor, and he told her of the beast's lair, which they had found but dared not enter - a cavern atop a small mountain nearby. With confidence brimming in her heart, she set off.
Across shimmering streams, under tall trees, and up ragged rocks, she climbed and clambered through forests, hills and, eventually, the mountainside. It was barren and charred, like nothing was allowed to grow there. By the mere nature of the place, or something else, she could not tell.
Yet still, she chose to soldier on, using any roots and gaps she could to make her way up. Though as she climbed, the air did not seem to grow colder. In fact, it was almost as if it grew warmer…
Her climb would not last forever, however. Soon, the cavern the mayor had spoken of came into view, its maw gaping far into the mountainside, pitch black in its depth. Silently, the hunter peered in, yet she saw nothing. Despite this, her resolve held, and slowly, she made her way in, the musty, dank air clawing at her lungs. OIn and on she crept, following the wall down turn after turn, until, suddenly, there was light.
And gold. Piles and piles of it.
Do you think there was a motorcycle?
Why would there be a motorcycle? It was, like, ages ago.
You never know. They might’ve.
Treasures abound, from wall to wall, glistening under the little sunlight that reached down from small cracks in the cavern roof above. Paintings, furniture, jewellery and gems, all covered the cold stone floor. Enamoured, the hunter stepped in, gazing around her as she began to walk between the piles. Further and further she went. Until she felt her whole body shake.
A roar crashed through the cavern, accompanied by a chorus of thundering claps as a large shape smashed into the piles of treasure in front of her, the shockwave throwing her to the ground. Coughing as dust scratched at her lungs, she looked up, silver eyes watering.
Crimson red stared back.
“WHO, ARE, YOU.” The voice thundered in her ears, as the stank of death and rot assaulted her nose.
Heh, just like your breath.
Shut up!
Hey, Quiet you two. No arguing before bed.
The hunter gulped. When the villagers spoke of a beast, she had expected a manticore, or a minor hydra at most. Yet that was not what stood before her, covered in thick, black feathers, and wings that could blot out the sky.
A full-blown dragon. And an archdrake, at that.
“I- I’m a hunter.”
“A hunter?” The beast spoke softer now, rearing its head back as it regarded her curiously. “And what, exactly, are you hunting in here for? My treasures?”
“N-no, of course not! I-”
“So, you’re here for me, then.”
“I-”
“Did they send you!?” The dragon roared, stomping through the piles of treasure as it snaked around her, leering above with a snarl on its face. “Did they promise you glory? Gold? Some silly honour for felling me? Did they-”
“I was offered nothing!” The dragon grew silent, cocking its head as it regarded her, now with curiosity. “Then… why are you here? Do you just wish to die?”
“N-no! Of course not. I,” She stopped for a second, seeming to catch her thoughts. The dragon waited, intrigued. “I wanted to meet you.”
That, the dragon found unexpected.
“I-I’m sorry?”
“Well, all this time, I’ve heard tales. Of your ferocity, your anger. Yet, no one had ever met you, or spoken to you. And whilst now I have seen more than ever the things you’ve done, I still feel we don’t have to be opposed.”
“...what do you mean?”
“Well,” she began to pace, hands clasped together. “I’ve wondered. All these tales of your anger, only started after the villagers began to truly expound out into the lands. Taking land from the trees, and the wildlife. All things a being like you would need. So, I’ve wondered
Have you ever left these plains?”
The dragon scoffed. “Of course I have!” It was unconvincing.
“Well, I know you dragons love treasure. You hoard it, and pass it on to your offspring, as badges of pride for your families. But there is one treasure you lack.
Knowledge. And I can give it to you.”
A small chuckle came from the dragon, and it rested itself on its front feet, its head between as it regarded her, intrigued. “Is that so?”
“Yes! I’m a hunter; the job brings me to places across the world. I can show you them, along with the people and experiences that come with them. And you can tell these stories to your children, and your children’s children! I just ask of you to leave the villagers be in exchange.”
“Hmph, is that your bargain.” The woman gulped, but nodded, staring the dragon down. “Very well. But on one condition. Those villagers are to leave my hoard alone until we return, so I may choose if your knowledge was worth it.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good. Well then,” brought light enveloped the dragon, forcing the hunter to shield her eyes. When she could finally see once more, a woman stood before her, with the same red eyes and pitch-black hair.
“Shall we be off?”
It would take a rather… shaky explanation to the village to explain how exactly the hunter had managed to make an agreement with the dragon, whilst said beast waited in her human form a ways off within the trees, enjoying their much smaller form, which they had never truly used before. It would not be long, however, before the two were off.
That year would be one neither could have anticipated. From winding rivers to golden coasts, grandiose cities and tiny hovels, wide plains and jagged mountains, the pair explored them all. They fought, they laughed, they ate and drank, all alongside the other.
Ooo, ooo, how many bad guys did they fight? How many!?
Lots, darling. Lots.
Through it all, the two would become close. Closer than either could have expected, and neither realised wanted. The year would only last so long, however, and the dragon had a decision to make. Apprehensively, the hunter joined her, as they travelled back to her home in the small mountain.
…
"...it's… gone. It's all gone."
"Darling, I-"
"They took it! They lied! They took it all!" Her eyes glowed in anger as the air grew hot, fire seeping from her downturned maw. "They broke their promise! My trust! I'll-"
"Darling!"
The dragon stopped her raving, looking at the hunter, who fixed her with a stern gaze. It soon melted into sympathy, however, as she cupped her cheek, an expression that had taken a little teaching for the dragon to understand, at first.
"Please. I know you're angry. Hurt. But attacking them will only hurt you more. Humans will never forgive you, even if you are right."
"Then what should I do? Let them just have it all!? After they took it from me!"
…
"...I can offer you something more." As if retelling their last exchange, the dragon cocked her head, that same curiosity in her eyes even like this. "We can travel together. See the world together. I'll do it all if you just forgive them. Leave the villagers be. Please.”
The dragon looked into her eyes, anger, sadness, all mixed in that ocean of red. She frowned. “ but… it shouldn’t come from you. You shouldn’t be making sacrifices for them. They should pay.”
“But it’s not a sacrifice. Not if I’m with you.” The hunter placed her forehead on her beloved, taking a shaky breath. “So please, firecracker. Stay.”
They stood there, together in silence, for what the hunter knew could be their last. But then, it was broken, by the dragon’s sigh.
“...okay. I’ll do it. I’ll leave them, for you. And only for you.”
The hunter smiled, chuckling warmly. “That’s the best news I could ever hear.”
And so, the two would leave that dark, dank cavern for the last time, hand in hand. Ready for a world, and life, to explore. Together.
“Awwwwww!” Ruby cooed, whilst Yang rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. “That’s so sweet!”
“Eh, it was okay, I guess.”
“You were rocking back and forth near the end there.”
“But did you see how close it was? The dragon could’ve said no.”
“Ay, come on, you two.” Both looked at Raven, realising what that voice meant. “You know what you promised. One story, then bed.”
“Awww, but mum-”
“No buts!” Raven cut the two off before they could start their begging. “One. Story.”
“And remember you two,” Summer gave them a warm smile as she spoke, “if you don’t go to bed, we can’t tuck you in!”
That convinced the pair, as they quickly scrambled to get under the covers, earning a chuckle from Summer whilst Raven simply rolled her eyes, though still with a smile. “Okay, goodnight, you two!”
“Goodnight, Mama!” After a kiss goodnight for each and reassurance that yes, Ruby, the dragon and hunter did live happily ever after, the two parents left their children to sleep, quietly shutting the door.
“Those two manage to get sweeter every day. I don’t know how they do it.”
“Heh, don’t worry, sweet tooth. They’ll be sour when they’re teenagers.” The two chuckled as they walked, before a comfortable silence grew between them. Nights like this they enjoyed the most. Just getting to be with one another. With Qrow out dealing with something in the badlands, and Tai visiting his family, things had been hectic lately. So to get this alone time.
It was nice.
“Come on, firecracker.” Summer chuckled. “We need to sleep too. They’re not the only ones exhausted.”
“Oh my! Are you telling me thee Summer Rose can’t handle a lil game of fistball?”
“I wouldn’t define an entire day as “a lil game”, Raven.” Raven chuckled, but acquiesced. Summer was right. They needed rest.
Although. There was one thing, something she’d wanted to ask for a while. Though now still wasn’t the right time.
For the thing was, despite it all, the dragon still had one lingering question on her mind, even after all this time.
Why had the dragon slayer shown her so many places and people? After all, the dragon had already found the world, those many years ago. Right in her smile.