RWBY: Lex Talionis - Male Reader x Harem (Complete)

Part 141

Running. It never really was fast enough when you dreamed, often feeling like the world spun, while you were stuck.

Y/N felt it, his feet dragging with a million pounds or trudging through knee high mud.

No matter how hard he pushed himself, he was never fast enough.

He stared at the blinking light of a scroll, buzzing and ringing with a blank picture and a line of numbers.

He never could realize fast enough that it was an improvised explosive, soon to be detonated with just a call from some mercenary.

It played out as it had, him gripping the transport door, thrusting himself into a full sprint toward the town and cover.

He screamed at the top of his lungs and threw his arm forward to at least warn the others, give them a fighting chance for what happened next.

"BOMB! BOMB! GET BACK!"

And then the flash. In the blink of an eye, the transport turned into a shredded can of metal, bursting wide open with an explosion.

Finally, finally there was pain, stretching across his entire body with a burning sensation like none other.

It was overwhelming, throwing him into unconsciousness without the ability to scream, only lie still, faintly wheezing while the pain raged on.

He was helpless, trapped. He tried to get up and run to find Sangria, but the world was on his shoulders, crushing him, his lungs, and his spirit.

No matter how hard he tried, he could never be fast enough to avoid the explosion, save Shady Springs, and his beloved wife.

He was stuck, alone, in pain. Each breath was shallow, yet his constricted chest wouldn't take in the precious oxygen surrounding him.

No, all he could get was the taste of blood coating his mouth and filling his lungs. It was awful, reminding him of the days he consumed echoes rather than a warm meal.

The moment Y/N's scroll rang with an alarm, his arm shot out, silencing it.

His breathing was labored, and his face, slick with a cold sweat.

The Hunter remained still for a moment, waiting to see if he had disturbed Sienna.

Her soft breaths remained, a rhythm Y/N slowly matched as he wiped his face clean.

Ignoring the throbbing pain inside him, he slowly got out of bed, the motion alone no more louder than a soft breeze that whistled outside.

He was focused, portrayed by his still eyes and clenched fists.

"Are you ready?"

At his side, Ludwig looked down to him, his blue eyes as still and calm as his friend's.

Taking a deep breath and caressing Sienna's hand a moment longer, Y/N nodded.

I'm ready.

He moved throughout the house, first making a fire, then setting a pot of tea over said flame, quickly followed by collecting thin winter clothes.

The moment the kettle whistled, he pulled it free to pour a cup and enjoy the bitter beverage as he stood, toasty in his clothes.

A glow as fiery as the light he had built settled within his eyes, a momentary wink that could make anyone's blood run cold.

Setting aside a washed kettle and cup, he was out the door, no more than ten minutes after he woke up.

He followed Vine's instructions the best he could, clearing his mind as he stretched his legs in the backyard.