SFRN Chapters

SFRN Chapter 1 - Arrival
"How can you be can be such an idiot!?" Rita Lovell hisses through her teeth as she clobbers the back of her twin brother's head with a gloved fist. Her auburn braid swings over her shoulder as she sets her piercing onyx eyes on her male counterpart.

Nathan Lovell chuckles nervously as he nurses the lump rising steadily through his close cropped hair "come on sis, it was an honest mistake! Yesterday was crazy, you know with everyone wanting to congratulate us. Not to mention all the gifts, it must have gotten lost in the shuffle. I'll just buy some more from the local weapon shop"

Rita sighs at her brother's customary devil-may-care attitude "That's not the point and you know it!" she says as she checks her gear again. The airship begins to descend and Rita wants to be presentable when they arrive at Beacon Academy for the first time. Their family had given them new gear just after their graduation ceremony and Rita is still getting used to the feel of it. She readjusts her armored breastplate and tightens her matching bracers over the sleeves of a white coat. The coat itself fits perfectly since their mother made it by hand. It's sturdy, weather resistant and has the family emblem stitched into the shoulder, an image of two stags set back to back on an orange field. Her black combat pants adhere perfectly to her skin and her padded leather boots cover her legs up to just below the knee. "I can't believe you forgot to pack spare ammo. This isn't like back at Sanctum you know, we're going to fight real monsters here. What if we were on an actual mission? What would you do then?"

Nathan snorts and crosses his arms over his chest. He's dressed in nearly identical clothes and outfitted with similar armor, the only differences being that his pants are looser and each piece of armor made slightly heavier; to better match his fighting style. "Well even if we were, there's nothing to worry about. My Crimson Vipers can do more than shoot bullets." He touches the bladed Tonfas fastened upon his belt with pride. Each one is tinted a deep shade of red and made out of the most advanced materials available making them nearly indestructible. "They'll cut through anything that gets in my way!"

"Not this again…" Rita rolls her eyes. "Ever since dad gave us our new weapons you've been bragging about how amazing you'll be in battle. It's not like I don't get the tactical advantage of having a weapon with multiple functions. But sometimes I just don't understand the reasoning behind it. I mean why does someone who always fights close up like you even need high caliber pistols?

"Well not everyone can make do with something simple like a bow and arrows the way you can"

"Hey there's nothing simple about Blackfyre!" She reaches over her shoulder and the automated quiver deploys her jet black compound bow. She grabs the bow by its grip and holds it's still compact form straight out in front of her. She hits a switch causing the bow to unfold to its full length. "Blackfyre's got an adjustable scope and can hit a target accurately from 200 meters away. Not to mention this!" She flips open a panel on Blackfyre's side revealing several buttons each of which has a corresponding number. Rita pushes one with her thumb causing it to light up while the number next to it goes from 25 to 24. The mechanized quiver on her back spins into life, drawing a few interested stares from those nearby.

A moment later the quiver stops spinning and Rita pulls out an arrow. She holds it up to Nathan's face causing him to go cross eyed as he stares down at it "An arrow. So what?"

"Look closely at the tip"Rita says, pulling back slightly. Nathan refocuses his gaze and finally notices a glint of red. Rita smirks "That my dear brother is an arrowhead filled with Fire Dust and that's just the start. I can set Blackfyre to shoot any kind of arrow imaginable."

Nathan's face stretches into a sly grin "Now who's bragging"

Rita's brow twitches in irritation, and just as the pilot announces their arrival she snaps "you know what, never mind! Do whatever you want. Just don't come crying to me when a pack of Beowolves is tearing you limb from limb." The airship comes to a stop at the docks and the door opens, allowing the passengers to disembark. Rita holsters Blackfyre, picks up her suitcase, and strides quickly down the gangplank.

Nathan, stunned by her sudden departure is unable to react in time to avoid the other first years as they shove past him. "Hey watch it!" he says as he scrambles for his luggage. He's just able to gather his things before being swept up by the tide of moving bodies. He makes his way blindly through the mire of chattering students until he emerges on the side of the path, near a line of well kept shrubs. "Jeez, it's not like Beacon's going somewhe..." He trails off as he takes in the sight laid out before him. Tall shining towers reach toward the sky, their majestic peaks disappearing into the clouds. He follows the towers down until he spots more buildings each one grand enough to make even Nathan's memories of Sanctum seem insignificant by comparison. "Wow" is all he can say as he beholds his new home. It takes a few more seconds for Nathan to come to his senses but when he does he notices that Rita is standing nearby, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Well are you done gawking yet?" She says as she sidles up to him "The opening ceremony is going to start any minute."

Nathan frowns at her "That's pretty harsh sis. First you abandon me then you get mad at me for being too slow? What's up with you today? You're not usually this crabby."

"It's because you're always such an irresponsible jackass!" she says with an edge in her voice. Nathan simply stares at her until she clicks her tongue and turns away. "Oh alright It's not really about you" She looks down at her feet in a melancholy manner before mumbling "I guess I'm just kind off… tense"

Nathan continues to stare for a moment more before smiling and walking up to her. He throws his arm over her shoulders and gives her a little squeeze "Don't sweat it. Anyway let's get going. We can't keep our glorious future waiting."

Rita looks into her twin's eyes, calmed by his steadfast support. She chuckles a little before ducking out from under his arm "Alright hotshot let's go"

The two of them continue toward the school, following in the wake of the main group. Just before turning a corner the sound of a distant explosion reaches them, followed by indistinct yelling. Rita looks around with raised eyebrows "What's that all about?"

Nathan shrugs "well this is a school for Hunters. I'll bet it's just an intense sparring match or something."

"You're probably right."

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