I trekked across the field of flowers and grass. I had no idea how long I had been here. Days, weeks, probably just a few hours. God I was lonely, no one to talk to, it was maddening. I had got a few moments to practice my new Alchemy skills. But I still need people!

I had tried talking to Comet but that had been a dead end. Sense I had nothing to fight the chains had run out and left me alone again. I had tossed around the idea of using Ed’s token to talk to him but he was probably busy and I had a few things to try.

“Ow!” My foot hit a solid red hammer, it looked kind of familiar, where had I seen it before? Picking it up I felt something enter my mind.

“Thou speaketh to the lord of Dawn, lord and friend to the Olog and Uruk people! If they wish is power, then thou hast found thy aim! If thou desire is domination of mine allies? Then may the gods have mercy on thy soul! Hold my Hammer aloft and strike it upon stone with intent twice, and thy call shalt be heard!”

Well what are the chances. By the way... Olog and Uruk if I was right then this was going to be great! “Lord of Dawn, I am Oz the Demon Gazer, I call you forth!” I saw the portal open up before me. I held my breath as a Pale white skinned humanoid demon appeared, with red, pulsing demon wings and a sharp, spaded tail. “Well that definitely wasn’t in the films.” I muttered lamely taking in the thing before me.

He looked around, seeming to see me but instantly dismiss me before he looked back towards the portal “Hey, Orvok, your turn to get some training in. We gotta be prepared for anything, and your magic might help.”

“Yeah and don’t worry about breaking anything.” No idea who he was talking to but after being alone for maybe two days I’ll take anything that can talk. “This is a pretty empty dimension. So, hey no property damage.”

Just as I finished talking, a tall Uruk dressed in vines, red thread, and red crystal over animal pelts plated with gray metal came through the portal, armed with a very fierce looking druidic staff. I don’t want to say it but I’m pretty sure that guy could kick my ass and still be in time to worship his gods. Dude looked scary so I had better watch my mouth.

“Oh, good a plant expert, can you tell me if I’ll cough up my lungs if I eat these flowers, I’m rather attached to them staying in my body and don’t want them escaping again.” Damn you mouth!

The Uruk and the Demon turned to me before the Uruk smiled warmly. “They seem to be alright for eating, although, I sense some trees about twenty minutes in the way you are headed, they seem to have fruit that is safe to eat that would likely taste better.”

Well it was good that I hadn’t killed my first impression yet so time for talk. “Thanks, I’ve just been eating what I have stored in my item bag. Like I said this dimension is almost empty. Besides the plants I think we’re the only living things here.” It was true I had used Comet to search for things to kill and the magic Demon had said that there was no life in the area.

The demon frowned “So, I assume you are trapped here?”

“No, it seemed like a lovely spot for a vacation. I mean who doesn’t want to spend the rest of their lives trapped in an empty realm after killing the dark half of some Moon Demigod?” Thank you mouth we appreciate your contribution.

The demon looked to the Uruk and smiled “This guy has balls. I like him.”

The Uruk nodded. “Most people freak out at seeing you, but he seems to be keeping relatively calm.”

The demon then facepalmed. “We forgot to introduce ourselves…”

The Uruk broke out laughing. “Wondered when you’d figure that out, brother. Okay, let’s see...I’ll go first, I’m Orvok Wooden-heart, and this is my brother, the king of comraich, Simon SIVA-master.”

Simon gently smacked Orvok upside the back of his head. “You know I hate that honorific.”

“Well guess it’s my turn. My name is Oz the Demon Gazer.” I waited a bit before going on. “And well I summoned you here to maybe get your help escaping this place been trapped here to long already.” Seeing them still look at me I sealed the deal. “If you help me, I will award you with this!” Reaching back, I pulled out a bottle glowed a rainbow of colors. Information about this item flowed through me. “Behold God’s Hand an item that summons forth a miracle from the gods themselves. Results may vary depending on which god you ask for help from.” Hey who knows how this thing works now that it was in reality. I had tried to connect to Aris to get her power to summon miracles but… well she was too powerful and almost destroyed my soul so that was off the bored. But I was strong enough for Mars and Chronos. Sorry went off on a train of thought. “So, what do you say deal or no deal?”

“Do you mind if I have a look at it for a second.” Simon asked holding out a hand. Not seeing anything wrong with it I handed it over to him.

Simon eyeballed it for a second, a red light going from his eyes as if he were scanning it somehow… He then smiled “This can call up void dwellers too? Nice.”

“...Yes?” I didn’t know that and I was the one who owned it! How did he know that?

He then smiled to me “I recently met a friendly void being who was actually responsible for my displacement, he could probably send us three to your home dimension. Well, the one that is your new home.”

“Well that would be nice. Good thing I got like four more of these things to use.” I pulled out a similar bottle. “So lame question how do I use this?”

He grinned and grabbed the cork “Think of the being, then pull the cork! It’s kinda like a genie bottle, but no rubbing the side.” Doh! Now I feel kinda dumb...

He then pulled out a black, heat warped key with what looked like a fire made from the night sky sealed in the space of its handle, with a coiled length leading to three teeth. He held it in the same hand as the cork and pulled, the bottle releasing a blinding light as a door appeared in front of us “...that’s it? A door leading nowhere?” I said, somehow expecting more.

Simon held up a hand to shush me, and inserted the key, the door then opened to show, through its frame, a massive fortress like stone complex. “Say hello to the realm of the Huntsman.”

“I get to meet RWBY characters? Or is this like Norse mythology?” I needed to know! How snarky could I be and not run the risk of leaving only a dust stain.

There was then the clearing of a throat as I looked around to find we were suddenly inside “Thou art a guest of sir Simon? Good, look upon me, man child, as I look upon thee.”

He was in head to toe plate armor, with a helm in the design of a human skull, with the back of the head seemingly warped from an unseen heat into the something analogous to the shape of a crown, the metal appearing to be warped from rust, overuse and that same unseen heat. Below that there was a more or less standardized full medium shoulder plate and greaves. His gauntlets and boots were light enough to walk in, thick enough to take several blows and also seemed warped, having seen heavy use.

The strange metal plate and chainmail on his torso was covered by a raggedy dark grey cloak that went down as far as the elbows, and a bit further down along the back, holes riddling it throughout. The ends flayed out like sad, decrepit streamers, dancing in an unseen wind. It went up, covering and wrapped around the neck area, and there was something about it that was similar to a sort of skirt, going below the knees. One side went further down than the other, and the ends seeming to be almost like a pale fur of an unknown animal. Several belts were at the waist, mostly chains and loop hooks.

In his right hand was a weapon about the length of a longsword, maybe a bit longer, but seemed to be more similar to a dueling lance due to the spiral-like blades, though it was too small to be so. The blade at the pommel was shorter, half the size of the longer one, and the hand guards were circular baskets, as if made for a rapier or cutlass rather than a lance.

Within the cracks, crevices, and visible empty spaces in the armor, a dark aura wafted off gently, yet menacingly, similar in appearance to the cold night sky. Flecks of small dying cinders and embers jumped out and faded away as they floated gently away on an unseen breeze. The ‘sword’ was the same, the space between the twin spirals seeming to generate the malevolent aura in a similar way to the armor. It was like a blazing inferno being contained by an unseen force, as if he was willing it into containment.

Well guess who I wasn’t going to piss of, got that mouth! “So, are you from Vale or Atlas?” God damn it! Maybe literally, I felt Terra groan inside of me.

The Huntsman chuckled, a deep resonant laugh that almost seemed to sound from inside my head. “I am of the void, child of man, bound to demon of the dark sun. Thou art quite fortunate that thy visit was alongside Simon, lest I mistook thee for another intruder upon mine home.”

How the hell did he know about Sol! Or for that matter Terra! I could feel him shift from within me. “Well guess my luck had to kick in eventually.”

Simon smiled as Orvok busied himself with carving some sort of bone charm. “We were wondering if you could help us get back to Oz’s new home, as of his Displacement?”

The Huntsman smiled “It shall be done, but first, hast thou improved his equipment with thy power? We would like to do so as well, but thy SIVA is one of few materials that can contain my power.”

“Wait hate to but in here but Siva, as in nanomachines? Second do I have to pay for this cause I’m kinda, very, broke. I got some artifacts if you want.” I hated handouts so they are taking something if it’s the last thing I do.

Simon and the Huntsman grinned. “Nah, free of charge, really, although I won’t refuse new magic. And yes, my body is made of SIVA, in fact, I am a living swarm of the stuff.” That made so much more sense, in that I knew nothing.

“Well you accept Mana Regen? Or something that will let you double cast?” I should still have spares laying around somewhere.

Simon nods “Should let me use my Javelins more effectively, so sure. Oh, and I don’t think The Huntsman needs anything.”

He shook his head “Nay, the first favor must always be free, as are the rules of my existence.”

Well if he was offering, “Any chance you could do something about the soul I captured a couple days ago. She’s a very bad guest, I’ll kill something for you if you give her back trapped in a key.” Hey long shot but if it got Nightmare Moon out of my head, I’ll take it!

The Huntsman nodded. “It shall be done, would thou prefer a cyclops, a trio of elementals, or a SIVA infected Hive Ogre?”

“Um…” Damn it backed into a corner. “Any quests you need solved?”

Simon raised his hand, “As per the rule of Mentorship, I take the weight of his challenge doubled unto myself.” Well someone is getting a full revival item and both of the artifacts he asked for.

The Huntsman nodded “Good, we were about to regret not telling him all the rules we are bound by. T’would have been quite a shame to have to fight him as an intruder.” Aw, I think he likes me. Despite my smartass responses.

Simon nodded “Yeah, the smell of burning flesh and boiling blood is not fun. Anyway, let’s do this, I choose the two Hive Ogres.” Well if he’s going to be fighting might as well make small talk with his friend who he brought along. What, I can tell when someone is about to mop the floor with weaklings!

Shuffling over to the stands of the arena like area, I saw Orvok and The Huntsman sitting next to each other as if they had been for a few minutes. Orvok looked to me and my confused face and smiled. “Oh, you seem confused, never visited the realm of a majorly powerful being? The Huntsman is a powerful being born of a prison for eldritch beings that pose a threat to the multiverse.”

“First off I make it a rule not to intrude on things that could smite me with a bad look. Second… do they share a cell with Cthulhu?” What I’m curious, not every day you get to find out if mindflayers are real.

The Huntsman chuckled “That whelp is nothing compared to what lurks beneath my realms prison. Although, a few beings do call my realm home willingly. Most of those are safe to talk to, as so far as one does not attack them.” Well that was pants shitting scary.

“Quick question, how did these come to be?” I held out the God’s hand. “And what is entitled in the summoned miracle? Asking for a friend.”

The Huntsman shook his head “We are not at liberty to say. There are other beings responsible for thy displacement, and we have agreed with them not to encroach on Knowledge thou should discover on thine own merit.” Great now I have to do work. Speaking of avoiding work I look down and not surprising to see that Simon is cleaning house down there.

“So Orvok, got any family you want to brag about. Do good enough and you might get an artifact that breaks reality.” What they seem to respawn. So, I might as well treat them like candy.

Orvok frowned uncomfortably. “Ummm...sorry to say I have none left, my worlds Celestia is different from most...she ordered my village collected, harvested, and given to a local Lich for raising as an army. I was lucky and visiting my blood brother Grimgor at the time… L-let’s change topics, okay? Err… I do have someone I’m looking to propose to, but I worry she might be upset with me.” Wow my foot tasted delicious.

“Well first here’s your prize,” I tossed him a random artifact not really caring about what it was. Searching my brain, I looked for a new conversation to work with. Should maybe fact check Celestia, make sure she’s on the up and up. “So, hear anything about Balrogs recently? You know fallen angel demon things.” Memory why do you fail me about now! Come on Simon stop playing with the cool toys and finish up!

Orvok thought a moment “One has not been seen for a while, not since our god of War Guroth was destroyed by Solaris...And what do you mean fallen? The Balrogs were the servants of Guroth, they helped hold our borders for generations before Solaris intervened.” Huh seems like I’m dealing with different histories here. See this is why I need to study more, not that I’m motivated to do so.

As Simon finished the Ogres off, the Huntsman looked to us warmly “After we enhance thy blade, we have found thy world, the nearest place we can place thee is currently under attack, but we shall have Simon and his pet Graug accompany thee.”

“Yeah, but could we do something about the soul thing first, she’s getting kinda restless…” I feel like I overlooked something he said. Oh well, not that important.

The Huntsman nodded and made a key identical to Simons. He then plucked something from my head that looked like an orb of stars, and promptly crushed them together in his hand, forming a new key that seemed to glow with a gentle light. In other news ...OWIE, having a demon soul pulled out of your head freaking hurt! “Thanks, so how do I get back here if I need to do this again?” Knowing my luck, it would take about a week.

He chuckled “It is doubtful that thy shall need her soul fully removed a second time from thy being.”

“No, I was talking about other demons or souls I capture. Like if my Celestia turns out just as bad and I need her locked in a key for the rest of eternity. You know those crazy things.”

He nodded slowly “Thou saw how Simon used a key similar to this one? The keys I make for you will allow thee to not only call upon their power, like thy demon keys, but also, they will open any door as a pathway directly to mine realm.” Well that was good to know. Should maybe give Simon a God’s liquor for this, full revive items are so useful. Just like him.

Simon was then next to me and smiling “Woo! Feels good to fight something easy for once!” He then looked to me, seeing the key in my hand. “So, you mind if I upgrade your sword with The Huntsman? We are kinda in the business of keeping our friends alive.”

“Well if that’s the game then it’s only fair.” I pulled out a small doll, the Poinee doll. “This doll will take the place of you if you or one of your allies would die. Just to let know you will still be close to death.”

Simon nodded and took the doll before he nodded and put it in what I could only assume to be a portal back home. “So, with all the gifts given I’m ready to go back to the world of magic unicorns and talking rainbow haired archers.”

The huntsman had my sword in hand as I said this… wait... when did he take it? A small swarm taken from Simon as well. Orvok looked to me and chuckled “This is The Huntsman’s world, kiddo. He can do as he pleases here, he simply has to will it to be.” Was I that easy to read!?

“I can never play poker with you, can I?” Did I say that out loud?!

Orvok snickered as Simon and the Huntsman were busy infusing my sword. “Kid, poker would be terribly boring for me, as a Druid, I can tell whenever someone lies to me just by looking at their souls. Kinda defeats the purpose.” Wonder what my soul looks like. Especially given that Demon’s souls are supposed to be infinite.

Orvok then looked to Simon and smiled as he walked over to us, the Huntsman still working on the sword. “My boost is done; your sword can shapeshift and eats enemy magic now.”

“So what forms does it have?” Screw the True Demon Slayer I’m keeping my new shape shifting sword. Wonder if I can access the magic it eats. Thoughts and tests for later.

Simon shrugged “Kind of up to you, although I’d not have it turn into anything alive, weapons turned into life forms don’t have nice temperaments. The Huntsman’s power boost, as he said for this one, will be that you can not only imbue your sword with the mystical elements, fire, water, etcetera, but also channel it through the sword into yourself, giving you a temporary power boost.” Hmm… wonder if I can channel demonic energy into it too. On another note no snake swords not only does it go against the Evil Overlord checklist but a Dark sword into a living thing just screams DUMB.

“Thanks, if there's anything I can do for you just let me know.” I felt the key fall toward me but I was ready this time. Reaching up I caught it and held it out to Simon. “I will come running.”

Simon frowned “You think I’m leaving this soon? No dice bud, your still in need of training, and I’m going to do it. Someone seems to have done decently with your magic, from my scans, but your martial mastery is a little low. No adaptability either.”

Was I that obvious! First Ed now him! At least Ed kicked my ass first but now I’m somehow sending out weak vibes… I blame Comet. “I wasn’t sending you off. I’m just a bit forgetful and if I didn’t do this now I might of forgotten to do it.” I said rubbing the back of my head chuckling.

The Huntsman was then to my left and holding out my improved sword, it looked largely the same, except its edge was now moving slightly, and it was surrounded by this aura that felt… it felt hungry. Like whatever hit it, it would just swallow whole. Reminds me of my brother after not getting breakfast. Or me after skipping lunch. Simon whistled “Nice work there, Huntsman, you have outdone yourself.”

The Huntsman nodded “He will need this boon, someone has sent a taken Balrog after you, Simon, I smell the ire of Oryx on you.”

You ever get that feeling like you were thrown into a world chalk full of history. That is how I felt right now, could really go for a wiki right now. “Wait what was that about Balrogs and ire? Should I be worried? I’m up to helping.” Hey I might not be that strong but I did have some Demons that were good for fighting.

Simon nodded “Yeah, and when we get to your realm, I’ll have Orvok go back for Snuffles, we’ll need the firepower.” Okay knowing anime tropes, Snuffles is either a badass grandma of Orvok or some killer giant monster. I’m hoping for the grandma angle myself, get some of those early embarrassing stories.

“So, shall we be off to go fight giant monsters, then stuff their heads and hang them on your castle walls? You do have a castle right... to scare off intruders?” I said slinging an arm over Simon’s shoulder.

Simon chuckled “Well, yeah, but it’s more due to my people insisting I don’t sleep in the pub anymore. Not my fault those booths are comfy.”

“One, how do they expect you to get breakfast beer now? Two, it is if you made them.” I said nodding my head.

Simon raised a finger, then lowered it. “Damn, you are right, it is my fault… anyway, the castle is supposed to be the center of Comraich, it is designed to oversee every square inch of the place from the tower up top, I’m currently expanding Comraich around the castle.”

I was half listening but was thinking on something else. “Hey Huntsman guy, quick question for you before we leave.”

The Huntsman chuckled “Yes, man child?”

“If I seal the Balrog like I did with Nightmare Moon, could Simon or Orvok take it instead of me? I don’t really need a giant shadow and fire thing.” The thought had been hanging around in my head ever sense remembered the thing.

The Huntsman nodded and flicked my forehead, leaving an arcane mark behind, and a slight welt. “There, now thy sealing can choose a recipient. The mark will fade eventually, but the effect will be permanent.”

“Huh, guess I won’t be coming back here for more demon keys.” I muttered rubbing my head and feeling the mark. “So, Simon do you want it or should I give it to the Druid?” I asked walking toward what I hoped was the exit.

Simon grinned “Why not Snuffles? He’ll be needing the boost in power soon.”

“And here I was thinking you wanted to give him a playmate.” I mumbled out.

Simon shook his head “Naw, Snuffles plays with the citizens often.”

“Is it cute?” I asked, “Tell me on the way.” Turns out it was the exit. Then again with how this place works I think the Huntsman was taking pity on me.

Author's Notes:

This is a crossover with Lord of Dawn. A vey well written fic that fills that LoTR craving I had. So thanks goes out to Lord Krahtorra.