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Chapter 2: Robin S. Wolfheart

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“Ara? His face is so dirty.”

“It must be from all the Dust and dirt floating in the air.”

Robin heard soothing voices as he felt something damp pressed on his face.

“No good no good. My cute little baby can't be dirty.”

= Wha... is this the afterlife? =

Opening his eyes, he found himself facing a pretty woman with silver hair tied in a ponytail.

“Waa, he opened his eyes. Say hi to mama and papa Robin.” She casually waved her hand in front of his face.

= Who are you and why do you know my name? = --was what he was trying to say.

“waa—uuu.. iii uuu”

= ...Dah fuq?! My voice! What happened to my voice! =

“Ooh so he's awake is he? Hey there little guy.” A younger man showed himself this time, and next to him was a middle-aged man.

“He truly does look like you guys. He has your eyes Joseph, but it seems his face takes after your wife.”

Just like the woman, one of the men had silver hair. However, there were two appendages that the young adults had but the middle-aged man did not: furry ears.

= Why are they cosplaying? Is it a fad among the afterlife to wear ear headbands?... Wait... They're not wearing headbands! What's going on! =

Turning his head, Robin noticed he was in a plastic cage of sorts. It was big enough to keep his body inside but it was significantly smaller compared to the size of his bed he usually slept in. Speaking of which...

= My body is tiny! And it's so hard to move. It's like I became a baby again..wait.. Didn't that old man say I looked like them? Could I actually be their son? But last thing I remembered I accidentally killed myself thanks to the stupid chair. Ugh I can't make heads or tails of this situation. =

“Ah! He closed his eyes. He must be tired. Lets leave him alone for now. Qrow let me thank you again for helping us. You cannot believe what it means to us.”

“No it was nothing. I was on my way to complete my mission anyway. In fact, I should get going.”

“So soon? It's still dark out.”

“Yes I must go. I stopped to help you guys out, but I must leave.”

Joseph scratched his head and had a guilty look.

“Is that so? I really wish we could thank you somehow.”

Qrow wryly smiled. “Don't worry. If you really want to see me again, come to the Vytle festival in 4 years. I'll be there with my nieces, so you can bring your child and his friends as well.”

“Ah.. the festival huh.. well alright then.” Holding out his hand Joseph said with a firm look “We'll see you then.”

Nodding, Qrow shook his hand and waved goodbye to the family. He then left the premises and just like how mysteriously he appeared, he vanished into the night. Finally calmed down, Robin observed the scene with his eyes and then once again closed them.

= It really does seem like I've been reborn. I guess reincarnation really is a thing. But where I am now I have no clue. I must remain calm and collect info. I also can't act suspicious since that would just cause trouble. I'll stealthily gather information slowly and surely, but for now-- =

*yawn*

= --I should sleep =

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As time passed, Robin listened to stories and conversations, and pieced together who they were and where they are.

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This world was called Remnant. In the darkness rose the race of man. Born strong, wise, and resourceful, they gathered and prospered. However, man was born in an unforgiving world. In the inevitable darkness, creatures of darkness, creatures of Grimm, set their sights on man and all of his creations. Facing them, it seemed man's brief existence would return to the void.

“However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change. In time, man's passion, resourcefulness, and ingenuity led them to the tools that would help them even the odds. This power was named Dust. With nature's wrath in hand, man lit their way through the darkness. And in the shadow's absence, came strength, civilization, and most importantly-- life. To date mankind has formed four different kingdoms: to the north, Atlas, to the west, Vacuo, to the east, Mistral, and in the center, Vale.”

Map of Remnant

“Mother.”

“Hm?” Christina looked at 4 year old Robin as they sat on the porch of their home staring into the night. She was reciting the history of how they came to be.

“Is our village one of those civilizations?”

“Kuku. No Robin, we are nomads living just outside the kingdom of Vale north of us. We venture and live where we please and eat how we wish. Nomads can be divided into two groups: the wanderers and the hunters.

Wanderers live a much less constricted life to location. They wander the world, exploring and living off the land through hunting. However, since they are never in a single place for too long, their weapons and technology tend to be limited. You would rarely see any guns in their weaponry since such tools require so much dust, maintenance, and other supplies.”

= So there are guns in this world. Interesting. =

“What about hunters?”

“Hunters, Robin S. Wolfheart, are what we are. We live outside the kingdoms but generally stay within the vicinity of the borders. We wander on the outskirts, living off the land while taking requests from time to time, eliminating various Grimm concentration that get too large and is too expensive for the kingdoms to mobilize armies for.

This is especially true since we are in times of peace. In return for our services, we receive discounts and payments. This is why our weapons and living conditions are much better, and we generally stay in one place until mobilized to move towards a new target. Since we are generally paid well, our homes that seem stationary actually can move much like cars. Also the jobs can overlap with hunters and huntresses inside the kingdom as well, so you will from time to time come across people like them.”

= I see. So that's who that old man was. = Robin quickly recalled the image of the silver haired man that was present on his first day here.

“One more question mother.”

“Of course, son. What's on your mind?” Christina was very happy to answer her curious son. Ever since he was young Robin was obedient and polite. Not to mention he seemed naturally smart, quickly learning language and etiquette. Add in the fact that he was their only child, the parents were very doting towards him.

“Why does the moon crack like that?” Robin pointed towards the sky. “It cracks more and more every night, but then it starts reforming again until it's complete again. Why?”

“That is the cycle of our moon son. When it is full, we call it a full moon, and when it is completely broken, we call it a new moon. There is no true reason why or maybe we just don't know yet. It has done this cycle all our lives and will mostly likely do it through yours as well.”

“Has someone walked on the moon? Maybe then they'll know why.”

= The fact that it somehow reforms could be a result some weird side affect of Dust. = Robin contemplated.

“Fu-HAHA! Walking on the moon. Amusing concept son, but even though it's certainly possible to get there and back, we have much more pressing concerns son.”

“What do yo--... Oh.”

Blushing, Robin looked down to hide his face. Humanity is already fighting to survive against the Grimm. If they could only support four kingdoms on the entire planet, of course something like the moon would not be on the top of their priority list.

“Well that's enough for tonight. It's getting late son so lets go to sleep.”

“Yes, mother.”

Stepping inside and into their respective rooms, Robin laid there and looked up towards the ceiling.

“This world is really nothing like Earth...Remnant huh?”

Living in Earth, everyday life was nothing more than a torture. It was a game for masochists. Even the only woman he had feelings for played him for a fool. In contrast, here he had a mother and father that cared for him, no sibling to look down upon him, and furthermore, the world combined aspects of technology and fantasy together, both of which he loved reading about in manga. Faced with these things, how could he not get excited about living in such a world filled with adventure.

= So what if it's dangerous? Compared to the constant fear of a foreign country dropping an atomic bomb on my home, this world's humanoid race clearly works together to survive. Amazing... My reality is no longer the same so why should I be? I'm done with being the victim, letting people trample me underneath. I will live my life to the fullest! =

And so taking a vow to change himself, Robin Cunningham was no more and was finally a new man. The next morning Robin Silver Wolfheart took his place and thus taking his first step forward.