A/N: I want to start by saying thank to everyone who takes the time to read this story. The support you have all shown means the world to me. I know not everything in my story makes sense or matches canon perfectly, but that's one of the many joys of writing. You get to decide how the story goes. If this story continues to get the support it has been, I will continue to try for a second chapter a day. So let's see how far we can push this story!
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Walking up to the familiar man, Topaz gives him a simple introduction.
Topaz: "Hello sir, you're from the Nemea tribe correct?"
????: "Yes, I am. What can I do for you fine folks today?"
Topaz: "Would you be willing to take us with you on your return journey back to the tribe?"
????: "Why would I do that? We don't take visitors into our tribe."
Topaz: "Not even if they were born there? I know it's been thirteen years since you and I last met but still."
The man's eyes open wide at the realization.
????: "Topaz? The little whelp that was sent to Vale?"
Topaz: "The one and only. I'm here to see my family."
????: "Fine, but the girl stays."
Topaz: "Nope, she's coming along. As my girlfriend she has every right to be by my side old man."
????: "My name is Leo. And fine, but any issues she causes are on you."
Topaz: "Fine by me Leo. By the way, Leo meet Neo. Neo meet Leo."
Leo: "Pleased to meet you Neo, please do try and be on your best behavior while at our tribe."
Neo nods her head in reply and sits down behind the stall. Topaz makes his way over to her and sits down as well. Neo leans her head onto Topaz's shoulder and makes herself comfortable. After a few minutes, Topaz hears her breathing become more rhythmic, signaling she fell asleep. After a few hours, Leo makes his way over to Topaz and Neo signaling for them to prepare to leave. Topaz gently shakes Neo awake and lets her know it's almost time to leave. While Neo wakes herself up mentally, Topaz helps Leo pack up his things and then goes back to Neo.
Leo: "You two ready to go?"
Topaz: "Ready when you are."
Leo: "Alright, you two stick close. The route is dangerous so don't go wandering off."
Topaz and Neo follow Leo into the desert, making sure to stick close to the cart. While walking they keep their eyes peeled for any signs of an incoming grimm attack. A few hours into their journey, Topaz notices a strange scent and looks toward Leo. Seeing Leo with his head on a swivel lets him know Leo smells it too. Seeing the sand get tossed up a quarter mile away and moving fast, Topaz lets the other two know what he sees. The moving sand gets closer and closer before a giant worm grimm pops up. It stands around seven feet tall and fifteen feet long.
Leo: "It's a deathmaw, you two stay back!"
The deathmaw roars at the three, Topaz sees rows and rows of teeth. Each tooth six inches long and serrated. Leo stands in front of the cart making sure to keep the deathmaw focused on him. Leo grabs his spear out of the cart and faces the deathworm. The deathworm lunges at Leo, who deftly dodges its attack and stabs into its flank as it passes. Topaz and Neo watch in fascination at the skilled movements. Topaz feels like something is off so he turns to look behind them, and sees another deathworm approaching. Topaz stands in front of Neo and tells her to stay behind him. Topaz walks forwards a little bit and calmly watches as a deathworm larger than the last one surfaces in front of him. Topaz notes that this one stands around ten feet tall and around twenty feet long, and has even more teeth.
Leo: "Topaz stay back! That's an alpha!"
Topaz: "Don't worry about me, take care of the one in front of you, I'll keep this one busy until then."
Leo: "Fine, but you better stay alive."
Topaz takes a deep breath and then transforms himself into his lion form, and faces the deathworm. Topaz jumps at the deathworm and rakes his claws along its left flank, earning a rurious roars from the deathworm. Jumping away and then turning to face the deathworm again, Topaz notices that it isn't moving as quickly. Using that to his advantage, Topaz quickly jumps around the deathworm and claws and bites it at every opportunity. Dodging a tail strike from the deathworm, Topaz takes a moment to catch his breath and observe the deathworm. The deathworm slithers around the sand while facing Topaz, mouth agape and teeth showing. Topaz hears a shrill cry from behind him, so he takes a quick glance to see Leo finishing his deathworm off.
Leo: "Ho-ly Gods. Topaz is that you."
Topaz transforms back into his normal form.
Topaz: "Yeah it's me. Why?"
Leo: "You really are a Nemea tribe descendant."
Topaz: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Leo: "Our tribe has always had an inherited semblance. We can all transform into the form of a lion. You however, can become so much larger than normal. I think the only two people that can come close are the chief and his father, but even they are dwarfed in comparison. Which I guess makes sense in the end."
Topaz: "Can you only transform into lions?"
Leo: "Yes, why?"
Topaz: "Prepare to have your mind blown old man."
Topaz takes a deep breath and transforms into a white rhino. He watches smugly as Leo stares at him eyes wide, jaw on the floor. Hearing a roar, Topaz and Leo return their focus onto the alpha deathworm which is charging at Topaz. Topaz lowers his head and ducks below the gaping maw of the deathworm. Lifting his head whilst beneath it, Topaz sinks his two horns into its neck. Transforming back to normal, Topaz uses the extra mobility to separate from the deathworm. The deathworm stands tall and cries into the air, causing Leo to stiffen next to Topaz. The alpha buries itself into the sand and hides.
Leo: "Shit, not good!"
Topaz: "What?"
Leo: "It's calling for help."
Topaz: "Oh... well damn."
Topaz and Leo make their way over to the cart and Neo as soon as it buries itself.
Leo: "You two need to run, follow the path and you'll shortly arrive at the village."
Topaz: "No, I'm not running. Neo, you stay hidden in the cart. Leo and I will head off a little way off but still within your line of sight to draw their attention. Do not come out until we come back, please."
Neo shakes her head and tears begin to form.
Topaz: "Neo, I will be right back. I promised you I wouldn't do anything too dumb, didn't I? Don't you worry, I'm not planning on leaving you all alone out here. Love you."
Kissing her on her forehead he backs away and gives her a reassuring smile. Neo blushes slightly and looks him into his eyes. She opens her mouth and scrunches her face up.
Neo: "y-y-you'd b-better come b-back. I l-love y-you t-too."
Topaz looks at her with surprise when he hears her raspy voice. Even as raspy as it was, her voice was soft and sweet. He could tell that speaking those few words took a lot of effort and caused her some pain. Wrapping his arms around her and giving her a loving hug, he couldn't help but whisper into her ear.
Topaz: "You have such a lovely voice, but you know you don't have to push yourself to such extents Neo. You are perfect as you are."
Leo: "Topaz, if you are coming then let's go!"
Topaz: "Be right back Neo."
Topaz rushes after Leo and the two of them make their way into the open sand. On their way over, Leo grabs a fire dust crystal and throws it into the air. As soon as it goes up, Topaz grabs a rock and hits the dust out of the air, creating a large fireball in the air.
Leo: "Glad you can think on your feet. Hopefully the tribe will see that and send out some of the warriors."
Topaz: "So how many should we expect with this?"
Leo: "I'm not sure to be honest. I can't remember the last time someone injured an alpha deathworm enough to cause it to call for reinforcements."
Topaz: "Nice. Well let's do this."