Raptor's POV

Nora needed rest and she couldn't do that if she was walking, which is why I had to carry her. She was carried across my chest diagonally while Ren just walked next to me in silence. I could tell the boy was tired after three days of walking but I wasn't due to my extra terrestrial abilities, I had to walk for several days at a time when I first arrived here on this planet but a part of me kept on forgetting that these were kids no less. They needed to keep going if they were to make it to town and if it meant I had to carry both children then so be it.

"Seven..." Ren murmured quietly. I said nothing but turned to the pink-eyed boy and nodded in his direction, indicating my attention was caught.

"Can we stop? I'm tired and my feet hurt." Ren said. I said nothing for a few minutes before I readjusted Nora to sleep on one of my shoulders before picking Ren up and letting him set his head on my other shoulder. We needed to keep going and picking the children up was like picking up a pillow since both were light as feathers in my arms.

"Rest." I said. Ren blinked a bit before he nodded then closed his eyes, looking down at the ground as it passed by before he started to fall asleep shortly after.

It was silent for a while as I just walked with the two children in my arms, our destination was still days away and I wanted to be there as soon as possible so I could get Nora to a clinic so her illness could be handled. Sure I could just fly there to save up on time, but that would be dangerous and irresponsible as I reveal my ability to fly. Maybe when the Pantheruos Army comes.

Tens of minutes seemed to pass by quickly before that stretched into hours and then some. Both of them were still sleeping and I still walked towards the town.

3rd Pov

Some hours passed by before the three of them reached a waterfall and Raptor woke them up. It took several minutes but eventually they woke up and he sat them near the shore then sat down next to them. The only sound was the crashing of the water against the rocks and some of the wildlife going about their business. Eventually, he stood up and spread his cloak out before dumping the contents in his bag and spreading them out to take an inventory. Food was getting a little scarce, he had some water to fill up his canteen, medicine was still somewhat abundant, and he had plenty of ammunition for his guns. Nora and Ren sat quietly and just looked at the waterfall before their stomachs started to rumble loudly, catching the attention of the Pantheruo.

"Why didn't you two say anything?" He asked.

"We were afraid you would get angry." Nora muttered. He didn't say anything but just stood up and began to look around for a couple of sturdy looking sticks before he found some then sat down next to them.

They watched as he silently brought out his knife and began to sharpen the sticks at a speed they couldn't catch on for the next several seconds. It wasn't long after did they see three perfectly sharp wooden spears next to them before he handed two of them to both of them while he picked up the last.

"What's this for?" Ren asked.

"I am going to teach you how to catch fish. This is an important survival skill when no food is available." He answered and guided them to the river, where some fish could be spotted. Time seemed to slow down for him and he steadied his breathing before his arm seemed to turn into a blur and the wooden spear stabbed through a fish.

It wiggled wildly for a few seconds in agony before it eventually went still and he placed it on a nearby rock. He looked at the two of them and they tried to mimic what he had done. Their clothes got soaked the more they tried and eventually they grew frustrated when they couldn't catch a simple fish. They noticed that Raptor didn't grow angry or even show any disappointment at their results, just simply observed from his spot with his arms crossed.

"This is hopeless!" Nora cried out and threw her stick before erupting into a coughing fit then sat down. Ren simply set his stick down and sat next to her, patting her back until the coughing stopped. This went on for a minute before she stopped, she blinked when Raptor held out some medicine for her.

While she practically forced it down and her face turned green from it, he was kneeling next to Ren and showing him how to spear fish efficiently. Silently taking his right hand and placing it over the young boy's calmly, he guided his hand to the nearest fish. He offered tips on how to catch fish efficiently then let go at the last second and watched as the wooden spear impaled the fish. Ren's eyes lightened up brightly when he realized he was the one who killed it and gave a small cheer before running in the water to retrieve it.

The two of them caught one more fish and Raptor showed them how to start a fire easily, instructing to be very careful not to burn themselves when starting one. He merely showed them and gave them emotionless instructions while letting their mistakes be their learning point. He barely spoke and let them learn through their mistakes, but it seemed they were quick learners.

The next thing that was taught was how to gut and clean a fish, throwing away all the unnecessary parts while keeping the parts that could be eaten. While he wasn't much of a talker, to which they noticed, he did teach them different techniques in order to survive. It was one of the reasons why he was so adored by them, he was merely teaching them how to survive. Though they did wish he talked more, for each time he talked it seemed to bring a smile to their faces, even if he didn't really show anything other than a cold, calculative tone.

In his downtime when serving the Pantheruos Army, he would read survival tactics in the wilderness then apply them when he could on colony planets. He was taught to survive, despite most of his missions being suicide ones, he survived regardless. It was one of the reasons as to why he was so stubborn to die when alone. In some cases he was the prey that bit back while in others he was the predator that killed without mercy. He was always in the back observing his prey, learning their patterns and behavior, their weaknesses and strengths before he lunged for their necks and took their lives.

As they ate their meal of freshly caught fish, Nora wrinkled her nose. "Seven... this fish is kind of bland."

"I can't do anything about that," Raptor replied, his tone flat as he tilted his helmet up and ate in silence. The children exchanged glances, curious about the face hidden beneath the helmet but too respectful to pry.

"Ren, can you add some flavor to this?" Nora asked, holding out her piece of fish.

"I don't really know how," Ren admitted.

"Oh... well, I'll eat it anyway since you caught it," she said with a bright smile. Ren smiled back, and they both continued eating quietly. Raptor observed them with a smirk, his attention returning to the map in his lap. He observed it for a while before he felt Ren and Nora peek over his shoulder and observe the map with him in silence.

After a while and looking at the surrounding area, he marked an area that seemed to have a section with a space and marked it as the next settlement. The next hour and a half was spent teaching them how to read a map and the surrounding area, it was a blessing that they were fast learners because come the next town he had to leave them. They may not have liked it and grown attached to him over the past two weeks, but it was bound to happen eventually.

He didn't realize the impact he would have on these two in the future, shaping it because he decided to teach them.

Raptor's POV

The next several days were a test of endurance and will, not just for the kids but for me as well. It wasn't the physical strain—I was built for that—but the emotional weight that clung to every step. The road to the next town was filled with lessons, each more crucial than the last. I taught Ren and Nora how to read people, to recognize danger in a glance, and to defend themselves if needed. Simple, effective moves that could buy them time to escape. They were quick learners, but I knew the real test would come when they had to apply these skills without me.

Sewing was another skill I passed on. Clothing wasn't something you could take for granted out here. I showed them how to patch up tears, reinforce seams, and even make basic repairs on the go. Their cloaks, though simple, would serve them well in the nights ahead—keeping them warm and hidden when necessary.

When we finally reached the town, I knew the moment I'd been dreading had come. After securing a place for them to stay, I broke the news. Predictably, they broke down, tears streaming down their faces as they pleaded with me not to leave. I stood there, awkwardly holding my arms out as they clung to me, my discomfort growing with each passing second.

Eventually, I knelt down, bringing myself to their level. They looked at me with red, puffy eyes, and for a moment, I hesitated. But I had to be clear with them—honest.

"I won't lie to you two. This moment has been coming for the past two and a half weeks. While I'm not staying, I've taught you enough to survive. This world is cold and cruel, and it's no place for children. But you must bear that burden now." My voice was steady, but I softened it as much as I could.

They blinked away tears, focusing on my words.

"What are we going to do?" Nora's voice was small, almost drowned by the uncertainty in her eyes.

"You will survive. Compared to others, you're at a disadvantage. But that's why you must rely on yourselves and each other." I placed my hands on their shoulders, feeling the weight of my words settle on them. It wasn't easy—none of this was—but it was necessary.

"Why do you have to leave?" Ren's voice cracked, each word a struggle.

"It's something that must happen." I had no other way to explain it, and the tears welling in their eyes told me they didn't fully understand. I sighed inwardly. Fucking hell... I placed a hand on each of their heads, looking into their eyes, though all they could see was their reflection in my black visor.

"Take care of one another..." I finally said, standing up. As I began to walk away, I could feel their eyes on me, the weight of their sadness heavy in the air. But I didn't stop. Not until I was nearly out of sight. Then, I looked over my shoulder one last time and gave them a simple Pantheruos Military salute—a closed fist over the heart.

They waved, their hands frantic, desperate to hold on to that last moment. And though they couldn't see it, I smiled beneath my helmet. As I disappeared into the crowd, blending into the wild once more, I knew they'd be alright. I'd taught them enough to survive, and I'd left an ONI agent behind to keep watch, disguised as one of the caretakers.

As I moved through the wilderness, I reflected on the impact I might have left on those two. I hadn't just taught them how to survive; I'd given them a glimpse of what it meant to be like me—a solitary figure who hunted, defended, and existed in a world that cared little for the weak. Perhaps one day they'd remember me not just as a wandering soldier, but as someone who had shown them how to find strength in themselves.

3rd POV

The days since Raptor had left Nora and Ren had blended into one another, a continuous cycle of travel, combat, and evasion. The memories of the two children were still fresh in his mind, but he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. His presence in the frontier towns had become something of a local legend. Whispers spread of a cloaked figure with a Panther insignia who appeared out of nowhere, dealt with the Grimm or bandit threats with ruthless efficiency, and then vanished into the night without so much as a word.

His movements were as unpredictable as they were precise. Never staying in one place for too long, Raptor made sure that anyone who tried to track him would quickly lose his trail. If they proved hostile, he dealt with them in the most permanent way possible. If they were simply curious, he disappeared with such skill that it left them questioning if he had ever been there at all.

News traveled slowly in these remote areas, a stark contrast to the speed of information in Atlas. By the time word reached a town that the mysterious cloaked man with the Panther insignia had been sighted, he was already miles away, gathering supplies for his next journey. The tales of his deeds grew, each retelling adding more mystique to the legend of the wandering soldier. Some spoke of him as a ghost, a phantom who fought the Grimm and bandits alike; others believed he was a myth, a story concocted to give hope to the hopeless.

Despite the isolation and the endless battles, Raptor kept a strict routine of sending reports back to ONI and the Pantheruos Military Spaceship that orbited the planet. His reports were concise, detailing the threats he encountered and the status of the frontier towns. It was clear from his transmissions that he had little desire to remain on this planet longer than necessary. He saw himself as a soldier with a mission—to fight against the threats that plagued this world and to secure it, if possible.

But beyond the immediate objective of survival and protection, Raptor harbored a hope that a peace treaty could be established with the leaders of this world. He understood the balance of power; if this planet's inhabitants ever threatened the Pantheruos Military, they could be wiped out without much effort. The technology gap was too vast, and the Pantheruos Military could easily bombard the planet from orbit, erasing all traces of resistance.

Yet, Raptor knew that such an outcome was not the Pantheruos way. His parents, both generals in the Pantheruos Military, had instilled in him the value of preserving life whenever possible. They would never order the annihilation of a planet's population if there was even a remote chance of peaceful resolution. The Pantheruos were warriors, but they were not mindless destroyers. They understood that war, while sometimes necessary, was never the first choice when other options were still on the table.

Raptor's journey through the wilderness of this foreign world was one of solitude, but it was not without purpose. He moved from town to town, from battle to battle, driven by a sense of duty and the faint hope that one day, he might be able to lay down his weapons and return to the stars. But until that day came, he would continue his mission—protecting the weak, vanquishing the wicked, and keeping a watchful eye on the world he had been tasked to safeguard.

Raptor had decided it was time to leave the continent. His instincts told him that staying in Mistral any longer would only draw unnecessary attention, and he had no interest in becoming involved in anyone else's conflicts or causes. The thought of someone trying to recruit him, or worse, attempting to control him, was enough to make him wary. He had no intentions of being manipulated or forced into service, whether by an ill-willed company or a Huntsman Academy. His objective was clear—get off this continent and onto the next, where he could continue his mission without the constraints of this world's chaotic politics.

When he entered the next town, one that still stood intact, he quickly searched for a shop that might have the supplies he needed. Luck was on his side when he found a small, quiet store with an outdoor supplies section. The cashier, a bored-looking man, barely glanced up from the window as Raptor walked in, the bell above the door ringing loudly in the otherwise silent shop.

Raptor scanned the shelves but couldn't find what he was looking for. He approached the cashier, his voice calm and even as he asked, "Do you have a mortar and pestle?"

The cashier raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the request. "Wow, first customer in a while, and he asks for something nobody would usually ask for. What's the reason?"

"Medicine," Raptor replied, his tone giving nothing away.

"You're in luck," the cashier said with a hint of pride. He disappeared into the back of the shop and returned a few minutes later with a mortar and pestle, along with a book.

Raptor glanced at the book, then back at the cashier. "I did not ask for this book."

The man shrugged nonchalantly. "Consider it an added bonus. It's got information on different herbs and their effects. Useful to know so you don't accidentally poison yourself."

Raptor said nothing, but threw a few lien cards onto the counter. As he turned to leave, the cashier called out to him.

"Hey, if you stop by my shop again, I'll try to have something ready for you every time," the cashier offered.

Raptor paused, his curiosity piqued. "...Why?"

The cashier smiled, a genuine expression of gratitude crossing his face. "As a thanks for saving that town about ten miles away. My sister was there. She said an armored man with a cloak saved everyone. Told me to thank him if I ever got the chance. Also, don't worry about the lien. It's on the house." The cashier paused, then added, "If you've got a map, I can mark my shop on it, so you always know where to find me."

Raptor's expression remained hidden beneath his helmet, but a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. He set his bag down, fished out his map of Mistral, and watched as the cashier carefully marked the location of the shop.

With a nod, Raptor took the map, stowed it away, and left the store. The encounter had worked out better than he had expected, but it also reinforced his decision to leave the continent sooner rather than later. The more people knew about him, the greater the risk that someone would try to exploit him.

His thoughts drifted as he continued his journey, recalling the two children he had left behind. Nora and Ren. They had looked up to him, admired him, and perhaps even wished to stay with him. But he couldn't allow it. He was no father figure, and the thought of raising children like his parents had raised him was unsettling. The best he could do for them was to leave behind the lessons he'd taught and hope they would guide each other in the years to come.

As he moved towards the docks, he caught a ride on a ship much as he had before—sneaking into a shipping container and hiding for several days until he reached the next continent. His destination this time was Vale, a place he knew little about but hoped would offer some respite from the chaos he had encountered in Mistral.

Upon arrival, he immediately noticed the differences. Vale was more densely populated, with far more people than he was comfortable with. And there were more Faunus—those with animal traits—walking among the crowds. His Panther ears twitched as he observed them, recalling what he had learned about them during his time in Mistral. The name "Faunus" made sense to him, a logical connection to the concept of fauna, the animal kingdom.

Navigating the city proved challenging. The streets were crowded, and protests seemed to erupt at every turn, blocking his path to the wilderness. He watched the authorities struggle to control the crowds, and he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. Here they were, in a world with threats far greater than petty racism, and yet they were still caught up in arguments over something as trivial as an extra set of ears. It was infuriating, and he quickly gave up trying to understand their mindset.

Instead, he pushed his way through the crowds, ignoring the dirty looks thrown his way, and began searching for a way out of the city and into the wild. The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the streets as the city lights flickered on, illuminating the night. Despite the darkness, the city remained bright, too bright for his liking.

Hours passed, and he finally stumbled upon a small store that was still open. It was one of the few places that hadn't closed for the night, and he figured it would be his best chance to gather some supplies before heading out into the wild. As he browsed the shelves, his Panther ears caught the sound of a commotion at the front of the store. Two red blips appeared on his motion tracker—hostiles.

His movements were swift and precise. He approached the first man, who had a gun pointed at the cashier, and gripped his wrist tightly, snapping the bone with a sickening crack. The gun went off, the bullet harmlessly embedding itself in the ceiling. The second man, taken by surprise, had no time to react before Raptor's boot connected with his shin, shattering the bone. Raptor then grabbed the man's collar and slammed his face into the counter, blood splattering as the man crumpled to the ground.

The first man, now in shock, stared wide-eyed at his fallen companion. Before he could scream, Raptor twisted his wrist further, breaking it with another loud snap, and aimed the barrel of the pistol at the man's eye. The trigger was pulled, and the man's body dropped to the floor, lifeless. All of this happened in a matter of seconds.

The cashier's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold, his fear evident as Raptor turned to face him. For a moment, their eyes met, and the cashier flinched, expecting the worst. But Raptor simply threw some lien cards onto the counter and left the store, disappearing into the night before the authorities could arrive.

The crowd outside the store watched in shock as Raptor walked through them, heading towards the gate that led out of the city. He ignored the murmurs and stares, focused only on his goal. He had already drawn enough attention to himself and had no desire to linger any longer.

After that, nobody in Vale saw much of him for a long while.