GRAE Ch.1, New Beginnings

Note: The older volumes of GRAE really aren't that good. Instead, lookup GRAE on fanfiction(dot)net. It's edited, revised, and I'm very proud of it.

“GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! DARKER THAN YOU’RE ALL USED TO BY NOW, BUT--”

 An arm clumsily slipped out from the covers, and landed on the alarm clock. Although annoying at this time of morning, the radio could not be more correct. Since mid-June, there had been nothing but sunshine. This morning, rain pounded the roof of the modest, brown house. A flash of lightning lit up the window. The lightning was followed by a loud crash of thunder, which shook the house to its foundations, rattling the windows.

 “Welcome back, old friend,” the owner of the arm muttered sarcastically. He fumbled around his lamp for a few seconds, searching for the light switch. When the lights came on, they were nearly blinding.

 He pushed himself up to a sitting position and looked to the golden envelope he had received months ago. He decided to read it one final time before leaving. It read:  
                 
  To Mister Greyson Zephyr Skye:             -BEACON ACADEMY-
I have the distinct privilege of congratulating you on graduating second in your class at Sanctum Academy.
In honor of your academic achievement, leadership, and battle skills,
you are cordially invited to Beacon Academy this Autumn.
Beacon Academy is widely renowned as the leading educational facility for young huntsman and huntresses across the grand region of Vale..
This academy will allow you to receive hands-on combat training against the Grim that haunts mankind to this day.
Once again, congratulations on your selection into this prestigious academy.
-Headmaster Ozpin.

 Greyson sleepily climbed out of bed, and used all of his willpower to grab his clothes for the day and head down the hallway to the shower. He looked himself in the mirror, his green eyes still weary from sleep, his storm grey hair all in a mess. Greyson looked just as terrible as every morning, as if today were no different.

 By the time he was out, both parents had awakened to see him off.

 “Be careful,” his mother advised with tears in her eyes. The fact she had even let Greyson attend Beacon was nothing short of a miracle. “Y-you remember what happened to your Cousin Rian...”

 Forgetting what happened to Rian was impossible for Greyson. Greyson was only five at the time, but he remembers the events clearly enough. One Sunday, big cousin Rian, whom Greyson looked up to with all his heart, was being sent to Beacon intact, the next Sunday, he was back home in two. To this day, Greyson remembers his cousin's last words to him: "see ya soon, bud. Maybe one day you can be as good as me!"

 “What your mother said.” Added his father, his usually lighthearted, joking demeanor was gone. “Study hard, be careful, and most importantly, don’t die.”

 Greyson chuckled a bit at the last statement, but his parents would not share the laugh.

 “So, goodbye guys. I’ll see you in June.” he said after a long pause as he walked out the door, weapons in their sheath, ready to take on his next challenge, Beacon Academy.