Within the dark cesspool of the grimlands lied a solitary white castle standing alone with the vast, dead, wasteland that surrounded it. With Grimm crawling away from the many black pools of mud and the red skies that seem to signify the end-times. Inside the castle lied a meeting room where in the middle was a purple table and surrounding it were 5 individuals. Cinder sat on one side with the scorpion faunus, Tyrian, crouching on his seat one chair away from Cinder he seems unable to contain himself as he looked around the room while waiting for their master. Opposite them were Watts, with his elbows resting on the table and hands in front of his face just below his moustache observing everyone, and Hazel, his burly arms crossed and eyes closed patiently waiting. Both sitting in the same seating arrangement as the former two.
And one certain blonde sat neither at the sides of the two groups but at the middle where he would be opposing the seat of their master, he wore a grey blazer over his black hoodie, wearing black formal slacks with black leather wingtip shoes that have rubber soles for better movement and on his face, a white mask blessed with the design of his master's emblem.
In remnant, he is known as an information broker called Shadow Seer. He removed his mask which revealed the face of a young man about to reach eighteen years of age with perfect blue eyes that would have any girl faint. He showed no expression as he closed his eyes and put the mask on the table.
Beacon has finally fallen under the hands of Cinder. And Ozpin, the headmaster, bit the dust. Years of plans upon plans have finally come into fruition.
But at what cost? Jaune asked himself.
He then looked at his white mask on the table then his attention came towards Cinder as she snapped her fingers to call upon the attention of Mercury and Emerald. The pair approached Cinder with Emerald pushing Mercury away to stand next to their 'employer'.
"Yes, yes. Keep your posse in check." Watts fixed his collar as if acknowledging them disgusted him. Mercury tried to react but Emerald stopped him.
"You hear that? Silence. I've half the mind to thank the little girl that bested you." The corrupt politician finished.
Tyrian fiddled with his hands and spoke. "If I were you, I'd hunt her down. Find her, and" He paused "Well, he took your eye, didn't she?" He laughed maniacly.
Probably thought of a joke and found it too funny to express.
Cinder tried to speak. But couldn't and opted to have Emerald talk for her by whispering towards her. This action caused Jaune to bite his lower lip.
"Pathetic. Why did you even-" Watts was interrupted when the door opened and their master entered the meeting room. To which everyone stood up in attention.
The woman's skin was deathly pallor, covered with deep red and purple veins that run up her arms and face. The sclerae of her eyes are jet black and her irises glow red. She has a black diamond-shaped marking in the center of her forehead. She was wearing a very long black robe with red designs resembling eyes. She also wears a ring resembling an insect on her right index finger. She has white hair formed into a bun with six offshoots from which ornaments are suspended.
This was his Master. This is Salem.
She walked towards the end of the room in front of her favored scented-candles with her back towards them.
"Watts." She called out and turned to face them. "Do you find such malignance necessary?" Their master held up her hand and gestured everyone to be at ease and take a seat in which everyone obliged except for Cinder's lackeys and Watts.
Jaune sat down and crossed his legs.
Watts apologized. "I'm just not fond of failure." He sat down.
"Then I see no reason for your cruelty towards young Cinder. She's become the fall maiden, destroyed Beacon Tower and most importantly, killed dear Ozpin." She smiled. "With the help of Jaune of course." Everyone looked at him.
"Your words honor me, milady." The blonde bowed.
"To what 'failures' are you referring?" Their master asked with a soothing voice.
"Well, the girl with the silver eyes." Watts replied. When he did so the table at Jaune's part cracked.
Cinder looked at him with worry.
"Jaune. Calm yourself you are in the presence of our master." Hazel scolded with his gruff voice.
Tyrian gave a perverse smile at the blonde's anger.
"It's okay, Hazel. I understand Jaune's rage. And besides, I do love seeing Jaune's power reaching new heights like this." Salem smiled calmly.
Jaune realized that his killing intent was mixing with his Aura and leaked out of him. He coughed and went red in embarrassment. "I apologize, master. I'll see to it that it never happens again." He looked down on the table and the conversation continued.
Hazel spoke up. "We've dealt with their kind before. So the question is, how is it a novice was able to best one of us?"
"My thoughts exactly. Even without her new powers it should have been effortless." Watts said.
"It was BECAUSE of the maiden's power." Salem explained
So, that's why I wasn't harmed even though I was also near them when that Ruby activated her powers. Jaune gritted his teeth.
"Which is why you will remain by my side while Jaune gives you treatment whenever he is here." Salem winked at Jaune.
Jaune shuffled nervously in his seat as he blushed when Cinder looked at him.
Fuck, now I'm being teased. Should not have asked master for permission to court Cinder when we were in a meeting. He gave himself a facepalm inside his mind and their meeting continued.
When it ended it seems like Watts is going to Mistral while Tyrian is going to hunt for Ruby's team due to Cinder's suggestion. Hazel is going to talk to Sierra Khan while I'll continue my job as an information broker. Everyone left but Jaune's master asked him to stay a bit.
Salem walked towards one of the windows and beckoned Jaune to watch the surroundings with her.
"Jaune. Tell me. How many years has it been since you drifted here and lost your memory?" She asked.
Jaune pondered. "About seven years milady."
Salem chuckled. "Yes, and 6 years ago you asked if you could take Cinder's hand in marriage."
Technically, no but I can't say that.
"Yes, I did milady."
Salem faced him "Tell me, Jaune. When I mention the name Ruby. How does it make you feel." She walked behind him.
Jaune took a deep breath. "Nothing."
Salem held his shoulders. "Oh, don't give me that Jaune. Tell me the truth. Is it fear? Sadness? Pity? Or is it-" Her lips got close to his ear and she whispered. "Vengeance?"
Jaune closed his eyes to hold back his corrupted Aura from leaking out but failed. Black smoke started seeping away from his body. He gritted his teeth.
The woman he loves was hurt by that silver-eyed bitch! She lost an eye. He was there. When the bright flash of light devoured the top of beacon tower Cinder's left eye was bleeding and it was gone. The image of it still fresh in his mind as burnt skin smoked. He was close to pulling the trigger on the collapsed scythe wielder. But he didn't. He was low on Aura and Cinder was bleeding. He didn't want her to die. He didn't want her hardwork to fail. So, as he saw the grim dragon frozen and turned into a rock. He lifted Cinder away from Beacon and had Neo teleport her away as he tied loose ends.
'Do the right choice Jaune, your family wouldn't want this'
This was Ozpin's last words before Jaune went back and popped a bullet to the headmaster's brain.
Jaune finally calmed down and all his anger dissipated. He opened his eyes and saw his reflection in the window. His right eye was the same as his master's Black sclera and red iris with veins crawling away from them. His skin's coloration was still the same but a few of his hair turned white. He wasn't surprised. He knew about his bloodline. He knew who he was. He knew who Salem is.
Moments later his appearance went back to normal.
"You need better control Jaune. Or else you'll be found out. I'm sure everyone in this castle was able to feel your power." Salem walked away and exit the room.
/-/
He was walking by the castle hallways; its grey walls and dark purple curtains truly give the theme of menacing. To Jaune it was needless aesthetics because he doubts humanity could ever reach this place at all without wiping themselves off remnant in the process.
He saw Mercury and Emerald standing in front of Cinder's room.
"Hey you two. Sorry about Watts." He scratched the back of his head as he apologized for his colleague.
"It's no biggie Jaune. It's not your fault" Mercury gave him a small grin and Emerald just aggreed.
"She there?" the blonde pointed at the door.
They both nodded.
"You guys have some rest. I'll take care of her." Jaune gave a grin.
Mercury understood and shrugged then pulled Emerald away from them. "See ya"
Jaune gave Mercury a fist bump as they left.
The blonde took in a deep breath. And knocked on Cinder's door. "Its me, Jaune. Can I come in?"
The door opened to reveal Cinder wearing a scarlet bathrobe. Clearly, she just came from her bath since her hair was still damp. She nodded and gestured Jaune to enter. To which the boy did and closed the door behind him and locked it in the process.
Cinder sat on her bed, the kind that royalty had with its own roof and hanging curtains. Cinder loved red and her furniture would always be described as extravagant and fancy.
Jaune nodded in understanding that Cinder is ready for her treatment. He removed his blazer and hanged it on the chair by her table and sat next to her, totally ignoring her creamy white thighs or how the water from her bangs would drip between her exposed cleavage. Nope, he didn't notice those at all. Not at all.
He swallowed his saliva and held Cinder's face gently with both hands. His forehead on top of hers. He let his Aura flow into her and she graciously accepted as Jaune's semblance did its magic on her.
Jaune's semblance had the power to regenerate his cells in a fast pace. It was a rare semblance even in the history of remnant but the ancient power of the silver-eyed girl was too powerful for Jaune's semblance to heal. The best he could do was ease the pain Cinder felt from being struck by Ruby's power.
Something warm trickled down Jaune's cheeks. He opened his eyes and realized he was in tears. He pulled away and stared at the woman in front of her. Her long hair cut short, her right eye gone and her pristine face scarred.
"I'm sorry." He cried. "I'm so, so sorry. If only I'd been stronger." I could've healed you. I could've saved you.
I should've killed her.
Cinder shook her head. "Jaune… It's not… Your fault." She strained to speak. And opted to pull Jaune towards her chest. "You… Did you… best. And in the… end… We succeeded." She played with his hair.
Jaune sniffled. "I should be the one comforting you. And yet here I am." He pulled away and gave an awkward smile with his bloodshot eyes.
"I… love you." Cinder's face came closer to the blonde.
"I love you too." And so, did Jaune's.
Their lips met and they knew too well where this exchange would lead to. Jaune removed his hoodie and pants before pulling away Cinder's bathrobe.
Tomorrow He'd leave for his job. Tomorrow he will return to being an information broker and she, a fall maiden.
But tonight.
Tonight, they were for each other.
/Chapter 1 end/
Aaaaand with that chapter one ends. How is it? Are ya'll excited? Are ya'll curious how this is gonna play out? I sure am!
Now normally. Normally Cinder IS NOT like this. She's ruthless. She's calm. She's manipulative. But lets take into factor that they've known each other for years in this story. 7 YEARS. The cover image is Salem's emblem hence the design on Jaune's mask. :D
Anyway. Next chapter is the true prologue. Where E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G Starts. :D
ANW please, favorite, and follow if you think its worthy. And give a review while yer at it. I need character references for Salem and/or Cinder. Or maybe I'd just go with what my instincts would tell me. I mean Transmigration of the soul was based on instincts first then polish it with some physics and realism!
PLES REVIEW!
Thanks and see ya'll next time!1111!1111oneoneoneoneoneoneoneoneone