Always
"Again."
Pale fingers glide across the surface of his armor, leaving burning trails that pass right into his skin and ignite a heat from within. She slides with him through the motion as he takes an aggressive slash at the air, the guttural roar of a battle cry rising from his rumbling chest. The air seems to chase the foreign sound, creating a forceful wind which follows the powerful strike.
"And again."
Grip reversing, he twists his body along with his blade in accordance with her slight play of puppetry. The forceful gale becomes a howling wind, more powerful still with the added force of the combo's last strike. She appraises him for a few moments before smiling softly.
"Okay…" she giggles, emerald irises shining brightly in the moonlight. "Now, assuming you aren't cheating, we can take a break."
He falls to his bottom in exhaustion, sighing softly and relishing in the gentle caress of the wind as the cool late-night air blows through his blonde locks. He's disappointed in his lack of progress, yet again, and in times like these he feels she can read him like an open book, because she speaks again:
"I know this can be frustrating." She chides gently, most likely speaking from her own experiences. "And sometimes you can feel like you put in so much effort to progress such a small amount, but… I want you to know… I'm proud of you. I've never met someone so determined to better themselves. You've grown so much since we've started training, and I know this is just the beginning…"
He grins as a bittersweet feeling sweeps across him. She continues as if she doesn't notice.
"Jaune…"
His smile falls as she calls his name, almost desperately. She struggles to form her next words.
"I… I… I want you to know just how happy I am simply to be a part of your life." She finally finishes, although seeming dissatisfied with her choice of words nonetheless. His grin is all but gone now, and he's only faintly holding on to the barest whisper of a smile as he stares aimlessly at the stars.
"I'll always be here for you, Jaune."
He chokes back a sob as the recorded message begins rewinding itself yet again, her face contorting in strange ways as the video plays in reverse until she's stopped once more at the beginning.
"I love you too, Pyrrha." He whispers desperately to the night.
"Alright Jaune, just like we practiced. Follow these instructions:" she orders in a stern but caring manner. Her phantom limbs once again twist around his form in a sick mockery of a marionette, pulling him into position in time with each command.
"Shield up."
The golden trim recently fitted onto the device once belonged to hers.
"Keep your grip tight."
It's the same with his sword.
"Don't forget to keep your front foot forward."
He shifts a fraction of an inch until his delusional memory of her is satisfied.
"Ready? Go."
His sword arcs down with deadly force, and he's faintly aware that the agonizing cry he's hearing echoing in the forest is coming from his own mouth. The tempest that comes from behind him fares no better than the last in providing anything more than dramatic flare, but he can't quite bring himself to care. Nothing really matters right now. Nothing except her voice, and her touch, spurring him on ever further as he screams to the world the heart-rending emotions he's accrued over the time without her.
"Again."