Jaune Arc's eyes fluttered open, as a bright ray of sun peaked through his bedroom curtains. Wrestling the sleep from his mind trying halfheartedly to keep his eyes from closing and returning him to blissful slumber. Jaune swung his legs out to the side of his bed and began his basic morning ritual.
Jaune got dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a black hoodie, and a pair of black and white running shoes. Running his fingers through his long blonde hair in an attempt to style the mop that sat atop his head. Satisfied he looked himself over in the mirror at the far corner of his room. Giving himself the once over to make sure he hadn't put anything on backwards, he nodded and looked at the results of his training. The young man had shoulder length blonde hair, and cerulean blue eyes. His face marred slightly with a cut across his nose from his father two days ago. Jaune's father was adamant about not unlocking the boy's aura until he could defend himself without it. Something about aura being a crutch from good huntsman or something like that. At the time Jaune thought it extremely unfair, but as their training progressed he learned why one shouldn't rely too heavily on one's aura. It often made those who rely on it too much lazy. They would drop their guard and take unnecessary hits. Often defeating their opponents with style instead of just finishing them outright.
Satisfied at his bodies natural growth he set off downstairs to get some breakfast and join his father for the early morning training session. As he sauntered down the stairs his mind looked into the near future and the excitement that would soon become Jaune's life.
At fourteen years old Jaune was set to join Signal Academy come the following week. He had trained hard with his father for the last two years. Every morning the two would wake up and trek out to a clearing in the forest near their house. From early morning to mid-afternoon the patriarch of the Arc family would run Jaune through the ringer. Drilling the finer details about swordplay into the young man. After returning from their training he would working with his mother until the evening on school work. After only two short years the boy could hold his own against his father rather well. Although Jaune thought his father was going easy on him. Well easy enough not to seriously cripple the aspiring huntsman. As Jaune found the last step of the stairs he was greeted by his father sitting at the dinner table a cup of coffee in one hand, and a fork full of eggs in the other.
Jerimiah Arc was the patriarch of the Arc family and father to eight children. Seven of which were girls. The man was built like a powerlifter with broad shoulders, and powerful limbs. Like Jaune he had long blonde hair, but he kept his tied back in a pony tail. A thick blonde beard covered his chin and upper lip. As the older man's cerulean eyes met Jaune's he offers the boy a smile and continued to ingest his eggs.
With a full mouth the older man said, "Nice of you to finally wake up I was about to send one of your sisters up to get you."
Jaune looked at the man curiosity playing across his face. "Which one?"
"Probably Julie." The man said with an evil grin.
Jaune's face filled with horror. Julie Arc was his little sister. Only a year behind him, the girl was a ball buster at the best of times. Then, Jaune's face calmed slightly as he shot back, "I don't know who would have it worse? You for waking her up or me for being the reason she's awake."
Jerimiah place a hand underneath his chin in a mock thinking pose. "Guess we'll never know, now that you're here and all." The two males shared a laugh and Jaune went over to the stove and loaded up a plate with eggs and bacon. The two men ate in silence until they heard a rumbling coming from upstairs.
Not thirty seconds later three girls clambered down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Morning kids." Jerimiah said to the three women standing before him.
Joan, the youngest of the bunch went up and gave her father a big hug. The young girl had long blonde hair that cascaded down her short frame and landed at the small of her back. Her baby blue eyes filled with merriment as she retold her father the wonderful dream she just had. Next was Candice, who looked like she just won a fight with an Ursa. The sixteen-year-old had blonde hair sticking out in every direction and heavy black bags underneath her dark blue eyes. She filled herself a cup of black coffee and stood next to Jaune and used his shoulder as an armrest. The last Arc spawn to enter the room was Cassandra. At twenty years old she was the third born child of Jerimiah and Natalie Arc. The fourth year of Beacon Academy was returning home for the two-week summer break. Wearing a tank top and short shorts she copied her father and little brother and filled her plate with breakfast stuffs.
Sitting next to her father she looked over to Jaune and asked, "Still training with this old fossil? You know I could show you some tricks that could really help you."
Jerimiah looked over to the half-dressed girl and said, "Who are you calling a fossil brat? I could still whoop your behind, just like I did all those years ago."
"Whatever you say old man." Cassandra shrugged earing herself and even more irritated look from her father.
"Thanks Cass, I really appreciate it." Jaune said as he looked up at his older sister. "But, you use a spear. Dad and I use swords and I'm still trying to learn."
Cassandra feigned a look of hurt and hung her head low looking like she was about to cry. Seeing this Jaune quickly tried to rectify his mistake.
"That doesn't mean I don't want to train with you too." Jaune exclaimed. "Maybe you could join us and I can train with you after I'm done with dad?"
Cassandra's head shot up and she gave her little brother a huge smile. Almost throwing herself over the table she enveloped Jaune in a bear hug and peppered him with thank you's.
Jerimiah just shook his head at how boneheaded his son was. After looking up at the clock he cleared his throat to get the kid's attention.
"If you two are done making a sideshow of yourselves. Maybe we can go out and actually train?" The bigger man said as Jaune snapped to his feet ready to go.
"Yeah, yeah, just give me a minute to put on some clothes and I'll be right out." With that Cassandra took off upstairs to get her combat attire and weapon.
"Jaune," Said Jerimiah as he looked at his son from across the table. "You need to learn to say no to women."
Jaune looked over to his father with a shit eating grin and said, "Don't you have like eight kids?"
"Yeah," Jerimiah retorted. "And you're one of those eight kids so if you like existing I'd stop complaining."
Jaune just rolled his eyes and was about to respond to his father when he noticed him headed for the door, sword in hand. Not wanting to be left behind Jaune grabbed his own practice sword and chased after his father.
Training had been even more brutal today thanks to Cassandra. By the time she caught up to Jaune and Jerimiah she had a perturbed look on her face and continued to scowl at the patriarch for leaving her behind. After Jaune and Jerimiah hand finished warming up and running through drill Cassandra offered to spar with Jaune. Always eager Jaune quickly agreed and even more quickly began to regret his decision.
Jaune lowered himself into his stance, shield in front and sword resting atop the shield. Cassandra took a relaxed pose with her spear resting across her shoulders. Not wanting to rush his opponent Jaune cautiously moved towards his sister. Then when he thought he saw an opening he lunged forward, sword coming around in an attempt to bisect her from left to right. Cassandra hopped backwards landing on the balls of her feet. As soon as she landed she shot forward, and with a spin to gain momentum drove her foot into Jaune's shield. The blow knocked Jaune off his feet and rolled head over ass until he was able to right himself and regain his footing.
Jaune shot forward again looking to attempt the same maneuver as before. Cassandra smirked and reacted as before with a hop backwards and a kick. This time however Jaune was ready. As the kick neared, Jaune angled his shield and his sisters foot glided off target. Looking like she was open Jaune drove the tip of his sword forward aiming at his sister's chest.
Cassandra continued to spin and Jaune's sword was knocked off course by his sister's spear still resting atop her shoulders. Cassandra, bringing her weapon around in one hand, swept Jaune's feet out from under him planting him once again on his back. With an overdramatic spin she stepped away from Jaune and waited for him to get back to his feet.
As Jaune once again got off the ground he was greeted by the sight of his sister playfully staring at him and beckoning him to come at her. Annoyed he had yet to land a blow on his older sister Jaune launched himself at her with renewed vigor.
The two siblings clashed for hours. Spear meeting sword and Jaune gaining a closer relationship with the ground. All the while Jaune's father was yelling commands at Jaune and correcting his mistakes.
In the middle of one of the siblings fights Jerimiah jumped in and began helping his daughter saying to the young would be huntsman, "You never known when the odds will be stacked against you boy. You need to be prepared for it."
The two older Arcs took turns battering Jaune until the sun was beginning to set. The three warriors stopping training only to eat and rest so Jaune could regain his senses.
"Alright I think that's enough for today." Jerimiah said after tossing Jaune into a nearby tree. "If you come home to banged up your mother is going to kill me."
"You should let me unlock his aura dad." Cassandra said to her father. "He might have stood a better chance against the both of us if he had it unlocked."
"No," Jerimiah said in a tone that left no room for argument. "I want to unlock it for him the day before he goes to Signal. That way he won't rely on it like the other kids."
Shaking her head Cassandra went to help her baby brother to his feet. Her father could be so stubborn at times. Although she could see the benefits of his training with Jaune as the three fought Jaune got better and better rarely making the same mistake twice. This included hours of almost nonstop fighting and Jaune never backed down. Her little brother was something special.
Smiling and offering Jaune a hand she said, "Good work today Jaune. You almost had us a couple of times."
Jaune awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and giving his big sister an easy smile.
"I don't know about that Cass," Jaune said. "It seemed like I spent most of the day hugging the ground."
"Oh," Cassandra said with a playful smile. "Then would you like a hug to make up for it?" She neared her brother, arms open wide when she heard a noise that made her blood run cold.
The sirens for a Grimm attack assaulted their ears and made the two siblings turn to face their father, worried looks spread across their faces. Jerimiah returned their stares for a second before turning and running in the direction of the village. The two younger Arcs followed not far behind.
As the three warriors neared the village known as Avon they were greeted by the sounds of screaming and battle.
"Jaune go home and make sure your mother and sisters are safe, Cassandra come with me we're going to help fight the Grimm."
Jaune looked at his father and began to protest. "But, Dad I can fight. I can help."
"No!" Jerimiah screamed. "I can't save people and look after you at the same time. Plus, I need you to make sure our family is ok."
Jaune looked at his feet ashamed his father just screamed at him. "Look son," Jerimiah said in a more relaxed tone. "It's not that I don't think you can help. But, I need to know our family is safe and Cassandra and I have to go and help save as many people as we can."
Jaune simply nodded and took off towards his home never looking back. He trusted his Father and Sister they were trained hunters they could take down some Grimm no problem.
As Jaune ran towards his home he was greeted by the bodies of his fellow townsfolk strewn about. Some had limbs missing and some had not been given the gift of a quick death. Around the bodies were small groups of Grimm Jaune had to avoid on his way to his home. The young man often had to sneak by the monstrosities as to not get assaulted by their ilk. Occasionally Jaune would engage some stragglers and make quick work of them. Never letting them call out to their evil brethren.
As Jaune made his way home he was greeted to the sight of his mother standing outside, a battle axe in hand slaughtering Beowolves and Ursa who thought her home an easy target. One swing after another the matriarch of the Arcs brought down the pesky Grimm.
"Mom," Jaune yelled as he neared his blood splattered mother. "Is everyone ok where are the girls?"
Natashia Arc dropped her weapon and scooped up her son in a tight hug, tears beginning to run down her cheeks. "Thank the gods your safe." Natashia said to her scared little boy. "Your sisters are inside where's your father and Cassandra?"
"They went to help the guards fight off the Grimm," Jaune told his mother in a hurried voice. "Dad sent me to make sure you and the girls were ok."
Natashia smiled at her son, "Such a brave boy you are, making it here all by yourself I'm so proud of you. Now come on we have to get to the shelter."
"But what about Dad and Cass?" Jaune asked his mother.
"Those two know what their doing I'm sure they'll be fine." Natashia said reassuring her son. "As for you I can't protect everyone by myself I need your help."
Jaune looked conflicted. On one hand he wanted to help his father and sister. On the other he needed to protect the rest of his family. Knowing his father would be upset if he came to the battle he decided on helping his mother.
"Alright I'll go and get the girls." Jaune said as he rushed inside his home.
Upon passing the threshold to his house he was assaulted by Joan as she began crying telling her brother how much she missed him. Jaune rubbed the top on the girl's head and told her that everything would be ok.
Looking up from his youngest sister he found the rest of the girls standing there smiling at their younger brother. Jaune gave each of them a hug and told them they were headed to the shelter and that they needed to hurry. A nod of acknowledgement came from each of them as they followed Jaune out of the house to where their mother was located.
Standing there with her long blonde hair blowing in the breeze the matriarch looked at her children and said, "Alright everyone let's get going." Hefting her mighty battle axe onto her leather pauldron cover shoulder the mother of eight took off towards the shelter, her children following close behind.
The Arc family ran in formation towards the waiting safe haven. Natashia in front taking care of the bulk of the Grimm the family ran into. Jaune near the rear picking off the stragglers and keeping his sisters away from the fighting.
The family encountered little resistance from the Grimm probably because of the battle ensuing on the other side of town. As the Arcs neared their location they were met with armed guards standing post trying to protect the civilians taking refuge inside the shelter. Said shelter was a steel and concrete building roughly three thousand square feet. A large metal door at the front of the building looked to be the only entrance. A quick nod for the guards and the Arcs began filing into the shelter Jaune in the back still protecting his family.
When all of the girls were inside the guards were assaulted by a large pack of Beowolves. In the rear of the pack stood the Alpha. Standing a full head and shoulders taller than its counterparts the beast was covered in white bone armor with spikes protruding from it's shoulders, knees, and forearms. With a mighty howl the leader of the pack sent its brethren to snuff out the humans cowering before them. The guards met the pack halfway and began to battle the beasts. Not long after man and beast met in combat it became clear to Jaune who the victor would be. Seeing the guards dying against the Grimm spurred the young warrior on and he turned and pushed his mother inside the shelter, then closing the heavy metal door keeping the civilians, and his family safe. Jaune then lodged a broken piece of metal into the doors handle to keep it from opening.
Behind him Jaune could hear his mother banging on the metal and screaming at him to open the door. Jaune simply turned and gave a small smile to his family and set off towards the pack of bone covered hell spawns.
Jaune joined the last couple of guards and began hacking away at the Beowolves in front of him. One by one the beasts fell to Jaune's blade. Alas one by one the guards fell to the Grimm's teeth and claws.
Now alone on the battlefield surrounded by ten remaining lesser Beowolves Jaune got back into his stance and set off against the Grimm. Two Beowolves leapt at Jaune from the front as Jaune dodged to the side missing one's claws by mere inches. Jaune then turned his body and brought his sword down on one of the creature's neck cleaving the head of the beast clear off his body.
As the second Beowolf landed it then turned to engage Jaune once again, but Jaune was ready for it. Jaune drove his sword into the monster's chest puncturing its heart. Jaune then pulled his sword out of the beast chest and backhanded the maw of the creature with his shield.
Hearing another of the Beowolves trying to lunge at him from behind Jaune launched himself upwards and backflipped over the creature. Not giving the beast another chance to strike Jaune leapt up onto the Beowolf's back and drove his sword into its neck. As the beast fell to its knees Jaune removed his sword and delivered a spinning slash that decapitated the beast.
Jaune stood ready as the seven remaining Beowolves began circling him waiting for an opening to strike. Jaune, wasting no time, decided not to give them one as he ran towards the Beowolf directly in front of him. The creature swung it's claw in a wide right hook attempting to slash at Jaune's face and neck. Jaune however dropped down and slid on his knees raking his blade across the monster's stomach. As the monster dropped to its knees attempting to keep its insides where they should be, Jaune plunged the tip of his blade through the back of the creature's skull. The tip of the sword exploded out the other side of the monster's head. Black blood and bits of bone showered the ground as the creature went limp and died.
The remaining Beowolves, tired of seeing their brethren dismantled at the hands of this pup, charged Jaune all at once. Jaune readied himself and maneuvered around the creature attempting to get them in a straight line. Satisfied at the beast's movements Jaune stepped forward, bashing his shield into the face of one of the creatures making it fall backwards into its fellows. Jaune then leapt up and drove the tip of his sword through the mouth of the first Beowolf and into the skull of the second. Both monsters dropped dead as Jaune turned to face the remaining beasts.
Confidence filled Jaune as he dismantled another Beowolf. 'I can do this. I can save everyone.' Jaune thought as he blocked a wide slash from another lupine Grimm. Jaune was about to counterattack when he felt an enormous pain shoot through his body. Jaune couldn't understand why though. Why was he feeling this much pain? As the boy looked down he saw three large claws puncturing through his stomach and chest. 'The Alpha. I forgot about the Alpha.' Thought Jaune as blood began to seep out of his mouth. With a mighty rip the Alpha pulled his claws from Jaune's body and backhanded the boy onto the ground.
Jaune watched as the five-remaining lesser Beowolves began moving closer to his body. The negative emotions pouring out of the boy was almost too much for them. The beasts glided forward attempting to savor the slaughter to come. But, before they took another step towards the mortally wounded adolescent the Alpha stepped in front of them. With a feral growl coming from their leader the smaller lupine Grimm backed off and let their leader end the poor boy's life.
The Alpha moved towards Jaune licking its chops and relishing in the negativity flowing forth from his broken body. As the beast drew within an arms-length Jaune lashed out one final time with his sword trying to cut off the creature's head. Jaune was afforded no such luck as the Alpha moved its head back at the last second saving its life but costing it a slash across the face. With an angry growl the beast swung its arm around connecting with Jaune's ribs and sending him skidding across the ground another fifteen feet.
Jaune knew with his last attempt he had angered the monster. The beast no longer wanted his quick end. As Jaune lay on his stomach trying to fill his lungs with something other than blood. The creature raked its claws across Jaune's back earning an excruciating scream from the young man. The Alpha then kicked Jaune in the side and rolled him painfully onto his back. This bastard wanted to watch Jaune suffer before he died. Jaune guessed the beast's reasoning was because he cut its face. If so Jaune took pride in the fact that he wounded the beast's fragile ego.
As the Alpha moved its jaws forward in an attempt to latch onto his neck, Jaune let out a gob of blood and saliva at the monster's wounded face. Anger played across the Alpha's features as his mouth shot down to end Jaune's life. Jaune simply closed his eyes and waited for the end.
The end never came however as a whimper began to sound from the beast atop of him. Jaune opened his eyes to see the Alpha, now twenty feet away from him struggling to get to its feet. Jaune slowly turned his head to the side and saw a man standing before him.
The man wielded a massive silver greatsword which he held in one arm and rested on his right shoulder. The man was tall, a couple inches over six feet with midnight black hair the cascaded down the back of his neck and blew in the wind. The man's silver half plate armor glistened from the light of the nearly setting sun. It was then that Jaune noticed the man's eyes. They were fixed upon him and were so blue they almost seemed white. They shined like a light in the darkness.
The man then moved towards Jaune and said, "Boy I offer you a chance. Accept my offer and I might be able to save your life." The man's stance never shifting from the Grimm at his front. He then lowered his shoulders and continued, "I offer you this chance to be more than you are. To be the bane of all Grimm kind. This path however might lead to your death. Do you accept?"
Jaune didn't know what to think. He knew he was already dying and without his aura there was no way he could heal these wounds in time to save his life. But, if this man could keep his promise and give him the chance to get back at the Grimm. To protect everyone he held dear in this world then he would gladly pay any price.
Jaune looked to the man and tried to speak, but no words came from his mouth. He tried again but again, nothing. So, he simply nodded and the man smiled. "My name Aedan and I'll be with you shortly, but first." The now named Aedan brought his undivided attention back to the six Beowolves in front of him.
Jaune watched as Aedan pointed his massive sword at the Alpha a taunt which the creature did not take kindly to. With a growl and a nod, the Alpha sent the five-remaining lesser Beowolves to charge the man. Three leapt into the and were quickly bisected by Aedan and his greatsword. The two-remaining lesser Beowolves attempted to flank the man, but it proved pointless. Aedan stepped back and let the two Grimm run into each other. He then swung his greatsword horizontally and cut the two in half. The bodies of the Grimm then began to dissipate into a black smoke. Said smoke began to move towards Aedan and the man seemed to absorb it somehow.
Just then the Alpha tried the same trick it had used against Jaune. It attempted to sneak up behind the preoccupied new comer. Alas the creature's tricks proved useless as Aedan spun around and grabbed the Alpha's wrist with his left hand. With all of the beast's weight forward with its strike Aedan was easily able to throw it off balance when he twisted the wrist outward and sent the Grimm into an uncontrolled cartwheel. Having lost its footing, the beast toppled over onto it's back where it was met with Aedan's silver greatsword punching through it's midsection and pinning it to the ground.
With the monster out of the fight Aedan stepped away and headed towards his pack that was not thirty feet from the battlefield. Inside he withdrew what looked like a goblet as he walked over towards the incapacitated Grimm. Aedan then reached behind his back and brandished a long dagger. Walking towards the Grimm he ran the blade across it's throat as a black substance filled the cup in his hands.
Aedan then walked over to Jaune and said, "We haven't much time I'm afraid for this ritual to work you must drink the blood of a dying Grimm before it becomes one with me, and that one is not long for this world."
Jaune looked over to the Alpha as he saw the red light of it's eyes slowly draining away with the loss of so much blood. "There is no time my friend," Aedan said to Jaune as he once again had his attention. "We must begin the ritual or you will surely die."
Jaune simply nodded as Aedan began to speak.
"It is in war we find our purpose. Through war we attain victory and become guardians of peace. In peace we remain ever watchful. Constantly vigilant against the tide of darkness that threatens to end us all. In death we find peace. Knowing our sacrifices helped turn the tide against the forces of evil. With this blood I awaken you. With this oath I imprison you. And through your deeds you shall be set free."
The cup in Aedan's hands began to blow a bright silver as he bent down and offered the goblet to Jaune to drink. Any thoughts of backing out had vanished from Jaune's mind upon hearing the words of the stranger before him. Steeling himself for whatever came next Jaune opened his mouth and drank the blood of the Alpha Grimm.
Jaune was awoken by the sun peaking through the curtains of his room. He tried to move his body but was met with a searing pain that shot through every cell of his body. Jaune fought the urge to scream as the pain reached its apex, but as soon as Jaune thought he was going to die from the pain it began to subside.
Once he was sure the pain was finally gone Jaune attempted to stand. Bringing his legs to the side of his bed like he had thousands of times before he began getting dressed but was stopped by his reflection in the mirror.
There on Jaune's torso were three fully healed claw marks. Jaune then turned around and saw the claw marks the Alpha had given him were also completely healed. Both wounds looking like nothing more than a bad scar. Jaune then realized his body looked different. Gone was most of the baby fat from the day prior. His body now looked like it had been chiseled from marble. However, this was not the biggest change he saw. Instead of his cerulean eyes he now had the same eyes as Aedan. A bright blue, almost white that seemed to cut through the darkness. He continued to admire himself when he heard a commotion coming from underneath his room. Throwing on a pain of jeans and a gray t-shirt Jaune headed downstairs to see what was going on. As he neared the bottom of the stairs he overheard his mother yelling at someone. Jaune crept closer to the bottom of the steps and got a good view of the kitchen where his mother and father, along with Cassandra, arguing with Aedan. Jaune was about to run down and thank the man for saving his life when his mother once again began to speak.
"It is out of the question," Natashia said with absolute certainty. "There is no way in hell you are taking our boy from us I don't care what you have to say."
"I'm afraid Mrs. Arc you don't have much of a choice in the matter," Aedan spoke in a calm and neutral voice. "Jaune agreed to come with me when I saved him on the battlefield."
"He was dying he would say anything to save his own life." Natashia shot back. "You can't possibly hold that over his head. As a huntsman its your job to save everyone you can."
"That would be true ma'am," Aedan once again spoke. "If I were a huntsman, alas I am not and your son agreed to an oath that binds him to my order."
Natashia looked at the man with murderous intent. "And what order might that be exactly huh?"
"The Guardians." The man stated matter of factly.
Natashia looked confused and said, "I've never heard of the guardians. For all I know you're just making things up."
Jerimiah's face told a different tale. "I thought the guardians were just a myth. A bedtime story parents tell to would be hunters to keep away the Grimm. They are supposed to be able to absorb the Grimm somehow. The tales said that it makes them stronger."
If that's the case," shot back an angry Natashia. "Why aren't there more of you huh?
Aedan looked down saddened. "There were more but sadly most are dead."
"Then why don't you just recruit more members?" Asked a confused Jerimiah.
"It isn't that simple," Began Aedan. "The ritual for a guardian's creation is dangerous."
"How dangerous?" Asked Jerimiah.
"The ritual kills nearly everyone we administer it to. Your son was already dying and it was the only way I could think of to save his life." Aedan said sadly but continued talking. "As for your previous statement Mr. Arc we are not a myth and I have the right to conscript Jaune if I so choose. I was hoping it would not come to that however."
"Conscript him?" Natashia shouted. "Who gave you the right to conscript anyone?"
"The King of Vale after the Great War." Aedan said as if this were second-hand knowledge.
"The King of Vale?" Natashia laughed. "Well the two brothers called and they said you can go to hell. Or, maybe I should get the four maidens in here. See what they have to say about it."
"Do you have any proof to validate what you are saying?" Jerimiah inquired.
"I have a written treaty signed by all four kingdoms after the Great War, as well as the signatures from every current headmaster of the four huntsman academies."
"And how do we know these aren't just faked?" Natashia asked.
"I can have Professor Ozpin on the phone to talk to you if you insist I'm telling you lies." Aedan shot back.
Natashia was taken aback by his offer. Jerimiah had once worked with Ozpin and the two were rather close. For this man to offer this suggestion, he must be serious or have a world class poker face. Either way the matriarch was going to call his bluff.
"I'll get him on the phone right now." Natashia said as she pulled out her scroll. If Aedan were worried he didn't show it as he sat there perfectly still.
"Hello?" Ozpin's voice rang out through Natashia's scroll.
"Hello Ozpin I was wondering if you had time to answer a question?" Natashia asked with a sweet tone.
"For the Arc family, of course." Ozpin replied.
"You see," Natashia began. "We have a guest in our home who claims to be a guardian. He also has a signed treaty and your signature to boot. Tell me this is all crazy."
The silence in the room was deafening. "Ozpin?" Asked a slightly scared Natashia.
"I'm afraid what this man says is the truth Natashia," Ozpin said in a downcast voice. "He is a guardian and by legal right has the authority to take whoever he needs to help his cause. I'm sorry."
Tears began welling in the matriarch's eyes. Her husband rushed over and wrapped his arms around his wife in an attempt to calm her.
"Thank you, Ozpin," Jerimiah said in a quiet voice.
"I wish it didn't have to be this way my friend, I am truly sorry." Ozpin said as he ended the call.
At this point nothing was stopping the title wave of emotions from overtaking Natashia Arc. Jaune then sick of hearing his mother cry rushed to her side, and like his father, wrapped her in a tight embrace. The sight of her son however had the opposite effect Jaune was looking for as she began cry even harder now. Natashia hugged the fourteen-year-old tightly like he was about to disappear. For all she knew he actually was.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way Mrs. Arc," Aedan tried to say but was cut off by the matriarch. Her rage building as she reached for her axe sitting in the corner. Brandishing the weapon at the guardian sitting before her she shouted, "I don't care who you are you are not taking my baby boy."
Aedan was reaching for his own weapon when Jaune got in between the two and said, "Please don't fight. Mom I want to go with him."
A look of betrayal flashed across Natashia's face as she looked at her son. "Why? Why Jaune, why do you want to go with him you don't know anything about him."
"I know that," Jaune began to say. "I don't know what it is but I just have this feeling that this is where I'm supposed to be."
Natashia looked at her son in confusion, "How could you possibly know that?"
"I just, I feel it in here." Jaune place his hand on his chest and stared at his mother with determination in his white blue eyes.
"I don't like this Jaune." His mother said as she dropped her weapon to the floor with a clang.
"I know but I'll be ok I promise." Jaune said as he gave her his trademark goofy smile.
The tears once again began to flow from Natashia's eyes as she wrapped her son in another tight embrace.
"I don't like it," She said again. "But, I won't stop you from doing what you think is right."
Jaune's face lit up and he returned the hug with renewed vigor.
"Thank you, mom, I promise I'll make you and dad proud."
Natashia continued to cry as she said, "I've always been proud of you honey. Never forget that."
Jerimiah walked over to the two and place a hand on his sons shoulders a smile cast across his face as he looked upon his son as a proud father.
The three Arcs soon broke off their embrace and Jaune turned to Aedan and said, "Alright I'm ready to go."
After Jaune said this however he was assaulted by his sisters who were listening to the entire conversation in the other room. For the next ten minutes Jaune explained why this meant so much to him and that he'd miss his sisters terribly. One of his sisters however was not in the huddle. It was Julie.
Jaune broke off from the other girls and made his way over towards his introverted sister. Jaune embraced her in a hug and she finally let her emotions get the better of her. She cried into Jaune's chest and said, "I don't want you to go."
"I know Jewels." Jaune said as he used the girls nickname.
She turned her head up and scowled at him. She hated that nickname. The scowls intensity was lessened however by her teary eyes and puffy cheeks.
"Make sure you take care of yourself." She said regaining her composure. "If you don't take this seriously I'll find you and kick your ass."
Jaune smiled at his baby sister he wouldn't disappoint her. He wouldn't disappoint any of them he swore it.
"I will, I promise," Jaune said with a goofy grin. "And an Arc never goes back on their word."
"Before you go Jaune," Jerimiah said as he stood between Jaune and Aedan. "I want you to have this." Jerimiah extended his hand and placed Crocea Mors against Jaune's chest.
"But, Dad," Jaune said in disbelief. "This is your sword. It's a precious family heirloom."
"My father gave it to me when he thought I was ready and now I'm giving it to you." Jerimiah said as he looked upon his son with pride. "Make sure you always act in a way to retain the honor of that sword and the legacy it holds."
Jaune's face was set with determination as he accepted the sword and placed it upon his hip. "I will dad I promise."
The two men hugged one last time and Jerimiah stepped out of the way. When he did Aedan walked forward.
Aedan smiled and extended his hand to the younger man. "Welcome to the Guardians Jaune. I know you'll do your family proud."
Jaune captured his new mentors hand and shook it firmly. Jaune's new life as a Guardian was about to begin.