They were so close, yet so far from safety.
The horde of Grimm steadily gained ground, forcing the Hunters-in-training onward. The teams RWBY and JNPR ran because they knew the Creatures of Grimm would never follow a student into the academy; they ran for their self-preservation.
Beacon Academy's doors were never locked; save for the night before initiation, as it was the only night that any students slept outside of their dorms.
This meant that getting into the school wasn't the problem; getting TO the school in one piece was the difficulty.
It was a difficulty that team RWBY and team JNPR wouldn't be able to conquer. But still they pushed on.
Jaune knew with grim understanding the futility of their actions, he knew that they wouldn't be able to make it to the school. 'Well it was a good run' the young man thought. 'Maybe that's why I'm the leader; I can see what the outcome of a battle will be' the blonde figured with a heavy heart.
When suddenly he had an epiphany, maybe MOST of members the two teams would make it to the Academy, if someone stayed behind to fend off the Grimm.
Jaune knew the choice he had to make.
He skidded to a stop and faced the oncoming horde. The rest of his friends were too focused on their only chance of survival to see the sacrifice Jaune was making.
…
When the teams heard Jaune's distinctive scream they jolted forwards, spurred on by the collective interest to protect their friend. They were all afraid of the scene that could meet them when they found Jaune.
Pyrrha Nikos was the first to enter the clearing; she quickly took in the scene.
There was a lone Beowulf standing tall in the center of the field, at his feet was a torn blue and white figure. It wasn't moving.
Pyrrha screamed in rage, throwing her spear at the head of the Grimm. It dropped immediately.
The bronze huntress dropped to her knees on the side of her partner's mangled form. Tears, which grew from nothing, ran down her face in torrents at the sight.
When the rest of the two teams burst into the clearing they locked onto Pyrrha's shaking body and the motionless form of her partner.
While team RWBY kept its distance, Ren and Nora ran to Jaune's other side; they could see a huge bite mark from mid-torso to the base of their leader's neck, curving inwards towards his hips. There was blood everywhere.
Everyone was shocked silent, they couldn't believe what had happened. They weren't even there to stop it.
But Jaune wasn't done yet. Suddenly a bright light began to emanate from the tooth marks in the blonde's flesh.
His wounds healed before everyone's eyes, his aura working faster than any of the seven other teens there would have.
As the flesh closed up, the blood dried, and the muscle repositioned itself; Arc's eyes fluttered open. His partner's tears fell onto his chest plate and not out of sadness but out of happiness; she wailed.
Everyone cheered; the collectively held breath being exhaled could be heard throughout the forest. Jaune looked around, "Hey guys" he looked around, "umm, Pyrrha why are you crying," the oblivious blonde looked at her with innocent curiosity
Pyrrha could only reply with a laugh.
Her partner was safe for now. But the unseen damage was done, Jaune's blood soaked the grass beneath them; its stench was everywhere. And the Grimm of the forest took notice.
Suddenly the two teams heard the collective roar of a legion of Beowulf's; they took off at the sound. Towards the school!