Hey everyone, I hit a crossroad of sort with the story. Before I had all the main events planned out but when I got writing to connect them I started to see some changes. Things I thought made sense started to lack, new ideas popped in my head, I had concerns with the characters if I had to change the story more to fit the characters or change the character to fit the story. In the end I went back and rewrote a lot of stuff I did not need too. But I think I changed it for the better. Enjoy

Chapter 3

Jaune, Ren, and Alice rushed back to the group, as Alice informing them along the way.

"Cardin gone full muscle head and wants to storm the mine, splitting the squad. Half wants to do it by the book, and the other half is just as stupid or is just afraid of Cardin and his subordinates more than the Grimm." Causing Jaune and Ren to turn to Alice in shock.

"I know his dad ripe him a new one in front of everyone but he's going to get them all killed because of his pride." She continued making Jaune start to pick up the pace followed by the other.

The closer they got to the camp the more he felt the stone pulse. While normally he would be panicked he felt a strange calm, he's head was clear and his body responded to the obstacles in front of him, dodging and blocking the branches and bushes he would normally hit or stumble.

The make shift camp was in site as they saw the squad was literally divided. One side stood behind Cardin as he paced in front of the others ranting. "…command, and you cowards are disobeying orders given from your superior. ("Superior's brat" was whispered from the group. Cardin raged at the comment.) Which one of you shits has the balls!" Cardin's pace quickened, brandishing his mace. He scanned the crowd daring anyone to look him in the eye.

As he scanned he saw the three returning. "Perfect now the three bitchs show up." Moving closer he barked the same orders. "Listen we attack the mine in ten after the others pull their weapons out their pussies." He turned backed to the others.

"That's suicide!" Jaune said, stopping Cardin in his tracks, looking back to the blonde knight with veins popped. "We saw Grimm moving in and out of the mine, even if we out number them, which is never the case. We don't know what's down there."

Facing them Cardin still red smirked. "O come on its just Grimm, even Jaune killed a few on the way here. We can…" Ren interrupted before Cardin could finish.

"Fighting Grimm one on one in an open space is one thing but fighting an unknown number in an enclosed space, without a plain or exit strategy is asking too much. A few in Cardin's group looked at each over thinking over their choice of action.

Even Cardin looked down to think, when Russel walked over. Putting an arm around him and he whisper something into Cardin's ear. Looked at the Alice he smiled, patted Cardin on the back and walked back to stand with the others.

Cardin kept his head down as he walked over to Jaune and the others. "I am in command, I say what we do, Any that refuse to follow are traitors. Like the Fang!"

Charging, he raised his mace to strike Alice. She jumped back to dodge but Cardin was already on top of her. Everything slowed as the mace raced to her head. She moved her sword to block but shut her eyes waiting for the impacted.

The sound of metal bashing against metal rang out followed with a loud thump of a body hitting the ground. Silence fell.

As Alice opened her eyes she starred with the others as Jaune stood over Cardin. His back to the others she could swear Jaune's eyes light with a soft blue tint. Ren stood at his back pointing his swords at a paralyses Sky and Dove both had their weapons drawn but stood hesitate to attack.

Moving in front of Cardin, Jaune blocked the swing with his shield. Grabbing Cardin arm with his free hand he lifted him over his shoulder and slamming him to the ground. Ren replaying the quick exchange in his head could only chuckle. "Guess I'm getting slow if you could react that fast, or do you just like being a punching bag all those years?"

Alice stood looking to Jaune, he took a breath and the soft light faded. He turned to Ren. "Guess you're just getting slow." He joked as he walked towards the group. Alice still wondering if she was seeing thing but could tell that Jaune was different. It was almost like he was shining with a light. He moved with confidence, as he approached Sky and Dove. Both sweating as he approached ready to act. With another step both moved to attack but.

"At ease!" turning around they saw Russel calmly waking forward. "This is a huge misunderstand, how about we all calm down."

"Why would we calm done after you told Cardin to attack Alice." Ren calmly stated his swords still at the ready.

"I never said such things, I only asked him to consider what you all side. It made sense to have a plan before attacking." Russel replied holding his hands up, turning to the other members of the squad.

"Our leader must have suffered from the heat and stress, lost himself temporary. But look at Jaune he too is suffering" He continued with a concerned face.

"That's bul…" Alice was about to call out, but stopped as she looked to Jaune as he was bent over on one knee. "Jaune!" Both Alice and Ren rushed to their friend who seemed okay but was out of breath.

"You two," Pointing back to the Squad Russel commanded "One of you help Dove carry Cardin back to his tent. And the other with Jaune."

The two soldiers paused but moved to help. Ren putting away his sword walk towards Russel. "We are not going in blind, we will send a group in and report back."

"Of course" Russel replied waving his hand. "Pick your squad and we will stay here. You have 10 minutes to prep, signal if you need an, extraction." Ren catching the small hint of malice in Russel's eyes, turned to see Alice nearly choking Jaune with a hug, though Jaune was turning more red then blue as she pressed her chest against him.

Turning back he notice Russel ended the conversation walking away to look after Cardin. Ren turned back to see a flustered Alice now chastised him about risking himself over her. With Jaune given her a warm smile causing her brown cheeks to turn crimson.

Looking back Ren keep his thoughts to himself, but was happy to see both his friends were alright. "I see you thanked your hero for saving you, if you want we got 10 minutes. You can give him a proper thank you in his tent." He laughed dodging rocks a now red face Alice threw at him.

In the distant tree tops, a pair of yellow eyes from the shadows watched on in silence. Then faded as soft rustling moved from tree to tree heading to the mine.

Again you might have notice a lack of females so far but. Next chapter Jaune and the group go into the mine. What is inside waiting for them? Is it new monsters waiting to ensnare the blonde knight? Find out soon.

As always thank you for reading and please write a review or comment.