Author's Note:
Okay short chapter. But it's an exposition chapter, so yeah... it should be short. Don't want to overload you guys with too much information.
Also With Pyrrha being alive now and everything, this is kind of where the real story begins, breaking away from cannon. If you guys have any more hints or suggestions to add to the story I'd love to hear them. I mean, I have an idea of where I wanna go with this and I've got a general structure down but it's fairly loose and can be adapted to fit many things and ideas. Let me know in your comments and reviews - and don't anonymous! I'd love to reply. Thanks guys, have a good weekend.
Jaune Arc: Einherjar
Chapter 4: Back To The Living
The life of the dead is placed
In the memory of the living.
~Marcus Tullius Cicero
Awake.
His eyes opened wide and still he found he couldn't see. His heart continued to beat faster until his rational mind took over. He wasn't dead. That was for sure. He already died once, and this certainly didn't feel like before.
Calming himself down, Jaune's eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness as shapes and sounds began to take form around him. He could hear the faint humming of an air conditioner unit running. He could smell the acrid scent of antibiotic disinfectant in the air. He could feel the itchy, uncomfortable IV needle on his-
Well, there was no more reason to finish that thought. Now Jaune Arc knew exactly where he was. He was at a hospital of some kind.
What he didn't expect was the unusually warm feeling at his side.
He looked round, trying to make out what caused it. Almost instantly, he found the sleeping form of Pyrrha, her head resting quite comfortably on her arms, her breathing light. He noticed the wheelchair she was sitting on and the cast on her injured leg.
What was she doing he-
"Finally awake I see," a deep voice grumbled.
Jaune realized he was growing even more accustomed to that voice than he had initially thought - it didn't even make him jump. Instead he turned calmly to the side and found Gandry's ghostly apparition standing beside the window, his heavy frame leaning back against it, hands tucked over his broad chest.
"H-" He shook his head, careful not to damage anymore brain cells in the process.
He didn't want to wake up Pyrrha. She looked so exhausted and tired. So he had no choice but to continue the conversation in his head.
How-
"How are you here? You can thank your friends for that. Particularly that girl there. She practically dove in after you, injuries and all. Well her and the girl in the hood." Gandry chucked in amusement as he recalled it, his words, clearly audible only to Jaune, did not disturb Pyrrha's slumber. "Brave girl. A lot of fire, that one. Practically begged the healers to let her stay by your side."
Jaune smiled thoughtfully. Yep, that did sound like something Pyrrha would do. A part of him wanted to reach out and touch her, to hold her. He settled for a small touch, he pulled back a stray red lock and tucked it behind her cute ears. Pyrrha didn't even stir. He would give all the attention she needed later.
For now he had an opportunity. One he was not going to let pass by.
How long have I been out?
"This is your fifth night in this place."
Five days?! He had been out for five whole days?
What happened?
"...You took care of the Dyr, lad. You all did. But valiant though your effort might have been, it was a futile cause in the long run. Your school is lost to the beasts." Gandry paused for a brief moment before offering his condolences. "I'm sorry. You won against such a monstrous creature, but I'm afraid it was a pyrrhic victory at best."
Jaune clicked his teeth in disappointment. They had fought so hard. How could they still have lost Beacon?!
Damn that Cinder.
He found himself clutching his fists hard, it was only the pounding ache of his right arm that caused him to stop. He hadn't even realized it yet, but looking down upon it now he wondered how he could have been so stupid as to not recognize it being in a cast.
"Careful, boy. You did quite a number on your hands there. Not exactly your brightest idea, but I applaud the heart you put into it." True, Jaune couldn't see Gandry's face but he imagined the older giant must have been smiling underneath his helm. "As for the details I'm sure your comrades are more than willing to share with you with what has transpired since then. I am not exactly the foremost expert on this world and what has occurred. Also, the recent events of your school are not exactly the reason why I am here."
Jaune nodded. He'd thought as much.
Where's Sigrun? Isara?
"Manners, lad." Gandry snorted. "She is Lady Sigrun to you. As for her and the little one they are not here, but they are close by. This was a personal request of mine. I wanted to talk to you alone."
Why would you-
"Would you rather have all of three of us here staring you down while you ask your questions? No? I thought as much. It will be easier this way, Jaune Arc. Trust me."
He was right. Jaune had way too many questions and the older Einherjar seemed to be the most approachable of the bunch. Isara seemed nice but so was Nora, til you took away her pancakes. Truthfully, Sigrun puzzled and frightened him much more than her armored counterpart. He never thought he'd meet a woman who was colder than Weiss, but she made the Heiress look like a fresh breeze of spring compared to her cold, blizzard like gaze.
"So…" Gandry's full attention was now on him. "I am sure you have questions. Ask away."
Jaune had thought long and hard about when the time would come to ask questions freely, but since he had so many he was finding it difficult to stick to a particular one. He decided he'd just go with the flow as usual and just ask whatever came to mind first.
You guys keep talking about being an Einherjar. What does that mean, exactly?
"It is a title. An honor and a burden. Jaune… Have you ever heard the saying that Death is the ultimate test?"
Uh, not really. Nope. But I could see why, I guess.
"Well, in your last moments of life Jaune, the three of us bore witness to your character. We saw the core of Jaune Arc as he plunged in to save a life he valued highly, with not a regard for his own consequences. Brave and selfless. That is who you are, Jaune. You passed the test of Death, lad."
I did?
"It is so. Be proud of that. To put it simply, Jaune, we Einherjars are warriors who fell heroically in battle, and in our deaths the Valkyries saw something noble. Something special. So they call, and our souls answer."
To do what?
"What we were born to do. To fight, with glory and passion. To win."
Okay, you lost me there. Fight what exactly? Are there even things to fight in the afterlife?
"That is not for me to say. When the time comes you will know."
Jaune pursed his lips together and felt like blowing them. That was just a frustrating answer. But at least he had an inkling of what they were… What he was then too, maybe?
Okay well… what does that make me?
"Well you are… special. Even in our case. You're neither living nor dead. Both Einherjar and not Einherjar. To put it simply Jaune, you are a Helminger. A half of a whole."
Jaune's eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that. Especially not the not living part.
What do you mean? That's not true... Because I can feel my heartbeat. My… My hand hurts, and I can feel pain. I… I still feel for her! His eyes darted towards Pyrrha, a burning desire to hold her continued to grip him stronger than ever.
How can I not be alive?! If this isn't living than I don't know what is!
"Calm yourself, lad. I also said you weren't dead. You answered the call, Jaune. But Lady Sigrun allowed you to come back as you were. As you lived. That is not something that happens often. Typically we leave our bodies behind as we descend to Valhalla where our destinies awaits."
Val-what-now? And I'm not going anywhere, pal! I just got back.
"Oh you will… eventually. Luckily for you, Isara and I spoke on your behalf and Lady Sigrun agreed. You are not ready for the gates. I've seen your skills. You have much to train for. The other matter is your sacrifice, to keep this Pyrrha Nikos safe would have been in vain if she died right after you in battle. That is something we cannot allow. The Einherjar are noble spirits at heart. We cannot have her death weigh down on your soul and taint it. If you are to be our brother, then she needs to remain safe til the end."
So… are you saying-
Gandry's polished helm nodded in agreement. "You will stay here. For now. Under our tutelage and guidance, til we deemed you ready - and until we eliminate the threat that is on Miss Nikos' life. But make no mistake, boy, you are living on borrowed time."
…I don't care… I want to spend every single second I have on this world. With my friends. My family… with Pyrrha.
"... You might come to regret that." Gandry's words seemed heavy and haunting. The armored giant must have noticed too because he turned around nonchalantly. "But, it's your second life, limited though it may be. Do with it as you will."
Jaune thought the armored man would disappear, but he remained, though he seemed strangely quiet, and still as death itself. His blue ghostly phantom contrasting the darkness of the room.
"She is beautiful, this maiden of yours," he commented simply.
Jaune could feel the rush of blood on his cheeks, finding himself staring at Pyrrha's serene sleeping face. "...I guess she is," he murmured out loud.
It took him this long to realize this that it made him feel like such an idiot. The signs were there. Her infectious laugh, her caring smile, their dance together at Beacon. She's kind. She's brave… She's the best person I know. She's my best friend. She's the first girl I… the first I fell in love with. Even though the words were in his thoughts it did not stop Jaune from feeling a slight tinge of embarrassment as he knew Gandry could hear even his most private thoughts now.
Yet he also felt it easy to confide in the warrior. Perhaps it was their connection. Or maybe it was because they were there during his final moments, his most vulnerable times, and saw through who he was. Whatever it was he didn't care.
He just needed for someone to listen. Someone to confide in.
"I think those words were reserved for someone else, are they not?" Gandry teased.
I-I know that! I,uh, I was just practicing. When the real thing comes up.
"Of course you are." Gandry's steel plated chest rose with each chuckle. "Jaune… a question, if I may. I have not asked another Einherjar this in a long time but..." The old armored knight paused briefly. "Do you regret it?"
Regret what?
"Giving your life? For hers?"
I would do it again in a heartbeat… though if I could I'd probably bring a bigger shield next time.
Gandry chuckled softly again, his burly laugh echoed inside his armor. "As expected of the Foolish Knight. You are an interesting soul, Jaune Arc. Well then, I bid you good evening."
Wait. That's it? I still have tons more of questions for you.
"I am sure you do. But there is always tomorrow. For now, rest my brother. Your strength will be needed again once more, I am sure. Enjoy the calmness the night time brings. Stars only know the rarity of moments like this." Gandry walked up to him slowly and patted his head, somehow he could feel the heaviness in the motion. "Again. You did well. Be proud of that, lad."
He must have been more tired than he thought he was because Jaune's eyes were beginning to droop heavily, his vision blurry.
Yeah.
Yeah…. Sleep did sound good right about now. His weary head landed on his soft pillow. His one good hand sought out to be close to Pyrrha. To feel her warmth. Enough to give him pleasant dreams of the girl in red. Dreams of a better future.
Gandry's wraith form had already vanished from the room and joined with Isara's at the rooftop.
The two phantoms under the moonlight made for a hauntingly beautiful sight. "Hey, how's our young ward doing?" Isara beamed at him.
"Heh. He's older than you, you know."
"Not by a long shot. I am at least a few hundred years older than him!" Isara puffed her cheeks and folded her hands across her chest, a pale imitation of Gandry's favored pose.
"I don't believe time spent as an Einherjar counts, Isara."
"Whatever. The boy's young and green. That's all that matters. I could put holes in him before he could even blink."
Isara was a gentle girl but Gandry found she had a sore spot when it came to her age. Every time any topic was steered in that conversation she was became moody and foul mouthed.
"And that is why we need to train him," he reminded her.
"Yes, yes. I know. I was there with you when we talked to Lady Sigrun, remember?" Casually she placed her hands at the back of her head, already past her grievances. Gandry shook his head in reluctant acceptance. Isara was like the wind, carefree and comforting one moment, the next a storming gale. "So… does… does he know?" Her eyes glanced at him curiously.
"The state of his current predicament? Yes I've made it perfectly clear."
"And what did he say?"
"...What do you think?" Gandry thought to turn the question around, given what was at stake.
"I think he's the type to ignore the consequences until the very last second and would rather spend as much time as he can with friends and family. I know I would have. You know… when I was alive."
"Good thing I am not a betting man, then. You'd have robbed me blind by now." The two shared a quiet chuckle, enjoying each other's company, revealing in a friendship grown between two opposing manners.
"You know… it's going to hurt him. When he has to say goodbye." Isara looked out, her long gaze not eyeing anything in particular but was just taking on the night sky. "Maybe we're being too cruel, giving him this chance and all."
Gandry stepped up closer to the petite girl, his large armor towered above her yet they stood stood together equally. "At least he is given a chance. That is more than what the rest of us had." His fist shook violently before he stopped, realizing what he was doing. "I… I'm sorry, I soured the mood."
"Eh, don't be, Gandry." The younger girl took his arm and placed her tiny hands around it, holding on firmly. "Don't be."
And so the two stood calmly throughout the night like a pair of watchful sentinels until the coming of the dawn.
