Thanks again to Maldevinine from AO3 for beta reading this chapter.
It's been a few weeks, but here we are and this one's extra long. The plot is advancing and things might be going south for our dear Jauney Boy. I'm sure he'll figure it out... eventually.
Hope you all enjoy! Let me know what ya think.
XxxxxxxxxxX
Blake worked at her bindings while the rest of team RWBY slept soundly around her. Everyone was exhausted from the trek up here, and it didn't take long for them to fall asleep. They kept her tied though, since they said she was acting crazy and needed to calm down, but she couldn't do that! Why didn't they understand?! Just being this close made her skin crawl, as if several hundred ants were living in her back. She needed to act now! The source of that energy was defenseless and who knew when her next chance to kill it would be? Finally her struggling loosened the ribbon enough to get her arm free. She worked quickly, ignoring the sore rope burns on her skin and getting the knot loose. She had managed to escape! And now to protect her friends.
Quietly the Faunus took her weapon and snuck around her sleeping teammates. Ruby, Yang and Weiss were all out cold, and even Nora and Ren had dozed off at some point. She quietly made her way towards the fire circle, which was completely illuminated in an odd magenta light. It wasn't a color she'd seen any fire burn, and she knew that had something to do with the evil power. Somehow the energy source was weakening though and she couldn't understand why. That sheer volume of evil and malice couldn't just vanish like that!
She stepped into the circle, only for Gambol Shroud to quickly swivel to face her own temple.
"This time I won't be too slow." Pyrrha threatened holding Blake's gun steadily with her semblance. The champion was seated against one of the boulders by their fire pit with both her and Jaune's shields close by. Next to her hip lay Jaune's unconscious body, his skin pale and breathing shallow. Those wings were gone, and so was that horrible energy, the remains of it whipping away as the fire returned to a warm orange color. A single black feather sat at the edge of the flames catching from the hot embers and burning that reddish color as it turned to ash. Slowly Blake's senses began returning and realization dawned on what she was planning to do.
"O-Oh gods…"She dropped her weapon and began stepping back to run, only for Pyrrha to control her magnetic weapon holster and roughly sit the Faunus down.
"You're not allowed to leave." Pyrrha stated with venom Blake didn't know was possible from the polite girl. She paused before managing to suppress the anger she still held. "He… didn't want you to leave your team because of this." The redhead tossed a folded piece of paper to Blake. She unfolded the thing slowly, only to find a message addressed from Jaune.
'Blake,
I'm sorry you had to find out this way. Honestly I'm not surprised by your reaction. As I've said you're not the first Faunus to shoot me on sight. However, I think I know what the common problem is. Please don't leave until after I wake up. I hope we can talk this through. Seeing you leave your team because of my carelessness is something I hope to prevent.
Jaune'
Blake looked to Pyrrha in stunned silence, unsure what to say. She couldn't believe what had happened. She had tried to kill Jaune. She really tried to kill her classmate!
"He forgives you." Pyrrha murmured as she absently started petting the boy's hair, as if checking to make sure his skull was still intact. "I'm trying to do so, but…" She suddenly paused as her hands began to tremble slightly. "Please… why did you do it?" She looked up to Blake taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I need to know why you shot him."
"I-I don't know what came over me." Blake said quietly trying to process everything herself. That horrible monstrous energy from before, the thing that clouded her mind had completely vanished. "As soon as I saw him all I could see was… black."
"Black?" Pyrrha questioned.
"There was just something so… terrible and wrong about him. I couldn't see him as Jaune anymore. All I could feel was fear, despair, anger… It overwhelmed everything… I-I had to protect everyone." She looked up to Pyrrha desperately. "You seriously couldn't feel it?"
"No." Pyrrha shook her head. Everything about him felt the same to her. She was starting to wonder if this wasn't so much murderous intent but Blake losing her mind. Still Jaune said that her reaction didn't surprise him. "Did his wings set you off?"
"Maybe? I mean… this isn't the first time I've felt this energy from him." Pyrrha tilted her head questioningly. "The first time was the morning you called off sick from classes." The redhead had to think back for a moment. That's right. Blake spotted him from the doorframe and he still had one wing attached. He did say his powers were stronger when they were out. Still, she couldn't help but worry even more now. What if this happened again? Would Pyrrha have to worry about Blake trying to sneak in their room during the night? She really hoped not.
"I… suppose we'll talk this out more when he wakes up." The girls awkwardly looked away from each other, Blake up at the night sky while Pyrrha watched the campfire. She could of sworn she saw a figure dancing in it for a moment, almost shaped like a serpent. The day must of exhausted her worse then she thought. She couldn't fall asleep now though. The champion wouldn't leave her partner that defenseless again, even if it killed her.
XxxxxxxxxX
One Week Later*
Jaune rested his head in his hand while trying to pay attention in Professor Port's class. He honestly had far too much on his mind to care right now. Ever since the camping trip a certain someone has shown up more and more frequently, and oddly enough Jaune was the only one that could see it. That damn serpent had been everywhere and it was really pissing him off. It would hang around his and Pyrrha's beds in the morning, slither about their table at every meal, and show up in random classes throughout the day. He was currently watching the damn thing as it dangled off the chalkboard behind Professor Port. He wanted to impale the beast so badly but wasn't able to in his current state, and especially with all these witnesses. The last thing he needed was the entire student body talking about the freshman currently losing his mind, especially if it wound up overshadowing the dance this weekend. Which was another thing.
If Uriel was going to try something the dance would be a good place to do it. Unfortunately he had no idea what that thing was. Plus he didn't want everyone to know about the other angels. Dammit, why were there more than one!?
He rubbed his temples trying to alleviate the building pressure. This whole thing was giving him one big migraine.
"You know how simple the solution is." He glanced under the desk seeing that snake wrapping around his leg. 'It's coming, and no one will be prepared for what hits.' Jaune brought his foot down hard on the serpanr causing it to burst into a cloud of smoke.
"Mr. Arc!" Jaune looked up realizing everyone had heard his foot slam and was watching him with mixtures of annoyance and curiosity. "Care to explain why you've interrupted my most glorious tale?" Port raised a brow.
"S-Sorry." Jaune stuttered with an awkward grin. "Just a bug that needed squashing."
Port rubbed his chin momentarily in thought. "Though I appreciate the enthusiasm, do remember others are trying to pay attention."
"Right, I'll be quiet." Jaune breathed.
"Excellent! Now, where was I? Oh yes! I was face to face with seven alpha Beowolves, just me and my broken weapon backed into a corner-" Jaune tuned out again when the snake started circling Port's leg, watching him with a wry grin. He couldn't stand that damn thing. Why wouldn't it leave?!
"Hey, is everything alright?" Pyrrha whispered from her seat next to him. Jaune just nodded. He couldn't worry the others any more. Though he was trying to be honest this was something even he couldn't figure out, and as a former Archangel that scared him to no end. Finally the bell rang and everyone stood up and made their way to the cafeteria. Right, it was lunch time. Unfortunately Pyrrha wouldn't let him skip again, insisting that he really needed to spend time with his friends and teammates. There was just one problem with that. Two of those people really didn't want to see him.
They grabbed their trays of food and made their way to the dining table. Everyone else was already there. Ruby and Nora were quick to wave him over excitedly, while Yang did her usual greeting.
"Sup' Vomit boy? It's been, like, three days since you've sat with us. You trying to avoid us or something?"
"Umm… not entirely…" Jaune whispered while taking a seat and looking to the two he dreaded seeing. Blake sat at the far end of the table looking away while Weiss joined her in ignoring him. He scooped some soup from his bowl and placed the spoon in his mouth, looking at the grain patterns in the table.
He had a better understanding of Blake at least. They finally had a chance to talk without her trying to kill him, and the power he exuded seems to be the cause of her panicking. Still, what bothered him most was how evil his energy was. He never thought his magic was bad or harmful, so why does it feel that way to the Faunus? Either way her trust was permanently shaken with him, but at least she decided to stay at Beacon.
Weiss was another matter entirely. The heiress was very mistrustful of Jaune now, to the point where she tried avoiding him if at all possible. It's not like he could blame her, it was honestly the reaction he thought everyone else would have. What he couldn't figure out was why. Why was her reaction so different from the others? Or maybe he should ask why everyone else reacted so differently from her? Humans were weird creatures after all.
'Why do this to yourself?' The snake hissed in his ear. It was hanging over his shoulders and weighing his neck down. 'Why subject yourself to their whims? Do you enjoy the humiliation?'
"Jaune?" The angel pulled the utensil from his mouth, not realizing that he completely destroyed the spoon with his teeth.
"Sorry, what?" He asked before Nora quickly snatched the ruined silverware and hid it from view. Ruby bolted over wanting to get a closer look while the others watched him cautiously, especially Weiss and Blake.
"You've been very… distracted recently." Pyrrha said carefully.
"You keeping more secrets from us? Sharing is caring you know." Yang said before Pyrrha could finish.
"What? No! Why would you say that?" Jaune asked as sweat beads started to form on his forehead.
"You don't usually murder the silverware for one." Nora held it up. Ruby looked between Jaune and the once spoon questioningly, clearly wanting answers to both.
"Look, I just have… a lot on my mind is all." Jaune looked down as the serpent slithered across the table over his hand, though no one else noticed. "I swear it's nothing serious."
"But the last time you withheld information you got shot in the head." Ruby said. He noticed Pyrrha tense the moment she mentioned that incident, though Jaune chose not to comment. "Maybe we can help."
"I appreciate the offer guys, really. But this is something I really need to think through myself." He stood up taking his barely touched tray of food. "I'm going to do some research in the library. I'll see you guys later." He left before anyone could say anything, especially Pyrrha. Out of all his friends the champion has been acting the weirdest by far. The champion had been hovering a lot, and she was very awkward around him during conversations now. He didn't know what was going on with her but just hoped some time apart would help.
He made his way to the library, already more relaxed by the lack of questioning. Jaune walked to the far back of the archive section and gathered as many historical books as he could. He's been trying to learn more about the Brother Gods of this world, but there was nothing he hadn't already read. Why was information on them so sparse? If they really were the ones responsible for humanity why would they completely abandon it? They didn't even have a Bible or similar. He needed to know how strong these gods were, and if they're powerful enough he might be able to appeal to them for aid against Uriel's schemes. The angel had to contact them somehow, and a properly done religious ritual or sacrifice would be his best bet.
'Do you really think that will work?' The snake asked wrapping around the desk lamp.
"Shut up." Jaune growled picking up a fresh textbook.
'I could tell you everything you wish to know. I could help you stop her.'
"Be quiet!" Jaune hissed. He hated it. The damn snake actually had a point and he didn't like it one bit. If prayer or research wouldn't help him contact these gods he was being left with fewer and fewer options.
'You know I'm right. It's time to stop fighting me.'
"Shut up!" Jaune shouted only to get several students shushing him. He opened the text and hid his face in the cover mumbling curses to himself. This was a disaster.
"Who are you talking to?" Nora questioned, piping up from behind and making the blonde jump in shock.
"No one!" Jaune said defensively, barely catching the book he nearly dropped.
"It doesn't sound like no one." Nora responded. Jaune looked behind her seeing a familiar pair of amber orbs watching him from a row of bookshelves. Uriel was running her hands along the books gathering information of her own, and was now observing Jaune's next move carefully. "Is it a ghost?"
"In a way yes." Jaune whispered absently not taking his eyes off Cinder. The angel slowly stepped out of view, but Jaune could still sense her soul close by.
"Really?!" The blonde was already regretting his statement as Nora started talking a mile a minute. "What type of ghost?! Are you friends? Enemies? Does this mean we can have a new ghost roommate?!"
"SHHHHH!" The students all shushed the two a second time, earning them an apologetic smile from Nora.
"N-no." Jaune stuttered. "It's kind of personal, alright? Let's just keep this between us."
"I mean, if you really want me to…" She waited a moment fidgeting anxiously. "Can I tell Ren at least?"
"No." Jaune deadpanned.
"What about Pyrrha?"
"No!"
"Can you at least tell me about the ghost?" Jaune just rubbed his brow and sighed at her pestering. This was getting him nowhere. Unless he got a little more creative…
"Hey Nora, how about we make a little wager?"
"A bet! What kind?" She asked suspiciously.
"Nothing much. We play a game of my choosing. If you win I'll answer two of your questions about the 'ghost.' If I win, you have to wear a purple wig to class for the rest of the week." Jaune watched her carefully, but the prospect of a challenge excited her furthered.
"No cheating with angel powers? And you wear the wig if you lose." She double checked.
"No cheating." Jaune stated. "However, it will be the most mentally and physically taxing challenge you've ever faced. I'm not even sure you can handle it."
"Bring it on!" Nora said stepping forward with her fist held ready. "I'll take your challenge and crush you into mulch!"
"Ahem." The two turned and saw the librarian with her arms crossed and an angry look on her face. She pointed towards the door, the teens quickly grabbing their things and exiting. They hurried into the hallway facing each other to finish sealing the deal.
"We'll see about that Nora." They took each other's hands and finalized the bet with a firm handshake. His magic flared as the deal was struck, and a sudden surge only got her more excited. Jaune couldn't stop grinning. There was no way he could lose.
XxxxxxxxxX
Pyrrha walked back to the dorm room with a lot on her mind. Her thoughts were running a mile a minute and she couldn't shake the constant guilty feeling weighing her down. She needed to speak with Jaune and soon. Ever since the night Blake tried to murder him she had been on edge, and it hadn't gone away with time.
Finally she approached the familiar door, opening it to find an unusual sight. All three of her teammates were seated in the middle of the floor surrounding a board game. The board had several pieces of miniature barns and farmer sculptures along with little rakes and farming plots. Jaune looked content, Ren appeared bored and it seemed like Nora was going through her own version of hell.
"Ummm… what are you three up to?" Pyrrha asked hesitantly.
"I'm glad you asked." Jaune said smugly. "We're playing one of my favorite human board games. It's called Compost King. You play as a farmer collecting organic scraps for your compost heap. Whoever gets the biggest pile of mulch becomes the Compost King." He picked up the dice and rolled them, moving his piece around the board before passing the set to Ren.
"... I see." Pyrrha said slowly afraid Nora would explode at any moment. "And why are you all playing Compost King?"
"Because I will win no matter how long it takes! I refuse to lose this bet!" Nora slammed her hands down with fresh determination.
"Are you sure about that Nora?" Jaune smirked. "Don't forget mulching takes place in real time. This single game could go on for days, possibly weeks." Nora's expression suddenly dropped and her face turned to a pout.
"Basically Nora kept asking questions that Jaune didn't want to answer." Ren deadpanned. "So they made a bet, and Nora's losing."
"I haven't lost yet!" She rolled the pair of dice only for them to count up to three movement spaces. Her face dropped to the ground with a defeated groan. "We've been at this for days!"
"It's only been two hours." Ren corrected.
"That's even worse!"
"Tell me when to get the wig ready." Jaune smiled as Nora began stamping her foot. "Care to join us Pyrrha?"
"N-no thanks." Pyrrha said with a tight smile. "I have… homework to finish!"
"That's a shame. Maybe next time then." Pyrrha sighed internally at Jaune's response, happy to stay out of this train wreck.
"Are we still on for later?" She asked.
"I'll be there at our usual time." Jaune said with a grin when Nora started groaning in fresh agony. Pyrrha took what she needed and left. She would talk to him during training instead.
XxxxxxxxxX
Sparks flew as swords clashed together. The two students pulled apart before circling each other slowly. Pyrrha was watching and critiquing Jaune's every movement. His stance was greatly improved, and he wasn't rushing at her blindly either. So far so good. The champion decided to pounce, forcing Jaune to pull his shield up while she delivered strike after strike. He took each blow in stride and waited for an opening, taking his own jab when Pyrrha ended her flurry. She dodged with ease as he came on the offensive. Pyrrha brought her spear up quickly blocking his horizontal strike.
Neither party let up, both locking each other in a stalemate as Jaune tried to overpower her. She simply smirked, dodging while his sword slid along her javelin. She ducked down with a spinning kick hitting his ankles, forcing the blonde off his feet.
As she came back around the world suddenly slowed. She was watching Jaune hit the pavement, his skull exploding in a burst of bone and blood.
"NO!" Pyrrha grabbed his chest plate with her semblance before he could hit the ground. Jaune looked around confused until seeing Pyrrha's outstretched hand.
"Ummm… Pyrrha?" The champion released the second he said her name, letting him hit the pavement with a thud.
"I'm so sorry!" She apologized completely flustered. Pyrrha couldn't believe she just did that. They were just sparing! Why would she do that?!
"Pyrrha, what's bothering you?" Jaune stood up and questioned.
"Nothing!" The champion responded a little hastier than she intended.
"Your soul says otherwise." The angel protested. Pyrrha quickly covered her chest with a fresh wave of frustration at his invasiveness.
"Stop doing that!" She quickly covered her mouth when Jaune took a step back in complete shock. How could she lash out like that? What was wrong with her?! "Sorry! I'm really sorry, it's just…" This was her chance. She could finally talk her fears out with him. But if that's the case why was she freezing up? She couldn't actually form the words she wanted, and her planned speech fell apart. "... I just have a lot on my mind." He watched her carefully before sighing in defeat.
"Alright. Just know I'm here if you want to talk." Jaune walked past here, over his blood seal protecting the rooftop and to the exit. "I'm gonna run some laps. Text if you need me." She crossed her arms and looked away as he left, cursing herself for being so obvious.
She stood there completely still for who knows how long, just waiting for the tension to leave her shoulders. Why was this so hard? She couldn't remember ever having similar problems in the past. Why did Jaune specifically make things harder?
She looked up at the shattered moon lost in thought. Pyrrha knew Jaune could survive just about anything thrown at him, so even if the worst came she wouldn't need to worry. Still, she couldn't forget how his skull blew apart the moment Blake's bullet hit. How her face and armor had been splattered with bits of brain and blood. Just remembering that sensation sent shivers up her spine. He was so low on aura the bullet cut right through him, and for several minutes she really thought he had died. She didn't expect him to heal so quickly from that, who on Remnant could of? What if Blake had shot him after his wings were clipped? Would he have still healed from it? Would Jaune even tell her if she asked?
No. Of course he would be fine. Jaune said angels are immortal beings. He would have survived. She's pretty sure at least…
"Something on your mind?" Pyrrha jumped at hearing the vaguely familiar voice. She spun around seeing a girl with light green hair and red eyes. Emerald was standing above the doorway looking at her blankly. She hoped down and stopped right at the border of Jaune's seal.
"Emerald? What are you doing up here?" Pyrrha questioned, beginning to feel uneasy.
"I just came here to talk." Emerald answered. "I had nothing malicious in mind." Pyrrha just looked between her and the blood seal. Why would she stop outside of it? It's as if she knew what it was. Unless…
Pyrrha tightened her grip around the javelin in her hand, getting ready to fight if needed.
"I spoke the truth." The other girl frowned. "I just wanted to apologize for Master Uriel's behavior. She wasn't supposed to attack any mortals, but anything dealing with Lucifer tends to set her off." Pyrrha cocked her brow slightly in confusion. She just hoped her suspicions were correct.
"Emerald… what's your real name?" The girl just laughed at Pyrrha's question.
"Smart." She commented. "Though I thought Lucifer had already told you my true identity. Seems like an important detail to share." She lifted her uniform sleeve slightly revealing three solid loops of metal that started to glow lightly. "I am the angel of death, Azrael."
"There's more angels here then Cinder and Jaune…" Pyrrha said with a mix of disbelief and betrayal. Why hadn't her partner said anything?
"I almost feel bad for you. Not able to trust your own partner and team leader. A former Archangel no less." She pondered something for a moment before continuing. "How about this." Emerald, or Azrael, stated. "As a sort of apology for my compatriot's attempted murder and my former superior's deceit, I'll answer any two questions you have about Angels with complete honesty. Deal?" Emerald offered her hand forward, but Pyrrha was hesitant to take it. She was still a bit shocked by this new revelation. First Pyrrha learned her partner had continued hiding important information, and now his former friend is offering her assistance. Her gut was screaming for her to say no, but somewhere in her mind she felt Emerald was being genuine. Oh Oum, she would probably regret this later.
Breathing deeply she stepped forward and offered her hand over Jaune's blood seal. Emerald shook it firmly and a strange heat erupted through her hand. The champion pulled away with a gasp checking herself for damage.
"W-what?" She breathed looking at Emerald in complete shock.
"I just sealed our agreement." Emerald stated. "An angel will never go back on their word, even the fallen ones like Lucifer. Though it would never happen we still create pacts with those we've made promises or deals with. Neither party will break the promise, unless they don't mind suffering the consequences that is. I'm sure you've seen it done before." Pyrrha thought back to Cinder and Jaune meeting in the pavilion. They did grab hands at one point, though she didn't know what it meant at the time. But what happens if a pact is broken?
"That was one of your questions by the way." Emerald smirked. "You should pick your last one wisely." Pyrrha looked down and thought carefully. In all honesty she already had a million questions lined up for her. Still, she couldn't get the thought of Jaune's head being blown off. It was at the forefront of her mind and she needed to know the truth.
"Can angels be killed." Pyrrha finally looked up with a light sense of dread.
"Yes." Her eyes widened at how matter of fact Emerald sounded about it.
"B-But Jaune said you're all immortal. How is it possible-" Emerald wagged her finger silencing the young huntress.
"I already answered two of your questions. I'm no longer obligated to say anything else." She walked towards the exit only for Jaune to burst through panting like a mad dog.
"THE HELL ARE YOU-"
Emerald held a hand up silencing the blonde. "Just a friendly chat. Unlike Master Uriel I currently hold no ill intent towards your humans." She waved them off passing Jaune as she went, the latter looking about ready to keel over from exhaustion.
"Are you alright Pyrrha?" He asked looking her over for damage. "I saw her soul by yours on my return trip. I thought for sure she might try something."
"No, she actually stayed behind your seal." Jaune sighed in relief. "I'm just happy you didn't go over it to meet her." She felt a vague ping of guilt, but it was overshadowed by her growing doubts. She looked her partner straight in the eyes before speaking.
"Jaune, how many angels are really here?"
"Just the two." He answered but her gaze never faltered. "I-I mean including me there are three. That's all I've seen." Jaune sighed at realizing how shaken her trust really was, and it wasn't misplaced either. This was getting him nowhere.
"Come on, lets head back to the dorms. I have something to give you three." He turned back to the exit tiredly and waited as Pyrrha cautiously followed.
Unbeknownst to her Uriel was standing on a nearby rooftop watching the two with a sly grin. The seeds of doubt had been planted, and it was only a matter of time before Lucifer's real punishment could begin.
