Chapter 10 : The Point of No Return

"An obscure location turned in the past few years to an urban legend, the Grey Island has been a subject of much controversy over the years..."

Jaune watched the water, hundreds of miles below them that stretched on longer than the land did. An old man's voice played in his headphones, Jaune idly ignoring the video and letting his mind wander as he listened.

The shipped hummed its low tune, the rumble massaging his back a she smoothed into his seat. Amber was asleep next to him, one leg crossed over the other. They'd left last night - two days after they'd accepted the job. And with eleven hours now behind them, they'd be arriving soon.

Doctor Oobleck was certainly not the kind of person Jaune expected when he talked to him. He probably only registered a few words per paragraph, but he got the point anyway. Good luck to anyone trying to keep up with him in a conversation.

Primarily what they were needed for was extra hands - as the crew itself was small for such a big location.

Jaune had wondered why such a known man in the Archivist community would have such a small team? The request for additional help had been up for months - months! Why had no one else taken up the job?

The answer was nothing short of worrying.

"Oobleck?" One worker at the AC had said, "Well, all I can say is good luck."

"That loon?" Said another, "Trust me kid, if you're hoping to find anything, then going with Oobleck is not the way to do it."

But those were just two people, right? Surely there had to be others that believed in what he was going for.

And if there were, then Jaune hadn't met them.

The unanimous agreement was that Oobleck's excavations rarely went well. And that wasn't baseless either; his success rates only strengthened that assumption. He'd been an AC Archivist for ten years, often taking on jobs during breaks in his work. A positive trait was that he was hard working, even if his theories were a bit wild.

Unfortunately, his success rate was a staggering twenty-three percent, and dwindling.

No one argued his intelligence, and he was also a notable Huntsman. But if his percentage was that low, it didn't bode well for the mission being a success.

It came to down really to what the man deemed were reasonable hunts. He deferred from easier tasks, instead opting to challenge locations of notable history and controversy. But that apparently worked against him as well, as the harder find just seemed to breed failure instead of success.

Sure, it's not like they had to find anything - Jaune had already received half the payment, and the other would come after the mission was over, regardless of whether it was a success or not.

Three thousand would help, but not enough.

" - lesian ships vanished over the island's coastline, and communications had been nonexistent since then. This was only one of the many incidents..."

And then there were things like this. Disappearances.

Apparently, it was a rarely known urban legend born with the strange disappearances associated with the island. It now being known more commonly as the Circle of the End.

It all started with local travelers and ships riding through that area of the ocean not showing up for the estimated arrival times. Then transport ships for Atlas to Mistral - common trade partners, losing communications with their base and disappearing right over that area as well. Even military ships crossing over for the Vytal Festival would just vanish if they crossed that area.

No distress signals, no returned communications, and widely believed, no survivors.

Understandably, people had been sent to investigate... Huntsmen, investigators, military parties.

They were never heard from again.

The routes cutting past the island were shut down for good, and any ships crossing that ocean had to take long routes around in ensure the same did not happen. The island was given up on, as the risk to reward of finding out the truth just wasn't worth it.

"It's probably just Grimm," Jaune remembered Amber's flippant response, completely brushing off his worry. Well he was glad that she wasn't scared at least. The same could not be said for him.

But these disappearances were rarely known, even in Anima where the legend had been talked about most prominently. It faded into obscurity over the last few years, as the consensus was so long as no one ventured to the island, nothing would happen.

Jaune had almost jumped ship.

If it wasn't for the fact that he was desperate for money at this point, he likely would've turned down the offer. But Amber was intent on going, so he didn't want to let her down.

"Scientists and researchers are stumbled on the mysterious disappearances associated with the island and the waters surrounding it. Is it a mere legend? A series of coincidences? It very well could be, alas no one..."

Jaune shut off the video, about done listening to the documentary. It had been playing on repeat the last few hours, and Jaune had hoped it would reinforce the idea that he was going to this place.

A place where even trained Huntsmen failed to return from.

And that was terrifying.

~Event Horizon~

A gentle shake woke him, groggy blue orbs meeting brown for the first time since sleep took him.

"We're here."

It wasn't enough to shake him free of the desire to fall back to sleep, but the solemn vow of duty before pleasure was. Amber went ahead of him, taking their bags with her - the soft hiss of the airship hitting the ground and dropping its drawbridge ringing in Jaune's head and forcing him to get to his feet.

And so, came the light of the afternoon, battering his eyes and fully revealing the world around him as he stepped onto the soil.

Anima soil.

In a way it wasn't very different than Sanus, at least for the area they were in. The shoreline was by a small dock - the sun shining brightly over the glittering sea. The land around and far off uneven and strewn with colorful forestry. It was truly untamed land, as there was no discernable road in sight. They were cut off from even the nearest villages then.

"And how have you been, Sam?"

"Daily grind, Bart. You know how it goes."

Jaune instantly recognized Professor Oobleck, catching up with Amber as the man finished talking with the pilot of the ship. They had a small campsite built, a trailer off by the edge of the forest and several members of his crew gathering up.

The pilot made his departure, the engines blowing at Jaune's hair before it sailed off. Oobleck handedly met them, taking Jaune's hand before he knew it and shaking it vigorously.

"Well met, Mister Arc, well met indeed!" Oobleck blathered as he stood firm and rigid, almost as though some great energy was powering him, "I must express my thanks, my team and I are grateful for your support in this venture."

"It's no problem, sir," Jaune shook his head with a small smile, he then gestured to Amber, "This is my teammate, Amber - I know it's only two of us, but I hope we can make a difference."

"Likely not," Oobleck quipped bluntly, "Regardless, it does not lessen our gratitude. May the fates see fit to reward us for our hard work."

Jaune certainly hoped fate would. So far, he had been on its bad side. With hope, this would be the silver lining.

Past Oobleck, meeting the other members of the team was simple. Everyone was so stark and different, but they all seemed to enjoy what they were doing. And if anything were more excited about the journey than he was.

But Jaune supposed that was the difference in their objectives.

"And last is..." Geoff trailed off, looking off behind him, "Oi, anyone seen Oscar?"

Oscar? Jaune wondered.

It was a common name, so Jaune wondered why he'd flashed back to the Oscar Pine he'd met back in Sanus. This wouldn't be the same one.

He'd been wrong before.

Someone stepped out of the trailer, and it took merely the short stature and black hair for Jaune to instantly take back what he thought. The boy hadn't noticed him, not until Geoff had called out his name and he looked up.

Jaune imagined the same amount of shock on Oscar's face rivaled his own.

And then there was a pause.

A stagnant silence that lasted for just a few seconds, but in the moment Jaune's brain was in high gear, flittering about the how and why. Oscar must have felt much the same, for his eyes did not move from Jaune's, and bar shock, were lit with... anxiety? Fear? And those eyes whipped about, looking at Geoff then back to him and repeating. Like he was trying to come up with an explanation.

An explanation for what?

What was he doing here in Mistral with Doctor Oobleck? Did he know him? If he didn't, then what was he doing here?

Jaune's gaze flickered over to Amber, who was just as stunned as he. But the silence was lingering on, and it only made Jaune wonder why Oscar hadn't said anything. Did he not want to?

Was he trying to avoid it?

"Oscar, what - mmf!"

Jaune quickly elbowed Amber in her side, ignoring her pained grumble. He felt her aggravated eyes on him and met them back, very subtlety shaking his head no. Understandably she was confused.

If Oscar was here, then it was clear it wasn't by his parent's choice. Jaune knew that for certain. The rest of the answers he wanted were in the air, but he decided it best to act like strangers to him.

"Um, yeah, nice to meet you Oscar." He nodded with a smile, "I'm Jaune and this is Amber - we'll do our best to help out."

Oscar averted his blank stare, looking at the ground instead. "Yeah... you too."

"Alright guys," The woman named Ash called out from by the board, a map hung over it, "Move your ass, old man. You too, Oscar. New additions gather round, we've got a few hours before departure, I wanna catch everyone up on our primary objective. Well come on now, hop to it!"

Geoff was quick to berate the woman, and suddenly a mini war was waged. Oscar was right behind him. Jaune simply watched the boy go, the questions still running through his head.

A painful jab in his side, the blonde whipped on his partner and glared at her. "What was that for?"

"Gee, I wonder?" Amber rolled her eyes.

"... sorry." Jaune admit upon realizing, "I just didn't know how to stop you."

"Forget it," She waved it off, "I'd rather address the preteen we know hails from Sanus, which is a million miles away, mind you - who is somehow here in Anima with our current employer!"

If the strangeness of the situation hadn't hit Jaune before, it certainly did now.

"I don't know," Jaune shrugged. The lingering memory on his mind was the last conversation he'd had with Oscar, where Oscar had told him of what he aspired to be. And the advice Jaune had given him in return.

Had he caused this?

All he'd done was give Oscar the advice his father gave him. He had to follow his dreams, he had to do what he felt was right for himself. Had he meant coming to Anima? No. At least not immediately.

This wasn't good, it wasn't good at all.

"Hey kids, get a move on!" Ash called after them again, Jaune moving toward them as he whispered to Amber.

"Look, don't say anything about Oscar. Just pretend we don't know him. I'll talk to him later, okay?"

"And then what?" Amber countered, "Send him back? How? Even if we had money to send him back home, a ship would be here too late unless we leave him here alone. Which I would not advise, not in Anima."

Damn it. She was right.

Whether he liked it or not, Oscar was stuck with them. It was impossible to get him back home without jeopardizing their own plans. And according to his talk with Oobleck, today was the first opportunity in months he'd been able to get this mission going. They couldn't take any setbacks.

And Jaune and Amber needed the money.

The realization of what they meant dawned on him. They would be going to a remote island, known for mysterious disappearances with the son of the people who had saved his life. With no guarantees that his life could be assured safe, even with three trained fighters.

Jaune paid another glance at the boy, who had been looking back at him, but quickly turned his attention back to Ash.

Oscar... what the hell were you thinking?

~Event Horizon~

"Not now, stomach..."

Adjusting to the rocking of the ship had been worse on Jaune than the airships, at least over the years he'd gotten used to them and it wasn't like he'd never been on a boat before. But his was a curse to forever live with, but it made someone happy at least, Amber got a kick out of it.

I'll have my revenge… one day.

The night had fallen long before they'd set sail. The ship now coursed through the dark sea, only a day and a half from the island. Jaune stood outside of a room, Oscar's room. He shared it with Geoff and Reggie, but they were on the deck drinking. This was Jaune's only chance.

Steeling his nerves, Jaune rapped on the door. Not waiting long for Oscar's voice. "Come in."

The blonde pushed the door open, and he was instantly met with guilty eyes. He was sitting on the bed, his hands in his lap. Looking much like one of his younger sisters when they were being punished by their parents. And instantly Jaune felt his throat knot up, wanting to back out from interrogating him.

But he couldn't.

"I should've known you come talk to me eventually..." Oscar said with a light chuckle, a forced one. He at least tried to make it less serious than it was.

"Well, considering how I covered for you, yeah, I would assume that too."

"Thanks for that, by the way..." Oscar said, "I didn't know what to say so I kinda froze up. Though I guess it doesn't matter now..."

"It matters." Jaune remembered saying that to Oscar too, back when he didn't think his future dreams mattered. He took a seat next to the boy, who did not return his gaze, leaving Jaune to just look down at him.

"Doctor Oobleck is my business partner you know. And to save you, I had to lie to him and everyone else - and I'm assuming you weren't honest with Oobleck about who you are either?"

Oscar shook his head no, truthfully it was what Jaune expected. The boy was cornered now, he had no choice but to be completely honest in this situation. All things considered, lying was the smartest move to make to make – at least, to stay in Anima.

But not survive in it.

"I... I was just trying to follow your advice," The farmer boy proclaimed, "I wanted to do something more with my life."

And there is nothing wrong with that. That's what the Jaune that believed in the pursuit of dreams thought. But it conflicted with what Oscar had to do to get here. Oscar intentions were honest, but how he'd gone about it…

Did he not realize what he had done to his parents?

A boy chasing his dream, now didn't that sound familiar? Jaune remembered harboring that drive to be a Huntsman since he was ten. From reading legends and hearing stories, to hearing of his mother's and father's great feats in their prime. To even seeing the flowing capes and cool weapons of Huntsmen passing through town. It stoked the flame. And that fire had continued to burn for years, as even without his parents' help, he still found the means to pursue that goal.

But he pursued it within reason.

Jaune could follow his dreams because he had training and was old enough now. He'd gotten a job, put all that money toward combat classes and trained diligently. It took a long time, and three years was realistically the bare minimum. But it was what he had, and it proved to be enough for the most part.

Oscar was a civilian. Granted, a civilian that had gotten to and survived in Anima, which was nothing short of a lucky. But that luck would run out, and when it did, what could Oscar do?

"Look, I get it - you're trying to do what you've always wanted. But do you even realize the kind of danger you've put yourself in?"

"I do," He answered with certainty, there was not a single ounce of doubt in his voice. It was exactly the answer that Jaune was afraid of, "But I've been fine this far haven't I? And you said to do what I wanted, despite the danger."

Damn it, why did he have to remember that? Jaune ran a hand through his hair as he thought back. Had that talk been a mistake? He didn't want to think it was, there shouldn't have been anything wrong with handing out hope. So that Oscar didn't give up on what he wanted. If he went back on those words, what would that say then?

That everyone deserves a shot at their dream except for you?

"You won't have to worry about me," Oscar continued, "Once the excavation is over, Oobleck said he'll take me to Mistral. I'll definitely be safe once I'm there."

"But what then? Whats your plan after that?"

And that was when he stopped. When his words froze in his throat and he was fumbling for a response. "I - I..."

He didn't have one. Of course he didn't. What could a kid his age possibly do to support himself and survive in an entirely different kingdom? Sure, he could hunt and find food if he lived in the wild, but he had to be able to fight. And even if he did make it to Mistral, he'd be homeless. He was too young for a legal job, and Mistral was known for its unsavory underworld.

He'd be in just as much danger in Mistral as outside of it.

"Did you even think this through?" Jaune questioned, "Your parents are probably scared out of their minds, and for good reason. How far do you think you'd have gotten without Oobleck's help?"

The boy couldn't respond then, Jaune just staring back at him and hoping to find an answer. But the boy didn't look at him, he couldn't, not when he was losing ground.

Jaune had to be firm, even if it wasn't fair. And it left him feeling even guiltier knowing how it would sound. Jaune swallowed, then spoke before he could decide against it. "After this... I'm taking you home."

Oscar visibly stiffed, fingers squeezed his knees. "Jaune, that's not -

"Fair?" Jaune cut him off, surprisingly more heated than he first thought. He turned Oscar to look at him, "Is that your argument? What about your parents then, is it fair what you did to them?"

Jaune flashed back immediately to his own parents. On the day he left the Kingdom. He was being hypocrite, even if there were substantial differences. His parents undoubtedly would have kept him home if they could have, but he was sixteen - the legal age to exercise his rights.

They couldn't do anything about it. They had no choice but to stand there and watch as their son walked headfirst into a world without anyone to protect him.

Just as Oscar's parents couldn't do anything about him running away.

"They wouldn't understand," Oscar shook his head, "Please, for the first time in so long, I've been enjoying myself. I like being out here helping Doctor Oobleck and everyone else. He's been teaching me a lot about history and different cultures. And I'm learning about things that I've never even thought existed before. I'm finally doing what I want to do. I don't care if I die -

"Your parents care!"

The boy flinched, clamming up against Jaune's raised voice.

"You have no training, you can't fight! What do you honestly think you can do if you can't protect yourself!?" Jaune didn't wait for his answer, he had to show him where his logic was flawed. He pointed toward the door, "To Oobleck, Ash – everyone out there, whether they admit it or not, you are a liability. They could die protecting you. Then what? Who is left to save you when everyone has already been killed?"

Oscar had to understand, Jaune had to make him see. Even if it hurt him to. "You won't be able to do anything, you'll die. And you'll have died accomplishing nothing."

And there it was. The light of realization. The dawning that Oscar had failed to consider.

"You need to have strength to be out here. It's as simple as that. Not just mental strength, but training and the ability to fight. You don't. Don't make me have to go to your parents and tell them you were killed," Jaune sighed, recalling the harsh lesson Amber had to teach him, "I owe them my life - you owe them your life. You should have waited and come up with a better plan instead of just jumping into this."

"I-I'm sorry," Oscar stammered. He looked scared, defenseless, "I just... I just wanted to..."

The boy looked like the world had shattered around him. And for a moment, he looked all too ready to cry. It wasn't a good feeling, throwing such harsh truths into his face like this. But he had to. He had to make him understand.

Oscar would run into people who wouldn't think twice about hurting him. Jaune couldn't let that happen. This was the right thing to do.

Right?

"Whether you like it or not, you're going back home after this. I know what I said, but I didn't mean for you to abandon your family like that. Especially with no plan or a way to protect yourself. Understand?"

Oscar didn't nod, didn't utter a word. Instead he just sat there, his head lowered and his black hair obscuring his eyes. Jaune didn't think there was more he could say, and figured perhaps it was best to leave Oscar alone. Perhaps if he had time to process it all, he'd come to understand.

But a part of Jaune, the part that had felt just like Oscar did so many years ago, didn't believe he would.

Jaune got to his feet and headed for the door. Betraying his iron will, he glanced back at Oscar. He still sat in the same spot, his shoulders trembling as the waves of their conversation surely ran through his head. They certainly were for Jaune. It was impossible for him to run from this, even if he wanted to. And he knew it.

"I'm sorry, Oscar."

He opened the door, passing through and closing it quickly behind him. Walking back to his own room as fast as he could.

Another setup chapter, yeah I know, its taking forever!

Not too much to talk about here other than the confrontation Jaune has with Oscar. Please bear in mind that this is not truly a debate of right versus wrong. But rather the effectiveness of Oscar's choices and the circumstances he faces. It could sound like Jaune is hypocritical, but he isn't – it simply sounds that way. Which is the point.

So even though Jaune and Amber haven't seen Oscar in a month (which honestly isn't that long), this was always the plan. As Jaune has stated, Oscar would not be able to survive on his own. That is the reality of it, he's a kid, he's inexperienced and knows next to nothing about the dangers of Remnant, and he can't fight.

So is this the end of the road for poor Oscar?

Read on to find out!

Not much else to say, but the next chapter will start diving into the nitty gritty of the arc.

So till then!

GWS