Journey: Rise of the White Wolf

by The White Wulf

"So let me get this straight. Monsters scratch at our doors, Grimm push on Vale's borders, and to top it all off some crazy chick with weird ass powers is apparently trying to screw us all over and what do I see Vale's illustrious 'heroes' doing? Nothing. So you know what 'HERO' get the hell out of my way. Vale doesn't need a hero. It needs a damn professional." - Jaune S2 ch 20

14. Chapter 14

A/N: Okay so for those of you who have seen RWBY Volume 3 Chapter 12 you all know that Pyrrha, spoiler alert, has more than likely died. Some among us hope that this is a stereotypical T.V thing where she's not dead or she comes back but…well in the off chance that she truly is dead….Well here's the fucking bird to rooster teeth courtesy of me. Heads up Pyrrha will not be dying in my fic.

BTW HERE ARE SOME AWESOME RWBY STORIES THAT I'VE READ OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT I FEEL ARE AWESOME!

"Overcoming Darkness" By Dracohalo117. Awesome story and a great writer as well.

"Infusion" By Azarelinor. Great idea one that I feel has a lot potential.

"Lunar Rose" By Anonymous Prick 3. Cool story that has a slow burn for Jaune and Ruby. Personally don't like Jaune/Ruby but this guy writes it well.

Feel free to give me new reading suggestions or even your own stories, always love reading but can't promise I'll like all suggestions.

Also for those of you who have noticed three of my chapters have been updated. As my story becomes more refined there will be little plot holes that I of course will eventually miss. One of these was the Arc's revealing their last name only recently. This was before I decided how far back in history I would go.

Now however just to let people know there is no specific date as to when the Arc's last name became known. They let their last name be known when they achieved Royal status thus it's been common knowledge for a long time. The other is the Ravenight. I honestly thought this was an actual spirit, it wasn't. So now it is referred to as a Household spirit. Sorry for the long ass opening now ON WITH THE STORY!

"Normal Speech" Humans/Faunus/Arcs

"Human Thoughts" Humans/Faunus/ Arcs

"Supernatural Speech" A.K.A Spirits, Monsters, and Grimm.

"Supernatural Thoughts" A.K.A Spirits, Monsters, and Grimm

A/N: Apparently people prefer the little legend above so I'm just going to leave it there for every chapter.

Contains elements of the Witcher, Supernatural, Teen Wolf, and various other supernatural creatures. Feel free to give suggestions.

READ AND REVEIW.

Arc: to Walk Amongst the Ancestors

Chapter 14: To walk the line

-The Castle of Glass 6:00 AM-

When Jaune had woken up this morning he was excited. When he got to the dining room that excitement died a horrible, horrible death. When Jaune had arrived in the dining room he was ready to eat and start his day.

He was not expecting his Grandfather to be there waiting for him. He was currently wearing a grey sweater with a collar. He had his legs crossed as he read a book. He wore a pair of black pants and black dress shoes. In his hands was an old book and Alexander was also wearing a small pair of glasses.

Jaune's grandfather motioned for Jaune to sit down without looking up. Jaune took a seat and placed the now activated camera on the table. It shot off the table and wirred around the room. Jaune narrowed his eyes at the damn camera.

"Why the hell does it fly around on its own? Does someone control it?"

It was then that Jaune realized that the camera was still somehow transmitting its images to the school even when he was in the middle of the arctic. Jaune turned to his grandfather.

"Hey Grandpa".

The older gentlemen placed his book down and looked at Jaune.

"Yes?"

"How did the camera send its video feed to beacon? I mean I was in the middle of the Arctic at that point".

Alexander chuckled as he took his glasses off. Jaune narrowed his eyes.

"Also why the hell do you wear glasses? You have perfect vision don't you?"

The older Arc smiled as answered his grandson.

"Do you know the tower that each kingdom has to connect to the world wide network?"

Jaune nodded.

"Good. To put it shortly we have a tower of our own in the Arctic. Unlike the other towers however ours simply hijacks the signal. We can send and receive information but unlike the other towers in the kingdoms if our tower were to be destroyed it would not cause the kingdom to kingdom communication to crash".

Jaune smiled and nodded. He understood that and thought it was cool his family figured it out. After seeing his mother and uncle screw up with simple technology Jaune was a little worried the Arcs were technologically challenged. Then Alexander sighed as he looked at the pair of glasses he took off his face.

"To answer our other question I wear these glasses because they were a gift from your grandmother. Watch".

Jaune watched as Alexander placed his glasses on. Jaune noticed that the man's eyes were now a brownish colour rather than the beautiful golden amber red mixture they were before.

"Before in the past I hid what I was amongst the general public using this and our ancient garments".

Jaune rose an eyebrow.

"We have an ancient garment?"

Alexander nodded and smirked.

"Indeed we do. The humans have even partaken in our style of clothing".

Jaune rose both his eyebrows.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Alexander smiled.

"I believe the human word for them was hoodies".

Jaune gave his grandfather a blank look.

"Really" said Jaune.

Alexander smirked.

"Ask your mother about the royalty checks we get every month because of it. We own clothing stores, mining companies, and a whole slew of small businesses. While we may not be as astronomically rich as the Schnee family I like to believe we are well off".

Jaune grunted in agreement. The Schnee were ridiculously rich.

"Okay cool. So after breakfast I guess I start the trial".

Alexander's smile became a frown almost immediately.

"I'm afraid we have something to do first".

Jaune began to feel nervous at the serious expression on his grandfather's face.

"Jaune you must understand. The trail of the castle of Glass is not something that can be physically passed. It is as much a trail of the mind as it is the body…and your mind is not whole".

Jaune looked down as he realized what his grandfather meant.

"…..".

Alexander smiled as he placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder.

"It is not something to be ashamed of Jaune. What happened to you with the demon would have broken some".

Jaune growled in anger as he clenched his fists.

"I wasn't afraid" growled Jaune.

Alexander narrowed his eyes. Without a word Selena walked in with pancakes and bacon. While she didn't hear what her husband said the atmosphere gave her all she needed to know. As she placed the plate of food in front of Jaune she looked at her husband. Alexander looked at his wife and nodded. Selena smiled as she kissed the top of Jaune's head.

"Don't worry Jaune. Your grandfather is trying to help you. Let him and you'll be able to take the trail today okay".

Jaune whimpered as his grandmother rubbed a spot behind his ear. It was comforting but Jaune wasn't really the kind of guy that just opened up and shouted his feelings to the world. Still he couldn't take the trail unless he did. Jaune shrugged as he decided not to bother with it for now. Instead he dug into the fluffy pancakes his grandma made. As he ate Jaune couldn't help but worry about his friends. Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora weren't an issue. The issue in this instance was in fact team RWBY.

Jaune was unable to lie to himself about how he felt about the members of team RWBY. He honestly viewed them as friends, people he could trust. Now this wasn't to the level of his own team and team RWBY wasn't close to him by any means. But still Jaune worried about their reactions and how they viewed him.

This was yet another aspect of Jaune's character that seemed to be a contradiction. To the masses Jaune didn't care what they thought of him, even his client's opinions were null. However when it came to people he knew, friends and family, their opinions of him were important.

He was honestly scared of how they would view him. He was scared if they would look at him like Rebecca did all those years ago. The taunting, the names, even the bullying became too much for the young Arc. It was this experience that made him so introverted and rude. To think for one with such strength like Jaune was so affected by words.

But still….life was good for the Arc. It was now up to Jaune to survive the trails of the Castle of Glass and learn what lesson had to be taught. Then, and only then, would Jaune return home. Hopefully it starts soon because Jaune was actually starting to miss his red-head partner.

"I hope she's alright" thought Jaune.

-With Pyrrha at Beacon Academy 11:00 AM Friday-

Pyrrha sighed as she kept trying on numerous different outfits. Her hair was in its standard pony tail and her tiara rested upon her head. She was currently dressed in a red long sleeve shirt with a pair of jeans. It was a common attire, one that Pyrrha has recently become more and more accustomed to at her time in Beacon.

Pyrrha Nikos, the Goddess of Victory, was about to embark on the greatest battle she had ever fought.

….Lunch with Jaune's sister April and then dinner with his parents.

While dinner was a ways off Pyrrha wanted to be ready. Her outfit was for the lunch but Pyrrha was still stumped on what to wear for dinner that night. Hopefully April could help her. The red head gave her thanks to Monty Oum for her free days on Fridays. Due to her incredible grades and performance Pyrrha had no classes on Friday unlike her teammates and partner. The reason that Pyrrha was attending dinner was due to the fact that Jaune's mother invited her.

Pyrrha gulped as she began to lightly sweat. Her crush's mother invited her to dinner. This was definitely a test, one that Pyrrha could not fail. This was the reason that Pyrrha was currently acting like an average person. Hey chicks aren't the only ones that worry about their attire. Pyrrha sighed as she sat down on her bed. Picking out the perfect clothes wasn't really what was on her mind.

The red head was rather depressed. You see today Jaune's family was watching him participate in the trails. Pyrrha was not an Arc and as such was exempted from watching him. She was human and thus was not allowed to see what secrets the Arcs held. Obviously Ozpin and Glynda were exempted from this rule. It stung a little when Pyrrha learned that but at the same time she understood what Jaune's mother meant when she said that. This was a family matter and Pyrrha was sadly not family.

Still though Pyrrha couldn't help but feel as though Jaune wasn't feeling well. It was a feeling in her gut, one that wouldn't go away. Pyrrha took out her scroll and checked the time. 11:10.

It was time to go and meet up with April at the Vale's pizzeria. Apparently April was addicted to the stuff. Pyrrha didn't mind though. Pizza was something that she had never tried before so meeting up with Jaune's sister was going to be a new experience.

As she left the room Pyrrha couldn't help but have a smile on her face. This was going to be interesting that was for certain. For all her skill and beauty Pyrrha knew that she was far from accepted by Jaune's mother as…dating material so to speak. They got along well enough but Pyrrha could feel that Joan was still testing her in a way.

For most people this was a oh shit moment. For Pyrrha this was a giddy and exciting time. Nervous as she was Pyrrha couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of being normal. Pyrrha didn't bring a purse with her since she was more a wallet girl. She found purses to be too clumsy and baggish. Clad in her long sleeve shirt and jeans Pyrrha pushed the button down the elevator. The smile on her face hid the distress at the one nagging thought in her head.

…What if she failed?

-Back with Jaune and Alexander in the Castle of Glass, 11:15 AM-

When Jaune had heard his grandfather was going to help him with his problems he assumed a chair and some talking would be involved. It definitely wasn't this. Jaune grunted as he slid across the floor.

"Come on boy you can do better than that. Fight me, get angry, and show me everything!"

Right now Jaune was currently fighting his grandfather in hand to hand combat. The two were down in the lowest level of the Castle. This was the area of the trails and let Jaune tell ya it was one hell of an area. The entire floor was essentially one big floor. It was easily the size of a football field. About thirty feet above him running along the black stone walls was a spectating area. This is where Jaune's grandmother was currently residing.

Alexander sighed as he waited for Jaune to attack him again. Now one might be wondering what the hell was happening and why would fighting be helpful in dealing with mental problems? Aside from the Arcs being a more aggressive species there was a point to Alexander's madness. As Jaune rushed at the older Arc once more Alexander made it a point to watch him. There was a hint of truth to people talking about warriors being able to see into the hearts of their opponents.

In Alexander's case this was a more…analytical then spiritual ability. For the older Arc he watched Jaune's fighting style in comparison to his hunt with the Fiend. Yes the older Arc saw and to be honest thought it was a little sloppy.

Before Jaune was fearless and tactful. He didn't attack when there wasn't an opening and he only took the hits from the fiend because he was protecting someone. However right now there was something else. If Jaune was truly traumatized from the fight with the demon Malpheus then he would obviously be fearful of combat in general. Didn't matter if it was against family or enemies. It offered the same result in a traumatized mind. Combat lead to death. Obviously this wasn't the same for everyone Alexander knew that but what Jaune was doing brought a spark of interest to the gentleman.

Jaune's movements resembled fear yes but it wasn't a fear of battle. Oh no Alexander could smell the excitement and contentment that Jaune had. No what got the older Arc was when he could smell that fear. He noticed that it only occurred when Jaune's eyes glowed through the dust spell.

Suddenly Alexander stopped. What the hell? Why the hell was Jaune wearing the black dust!?

"Enough!" bellowed Alexander.

Jaune stopped and looked at his grandfather in confusion.

"Take it off."

Jaune turned even more confused. Alexander gestured to his neck. Jaune immediately became apprehensive.

"I don't want to…lose the habit" he muttered.

Alexander's eyes softened as he realized what was happening.

"….You're afraid of yourself" said Alexander "afraid of what you are? But why Jaune?"

Jaune Arc looked away ashamed. It has been in the back of Jaune's mind for a while. He ignored it as best as he could. Hell he even forgot about it for a while. But it would strike at the most impromptu times for the young man as the fear of what he was crashed into his mind.

With the yeti the beast reminded Jaune all too much for what happened during his fight with the demon. How he let his instincts control him and the looks of his friends. The fear, the confusion. That was the real reason Jaune left so early. He didn't want to face them after what happened. He didn't know he felt, if he was angry or afraid. Maybe it was a bit of both. That was why Jaune was so ashamed. He was so proud of what he was until it hit him just how close he was to the beasts that he hunted.

"What. Are we" demanded Jaune.

Alexander sighed as he sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Sit down boy".

Jaune sat down and looked at his grandfather. The older Arc sighed as his hands suddenly glowed gold. His aura expanded in a thick colour and began to take shape. Suddenly it seemed to be shaped like a man.

"I take it you've noticed that we are more than Faunus have you?"

Jaune nodded. Suddenly the man shifted into a wolf that howled.

"We are not "part" animals like the Faunus are. We are not human but we are not wolves' either. We are the hybrid of the two. And before you think it no we are not werewolves! Monty our human relatives constantly point this out and it's not true. Werewolves shift between man and beast. We are different in the aspect that we are man and wolf, both in one body."

Jaune rose an eyebrow. The older Arc smiled as an image of a man and a wolf stood side by side in his aura projection that played between his hands.

"….Let me tell you a story" said Alexander.

The Arc took a deep breath the images in his hands began to play out as a man running alongside a wolf. The sparkles that surrounded them acted like snow.

"It is said the first Arc was just a man. A man who was close to nature. Unlike the rest of the humans he was able to communicate with the beasts that surrounded them. It was the beasts of the forest and of the snow that taught the first Arc the ways of the hunter. He wore the skin of animals and lived in the forest away from others. According to legend his name was Jaeger and his greatest companion, a wolf, was named Bogen. These two were the greatest of friends. While Jager had a connection to all the beasts of the forest, even those he hunted, his connection to Bogen was exceptionally strong."

The image in Alexander's hands transformed to represent an old man in a hat seeming conversing with the man and the wolf.

"During a hunt Jaeger and Bogen came across an old man living alone in the deepest recesses of the forest he resided in. They rarely went this deep into the woods due to the immensely powerful creatures that resided there. These creatures were what we refer to as monsters to this day and age."

Jaune watched as the images changed to show what Jaune assumed to be Jaeger in a much more detailed view. Now Jaune noticed that the once golden shaped human was now detailed. The man had a hood covering his head and wore the pelts of deer and various other animals. He had a bow strapped to his back and was currently standing in a tree. Jaune noticed that in the image Jaeger and Bogen were watching the old man.

"Worried about their new found associate they watched over him and protected him. They made sure no monster would ever harm their new friend. Eventually Jaeger and Bogen earned the old man's trust and he revealed that he was a man of magic. A great and powerful wizard."

The image now changed to the older man, who now sported a white beard and thin stature. Jaune now noticed that Jaeger and Bogen were both detailed but golden in colour whereas the old man seemed to be a mixture of colour. The wizard waved his hand over Jaeger's bow and Bogen's head.

"The old wizard blessed the bow of Jaeger. With this he would never miss a shot and his arrows would fire with greater force. With Bogen he blessed the large wolf with speech. Now Jaeger and Bogen could truly communicate together, as friends should."

The image changed to what looked like a Leshen charging at Wizard's house. The wizard seemed to cower as the beast charged at him. The Leshen was large and built like a man with a deer skull head and unlike its current brethren, who were thin and gangly, this Leshen seemed to be built like an oak. Its arms were think and powerful, it's upper body broad and strong. It had gouges in its wooden body

"Suddenly the king of the forest attacked. It was a Leshen. Before the wizard could cast a spell Jaeger and Bogen have already struck."

Jaeger and Bogen lunged forward to fight the beast and through snap shots of the battle the man emerged victorious but injured.

"The Wizard watched as Bogen and Jaeger fought for him and won. He healed them of their wounds and offered them a safe haven in his home. Jaeger and Bogen graciously accepted."

Jaune watched as images of Jaeger, Bogen, and the Wizard laughed and talk.

"They stayed with the Wizard for many years, protecting him from many monsters and creatures alike. However one day they faced a creature of immense power that sought the magic of the Wizard".

Suddenly a figure of pure darkness shaped like a man emerged with glowing green eyes.

"This was the first demon, Lucifer. No one knows if such a creature actually exist but according to legend it was immune to magic. Jaeger and Bogen were capable of forcing the creature away for but a short time…but at a cost."

It showed Jager the hunter with a hole in his chest and numerous lacerations of varying depths littered across his body, laying on the Wizard's bed. It appeared that Jaeger was also coming down with a fever due to the green colour on his face. Bogen's head was laying on his friend's chest. Tears threatened to fall in both the Wizards and the Wolf's eyes.

"Jager lied dying from a grievous wound. This was a wound no man could ever hope to survive…even with true magic. The energy to heal Jaeger of his numerous wounds and purge him of the demon's magic would ultimately kill both the Wizard and Jager. The demon's magic was too strong to remove and Jaeger's body too weak to outlast the spell of the great demon."

Suddenly Bogen's head rose up as it turned to the Wizard.

"It was then that Bogen decided to sacrifice itself for the sake of his friend. Long ago when Bogen was just a small pup it was abandoned by its pack. It was unnaturally small for a wolf and as such was the runt of the litter. It was abandoned due to its weakness was eventually left behind…until Jaeger came along. Bogen lived because of Jaeger and grew stronger and larger than any wolf had any right to thanks to his friend. Bogen decided to return the favour and asked the Wizard to give Jaeger his strength so that his friend would live."

In the aura projection the Wizard solemnly nodded. It suddenly changed to be outside. A circle filled with numerous runes and spells was created and Jaeger was placed on the right side of the circle. The rise and fall of his chest was enough to signify he was still alive. Bogen was placed on the left side. With a chant the Wizard started the spell. Suddenly the circle glowed an intense light.

"When the Wizard began the spell it was simply a transfer of life force. Through Bogen's sacrifice Jaeger would live again. But spells are equal parts skill and emotion. It was not just the Wizard participating in the ritual but Bogen as well. The wolf wished to hunt with his friend till the end of time, together forever. The spell became not one of transfer but bonding."

Suddenly Jaune watched as Jaeger's body and Bogen's body glowed pure gold and shot into the middle. A man shaped figure was formed and exploded. The Wizard stood up and looked on in surprise at the figure in the middle. Clad only in his pants was Jaeger. His hair was now wild and his eyes glowed red. His teeth were now fangs and his hands were armed with claws. With a loud howl the now healed Jaeger roared.

Jaune's eyes widened as he realized what his species really was. But he let his grandfather finish his story. The image changed to show the Wizard assisting his now transformed friend against Lucifer. Jaeger fought Lucifer in hand to hand combat whereas the wizard struck the demon with magic from afar.

"Jaeger was not just imbued with the power of a wolf but the essence of one. His strength, speed, endurance, and senses were exponentially enhanced. The fusion of Jager and Bogen was not the addition of the two. When the two combined they created a synergy and the resonance of that synergy gave them incredible power beyond what the spell was supposed to. His red eyes signified the power that he had obtained. However…sadly there was a price to his new power".

Jaune watched as Jaeger and the wizard, who were victorious in banishing the demon Lucifer, were now in front of a monument of a wolf.

"The fusion was not perfect. Bogen's sacrifice gave Jaeger the strength to combat the evil that attacked his friend and heal from even the most grievous of wounds but his greatest friend was forever lost to him."

The image showed Jager with a woman with deep brown hair and bright green eyes. The two held a child in their arms and smiled. The Wizard was there was well smiling in happiness for his friend.

"Eventually Jaeger met and mated with his wife. They had a son. He named his son Gelb and announced that all of his blood shall refer to themselves as Bogen as well. Thus the Arc family started and his son's name was Gelb Bogen."

Finally the image disappeared. Jaune looked confused.

"But we are called the Arc's though?"

Alexander smiled as stood up.

"What did you think the word Bogen meant in English Jaune?"

Jaune's eyes widened in surprise. It quickly turned to one of sadness.

"So…we actually are monsters" he muttered.

Alexander placed his hand on his grandson's shoulder.

"No Jaune. We are technically in the middle. We are beyond those of the natural world but are not fully a part of the supernatural either. It is due to this border status that we have that we are not affected by silver and are immune to human diseases. However at the same time we are affected by other supernatural warding substances. Most notably mountain Ash."

Jaune sighed as he let it all sink in. He…he actually was the very monsters that he hunted. Monty Oum life just sucked.

Before Alexander could say a thing the floor began to rumble. Alexander disappeared in a flash of blue light. Jaune stood up and drew the silver sword he had on his back.

"What's happening!?"

"The trail has begun."

Jaune looked up to the sound of the voice and saw his grandparents with worried expressions on their face.

"It appears that the trails have decided to test you now…good luck Jaune."

Jaune looked confused until the floor got covered in a misty vapour. Jaune chuckled.

"Seriously…is this supposed to scare me? Come one get creative!"

Jaune looked up to his grandfather and noticed that everything around him save the glowing vapour was black. Jaune rolled his eyes.

"Monty Oum here we go" he muttered.

Jaune watched as a figured walked out of the darkness. It was a fencer clad in black armour.

"….what the hell?"

It charged at Jaune. Jaune shrugged, sidestepped the charge, and the swung his arm out in a full clothesline. The audible snap told Jaune all he needed to know.

"….seriously this is the test?" muttered Jaune.

Another set of footsteps came out. This time it was a man in oriental robes and a woman wielding a massive hammer. Jaune looked at them with suspicion. However they too charged at Jaune. Jaune rolled under the hammer that swung at him. When he stood up the robe wearing apparition struck. It managed to land a few solid hits on Jaune's chest before the Arc caught the warrior's wrist. Jaune snapped it like a twig and with a flick of his other wrist let his claws come out and slashed the throat of the misty black apparition. It fell like a sack of potatoes.

A screeching was heard as the warrior with the war hammer charged at Jaune. Jaune dodged the downward strike and punched the apparition in the face. It staggered away, leaving the misty black hammer. Jaune lifted it with ease, surprised at the feeling of solidity that came from such a misty looking hammer. Jaune charged at the apparition. It dodged the hammer that Jaune swung at its head but Jaune was quick to snap his leg out to the creature's knee. A loud snap was heard as the creature crumpled to the ground. With no hesitation Jaune lifted the hammer and brought it down on the apparition's head. Jaune smiled as he stood up. This was combat! This was battle!

Finally he was starting to feel like his old self. While killing human like figures was disturbing to Jaune he took solace in the fact that they were just configurations of energy, not actually alive. Jaune also smiled at the fact that he wasn't as afraid as he normally was. Suddenly Jaune heard four sets of footsteps. What came from the darkness that surrounded Jaune was a reaper wielding a scythe, a woman like boxer with gloves, a ninja wielding a katana, and a female gladiator.

"Yes I get it your basing them off my friends. Monty you think you'd be better at the whole mind game thing but you're not."

With that said the reaper struck. Jaune rolled his eyes as he grabbed the charging reaper by the neck and broke it. If this was really Ruby that wouldn't have happened which just told Jaune that these fakes were weaker than the original but still the reaper fake was incredibly fast but it also revealed a weakness to Ruby's semblance. Ruby's speed only worked when it couldn't be countered. However Jaune also knew a real fight against ruby would be far tougher then what he just dealt with. Especially since she was training her body to go faster than ever before. Jaune's match up with the fake Weiss was of a similar situation, her body just couldn't deal with Jaune's strength and as such was brittle. That and Jaune was more violent than even Yang which meant unlike the boxer he was more likely to break your back then your ribs.

Jaune went for the kill shot that is what made the boy so effective in combat. When aura was in play hitting and striking the vital organs and areas dealt a lot more damage to aura then simply hitting your opponent. In the case against fake apparitions of his friends…well Jaune was winning.

The fake Yang charged forward. Her hits were heavy and caused Jaune to stumble. The fake Blake, the ninja, was also in on the action. She kicked at Jaune's back sending him towards the fake Yang again. Back and forth the two went in tandem. Suddenly fake Blake drew her blade and plunged it into Jaune's stomach. Jaune smiled as he gripped the shadowy blade and grinned at the apparition, blood falling down from his lips.

"….my turn."

Jaune head-butted the ninja causing it to stagger. He then dodged to the side as the boxer closed in. Before the boxer could react Jaune punched it in the throat. As the apparition grasped at its throat, the oddity of the action escaping Jaune's current notice, Jaune turned his attention to the ninja. It struck at him with the speed of a viper.

Sadly the speed of a viper was worth crap in this situation. Jaune took the fist of the Blake wannabe, and twisted its arm around its back. Unlike the average maneuver Jaune was back to back with the creature. Before it could react Jaune knelt and with a thundering noise gripped the creature with his other hand by the forehead…and stood up. Jaune broke the creature's neck on his shoulder.

As it crumpled to the floor the boxer was quick to close in. Jaune smiled as he boxed against it, trading jabs and taking blows. However Jaune still had one opponent left after the boxer so he made it quick. Jaune struck with a thunderous left hook, catching the faker by the jaw. As its head shot to the left Jaune kneed it in the stomach. As it crumpled over holding its stomach Jaune smashed his knee into the apparition's face. As its head flew up Jaune jumped up and slammed both his feet into the boxer's mid-frame.

Jaune landed on his back along with the boxer. Jaune was the only one that stood back up. Jaune laughed as he stood up.

"Monty you guys are weak! The real ones would have kicked my ass a long time ago."

Jaune's smile fell as he turned around. He noticed that the last apparition that stood was Pyrrha. Of course the apparition's were just shadowy figures but the themes they all had matched his friends.

"…you know" said Jaune "I'm really starting to get annoyed by this whole thing. Faking the others, I can ignore…faking her? Well…let's see if you can match up to the real thing!"

For the first time since the battle with Ultor and the demon Jaune roared. Almost like a starting gun the roar caused the apparition to charge at Jaune. As the two clashed Jaune noticed that it was stronger than the other's and a lot faster too. While Ruby was certainly the fastest out of all of them that didn't necessarily translate to combat speed. She could only move in a straight line after all.

This fake Pyrrha however, while stronger than the others, was still just a fake. After dodging the swipes of the apparition's blade and spear Jaune quick to end this. He needed it to remain immobile. Any time he swung his claws at it the thing just dodged. So after dodging the spear that the apparition threw at him Jaune closed in and clasped his hands around its throat. Jaune chuckled as he realised he went for another throat shot. Monty he was doing that a lot…probably due to his lack of weaponry but still it let Jaune know he still had a few things to learn with regards to close combat.

As Jaune lifted the fake and snapped its neck he was surprised that what crumpled at his feet was…Pyrrha. Jaune staggered back in surprise. He looked around and noticed that all of the defeated apparition's were no longer shadowy figures that resembled his friends…they were his friends. Jaune took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His heart and posture relaxed as he looked around. This was probably the most disturbing thing Jaune had yet to witness and more than likely would be giving him nightmares for weeks to come but it didn't shake him mentally. Jaune knew what it felt like to break bones under his hands and the entire fight with the fakes was…well it was fake. Jaune couldn't feel skin or bones when he hit them. Jaune knew the sound of the necks breaking was meant to attack him mentally.

Whatever was doing this was testing him. Jaune for one wasn't going to lose…but still.

"I really want this to end" thought Jaune "if I face any more of these fakes I swear I'm going to lose my shit!"

"Well well well" echoed a voice from the darkness "I'm intrigued. So many layers to you. I thought you feared a lack of control…yet you stand before me unbroken. I must say Jaune Arc…I'm interested in you."

Jaune turned around as a woman walked up to him. Her skin was white as now, her eyes a sapphire blue. Her hair and kimono were also white and every step she took caused the ground beneath her feet to freeze.

"….aw crap you're a snow woman aren't you?" asked Jaune.

The woman in question smiled at Jaune. She placed her hand on his face. Jaune shivered slightly at the cold but otherwise was fine. The snow woman sighed sadly as he looked into his eyes.

"Oh if you weren't taken I'd be your first…and your last."

Jaune's face erupted in an enormous blush. The snow woman's face seemed to be sculpted to perfection. The lines of her eyes, cheeks, and chin were all perfect, not a blemish in sight. The Legendary snow woman. Contrary to popular myth these creatures carried tremendous power. Aside from their extraordinary beauty they had power over ice. However in the case of this snow woman her power extended to other areas as well.

"uh…why are you carrying a mirror?" asked Jaune.

The snow woman chuckled lightly as she lifted the small 1 foot mirror she carried with her.

"Oh this old thing?" she said "well…this is how I test you."

Jaune rose an eyebrow. The snow woman rolled her eyes.

"What were you expecting, a weapon?"

Jaune narrowed his eyes.

"I was warned this test could kill me." Said Jaune.

The snow woman just smiled. Her smile was small but seductive, more like a smirk actually. However her eyes revealed not even a hint of the seductress she was trying to play. They were cold and hard like ice and even Jaune for all his hormones wouldn't fall for her.

"Technically speaking…you're already dead." explained Aki.

Jaune's eyes snapped open. He looked around and noticed the corpses of the ghosts were gone. Now he was surrounded only by pure darkness. His only light was the white vapour that flowed around his feet and illuminated the area around Jaune for a few dozen feet.

"….where the hell am I!" demanded Jaune.

The snow woman smiled as she giggled. Her hand politely covered her mouth as she did so.

"You're in the final trail of the Castle of Glass young one. This is where everything is tested at once. Your mind, your soul, it will go on a journey."

Jaune narrowed his eyes as he looked around.

"If that's the case then this is a short trail."

Aki shook her head, like a parent would at a child's ignorant statement.

"For one so smart and observant you can be incredibly dull Jaune."

The young Arc just looked at Aki confused. The snow woman smiled as a sudden chill went down Jaune's back.

"You've been tested since the night you got here. Every waking moment I watched you, tried to figure you out. You see every test is unique, personally designed by me for every individual that comes here."

Jaune sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He was getting tired of this.

"Alright I get that." Said Jaune "however what I don't get is what exactly is being tested here?"

Aki smiled and nodded.

"That is a fair question to ask young Arc. One that I'll answer. You see what's being tested is actually quite simple."

The snow woman dashed in an icy vapour and laid her head on Jaune's shoulder. She looked up at Jaune.

"Tell me what you think these trails are meant for?" asked Aki.

Jaune opened his mouth, closed it, and then after waiting for a minute finally answered.
"Normally I would say a custom for reaching adulthood and honouring the forces of winter…but I have a feeling you're going to tell me otherwise."

Aki took her head of Jaune and reappeared before him several feet away.

"Your half right. These trails honour the forces that I personify. The journey here pitted you against the might of winter. Your nights here gave you the rest you needed before your trail with me began. You see Jaune you Arcs are special to beings like us. While you hunt the supernatural you do so in ways that also respects us, as odd as that sounds. You don't kill unless innocent life has been taken. Because of that you have both the fear and respect amongst many supernatural beings. That can of responsibility is heavy on anyone shoulders, even you Arcs."

The snow woman began to walk around Jaune as she stared off into the darkness.

"These trails are meant to test you. To push you to your limit and see if you can go beyond them. In your case you've already exceeded your physical limits more than once. The fiend, the ghost, even the demon. All of these battles were ones you fought to protect. Sure you hunted for fun but that is secondary to your first and primary goal. To be a hero. So now I test your mental limits…you've even passed that as well. However where your strong in body and mind…your weak in spirit."

Jaune looked at Aki with yet another confused look.

"What?"

Weakness was not a term that was usually applied to Jaune. Thus the boy was more confused then angry.

"You hide behind a façade because you wish to be something else. You hide so that you fit in, so that you can conform to the views of others and be accepted by the masses. Yet you also go against this conformity. You constantly push yourself away from the façade and that push and pull as made you weak in spirit Jaune. You don't accept what you are. So now Jaune I'll force you to" said Aki sweetly.

Before Jaune's eyes the darkness swirled around him and swallowed him whole. Aki smiled as she watched Jaune sink into the darkness. With a snap of her fingers the darkness disappeared to reveal Jaune's grandfather on the stadium floor a foot away from Aki checking his grandson's pulse.

"I see it is done" said Alexander.

Aki nodded a now serious expression on her face.

"It has. I sent him to the boundary. Hopefully the others there will knock some sense into that kid. It's not good to be split like that in combat. This should get him on the right track and Jaune will be whole again."

Alexander smiled at the snow woman.

"Thank you for this, all of this. If not for your assistance over the years the trails of winter would actually be life threatening."

Aki giggled as she closed in on Alexander and gave him a warm hug. She gave him a flirtatious wink as she looked up at him.

"I'd do anything for you. You know that."

Alexander smiled as he pushed Aki away lightly.

"I know old friend. Although I find your flirtatious jokes to be a bit much from time to time life wouldn't be the same without you Aki."

Aki giggled as she looked away, a heavy blush on her face. Selena came down through the stairs and gave Aki an expression that obviously stated "Seriously?" Aki just giggled and winked at Selena. Selena just shook her head and sat down beside Jaune.

It would take a while but Jaune would come back. Hopefully he would come back whole and not the splintered sense of self he had now.

-With Pyrrha Nikos at a pizzeria in Vale. 1:00 PM-

Pyrrha arrived at a place called "Vale's pizzeria". It was an older building but the inside was entirely organic. Everything, aside from kitchen appliances and electronics, was made of wood. There was a table at the far right where April was sitting. Her auburn hair and shapely body was currently attracting attention from everyone there. The sad part was she just wore a standard black hoodie and jeans…wait what?

As Pyrrha sat down she double checked what April was wearing.

"Are you wearing Jaune's clothes?" she asked.

April looked confused but then starting laughing.

"Oh no! No I'm not. Look, see."

April lifted her hood the reveal that the inside of the hoodie was blue instead of orange. April smiled. Her heart shaped face and the way her hair cascaded around it made April beautiful and Pyrrha sighed as she heard some boys wolf whistle. April winked at Pyrrha and then glared at the source of the noise. A burst of some kind of…thing shut everyone in the restaurant up. April noticed Pyrrha's confusion.

"Oh that was just killing intent. It doesn't affect you much since you've been introduced to some much greater than what I put out."

Pyrrha shivered as she remembered the demon and Ultor. April smiled as she ordered some pizza for the two of them. As they waited for the pizza April went right into it.

"So mom invited you to dinner?"

Pyrrha nodded.

"Yes Mrs. Arc invited me to dinner. I assume there is something important she wants to discuss with me."

April nodded then blushed embarrassingly as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Ah I thought so. See mom is…well she's gonna test you."

Pyrrha nodded as she absorbed the information.

"I see. Do you mean in combat?" asked Pyrrha.

April held in her laugh at the oblivious Pyrrha. Poor girl.

"No my mom…well she's going to see if your good enough to be Jaune's mate."

April smiled bashfully but that smile soon fell at Pyrrha's confused look. April smiled as she explained further.

"Mate. Courting partner."

Pyrrha's jaw dropped.

"WHAT!"

Everyone in the building looked at Pyrrha. Pyrrha smiled awkwardly as she waved at them. Things quickly quieted down as Pyrrha turned back to April.

"Courting partner?" she whispered.

April nodded.

"Oh yea. Mom wouldn't just let anyone court Jaune."

Pyrrha blushed further.

"But I'm not trying to marry him!" Pyrrha whispered fiercely.

April nodded in sympathy.

"I know that. Mom doesn't."

Pyrrha gave April an exasperated expression. April sighed as she explained even further.

"Look mom doesn't get the whole concept of dating. She finds it stupid."

Pyrrha rose an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Really?" said Pyrrha.

April gave Pyrrha a deadpan look.

"Yup. She's dead serious when it comes to her kids and dating. She's seriously overprotective."

Pyrrha sighed as a man brought their pizza. Pyrrha's was a standard pepperoni pizza whereas April had a lot of meat on hers.

"So" said April "All you got to remember with my mom with regards to tonight is just be yourself. Better she judges you for you then a fake persona right."

Pyrrha nodded as she listened intently. Then a thought struck her.

"Is that what she did with Jarred?" asked Pyrrha.

April suddenly blushed and choked on her food.

"ACK! H-how the hell do you know about Jarred!?"

April looked down and noticed that a bit of her Pizza had stained her hoodie. With a huff April told Pyrrha she'd be back in a minute and went to the bathroom. As she sat there Pyrrha was alerted to the presence of someone sitting across from her. Her eyes widened in surprise at the individual.

"You!"

-Jaune Arc in the middle of God knows where-

When Jaune had fallen through the weird darkness he had fallen for quite some time. When he landed he was surprised at the lack of pain. Jaune grunted as he stood up from the ground. Jaune blinked away the confusion that rattled his brain. As his vision focused Jaune noticed that the ground beneath him was lush with grass and fauna of all kinds. Actually the flowers were a ridiculous assortment of colour. Some were the standard red, blue, purple. But there was also flowers that glowed with a neon like light. As Jaune stood and looked around the sound of deep baritone laughter echoed in his ears.

Jaune whirled around and finally got an eyeful of here he was. Jaune Arc, who was just minutes ago was in the lower levels of his families castle, was now in a forest that looked like it belonged in a story book. The trees were think and strong. Their bark was dark brown and their leaves a vibrant green. They all looked like the perfect trees. The sky looked like the aurora borealis, a shifting construct of colour.

Jaune Arc just had one thing to say.

"….Where the hell am I!"

Again the laughter echoed to Jaune and he spun around looking for it. Jaune Arc found it. Sitting on top of a large boulder that was just to Jaune's right was a man. Jaune Arc's eyes widened as he beheld the man's appearance. His hair was thick, blonde, and reached to the back of his neck. His hair winged out giving him a surfer like hair style. His skin was tanned and the man wore a pair of jeans and a nice white t-shirt. What struck Jaune however was the man's sharp ears and golden eyes.

"Sup cuz."

Jaune narrowed his eyes as he approached the man.

"Where. Am. I." Demanded Jaune.

The man smiled as he jumped off the rock.

"Are you sure you want the answer to that little dude?" asked the man.

Jaune nodded. The man sighed as he gestured for Jaune to follow him. As Jaune followed the man through the densest forest Jaune had ever seen the man introduced himself.

"The name's Ryan Arc bro. Been dead for a good…I don't know few centuries now."

Jaune nodded. But then he turned confused.

"Wait a few centuries? Dead!?"

Ryan laughed as he gestured for Jaune to look down a chasm. When Jaune went to the chasm he noticed something. It wasn't a chasm…it was the damn end of the forest. The entire plot of land that Jaune was on was just a floating piece of earth.

"Well now that you've seen it I guess you'll believe it" said Ryan.

The man smiled as he gestured to the swirling mass of colours that surrounded the island.

"Welcome to the boundary little dude!"

Jaune stared at Ryan.

"What the hell is a boundary?" asked Jaune.

Ryan faltered a little as he just looked at Jaune.

"Seriously what are they teaching you! You're in the boundary dude! You know, between life and death!"

"I'm…dead?" whispered Jaune.

Ryan laughed as he smacked Jaune in the back.

"Nah bra. You still don't get it. The trails of the Castle of Glass are not life threatening."

Jaune glared at Ryan.

"Then why tell people that?"

Ryan smirked.

"Puts the fear of Monty into little dudes like you. Stops you from going into a trail half-cocked so to speak. The tests are designed for each person. It forces you to face your greatest fears and overcome them. The life of a hunter is stressful on the body, mind, and spirit brah. The trail ensures that those who take it are like is strong in mind, body, and soul. If you pass you're allowed to take whatever contract you want, instead of what is judged acceptable at your level."

As Ryan finished his explanation Jaune remembered his mother's interference on his first contract. There was certainly a lot more happening around Jaune then the boy knew since there was only three contracts available to him and all of them were pretty basic and not likely to be dangerous.

"Seriously?" thought Jaune "I guess I can choose any contract I want from the selection they give me…Monty what are we a bunch of supernatural lawyers? What's with the whole double meanings and crap! Monty I am so confused!"

Still though such thoughts took a back seat to the biggest one that currently rampaged in his head. Where the hell was he really? Jaune doubted the boundaries between life and death were so…vibrant.

Ryan sighed as he looked at Jaune.

"I take it that you know why you've been sent here bro?"

Jaune looked at Ryan and looked down.

"Yea…."

Ryan smiled.

"Come at little dude you can tell me. It's not like I can tell anyone, I'm dead!"

Jaune sighed as he looked at Ryan.

"I'm apparently having issues accepting myself…whatever the hell that means."

Ryan suddenly got a look of understanding.

"Ahh you learned about Jager and Bogen right?"

Jaune looked shocked and nodded.

"Yea that tends to get to the younger ones. You know the whole thought of 'OH MY MONTY I'M A MONSTER' or the more stupid line of thought 'AM I GOING TO EAT PEOPLE'! Monty you'd think kids like you would be smarter about it."

Jaune glared at Ryan.

"You don't know me! That's not what I'm worried about!"

Ryan smirked as he clasped Jaune's shoulder.

"Really?" he asked "Because that's not what I see."

Jaune jolted away from Ryan. He hit his back against a wall. Jaune's eyes widened as he realized he was in Beacon academy.

"What the hell!?"

Ryan smirked as he appeared before Jaune. Now he was wearing a Beacon uniform. He looked down at himself and whistled.

"Nice!"

Ryan then gestured for Jaune to look to his left. Jaune did and was surprised to see Pyrrha…yelling at himself?

"You're a monster!" yelled Pyrrha "I don't want anything to do with you, you you FREAK!"

Jaune flinched as he watched Pyrrha push the fake him away. The image before Jaune shimmered as he all he saw was black. Ryan walked to Jaune line of sight and rose an eyebrow. Jaune swallowed what felt like a ball in his throat.

"…what was that?" asked Jaune.

Ryan shrugged as he tried to explain it.

"That was your inner darkest fear…currently. Remember when I said that you were in the boundary?" asked Ryan.

Jaune nodded.

"Well that's only half true. You are technically between the border of life and death but you're not dead. Think of this like a really weird near death experience. All you have to know is that this is a type of limbo and you'll be fine. Personally I don't get the whole spiritual afterlife stuff either bro."

"….this is unnecessarily confusing. Why all this effort just to teach a lesson?" demanded Jaune.

Ryan smiled as he gestured to himself.

"So you can meet me and the others."

Jaune rose an eyebrow.

"You see Jaune this is a chance for you to learn from the mistakes of the old generation. To learn from us. In some cases its skills and techniques. Other's its lessons in focus and meditation. For you…its acceptance. Due to that you won't meet a lot of us but your lesson is just as important as wielding a sword or focusing."

Ryan snapped his fingers and suddenly Jaune was now in a bar. It was familiar because this was the lunar bar. Its smoky atmosphere, dull lights, and the bar in the center of the restaurant surrounded by tables was familiar to Jaune.

"This is all from my memories isn't it?" asked Jaune.

Ryan shrugged his shoulders.

"This is how you perceive what is around you yea. The living can't really see what the afterlife is like, kind of a rule. So to go around that it changes to settings and surroundings that are familiar to you. It's a tad confusing but just roll with it. Not really something you need to know little bro."

Ryan cleared his throat as he placed the glass he was cleaning down and stared at Jaune right in the eyes.

"So tell me bro. Why do you think you're a monster?"

Jaune swallowed as he took a seat. This was difficult for him. Expressing his emotions was always an issue. Now that his shift had occurred Jaune was no longer prone to emotional outbursts.

"I look at myself and all I see in the morning are the claws and the fangs. That's all people tend to see. Until Pyrrha and the others. I thought for a small time that I was no longer a freak, that I was accepted. But that fight with Ultor…the fear I saw in their eyes. It made me realize that no matter how hard I try I'll still be a monster in their eyes."

Ryan nodded as he listened to Jaune. Suddenly a hand clasped the young Arc on the shoulder. Jaune looked up and was introduced to the sight of a man armoured in thick leather and a horned helmet. His crimson eyes burned with power and his white hair was even further proof of his status. His beard was thick and bushy covering most of his face.

This was an Alpha.

"So that's how you view yourself boy? A monster that creates fear?"

The man took off his helmet. His hair was long, reaching the end of his nape.

He had a large claw like scar on his face that reached from the top of his eye and burned an ugly trail down over his nose and lips to his lower chin.

"You fear that you'll be the monster you think you'll become. Don't be young Arc. Take it from me young man I too have the blood rage. I know what it is like to give in to battle and rage but even so I never forgot what my objectives was or my allies."

Suddenly the white of the older Arc's eyes turned black.

"My name is Leif Arc. I am proud of who I am and so to should you Jaune Arc."

With that the man disappeared. Jaune blinked and turned to Ryan.

"…what the hell is a blood rage…better question who the hell was that?"

Ryan smiled as his own eyes turned black and gold.

"That was Leif Arc, look him up when you get back topside. The blood rage is a bit misleading. It's not like you get consumed by rage or anything but at the same time rage is the trigger. It makes you faster and stronger. To be honest it's like tapping into the primal strength of the beast we all have. You give into the instincts and the strength of the beast comes out. However when it ends your left in a weakened state with your healing factor weakened. It's like a last ditch effort or a double-edged sword. Not many Arcs have it. An even rarer few went nutty with it but since you already experienced it and didn't go bat-shit your good."

Jaune nodded. Suddenly Ryan smiled as he gave Jaune a neon blue drink. Jaune nodded his thanks and shot the drink down. Ryan smiled as another Arc took a seat beside Jaune. This one was a woman. Her flat long brown hair and deep green eyes was a quick indication she wasn't like Jaune and Ryan.

"So you're Jaune Arc." She said.

The woman smiled as she eyed Ryan. Her blush and Ryan's smile gave Jaune a clue that there was something going on between them. The woman turned to Jaune and placed her hand on his cheek. Her motherly smile and understanding gaze reminded Jaune of his mother and grand-mother. He felt more comfortable talking to her. It was an odd feeling. Probably had to do with the fact they were related in some fashion.

"I see pain in your gaze young one. I see the schism that you have. Between the man and the beast…but think on this. Why do you think the beast inside is dangerous?"

Jaune jolted at the question. The brown haired woman smiled as she let her hand fall down from Jaune's cheek.

"You perceive yourself as a monster but you're not. You think there is a separate entity, a beast that you have to control, inside you. But there isn't. You Jaune Arc are whole. You are different than most certainly, but you are no more a monster then a Faunus. In the words of my husband."

Suddenly the brown haired woman slapped Jaune across the face.

"Grow the hell up! If your friends honestly think of you as a monster then they were never your friends! Think on it. Have they ever gave any indication that they perceived you as such? And so what if they were afraid of you for a time. You're not exactly a little teddy bear! Enough of your constant belittlement of your friends and yourself! If they are your friends do they not deserve more faith from you?!"

Jaune rubbed his cheek.

"But!"

The woman slapped Jaune's other cheek. Ryan was staring at the scene like a deer in headlights. He didn't bring his wife here to slap the kid!

"Enough! Don't hesitate! Don't stop moving forward! You're afraid of what ifs! Of something that may happen. Grow a damn pair and face it! Don't back down and face it like a true Arc! I swear you Arc men lack a damn pair!"

Jaune shook his head as the words of the woman before him struck home. Jaune looked at the woman a new determination in his eyes. He was afraid of the opinions of his friends, he was afraid that everything he had right now could slip through his fingers. But at the same time his friends still interacted with Jaune even before he left for the trails. Pyrrha answered his call wearing his clothes! Regardless of what happened Jaune Arc would stand tall. Jaune looked down in shame as the sudden feeling of guilt washed over him.

Did he abandoned his pride so easily? He was an Arc, a slayer of monsters! When did the opinions of others affect him so? Jaune stood off the stool and looked at the Ryan.

"She's right" declared Jaune "it's time I stop hiding…that I stop running. I want to return!"

Ryan smiled as he shrugged.

"You can leave whenever you want" said Ryan.

Jaune looked at him surprised.

"Really? But how?"

Ryan shrugged again.

"How the hell should I know? I never tried it."

Jaune flipped Ryan the bird and suddenly disappeared. As Jaune vanished the bar around Ryan fell. The walls became trees and the ground a lush green. The sky turned a bright blue and a sun began to shine down on Ryan and the brown haired woman. Ryan was now wearing animal skins for pants and black tribal tattoos on his arms and pectorals. He lacked a shirt obviously and his wife wore a dress made of green silk that reached to her ankles.

"Ahhh" said Ryan "It's good to see you Enya."

Enya, the brown haired woman, smiled as she hugged her husband.
"It's good to see you again as well. Now transform back. I don't want to look at that stupid disguise of yours." Demanded Enya.

Ryan transformed as a rune on his chest glowed bright yellow. His once blonde hair became a deep chestnut brown. His gold eyes turned crimson and his height increased to that of 6'3. His muscle mass remained the same swimmer like build and black tribal tattoos all glowed an individual colour. Some were red, others blue, and a rare few black and purple.

"This better lass?"

Enya just smiled and kissed her husband. The two began to walk through the forest.

"What did you think of Jaune?" asked Enya "I found him to be interesting. Although I'm surprised you called on me so soon. Usually you let the younger generations meet their heroes."

Ryan smiled as he looked at his wife.

"That's just it" said Ryan "Jaune was already close to accepting himself, we just sped it up. And from what I sensed from Jaune…he'll be great."

Enya rose an eyebrow.

"Whys that?" she asked.

Ryan smirked as his crimson eyes burned bright.

"I sensed from Jaune that he didn't want to meet his ancestors. He wanted to SURPASS them! That kid has got a hell of a drive in him. I can't wait to see what he does!"

Enya chuckled as she hugged her husband's arm.

"For someone so powerful you're a bit of a softy…Jaeger."

The ancient Arc smiled as he hugged his wife close to him.

"Perhaps but I think I can afford to be soft hearted since I'm dead."

Enya rolled her eyes and pushed her husband away.

"yea yea I get it" said Enya "Now let's take a break before we head back to the other side Jaeger."

Jaeger, the once named Ryan, smiled happily at his wife and nodded. To transverse between the boundary and purgatory was a pain in the ass and required a lot of magical power and knowledge. Thank the gods for his wife or he'd be screwed. Jaeger sighed as he entered the cabin. He couldn't wait to see what Jaune had in store for him. The ancient Arc looked at his wife. The woman smiled as she gave her husband a large black wolf pelt and an old black bow.

"There will be monsters when we get back. Wouldn't want you to have an excuse why I killed more than you again."

Jaeger smiled.
"Don't worry dear this will be a short hunt."

As he ran Jaeger's vison began to turn white as he returned to purgatory he realized his acting could have been better. His accent and speech changed halfway through. Thankfully the illusion runes did their work and Jaeger didn't have to worry about his appearance being revealed. Jaune couldn't know who he was till much later down the road…when he was ready for the final trail.

"Good luck Jaune Arc" muttered Jaeger "I look forward to hearing tales of your adventures."

With that Jaeger opened his eyes to reveal a world of a dense forest. The howling of monsters and other creatures tore through the silence and Jaeger smiled. His wife had already ran ahead of him, the little bugger. With a roar of his own Jaeger notched an arrow in his bow and let it fly. The howls of a monster in pain echoed through the forest.

-Jaune Arc, topside-

The ground rumbled as a pentagram with numerous runes and symbols appeared where Jaune disappeared before. Jaune was spat out of the seal and landed in a huff. When the young man stood up Alexander smiled at his appearance.

Jaune stood tall and broad shouldered. His golden eyes shone with determination and focus. Jaune's claws were unsheathed and the young Arc finally, FINALLY, looked slightly comfortable in his own skin. Jaune's red and black Fiend jacket and jeans look no worse for wear, although the young Arc's t-shirt had holes and slash marks that were stained in blood.

Alexander smiled at his grandson and jumped down from the observation deck.

"You did well Jaune Arc. Now…I take it you know what your test was about?"

Jaune looked at his grandfather and smiled. However Jaune's smile had a hint of acceptance but also fear.

"I had to accept what I was. I needed to learn that not all supernatural creatures are monsters, just as I am not a monster."

Alexander nodded.

"Yes. We hunt the monsters Jaune but not all creatures are beasts without reason. Higher vampires, werewolves, and multiple other sentient beings can be reasoned with. We only slay them when they break the one and only rule. The killing or torment of an innocent human being. You needed to learn that just because you are of both the natural and the supernatural didn't mean that you were a monster. A monster is a being without reason a creature that kills, murders, tricks, and rapes to its hearts content. The world we live in is just a large shade of grey. There is evil everywhere. Some are creatures…and others are human."

Jaune sighed as the lesson began to finally sink in. While it was important to accept himself for what he was there was also the most important lesson. Kill only when required. It was a lesson Jaune would have to learn well. Gryphons, Fiends, ghouls, wraiths, and other types of mindless creatures were to be put down. But the other beings of the supernatural, the ones that can be reasoned with needed evidence and proof that they were breaking the one rule. Jaune's eyes shone with a brilliance as the lesson finally truly sunk in. Jaune Arc was a hunter of monsters, not beings trying to live their life.

Suddenly Alexander touched Jaune on the shoulder and Jaune finally noticed Aki, the snow woman, behind his grandfather. She had a mirror that was shining with a bright white energy instead of showing a reflection.

"So you've actually managed to pass the test the first time. Not many Arcs can do that. Most freak out and accidentally force themselves out of the boundaries. The only ones who've ever passed the test the first time through has been your mother and your grandfather. Congratulations." Said Aki.

Jaune said his thanks as his grandfather gestured towards the mirror.

"That mirror in Aki's hands is a rare item that was created many eons ago. It's been referred to as the mirror of the soul. Essentially it's a gateway that allows an individual to safely travel the border of life and death. In essence your alive but dead at the same time. It also allows you to commune with your ancestors and learn from their knowledge by summoning them to your location. This is the trail of the Castle of Glass. Congratulations Jaune Arc. You've passed."

Jaune smiled as he looked at the mirror. The trail of glass. It made sense to the young Arc. The trail of a looking glass more like it but it made sense. The entire test of the trails was to force oneself to see the reflection of who they are and accept it. For some it was to destroy their arrogance in their physical prowess or strengthen them. For others it was to let them see the monster they were becoming and give them the chance to turn it around. For some like Jaune it was to accept what they were. The tests were always different but these lessons were always the same.

It prepared the Arcs mentally for the task they set themselves up for. It also struck Jaune how dangerous hunting monsters truly was.

This trail was designed to prepare an Arc in whatever area they were weak in and even then many Arcs still died. Only the strongest of the Arcs were still around from the older generation. Jaune nodded as he promised to himself to never stop growing, to never stop getting stronger. This time was his, his to control.

"My name is Jaune Arc…and I am proud of what I am."

Jaune echoed the words of Leif Arc and everyone smiled.

"Good. Now it is time for your reward. Not many are capable of doing what you did on your first try. Because of that I'll allow you to take one weapon from the vault in the castle. Choose wisely Jaune."

Jaune smiled as his grandfather led the way. Jaune knew his trails at his family's castle was over…but the trails back home were far from done.

-With Pyrrha at the Pizza place-

Pyrrha sighed in relief when April finally came from the bathroom. What was about to happen required precise precision.

"I am so sorry for taking so long. Monty the stain just wouldn't come out" pouted April.

Pyrrha smiled.

"No problem April."

Pyrrha quickly darted her eyes around. She coughed to clear her throat. The signal given. April looked confused.

"What's the matter are you sick?" asked April "I can ask mom to have dinner another time."

Pyrrha just smiled as a set of hands hugged April around the neck.

"Hey there April!"

April shrieked as she recognized the scent. She stood up and turned around to face Jarred. Jarred, the ram Faunus from Riancarn, smiled as he hugged April tight. He was currently wearing the Vale police uniform. Unlike Riancarn's which was red and black Jarred's new uniform was a blue suit with a green stripe of the arms and numerous medals on his left breast. His ram horns stood large and proud on his head and his eyes danced with affection for April. It was then April noticed his uniform. Her eyes become wide.

"….You…you are working here now" she whispered.

Jarred nodded.

"Yes I decided to get a job here. I know we haven't really dated yet but I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me later tonight. I've really come to like you a lot April and I want the chance to get to know you better than a friend."

Jarred's eyes almost bulged out of his sockets when April grabbed his hair, pulled him down, and gave him a deep kiss as red painted her cheeks. When the two separated Jarred began to stutter.

"W-w-well that was amazing and all but I don't want to push you and I."

April gave a look to Jarred.

"Shut up and kiss me."

Jarred's eyes went wide but he was quick to oblige. With another kiss in the making Pyrrha was quick to clear her throat. April looked annoyed until she remembered who she was with.

"Oh I am so sorry!" said April "I got kind of distracted. So really just act like yourself around mom and you'll be fine. Now I got the bill so see ya!"

Before Pyrrha could say anything April was gone and money was left on the table. Pyrrha was officially stood up and was ignored. Pyrrha smiled as she felt like an ordinary person. Pyrrha sighed as she realized she now had to face Jaune's mother.

Pyrrha took out her scroll and saw the message that was given to her by Joan.

Joan: Come at 6:30 for dinner at John's place. If you need directions just give me a call any time after 2:30

Pyrrha sighed as she finished her pizza. It was good don't get her wrong but Pyrrha wasn't as big a fan of the dish. Still though it was decent. As Pyrrha left the pizzeria she quickly went to get a bus…she had a dinner to prepare for. She just really hoped she was prepared for it.

-Pyrrha at John's place 6:30-

Pyrrha was totally not ready for this. She hesitantly knocked on John's door and quickly looked over herself. Pyrrha was dressed in a nice green shirt and was currently wearing a black jacket. She didn't change from her jeans and she wore simple shoes, no heels. Her tiara was back in place and her hair was currently in a pony-tail. Pyrrha felt as though she was still underdressed but had no further time to think on it when the door opened to reveal Joan.

Jaune's mother wore a simple white t-shirt and jeans outfit and motioned for Pyrrha to come in. It was silent as Pyrrha made her way to the dinner table. John's house was still the same. A standard two story home. Had a kitchen, family room, living room, and three bedrooms upstairs along with a bathroom on each floor.

What made it truly John's was the lack of pictures and other little objects that made a house a home.

"So…where's John?" asked Pyrrha.

Joan smirked as she remembered where her brother was.

-John in the basement right now-

John was currently hammering away on yet another weapon, this one being special since it was designed to combat a very specific supernatural threat.

"Stupid sister" muttered John "telling me to go into the basement. Since when the hell was this her house! Monty dammit."

-Back with Joan and Pyrrha-

"Yea" said Joan "My brother won't be bothering for the night alright."

Pyrrha rose an eyebrow but accepted the answer. Who was she to pry too much into something? Joan led Pyrrha to the kitchen and set her down. Pyrrha smiled as she scooted herself in and noticed that she was right across from Joan as the woman stared at her. Pyrrha smiled awkwardly as Joan kept a solid and unnerving stare at Pyrrha. A ding ran through the kitchen as David walked in. The man was wearing a kiss the cook apron over a green hoodie and wore black pants. His glasses were slightly askewed on his face.

"Dinner is served!"

David's smile fell as he noticed the tension in the room. He hit himself in the face as he leaned into his wife.

"Again with this Joan? Seriously!? Even your dad isn't this bad!"

Joan glared at her husband.

"This coming from you? You thought my father hated your guts. If it wasn't for the camera that Jaune was sent with you'd never know how my father actually felt."

David gave his wife a blank look.
"Well rawr. Someone woke up cranky today."

Joan just chuckled as her husband got the food. The man and his sass she hated and loved that part about him. Joan's laughter slowly fell she her eyes focused on Pyrrha again.

"So" said Joan "you like my son."

Pyrrha gave a hesitant nod. Joan pursed her lips and thought and looked at Pyrrha again.

"Is there any specific reason?"

Pyrrha opened her motuh and then closed it again. She looked down at her hands as she truly thought about why she liked him. She was so deep in thought she never noticed David putting some steaks on her plate along with salad and fries.

"Seriously Joan you broke her already!? What's Jaune going to when he get back!"

Pyrrha's shot up to apologize but her apology died at David's smiling face.

"I'm joking Pyrrha."

Pyrrha smiled as her heart calmed down. She looked at Joan as the woman already dug into her food but now focused on her again.

"I really like Jaune, I do. But there's no single reason why I like him. He's smart and kind to me. He cares for my opinion and treats me like a person. His strength and potential speak to me as well. All his little quirks that make Jaune…Jaune are the reasons why I like him…I'm sorry I really don't know how to explain it that well" said Pyrrha.

Joan smiled as she placed her knife and fork down.

"I understand. Honestly I already like you. I think you're a good match for my son. But Jaune has been through quite a bit when he was a child and I don't want my little star to hurt more then necessary. He's already becoming a fine hunter but I worry for his emotional well being now…something I've noticed you've been helping with."

Pyrrha looked surprised at Joan. The woman gave Pyrrha kind smile.

"Tell me Pyrrha do you know what its like to be…one of us?"

Pyrrha answered honestly and shook her head no.

"For us Arcs we can see and sense more then any human can ever imagine. My brothers especially."

Pyrrha looked confused.

"What does John have to do with this?" asked Pyrrha.

Joan turned serious as she finished off her steak. Pyrrha's eyes went wide when she noticed Joan's empty plate.

"…where does it all go!?" demanded Pyrrha mentally.

David, seemingly used to his wife's eating habits, simply placed another piece of steak on her plate. Joan smiled in appreciation and dug in once more. Pyrrha decided to follow their example and have some food to eat. Joan spoke while Pyrrha ate.

"My Brother John's sense of smell is stronger than any other Arc currently. Unlike the rest of us he can actually see scents and smell the emotion that people feel."

Pyrrha's eyes widened in surprise. She then remembered the weird cigarettes that John smoked.

"Is that why John smokes those back cigarettes?" asked Pyrrha.

Joan nodded.

"Yes. He smokes them to dampen his sense of smell so that he doesn't have to deal with it constantly."

Joan however was quick to to interuppt Pyrrha from talking.

"I know your feelings are genuine Pyrrha, I know that. But I want you to know that there is so much more to us then you think. We are a lot closer to the monsters we hunt then you realize. There's so much about us you're still learning…so much that you could use against us" said Joan.

Pyrrha's eyes widened as a sudden surge of irritation took hold.

"You think I'll betray Jaune."

Joan shrugged.

"It's a possibility. One that constantly worries me."

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes.

"I would never intentionally hurt Jaune!" yelled Pyrrha.

Joan's expression didn't change.

"Says the one who ran after finding out about Jaune's life expectancy."

Pyrrha took this in stride.

"So I ran. I was surprised but I didn't turn my back on Jaune like you did!"

Joan's eyes turned gold at the stament but Pyrrha was on a roll.

"I have never abandoned him and I never will. Not once did I entertain the thought to expose Jaune or you!"

Joan's eyes turned back to their illusionary blue and her face remained stone like as yet again Pyrrha noticed that her steak was gone.

"Why?" asked Joan "I mean such a big secret kept from you…you had to have felt angry."

"I was" admitted Pyrrha "I was so scared about Jaune living so long, forgetting me. But at the same time I realized that a life with Jaune…was better than one without him. I don't know what life has ahead up me and Jaune, I can't guarantee that we'll stay together if we end up dating. I can't say I love your son because I we haven't gotten that far yet. But I do know one thing. No matter how things turn out Jaune will always be my friend, my partner! I don't care what you have to say about it because Jaune and I are in this together. I don't care if there's things I can't know or things I can't see. I get that now. But Jaune's my friend and no matter what lies ahead…that will never change."

Joan's eyes were wide at Pyrrha's impromptu speech. David whistled as he kept eating.

"I think she out played you this time hun."

Joan looked at her husband and smiled. He was right. Like Jarred before her Pyrrha took all that Joan and to throw and threw it right back at her. Pyrrha's soul was like steel, her resolve unwavering. Joan smiled at Pyrrha as she stood up.

"Your words are strong, just like you Pyrrha."

Joan held her hand out for the red haired warrior. Pyrrha stood up and grasped Joan's hand.

"You are allowed to court my son if you wish. From this moment on consider yourself a friend to the Arcs regardless of what happens between you and Jaune. I must say Pyrrha I'm glad my son has a friend like you and I really hope things work out for you two."

Pyrrha let a breath she didn't even know she was holding escape. She shakily sat back in her seat. A wavy smile formed on Pyrrha's face as the full weight finally settled on Pyrrha's mind.

"C-court your son" repeated Pyrrha.

Joan smiled.

"That's right."

Pyrrha laughed as she settled down. Why her!? But still though. Pyrrha had the mother's approval for dating her son. Pyrrha's fears still haunted her. Dating Jaune was slowly becoming an actual reality. The date was one thing but actually dating each other was a whole different game. Pyrrha's mother, as much as the girl in question liked to believe otherwise, still had quite a good deal of power over her. She was her mother for Christ sake!

Pyrrha decided to get her mind off her anxiety and concentrate on her food. Joan waved her husband off as the man offered her another stake. Joan would pig out later, not in front of a guest. Instead Joan gained an evil look as she leaned forward to Pyrrha.

"Say" said Joan "Did you want to hear some…stories about Jaune."

Pyrrha's eyes gained an intense curiosity as she smiled and swallowed her food.

"Of course I would."

David sighed as his wife bonded with Pyrrha.

"Sorry Jaune. I couldn't stop her even if I tried."

David smiled though as he looked up. Hopefully his boy was having fun with his grandfather and would tell him all about it tomorrow. That's when Jaune was coming back anyway. Since the trails were done Jaune didn't have to run through the Arctic, the Arcs trained beasts for far faster travel and Jaune would make it by tomorrow mid-day…hopefully.

-With Jaune and Alexander, the Vault of the Castle of Glass 7:45 PM-

Jaune scowled as looked at his grandfather, who led the way with a torch for the sake of his grandmother who was currently walking beside Jaune.

"Are we there yet!"

Alexander smiled as he turned to Jaune.

"We're almost there Jaune."

The blonde Arc gained a twitch over his left eye.

"That's what you said an hour and a half ago! How far is this damn vault!?"

Alexander smiled as he stopped.

"You tell me" said Alexander.

Jaune walked past his uncle and looked at the vault. They were now in a circular room that when Jaune entered candles and other flammable light sources lit up one at a time. Jaune turned to his grandfather with a blank expression.

"Really?" asked Jaune.

Alexander pouted a little.

"Well I thought it was grand" said Alexander.

Selena placed her hand on her husband's shoulder.

"Honey they don't say grand anymore. I believe the term is cool."

Alexander looked at Selena with surprise.

"Seriously? Monty humans and their slang. I'll never get their constant change of language and clothes" he muttered.

Selena rolled her eyes. Her husband was a bit of a goof. Jaune however stared at the large bank vault door that stood almost two yards away from him. The large iron door had multiple symbols engraved on it that all glowed as Jaune slowly walked towards it. The doors handle turned on its own as the locks on the vault door became loose. Jaune turned to his grandfather. The older Arc smiled as he urged Jaune to keep going.

Jaune stood before the vault doors. The black iron vault door stood ever five times Jaune's height. It was huge and obviously heavy, meant to be opened only by those who wielded incredible strength, namely the Arcs. Jaune placed his hands on the opened edge of the vault door. All of his trails, all of the tests done here…it was all for this.

"Time to see what this is all about" growled Jaune.

With a mighty heave Jaune opened the door to the Vault of the Castle of Glass. There Jaune would find what he needed to become a true hunter of the Arc family and be knee deep in the world of the supernatural.

Here…the legend of Jaune Arc began.

Chapter end.

Next time of Journey: Path of a Hero!

Jaune Arc has triumphed over the Castle of Glass but his trails are not over. When Jaune returns he will learn there is more than just reuniting with friends that awaits him. With new weapons, gear, and mindset is Jaune ready for what awaits him at home?

Pairing List:

Jaune x Pyrrha

Weiss x Neptune

Blake x Yang or Sun*. Convince me.

Ren x Nora

John x Neo*

A/N: Alright so about John x Neo anything with a little symbol is a paring that will happen but may change through the course of the story. In the case of John x Neo I really like them together and I'm going to give them a try. But if I find they don't work out they'll obviously it will show through the writing. If they do work out then the symbol will change and become a permanent pairing. In the case of Blake's romance it's a bit different. I love both of Blake's romance options and as such have a hard time choosing between the two. So I'm actually leaving it up to you guys to give me reasons for them, to let me Blake, Yang, and Sun through different perspectives and viewpoints.

Also for those of you who were still wondering where the smoking and strong sense of smell with John is based off of look no further. John's sense of smell and smoking habit is based off of the character Bigby from Fables.

Read and Review guys! Thank you so much for all the support!