College Fool didn't have a chance to see this. I worked really hard to get ahead, and had a full day off yesterday because of how much I worked… and then I just wasted the entire day lazing around. I had a lazy day and completed ruined the whole point of working harder before, which was to get ahead on this fic.

Arghhhh!

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Dishwasher1910

Book 3: Chapter 8

As the sun vanished behind the mountains and twilight gave way to night, we moved out from our hidden camp in the trees and towards the ruins. The wind was cold enough to chill our bones, but light enough to listen for the beat of wings. We would be most vulnerable climbing the hill up towards the plateau, but we hadn't dared make camp close to it in case we were attacked. I paused on a rock and reached down an arm to help Weiss up, the Mage light enough for me to drag up the rock face.

"Thanks," she whispered, and pushed past me to scale higher. Out of everyone in the group, she, Ren and Ruby were the ones who struggled the last time, and I wasn't the only one helping them up. Yang clambered up with Ruby on her back, while Nora dragged Ren by the hand. It wasn't a show of weakness from any of them. If we got stuck in combat, we'd need their firepower.

Further ahead and cresting the ridge, Blake perched gracefully on a rocky outcrop, one hand on the rock as she crouched low. Her eyes saw further than any of ours, and she waved a hand for us to follow.

"There's no sign of it," she said once we caught up. "The camp is still in one piece."

"We should scatter and spread out," Yang added. "No point us all being grouped up."

We nodded and suited actions to words, taking places on steep slopes and behind bushes, anywhere that might offer us just a little cover against eyes from above. I'd brought the thick fur cloak from Atlas with me, and laid it over my body so that my armour wouldn't reflect the moonlight. With my face pressed to cool grass, I watched the fake camp we'd set up in the ruins.

That had been a part of my plan, and a relatively simple one at that. If the Griffon attacked camps and travellers, then it was best we gave it a target. We knew where it hunted, even if we had no idea where the nest was. All we could do was draw it to us. On the other hand, we didn't want to be attacked while we were unprepared. Our camp in the nearby woods had been a careful thing, and cold without a fire.

Still, Blake was right. The camp was untouched. The Griffon had yet to strike.

My body shifted against the grass, uncomfortable laying down, and especially with armour digging into my body. I managed to turn to the side, and in the dark could just make out Blake's amber eyes. "Do you see anything in the air?" I whispered.

"If I did, I'd have mentioned it."

"Maybe it's not in the area."

"Maybe it hasn't seen the camp," Blake added.

That was a worrying thought. From what I knew, a bird's eyes were more powerful than any other animal's, but we had no idea if the same held true for a Griffon, or if it counted as a bird at all. I sighed and looked back to the camp. A thought struck me. "We should set a fire it in. The flames will be seen for miles from up here."

"And draw other Grimm as well…"

"If the area were swarming with them, we'd have known about it. We didn't see any while we were camping."

Blake hummed but didn't argue. Instead, she turned away from me and towards the camp. There was already some wood there, us having set up a tent and a small pile of it the better to trick the creature. There was even a bedroll with some rocks in it that didn't really look like a person, but might have fooled someone looking down from several hundred metres in the sky. "It's not a bad idea," she whispered dejectedly. "Fine, wait here."

"Wait, what?" My eyes widened and I tried to grab her, but Blake was already gone – darting across the open expanse between our position and the camp. "Damn it, Blake," I growled, striking the ground in front of me. "I meant have Weiss set a fire with a spell. She wouldn't have even needed to move."

The others no doubt wondered what the Assassin was doing as well, but with no Grimm in sight, felt no need to break their concealment to find out. Either way, Blake's actions soon answered it for them, and she was able to spark a tiny ember by striking a rock with her dagger. The small spark took, slowly building into flame that cast an eerie orange glow on the ancient pillars and stones. Blake darted back over to my location and lay down without a word.

"That could have been dangerous," I hissed. "Weiss could have set it alight from a distance."

"It would have been more dangerous for anyone else," she countered. "Weiss is a Mage, likely the least durable member of our party. If this thing can see the campfire, it can see where she sends a fireball from."

That might have been true, but it didn't do anything for the panic I'd felt. I had no idea where it came from, or what right it had to exist. Blake was a damn sight stronger than I was. If she couldn't look after herself, then I couldn't look after her.

We waited in silence for what felt like hours. It was probably less than ten minutes, but with little else to do other than lay still and listen to the fire cracking, it felt longer. There was a shuffle from my right which heralded the others moving over.

"This isn't working," Weiss whispered. "It's not being drawn in."

I sighed. "I don't understand. The Griffon attacked other camps. What's different about this one?"

"Maybe that it doesn't have any people," Ruby said. Her words brought us to silence. "Grimm are drawn to negativity. Even if it can see the camp, it might be able to tell that there isn't anyone there."

"What about us?"

"I'm not feeling very negative."

"That's not quite how it works, Ruby." Pyrrha laughed softly. "Everyone has a little negativity in them, even if they're in a good mood. You might be right though. In terms of drawing its attention, there's probably not enough here. We need something to attract it."

"You mean to use someone as bait?" Ren asked warily.

"Not someone. Me."

In the dim light from the moon, it was hard to make out the expression on Pyrrha's face. She wore a tiny smile, but one without happiness or confidence. It looked more resigned, or perhaps bitterly accepting.

Weiss huffed. "That's stupid."

"Yeah," Ruby argued. "We're not using one of our own as bait. Even if we did, it should be me since I'm the fastest."

"You're also not a tank," Pyrrha countered. "I'm a tank. I'm a Champion. I'm made for things like this. If the Griffon attacks, I have the best balance of speed and endurance. I'm not being reckless about this. I know I'll be fine holding it off until the rest of you arrive."

"I say we go ahead with it."

"Blake!" I snapped. "No. We're not sending Pyrrha off to face this thing alone."

"I don't see why not. She would know her capabilities better than we would. If we're going to fight this thing, it would also help to have it focused on the tank from the start. Otherwise, there's a chance it will go for someone like Weiss or Ruby."

The two girls in question shuffled uncomfortably, more than aware of how their low Constitution scores made them vulnerable targets. Weiss looked like she knew and accepted it, but hated the implied weakness. Ruby's expression was far guiltier.

"Thank you, Blake." Pyrrha nodded in the Assassin's direction, as though pleased with the almost callous disregard for her safety. "I'll be okay. Please, trust me with this. I can manage this. I promise."

I ran a hand through my hair, not at all liking the idea. To my annoyance, the others were silent. Were they honestly considering the idea? Sure, it would bring the Grimm – but it would mean Pyrrha had to fight it alone until we joined the battle. That would only take twenty to thirty seconds, but that could be a lifetime in combat.

"Would you be able to lure it in?" Weiss asked. "You'd need to generate some negativity. Do you have anything you could use?"

"A few memories," Pyrrha said. "I can't say I'll be able to make myself seem like I'm dying, but I can think back to Merlot and what I felt when we saw those innocent children he sacrificed." Her smile was flimsy. "That's enough to make me feel angry. I think it should be tempting enough to this Grimm."

"Yeah, and now I'm feeling it as well," Weiss sighed. "Thanks for the reminder. Well, if you're sure…?"

Pyrrha pushed herself up. Even though she answered Weiss, her eyes remained focused on mine; perhaps sensing I was the one least in favour of this course of action. "I'll be fine," she said. "Trust in me."

What else could I do?

My instincts still told me it was a bad idea, but I watched impotently as Pyrrha stood up from her hiding spot and crept towards the burning fire. There was no sound or sign she'd been seen, but she picked up a torch from beside the fire and lit it. The brand burned happily, adding yet more light to the ruins. There was no way the Griffon could miss it. The plateau was like a watchtower, and the light could probably be seen all the way back in Toston. My fingers gripped the hilt of Crocea Mors, already drawn and laid flat in the grass.

Wings beat the air.

"I see it," Blake hissed.

"Where!?" Weiss shot back.

"Yes. There's only one, and it's definitely a Griffon. Medium in size." There was a quiet click as she unsheathed her daggers. "It's coming!"

The wing beats grew louder, but it only took a few more seconds before I saw it too. The beast was black against the night sky, but stood out because of that. While the sky was a midnight blue and speckled with stars, it was an unnatural shade of darkness with two glowing red eyes.

I made to stand, but Blake pushed me back down. "Wait until it lands," she said. "We need it to be engaged, or it might try and kill us from the air."

Pyrrha must have seen it. She acted like she didn't, still waving the torch as though looking about the ruins – but surely she had? My mouth felt dry. It was nothing like Merlot. Far weaker, in fact, but that didn't do anything to stop my body shivering. Do something, Pyrrha. Don't just stand there.

The Griffon tucked in its wings and dove towards her.

Pyrrha turned at the last second. From so great a distance, it was impossible to see her expression, but she dropped the torch and took her sword in both hands. She set her feet and held it before her horizontally.

Panic shot through me. She was going to try to attack it. Was she insane? The beast must have weighted ten times as much as she did, and was falling from the sky with incredible momentum. She had to dodge. She had to get out of the way!

Pyrrha's eyes flickered. At the last possible second, at the moment I threw aside all subtlety and yelled a warning, Pyrrha moved. Her head lowered, eyes leaving behind a trail of green light. She ducked under and spun past the monster's beak – at a speed I'd never before seen her use. She fell to one knee, rose, and then sliced her sword up and into the sky.

The Griffon screeched in agony.

"NOW!" Weiss roared.

I was already moving. Heat exploded behind me, but passed overhead, fireballs from Weiss that missed me and the Grimm entirely, but splashed against the ruins themselves. Those lit up, the torches doused in oil we'd secured to them earlier bursting into flame. The heat from them washed over us, and no doubt startled the Grimm too. Part two of my plan – and the way we'd take away the disadvantage of the night. The plateau was now bathed in light.

Blake and Ruby darted past me, followed quickly be Ren. Even though I'd been the first to break cover, their speed took them to the Griffon while I was only halfway there. Ruby darted up from behind, cutting down with her scythe, while Blake leapt onto its back and drove a dagger into its wings. Ren sliced at one of its legs, before he kicked off and performed some acrobatic flips off a ruined wall, scoring another cut by its beak.

Yang, Nora and I hit it a moment later. The three biggest heavy-hitters, at least in terms of raw damage, we crashed into its flank and drove the thing from its feet. My own sword was buffeted away by its wing, as was Yang herself, but Nora proved sturdier and pushed through. Her war hammer came down with incredible force, and the sound of bone snapping was audible to all.

"Don't let it take off again!" Weiss screamed from the back. A few ice blasts shot out way, impacting off its flank. "If it takes to the sky, we'll lose it."

I nodded and tried to think of a solution. The Grimm was already rising to its feet, but was beset on all sides. A claw slashed out towards Ruby, but she darted back with an ease that almost looked contemptuous. Yang stepped in and caught the claw by what might have been the wrist on a human. She drove her other fist into the limb, cracking more bone. "Can we take out its wings?" I shouted.

"No need," Pyrrha replied. Her eyes no longer shone, and she had her shield drawn. She glanced towards me and smiled grimly. "I already cut the muscles on its left wing. It won't be going anywhere."

I couldn't believe it. She'd managed all of that in a single attack?

The Griffon screeched and snapped out with its beak towards me. My shield came up, and though the impact drove me back a bit, and knocked the wind out of me, it did no real damage. I felt it open and try to close around the shield, and quickly angled it upwards so that it couldn't find any purchase. The noise it made was like nails against steel.

"Keep it busy, Jaune!" Yang cheered. There was a whoosh of fire followed by the sounds of an impact, no doubt some Skill of hers.

Keep it busy? How was I meant to convince it to keep wasting its time on me? I felt the attack falter for a second and lowered my shield in time to see the Grimm turn its head away. Fear shot through me. I couldn't fail as a tank again – not and risk another life. My eyes widened as I searched for a solution, but my legs were already moving. The shield hit the floor and my body lunged forwards.

I wasn't sure who was more surprised when I threw myself onto its head and wrapped my arms around its beak. The red eyes not even an inch away from my own certainly looked wide, however.

My vision swam as it tossed its head angrily. My legs flailed through the air, my entire weight – armour and all – hoisted off my feet. If I let go, I might have sailed off the plateau entirely, but that wasn't the plan anyway. I gripped on as hard as I could, and squashed the beak between my breastplate and hands, keeping it shut.

"Now," Pyrrha yelled. "While he has it distracted!"

Ah, Pyrrha. Always more kind than she had any right to be. I certainly didn't feel like I was in a commanding position, but I'd certainly caught the thing's attention. Breath as hot as steam burst from two nostril holes in its beak, buffeting my face with hot air. I clenched my eyes shut and struggled to breathe through it as everyone else attacked.

"Hold on, Jaune!"

"I'm holding!" I cried. "Kill it already!"

The Griffon bucked and kicked wildly. Maybe it was all the training I'd gotten in with a horse that did the same, or maybe panic and adrenaline gave me energy. Whatever the case, it was unable to fight past the raw power of my Strength Stat - my highest Statistic. Its struggles eventually began to slow, becoming ever weaker.

I didn't see who struck the final blow. My vision was obscured by red eyes filled with hatred. I certainly felt it though. The Griffon let out a strange hiss and threw its head back. Its legs buckled, body falling – and that meant my body fell as well. The ground slammed into me.

I didn't bounce.

"Are you okay?" Blake asked, knelt by my side. She had a hand on my cheek, but I couldn't bring myself to feel any pleasure for that. "It looks like your armour lessened the impact."

"It didn't," I croaked. "Armour doesn't do that. It protects from stabbing."

"Ah." The Assassin shrugged awkwardly. "Sorry. I didn't know. I wear leather."

Gods above, my everything. There wasn't a particular part of me that hurt, so much as the entirety of my being. It felt like I'd run head first into a wall, and the analogy was probably pretty accurate seeing how the Griffon had slammed me down onto the hard ground. Nothing felt broken. Except for my pride, that was.

"Here, I've got you…" Blake's hands wrapped about my shoulder, dragging me slowly up. She caught me when I staggered. "Good job on that last move. It really helped."

"You're welcome…?"

My less than enthusiastic reply was followed by a cheer from Ruby. "We did it! We killed it!"

"Sure did," Yang laughed. "Good job, sis."

"A good job to all of us," Weiss said. "Are you unhurt, Pyrrha?"

"I'm fine. I didn't take any real damage."

"And you, Jaune?"

"Ugh…"

"Then it seems we all came out unharmed," Weiss said, either ignoring or ignorant of my bruised and battered body. Maybe she just didn't count them as injuries. "All in all, I think we can call this Quest an absolute success. That is unless someone wants to ambush us right now?"

There was a long pause as we all went silent.

"Do you think it wise to tempt fate like that?" Ren finally asked.

"No one else is here. I was just trying to prove a point to Ruby and Jaune. Not every Quest we take has to be cursed with some kind of terrible misfortune. Good planning and preparation can take the risk out of such endeavours."

I wanted to roll my eyes, but didn't want to annoy the Mage. Besides, what was there to be upset about? She was right. Ruby and I had just run in, with our great plan being to spring the ambush on ourselves. Here, we'd done the opposite and been the ambushers. As such, we got through without injury. Well, without serious injury. I'd take this over the arrow in my gut any day.

Honestly, compared to what normally happened this almost felt like an anti-climax.

"Well, I suppose we should return to Toston and…" Weiss paused. "Where's Nora?"

"Checking for loot," Ren said, without even looking. "Her curiosity would actually kill her if she didn't. It's something you just get used to."

"Boo!" Nora yelled. She strolled back with an indignant expression and something in hand. "All we got was some lien and a ratty, second-hand cloak." She tossed the article of clothing between us all. "What a crap shoot."

"Second-hand…?" Pyrrha's brow creased. "Since when do Grimm drop used goods?"

"They don't," Blake said. She watched the cloak warily. "It didn't drop it, and its owner didn't give it up willingly."

Her words chilled me to my core. Pushing away from her, I stepped forward to look at the thing. It was a mid-toned grey colour, although the red blood splattered across it distorted it somewhat. What had happened to the original owner was apparent. Still, why had the Griffon kept hold of it for so long? Had it become tangled in its claws?

More than that, there was something wrong with this. I knelt and picked it up.

"Ooh, Jaune!" Nora whined. "You've got no idea where that's been."

"I can hazard a guess," I replied, distracted. The material was a thick weave, far thicker than what you'd expect a person to wear on a trip between towns. What's more, the weave was surprisingly good, and there was a strange symbol in gold cloth on the inside. "Ruby, come take a look at this."

"Do I have to?"

"You don't have to touch it. Here, doesn't it look familiar?" I held it out to her, and although she shied away from the obvious bloodstains, she did look closely at it. The recollection hadn't sunk in, so I gave her another hint. "Can't you remember someone wearing a hooded cloak of almost the exact same colour?"

Ruby gasped. "The Ranger! He wore something like that. No, it was exactly the same."

"The leader of the bandits you fought?" Yang crossed her arms and frowned. "Are you sure you're not reading into things? It's just a grey cloak. Those aren't exactly rare."

"They are when they come with a mask to cover the lower face," I said, lifting that part up so that the others could see. "It is when it's got armoured padding on the inside, not to mention the last guy we killed had his body taken away when we weren't looking."

"Could the Griffon have done it?" Ren asked.

"Not unless it travelled a long way."

"By air, it wouldn't seem so great a journey."

I shook my head. We'd left that Ranger in the rain under a canopy of trees in a forest. There was no way anything could have seen it from above, and with all the blood on this one, it seemed clear the owner had died a gruesome death. With no body and no signs of struggle, the same couldn't be said about our enemy.

"I'm taking this back to Beacon," I rolled it up into a ball, and linked it between my belt and my armour. "If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I think the headmaster might want to see it."

"If that's your desire, so be it," Weiss said with a roll of her eyes. "If it's not too much trouble, however, why don't we go break up our previous camp and return to Toston. I, for one, would like to get this Quest over and done with before we attract more Grimm."

"Yeah, the Quest is done and we're the heroes," Nora cheered. "Let's get rewarded!"

/-/

I staggered out of the Ragged Dragon with a wide smile and a quarter-filled wooden tankard of mead. It was more the jeering and cheering revellers than the booze that knocked me off my feet, and I was glad to be away from the press of it, if only for a minute or so. The tavern was packed. It was already the most popular in Toston, or so the owner claimed, but news of a fight atop the ruins with a might Griffon had already reached the town by the time we returned. Apparently, we'd been backlit by the fire pretty well, and the Griffon's dying screams had been audible even this far. Either way, the Captain of the Guard had been only too happy to welcome us back and then provide us room a board.

The merchants, meanwhile, had been happy to cover our tabs for the night – what was probably a small reward compared to the safety and security they'd receive, and the profit of course. If you could only travel by day, then you couldn't steal a night's march on your competitor. Even now, several caravans were trundling out of the gate, no doubt seeking to reach and sell their goods in Vale before the others arrived. Merchants and traders were shrewd like that.

Free food and drink for us, and rooms for the night. It's hard to be angry about it. I guess they were right; not every Quest is going to be a disaster. Most should go like this. Maybe I was just cynical. Well, that or plain unfortunate. I downed the rest of the drink and set it on an empty table outside the tavern, falling onto the wooden seat with a pleased sigh.

Space to breathe and move about… you didn't miss it until you were crammed in a room with far too many people. I wasn't the only one who didn't appreciate the zealously thankful townsfolk. Blake had taken one look at the armada before us and swiftly retreated to one of the rooms assigned to us. I hadn't seen her since, and lacking her agility, had been caught by the mob. The others were busy enjoying the attention. Well, most of them were. I had a feeling Ren was there on sufferance, and because Nora wouldn't let him escape.

Ruby and Yang were having the time of their life. For Yang, it was free drink on demand, while Ruby basked in the gratitude of the people she'd helped protect.

A slow smile spread over my face. I had to admit, it was a heady feeling. I could see why someone would lose themselves to this. It was an odd sensation that started somewhere in my stomach, but soon took over my body with nervous energy. It spread into my face, forcing me to smile. By the time it reached my mind, I already felt like a million lien. I, Jaune Arc, had saved people. I'd gone out and slain a mighty monster and saved untold travellers from harm.

"I wonder if this was what Ruby's mother craved."

I wondered if this was what Ruby craved. Yang seemed completely okay with her sister's presence on the Quest, and with her running into danger against the Griffon. She hadn't voiced a single complaint, despite the explosion after the previous Quest. I'd tried to make heads or tails of that, but nothing had come to mind other than the idea that Yang didn't mind so long as Ruby wasn't rushing in alone. Perhaps instead of convincing Ruby to not go on Quests, she'd instead decided to work on making sure she didn't go on Quests without people to back her up. I'd have asked Yang, but I doubted my voice would even be heard.

The door opened and closed once more, and light footsteps crunched against stone behind me. They came to a stop. "Oh, I didn't realise you were out here."

"Hey Pyrrha," I waved, turning. "You tired of all the shouting?"

"Is that why you left?" she asked, amused. She moved forwards, settling down on the bench beside me. "I suppose it's a big deal to them. We can't blame them if they want to celebrate."

"The same thing happened at Eldon. I was too injured to take part, but they put Ruby in a dress and everything. They even wove flowers into her hair."

Pyrrha laughed, "I wish I could have seen it. You don't often see things like this in Mistral."

"No?"

"There are festivals and the like, but no one would throw a party if a Hero saved them. They would feel grateful, of course," she added quickly. "It's just that it wouldn't be unexpected. Heroes fight to defend people. That's just the way things are."

"Isn't it the same here?" I asked. "We're expected to help people too."

"It's different. Here, you have the choice of whom to help and how. In Mistral, the work would be assigned to you. It's a… I suppose you could call it a rigid and unyielding place. The people are hardy, and proud of their culture. A Hero should feel happy enough to do their duty in pursuit of honour. No rewards like this would be necessary. Some people wouldn't even thank you. To them, you did what you were supposed to do, and they would then go and do what they are supposed to do. Mistral can be strict. You're expected to master your craft and nothing more."

It sounded like the kind of place where the Labour Caste wouldn't be treated all too fairly, to be honest. That might have been where Pyrrha's habit of calling us NPC's came from. "Is that why you chose to study in Vale?"

"One of the reasons…"

Pyrrha's eyes didn't meet mine. Her head was low, lips downturned and shoulders heavy. I hadn't noticed in the hustle and bustle of the tavern, but she looked exhausted. "Did you not get much sleep earlier?" I asked. "I can help you push through to the rooms if you want. Though I can't promise how quiet they'll be…"

There was a crash and laughter from inside the tavern as though to punctuate my point.

"No, it's fine. I'm… I'm not tired. Please ignore me, I'm just in a bit of a strange mood, I suppose." She faked a smile for my benefit. "Maybe I'm still thinking of those people on Atlas. I had to leave the celebrations. I didn't want to kill the mood."

There was something wrong with that. I wasn't sure why, but I had the strangest feeling it wasn't the full story. A certainty that burned deep inside. I shifted a little closer, enough so that our elbows touched. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing's wrong."

"Pyrrha…"

"Nothing you need to worry about," she amended. "Please, I'm just not feeling myself. Forget about it."

I watched her eyes. "You weren't thinking about Atlas to draw the Grimm, were you?"

She looked away guiltily.

"What were you thinking about? You can talk to me. If you want to, I mean." I cringed. "You don't have to if you really don't want to. I mean, it's not like you owe me an explanation or anything and I-"

She giggled.

"And now you're laughing at me…"

"I'm sorry," she said, a hand muffling her laughter. "It's just… sometimes you act mature and like a Guild Leader, then you have these moments where you seem to remember who you are, and you just flounder."

"Gee, thanks."

"It's a good thing," she said. "Honest. It makes you more approachable."

"Should I be more or less approachable? I'm the same age as you. We even fight the same," I added, with a nod to her sword and shield. "We're practically the same in every way, except that you're way higher than me in level."

Pyrrha looked at me strangely. "Is that the only way we differ?"

"Uh… well, not the only way," I admitted. I kept my eyes locked on hers, but from the way her cheeks flushed, she realised what I meant. "In my defence, you did ask."

"I… yes, but…" She ducked her head and smiled. "That wasn't what I meant but… thank you."

I wasn't the sharpest tool in the forge, but this made me feel even dumber. I had no idea what she was talking about, or why she seemed so pleased. "Thank you for noticing you're a woman?" I asked. "I think I'm lost…"

"Yes, in a way." Pyrrha smiled and looked down at the table. "What I mean is that I'm happy you can see me as a woman, or a friend, or as someone who isn't all that different from you. It feels nice. I didn't expect to receive it." She looked up and smiled. "You don't understand, do you?"

"Well… no…"

Rather than look upset, Pyrrha looked even happier. She sat a little taller, and her smile became more natural, as if she were finally able to relax just a little.

"I suppose I can tell you. Do you remember when we first met?"

"In the First Quest?"

"Before that," she corrected. "We met briefly outside of the main building after the headmaster's speech. Weiss was talking with me and trying to form us into a party, and you just sort of walked up and started flirting with her."

Oh… Oh yeah. Contrary to Pyrrha, my head sunk a little. I remembered that, alright. I remembered how much of an idiot I'd sounded, and how I'd been left frozen to the floor like some kind of ice sculpture. It hadn't been my best moment. All you need is confidence, huh? Screw you, Dad.

"Yeah, I remember."

"Do you remember what you asked me at the time?"

"I asked you your level."

"Not that," she said, "There was something else." She watched me for a moment, but when it became clear I didn't remember, she smiled and continued. "You asked me what being a Champion meant. You asked me about my Class."

"Oh, that," I said. "I remember. You told me it was just a glorified Warrior Class."

Pyrrha smiled bitterly.

"Oh," I said. "That was a lie, huh?"

"M-More of a half-truth. You said yourself that I fight much like a Knight, and one could argue that a Knight is a variation of the Warrior Class as well. I didn't lie, per se." She sighed and looked away. "I just hid the things I didn't want to say."

"What is a Champion, then?" I asked.

"A Champion is a Prestige Class. With your upbringing, you might not know, but Prestige Classes are those born into a Class so rare that their birth is documented and recorded. They are considered special, and are often more powerful than similar Classes." Pyrrha's eyes roved upwards, to the words that hung damningly above her head. "I was born as a Champion. In recorded history, there have only been a dozen or so of those, and never more than one a generation. I believe there is only one other Champion who lives at this time." She smiled. "He's the personal bodyguard to the King of Vale."

My mouth fell open. The bodyguard to the King of Vale? That was far beyond what I could ever hope to aspire to, and likely what any of our Guild could. I'd never even seen the King, what with Ansel being only a small place and the King never leaving the city. That said, I could only assume it meant the other Champion was incredibly strong.

"I was offered that position in Mistral."

"W-What!?" I choked.

"Not immediately, but in time. I'm still young and inexperienced, but it was suggest that I shouldn't bother learning in an academy like Beacon or Haven. The Royal family were willing to pay for me to have private tutors and tuition, whatever I wanted, so long as I pledged my loyalty to their son."

"That's… that's insane…"

"There were even suggestions I could marry him if I wished." Pyrrha sighed. "He is eleven years old."

"That's…" I didn't know what to say. Nice? Horrible? Weird?

"I said no, of course. They didn't take it well. I wasn't forced out of Mistral if that's what you're thinking, but life there became… awkward. My family were horrified at what I'd done. We have always been a proud and honourable Warrior family. Nikos stands for victory!" she shouted. "Or at least, that's what my father taught me. A Nikos always wins. A Nikos never loses. When I was born a Champion, it was a huge step for the family. When I rejected the position of the Prince's Bodyguard, it was a stain on our honour."

"It's your life to live, isn't it?" I asked, worried. "Surely they can't force you."

"They could, but they wouldn't." Pyrrha waved a hand. "The King and Queen were disappointed, but aren't particularly cruel. It would also be a bit counter-productive to insult and upset someone, then give your son to them. The offer is an open one, or so I was told. My family continued to try and convince me to take it, however. The power and glory such a position would entail. Only a fool could give it up."

I watched her sigh and slump in her seat. There was something about the whole conversation that felt surreal, and it took me a minute to realise what. "If you'll forgive me saying, Pyrrha. You don't exactly fit the image of someone with power and influence." I laughed. "I mean, I've tried to give you command numerous times when we were in that Dungeon and you kept fighting me off."

Pyrrha smiled happily. "I suppose that's it. Despite being born to the Nikos family, I just don't think the same way. I don't like being special. I don't crave power and influence, and I couldn't care less about glory." She looked to me. "If I told them I was part of a Guild and not the leader, they would go ballistic. They would never accept it, and would likely try to pressure you into giving power to me."

"Do you want the position?"

"No!" Pyrrha paused as she noticed my teasing smile. She slugged my arm and giggled. "Don't say that. I like things as they are. I like how people just see me as part of the Guild and not something else. I hate being elevated. Alone."

"What was it like back in Mistral?" I asked. "Outside of your family, I mean."

"It was lonely and jealous. I was special and others weren't, and the words above my head were a constant reminder. Teachers would give me extra lessons and ignore other students. My peers would get angry, and they had a right to. By my very presence, I sabotaged their education. I improved at their expense."

"That wasn't your fault…"

"Not my intent, no. But my fault?" Pyrrha shrugged. "It was my fault, Jaune. I don't blame myself for it, but it absolutely was my fault it happened. Or rather, it was the fault of my Class. Had I been a normal Warrior, no one would have batted an eye." She took a deep breath. "Things didn't get better as time went on. You need to understand that a Prestige Class comes with more benefits than just position. We are stronger than our equivalent Classes – unfairly so. No one could stand up against me, and that led to many strained friendships. What friends I thought I had stuck with me for the influence I offered, while those who might have been real friends were pushed aside and displaced. Others, I lost due to their inability to keep up with me."

Pyrrha sighed and stood up. I followed behind.

"A Champion stands alone," she went on. "They stand above the common rank and file. In times of old, they were the ones called on to settle the fate of Kingdoms in one on one combat. Tens of thousands of lives would be wagered on a person like me. Things are different now, but that stigma remains. A Champion like me shouldn't be Questing, or saving lives." She gestured to the tavern. "I should be stood next to someone important in armour of solid gold, an imposing figure seen more for the title above my head than what I am. At least, that's what my family always say."

"Then forget what they say."

Pyrrha's eyes widened.

"Forget what they say, and forget what happened with Champions in the past. You came away from Mistral to get away from that and you have. Things are different here."

"Not as different as you might think. Weiss approached me for my Class. Others did as well. I've already heard it said that it is inevitable defeat that awaits those who face me." Pyrrha's voice sounded like it might break. "Even my Passive tells me I shouldn't be doing this."

"What is your Passive?"

"Haven't you realised?" she asked. "I used it against Merlot, but also tonight with the Griffon."

The moment when her eyes glowed green in the night. I'd seen it, of course, but hadn't been able to tell what happened. It could have just as easily been a Skill. Pyrrha noticed my hesitation and chuckled.

"My Passive is a dramatic Stat boost whenever I am fighting an enemy, but am not close to an ally. The range is quite wide, so more often than not, it means when I'm fighting without anyone to help me at all." She smiled bitterly. "It's called `She Who Stands Alone`."

So called because she would be on her own when it kicked in. Pyrrha would be alone, and without anyone to help her. It sounded like a powerful ability, especially if it was enough of a boost to let her fend off one of Merlot's tentacles, or divert a Griffon mid-flight.

Powerful… but undeniably cruel.

"It's like even my Passive is telling me I should be alone…"

"Screw it."

"W-What…?"

"Screw it," I growled. "Ignore it. Toss it in a river." My hands tightened into fists, and I knew my eyes blazed with barely concealed fury. How could I be blamed? Classes and Passives, the things we were born with, determining what we had to be? This was exactly what I faced off against. "If your Passive only kicks in when you're on your own, then it's a damn shame we won't be able to rely on it for anything, but that's all it is. You're not on your own, Pyrrha, and that's not going to change anytime soon!"

"But my Class-"

"Is a word above your head and nothing more. You told me you were a glorified Warrior. Has that changed?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Then it hasn't changed." I said, and slashed my hand across my chest. "You're part of our Guild. You're a Hunter like the rest of us. That takes precedence over Class, Caste or anything else. Velvet is a Hunter, too. It's on her contract. If part of the Labour Caste can be in our Guild, then do you think some pompous Prestige Class can't?" I stared into her eyes, forcing my will on her as best I could. "You're Pyrrha to me, and to the rest of the Guild. Sure, Weiss probably wanted you for your Class at first, but now she doesn't even look twice at it. The rest couldn't care less."

Pyrrha stared at me.

"I don't care what Class you are. You're stuck with us anyway. Until the debt to Torchwick is paid off, you can't leave, and once it is paid off, you're not allowed to leave either."

"Is that fair?" she asked. Her eyes wouldn't meet mine, but there was a tiny curl to her lips. "That sounds awfully draconian. Am I a slave to the Guild now?"

"Yes. If that's what it takes." I crossed my arms. "You're our prisoner, a hostage. You're not allowed to leave until we receive our random from Mistral."

"And how much have you demanded?"

"Too much. I didn't bother to send it. They'd have just said no."

There was a moment where we stared at one another, the noise from the celebrations washing over us, but neither making a move to speak. Pyrrha's emerald eyes met mine, and it seemed they were searching for something. After a few long minutes, she broke eye contact and chuckled.

"I think… I think a part of me knew you would be like this. I knew you'd accept me. That's why I wanted to get it off my chest, to let someone – anyone – know. I was nervous at first. You were kind and polite when we first met, but I thought that might be a trick. Even when we fought together, I was still uncertain. I kept waiting for you to turn around and ask me for something. I kept expecting the worst."

I wasn't sure why she kept speaking, but Pyrrha was smiling now. That, at least, filled me with confidence.

"I think things changed around the time of the Dungeon," she continued. "It was when you introduced Blake to us. I couldn't believe it. A Knight and an Assassin going into a Dungeon together? It was either the start of a bad joke, or a cautionary tale, yet you treated her like any other person." Pyrrha grimaced. "You did that even when I could not. I watched your back the entire time, prepared for the dagger that never came."

"She-"

"Isn't like that," Pyrrha interrupted. "I know. Whatever Blake is, she is a person just like you and I. Not exactly the most sociable of people, but someone I can respect nonetheless. It was then that I started to realise you maybe didn't care about Classes. It still took me this long to get it off my chest… I guess I was nervous."

"It's fine," I said. "Are things better now?"

Pyrrha smiled and stepped forward. Her arms engulfed me in a hug. "Yes."

I returned it warmly.

"Sometimes I wish I'd been quicker," she whispered. "If I'd felt confident enough to move sooner, I might have tried for myself. Before someone else caught your attention, that is. I guess I can be happy with what I have." She squeezed a little tighter. "Thank you for being my friend, Jaune."

When she pushed away, the fear and doubt was gone. In its place was a radiant and confident smile.

"We should go and save the others," she said. "I dread to imagine what might happen if any of them get drunk."

I laughed. "Ren would never survive it."

The Monk would also kill me for leaving him alone with them. Nora, Yang, Weiss or Ruby – any one of them was likely going to be a nightmare if they were under the influence. I couldn't think who would be the worst, but Nora definitely came to mind. Still, compared to the nightmares and drama of our recent Quests and problems, something like this felt beautifully tame. As Pyrrha and I walked back to the tavern side by side, shoulders bumping, I couldn't help but smile.

Finally, things were going in the right direction.

/-/

My backpack fell from nerveless fingers. It was followed by the rhythmic thud of everyone else's doing the same. This couldn't be real. It just couldn't be. Back in Beacon, the long journey behind us and ready for some rest, the seven of us plus Blake stood before our Guild Hall.

Ruby whimpered.

The Lodge had been all but destroyed.

Dum Dum DUMMMM! The infamous Jaune Arc luck strikes again, or more specifically, Jaune Arc's bad luck of being the protagonist in a story strikes again. It's not like I can write him just having typical days, after all. "And today, Jaune Arc had a completely peaceful and non problematic day." Actually, I have had quite a few people ask in my other stories why I always seem to put Jaune through hell, and it honestly just is - because I have to. You can't write a story which is NOT someone dealing with things that come out of nowhere. Conflict is required.

Anyway, I'm fairly sure a few people guessed something like this might happen. Oh, and just so you know, my new fic "In the kingdom's Service" came out yesterday. It's available on my profile if you'd like to check it out. Updates every Sunday.

Next Chapter: 24th July

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur