Salutation! Well here's the Chapter 36!

Yehey I don't own RWBY! Good for me?

Enjoy!

Thanks for sticking with me and my story, and thanks for your patience with my grammars and misspellings. You're all AWESOME!

Chapter 36 : 'The Other Maiden Goddesses'

This…. Is not how Jaune would imagine to see his end. He wished his death more than anything in the world, but why is that 'Destiny' keeps him from it? No matter how much he struggled or many times he forcedly took his own life, drinking poison, slit his own throat, burn and more. He just couldn't die! Why?

Why…. why was he on the ground breathing heavily as his own body grew numb… Why was his eyes half open while starring at Vale, burning…. Was this a dream? Was it an illusion?

"King of Knights" A female vice rained from atop of him, "Laughable, to think you're the king who made this 'dream'….. this world….. Defeated the god Ova and yet, you can't even match me?... You bore me 'Jaune Arc', some knight you are"

Cinder's smile was sharp and filled with so much meaning but still had one goal, revenge. She reached down and grabbed the blonde by the neck, "Look….. Look at those lives you failed to save….." Although it was painful with all his wounds, Jaune peaked from his tired eyes. Vale was burning, the Grimm was everywhere, Dead bodies….. were there at every turn….. He tried to call for names but the words wouldn't come out…..his friends were dead, and so was Ruby.

Menagerie was erased from Remnant, forever.

The Council has fallen.

The knights failed.

He has failed.

"Like what you see? This is the end Jaune!" With one final strike, Cinder pointed her sword right at his chest, specifically where the core would be, "You should be happy…. I'll be the one to fulfill your long awaited wish….. Sleep eternally….. Dear Jaune"

*STAB*

Dream…

"NO!" Shouted Neo. Horror grip her heart. It was the first nightmare she had in a long time that terrified her so much that she began to shake and sweat coldly. Although it was but a dream…. A nightmare at that, she didn't woke up. She was at the Astral projection phase brought by the power of her angel, Dumah, (Angel of Dreams). Her soul was separated from her body and now continues to travel the vast dimension of the realm of dreams. A form of dimension that existed through the collective pure thoughts.

Right after she formed a contract with the angel, she asked Dumah if she can travel in a world where both the future and the past meets. A point where reality is nullified and where the time fluctuates in erratic manner. Dumah lingers in this dominion, tasked to protect the consciousness of pure thinking. She has the ability to show a person's dream and visions that only the host would and could create.

Believe it or not, dreams are important especially for prophecies that are yet to come true. Eistibus (Angel of Divination) is stubborn and refused to show the future to anyone, but with Dumah, Neo can see at least brief images of tomorrow. Eistibus can show a specific future. One that is absolute and will always be the point of unchanging events that cannot be altered, avoided nor can it be slow down. He is always 'at the end result'. Dumah on the other hand could only show the 'possibilities' of a person future, though it still depends on the person and the current state of their mind. For example, a person can dream on an outcome based on false evidence or scenarios base on facts.

Right now, Neo has been in the dream word for 2 hours that equals to 5 hours in the real world. She was in search of the future or any hints that may help their cause. Everything she have seen before were random glimpse, various possible scenarios but all of them weren't connected nor was it interesting until Jaune came in the picture.

Neo did her best to get the face of the female that will 'managed' to defeat her brother. But she can't see clearly. Her face was covered with a dark colored clothe that sways along the breeze. All she knows is that the skies was dark, there was a burning city, and they stood at the top of some kind of tower. At the bottom of the structure was a mountain of dead bodies piled in massive counts and lastly, a river….. A river that was running down like a strong current pulled by the gravity elsewhere, the liquid was literally thousands of gallons of collected blood.

The Grimm is present at the vision, they were like demons that purge and slaughter anything that moves… or rather, anything that breaths.

Given the nightmare, it was nearly identical in how 'Dante' described hell. It was filled with misery, agony and despair. Hope does not exist in this world.

Even when she saw hell, Neo still focused at Jaune. The blonde was crucified in a metallic cross with bared wires tying his fleshed body back, his skin was seemingly sewed with thorns along the metal surface and large serpent was at his neck. At his chest, rests a sword that impaled through his body, all the way out at the back. With terrified and angered emotions, she casted the visions away desperately with her own hands. She was panting like crazy as Dumah, (Angel of Dreams) calmed her down.

"Wh-Was that Jaune's … D-Death?" Neo turned to her Angel with teary eyes, "I-is that how it will all end!?"

"My lady…. Dreams has so many meanings…. This is but one of the many…."

"What!? J-just tell me! Is this how Jaune will die!?"

"It could be the future that awaits him… I am simply showing you the possibilities of what 'Dreams' can do….the symbols it has that tells more…."

"N-No! I-I refuse this! This can't be!"

The angel slowly nod in sideways, "It is normal to deny such visions….. But denying it won't change anything….." The angel suddenly stood and looked towards the distances as if she was being called by a phantom and talked to by something or someone. Neo was confused by the act. With a single graceful bow, Dumah turns to Neo and held her close. She simply clapped her hands once then the world began to shift and clear up as divine light suddenly illuminated the space. "My lady…. the great ones now summons you…."

Before she can even ask, the little girl now found herself in front of the great cosmic tree, Ein Sof. 5 figures stood before her bearing divine and majestic in nature.

"T-The four Grand Angels…" Neo being stunned by the moment suddenly lumped as she knelt in the ground in awe, "I… I have waited … for so long….. I… I" tears began to fall.

Zachriel (angel of Memory) smiled upon her as she laid a hand and seemed to comfort the little girl. Though she was faceless, her voice was soft and undoubtedly relaxing enough to put one to sleep, "Dearest Neo….. You are a kind soul…. Proven that you have a heart for us 'beings' of the heaven and treated so many of my brothers and sisters more than just friend…. I thank you"

Neo couldn't deny the comfort Zachriel gave her. It was like a mother's love in all forms yet still unique. Azrael, (Angel of Death) stood next to her and offered her a hand, "Dearest little Neo…." The angels smiles upon greeting the girl that have proven to be quite as stubborn as the king himself before. She reached and held the hands dearly then….. Neo was surprised, his hands weren't as cold as she imagined it to be…. There was a sensation that flowed within her and baffled her. It was sensational…. Of divine rule to give and take, the cycle of a single entity that is undefinable yet pure.

'This… this is the hands that…. Writes the names …. The one that knows the birth and death of every single soul on Remnant' said Neo in thought.

Eistibus (Angel of Divination) gladly starts the opening words of welcome, "Rejoice human, for you are called and has been allowed to stand in the presences of the Devine Angels"

Raziel (angel of Mystery) followed, "We have been watching you for a long time now…." Neo now walked towards the as Zachriel (angel of Memory) helped her up.

Azrael, (Angel of Death) continued, "You have been summoned here for one reason…"

Zachriel now presently waved at the entity that stood in front the tree, "Behold…. The one that dwells in all….. Remph, (Angel of Time) has called you…"

Remph's body was like that of wood carvings with natural layers and folds. He did not had any facial structure or qualities, only a flaming aura brought by his divinity. He walks slowly towards the girl and every single step made by him almost rivaled Neo's beating heart, "I have seen your devotion for years, young Neopolitan…. You have proven to be a friend to us Angels…." Remph seemed to tilt his head, "Such an odd creature to seek ties and bonds beyond her normal world and….. species….."

"I…I" Neo didn't know how to respond. Eistibus (Angel of Divination) laughs at the how speechless she was, "The girl barely utter a word! HAHA"

"Dear Eistibus… It is rude to laugh at our guest… let her calm down….." reasoned Zachriel.

"She has been giving her best to summon us all… and now we have appeared before her….. I say let the moment sip in for her…" said Raziel (angel of Mystery).

Meanwhile…..

Jaune was stand in front a large and thick wooden door locked by an iron mechanism, "So… ready for more?"

"Yes!" Ruby was excited. She was eager to see more and experience the best vacation Fort Castle and the entire Menagerie could offer.

The blonde smiles, "Alright then….. this will really make your time" with loud monstrous wooden sounds that echoed throughout the walls of the room, he pushed the doors open. The first thing the girl saw was glistening silver and gold colors of metallic objects….

Few seconds later, Ruby's jaw drop….. She struggled to lift her finger and point at the object or objects that seemingly took her breath away.

"Is that…."

"Yep"

"Are those…"

"Yep"

"Is all of these…"

"Yep"

"Is this….This room is so big! Is this the Fort Castle's Armory!?"

The blonde shook his head, "Ruby…. Welcome to my…. How would I call this" The blonde scratched his head from the awkwardness he felt, "Toys store? I think…. OH! Collections! I meant collections" Crescent Rose is one thing, this was another. Jaune helped in upgrading her but Ruby never imagined that Jaune would have such mastery over the seemingly countless numbers of blades. Now that she remembers it, Jaune did made those 'dust-sabers' back at Beacon, his personal 'first hand' dual weapon 'Pisces' and as well as the odd looking rocket launcher that fires blades from before.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" She felt sheepish with all that.

Jaune only grinned, "Nope!" hints of tears began to appear in both corners of Ruby's eyes.

"Ah…hehe…. I kinda over did it with the forged thing… Remember why I didn't had any weapons to begin with?"

Ruby didn't looked away at the sight of treasured weapons of various quantities and shapes, but she did nod at the blonde's question, "I don't have a permanent weapon… So I….create stuff…. I design all of… " Jaune gulped, "I made everything that you can see here…. From daggers, swords, bows or spears…. I kinda lost it … you know?"

"Jaune…"

"Y-yeah?"

"Merry me…" Jaune only blushed deep red and laughed. He held her hand and showed Ruby the wonders and the works of his free time. Being a geek at weapons, the cookie monster was like a kid, literally. She dashed from one place to another while making the goggling expression. Much like Jaune himself when forging weapons, Ruby was also a maniac…. In the good way, at least.

"Oh my gosh! Is that a trident with drilling prongs? Oh wait! Is that a reversed edge sword!? Oh how about that one! A Taser mounted mallet? A dual axe blades with rifle flex! A dust staff!" Ruby suddenly gasp in surprise, "Hold on, this is Loki's scepter… huh, I wonder if the avengers is still looking for this? Wait! You have a complete set of Cloud's swords! Oh I knew there's a reason I loved you!"

Jaune blushed even more as he let an awkward cough, "Everything here is also a gun Ruby. Please do be careful, alright?"

"Hey Jaune!" Ruby called from way over the opposite corner of the room, "Now this is a katana!"

The Summer Maiden….

Ozpin was having the time to himself. Things back in Beacon Academy were thankfully, normal. Vale was recovering faster and it's people are less and less traumatize of the previous attack. Zero crime rate now exist in all of Vale after the death of Roman Torchtwick and the sudden disappearance of the White Fang. For an average citizen, things were back to normal as if nothing bad ever happened. Peace has returned to their lives and each of them is taking advantage of it on their own respective ways.

Ozpin is one of them. Being a Headmaster was no joke, especially if your also the leader of a secret organization that protects more than just the freedom and the peace in this world. Yet, the peace within his office was about to be disturbed when the elevator pinged and the doors opened.

With heavy marching footsteps, a female in teenage high and figure approach the professor. Her identity was clad in blue robe but her aura was thriving with sensational warmth. It radiated like the rays of the sun only invisible in the naked eye.

"Is it true!?" those were her first shouted words.

Ozpin wasn't surprised, then again, he lowered his head in dismay, "Yes…"

"How!? How could Amber have fallen!? She can't be defeated by some… some.. something!"

"We don't know the details yet….. but… it has from the looks of it…. Her powers were taken…"

"Taken!? But that's impossible!" the girl now slammed both of her hands on his table angrily. She glared at him, "What. Happened?"

"I know… I couldn't believe it as well, but Qrow confirmed it and so did Taiyang Xiao Long…. When they reached the rendezvous point… Amber was already subdue by her attackers…. Qrow and Tai failed to reach her in time….The powers used to fend them off was the same powers the Fall Maiden had"

The female suddenly felt weak, as if the air was knocked out of her, "Amber…. She…she"

Ozpin stood, turned his back and looked towards the window, "We are mourning for the loss of our friend…."

The girl recoiled and turned to him, "How about the Spring Maiden? Has she been found?"

The man nod, "Yes. To be honest, it was quite a surprising turn of events that 'destiny' or 'fate' if you will, brought her to us"

"Where is she!?"

"She is currently at the Kingdom of Menagerie. Safe and well-guarded"

"How can we be sure about that!? Look at what happened to Amber! We thought we were well hidden and protected. I thought I was safe, Amber was safe, but now what!? She's dead and we don't know who took and how her powers got taken!" When a flesh host of the Maiden powers has passed on, the spirit turns and seeks a new host. Never in the entire history of the guardians told about the power being taken forcibly by someone else.

"I assure you. The Spring Maiden is guaranteed safe in their care. She is about to return in 2 days' time"

"What's her name?"

"Ruby Rose, Daughter of Summer Rose… the former Spring Maiden"

"And who is the one protecting her?"

"The Knights of Fort Castle… or rather, the King of knights himself…"

Th girl was confused, his words didn't make sense at all. For her it was beyond logical thinking, was he sick or something? delusional maybe, "King of Knights? Menagerie has been Kingless for thousands of years!"

"Believe me, I too was shock when I heard his story….. But there is no denying the capability or the authenticity of the Knight…."

"That's impossible! King Arthur 'is' Dead!" The girl deeply emphasize her words with sharp eyes and angry tone, "Octavia is guarding his Tomb! I just came there!"

"I know….. I do not doubt the Winter Maiden…." He eyed the girl with stern eyes enough to prove his claim, "Still, with my own eyes… I have met him personally"

"D-don't look at me like that! E-even if I believe you, what makes you think he is the King!? A person cannot be brought back from the dead! His remains has not been disturb! If it were then Octavia would've notify all of us!"

Ozpin kept his passive and calm expression as he push a single button. A flash of various pictures of a certain Blonde man came from the screen, "His name….. is Jaune Arc"

"When I called you back from the Devine Shrine..… I asked that you bring back a specific item from Sir. Sage Ayana's personal collection of books…." Ozpin took the actual book that belonged to the King's deceased best friend and opened it to the page where an actual sketch of the King was located. It gave a perfect imaged of what he looked like before his death, "This is the reason why…"

The girl was speechless, she even though that her eyes was playing some kind of trick, "I-It can't be….. That's impossible….."

"Jaune Arc is…. No reincarnation of the King….. He himself is the King…. He is alive and well"

"How can that be!? This is a lie! A Joke right!?"

"No….. but I tend to get my question answered…. I will have them right from the man that made it happen…. Until then The remaining Maiden is under close protection by us until we know who to trust…. The Winter Maiden, Octavia Ember…. The Summer Maiden, Ciel Soleil…. And the Spring Maiden, Ruby Rose…. You three are all we have left…. We cannot let the darkness score another"

The Maidens

Sage Ayana being the keeper of the 'Core' lived in a remote areas that are beyond the borders of Menagerie. He was entrusted by the king himself of the item and was given a personal mission. Seek and choose the new four Seasonal Maidens….

At first he was afraid not of the evil forces that may stand in his way…. But the matter of his own decisions. What if he choose the wrong person…. What if he fails to delivered his oath… Remnant will suffer the unimaginable consequences of his actions. Being the bearer of the most powerful jewel that ever existed, he was constantly tested by forces that was touched by the sins of the dark one.

He survived countless of battles and fought all the creatures sent by the Queen to stop him. The Dark one cannot step in the world made by the King, that would mean that she violated the deal and therefore results to the king winning the bet. So in order to obtain the Core, she has sent her own pawns whose souls were forever doomed, to retrieve it.

The Jewel of Equilibrium was a powerful item. The cosmic power was so pure and complex that some of its essence poured to the Knight. He was able to live without the aid of any food, sleep or rest. It even prolonged his life for another 6 centuries, it kept him young and strong. However, it was too great for anyone to hold or wield… its powers was too much even for him. Sage Ayana is but a Human being…. He too desired to live in peace and have a family.

Something that was granted and given to him by fate.

Sage Ayana was blessed to have his own family, a beautiful wife and 4 lovely daughters. They were his treasures, the reason that made his long journey worth taking …. Sensing the end of his days, he finally picked the right candidates..

Gwen Darcy (Fall), Dew Gayl (Spring), Nebula Violette (Summer) and… Octavia Ember (Winter)… his own flesh and blood. These fine ladies was tasked to protect and help those who needs it the most. All of the people that requires guidance and love. They became the symbol of hope. They themselves became the symbol to power itself. Something that a lot of greedy individuals seeks.

One such example are the successors of the throne. Before King Arc died, he has forbid any bloodline to rule the thrown. Because he believe that 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely'. That was a fact that even history can prove every single time without fail. The King hated dictators, therefore in order to stabilize order giving equal rights to all, the Council was establish. They were the embodiment of law and peace.

The Maidens, being so mighty and powerful, doesn't mean they weren't vulnerable….

The Winter Maiden….

Octavia's POV

My name is Octavia Ember.

Let me tell you my story.

I was born on a small village, north of the 'Curribian Empire' (Currently known as Haven). I was the youngest of the 4 sisters. Like many young women out there, I too seek love and a normal life. I didn't dislike that I was the daughter of my Father, and I do not regret being the Winter Maiden either. Not one bit.

What I regret… was falling in love. Falling for the man who tricked me. His name is Scarlet David... a friend I knew since we were kids. We grew up together. He was a friend to my family, even my father approves of him…. But Scarlet is or was the great Trojan horse of my life. 5 years after the death of my Father, Sage Ayana, we sisters have decided to went our separate ways with our mother's blessing, to fulfill our oath. To become the Maiden that will guide the world and its people. Protect Remnant until the deal of the Great King and the dark one has been fulfilled and have been decided.

Around this time. I was a fool to let my heart to get the better of me. I have let my emotion dull my senses and cloud my vision. Scarlet David used me, he took advantage of my love towards him. The man betrayed my trust and trespassed the Devine Shrine, the resting place of both my Father and King Arthur himself. He took the Core and left. I have searched and hunted the man across the world, but failed to find him. He just disappeared without a trace

I have brought dishonor upon the good name of my family. I have tainted the title I was given and failed to uphold my oath. I disgusted myself and blame my emotions.

As Self-proclaimed penance, I have devoted my life in protecting the Shrine from all forms of dark malice, all but the presence of my sisters. I have casted my great power and froze the entire island and the sea that surrounds it with unending raging snow storms. I have cut the island from civilization and became its protector. Of all Maiden Goddess, I was the one the possessed the essence of longevity…. As long my powers rages as storms, it will keep the outside forces at bay. At the same time, it has provided me enough time to live through the ages…. Something that I never imagine would have pained me so dearly.

I have now become a living evidence of the same struggle that my Father had to go through. This nearly eternal life was the greatest example of my eternal torment. However, the most painful experience I have ever had is to watch as my sisters went and died before me. I have watch each of them gets to be reborn into the new generation of maidens. Again and again, years, decades, centuries and millennia.

It pained me so much that I almost broke because of the loneliness I felt.

When all hope was lost in my case. A man conquered my powers and have managed to pass the Storms of my will. The first one ever to reach the island since it's separation several millennia ago. This man…. Actually had the 'will' and determination to suffer so much for someone he loves most.

His name is Dr. Bartholomew Oobleck.

I confronted him and threaten to end his life if he dares to take one more step towards the Shrine. That was a bluff actually. I barely had any powers left in my body because I have spent most of it with the barrier. Oddly, as we were about fight… I saw something in his eyes. Those eyes was hell bent determined to save someone. Someone very important to him.

It was an emotion I know and would never forget even when everything seemed to fade in memory.

Love

A dear love of a Father and a Husband. Oobleck was a human being who risked so much just to protect the treasures of his life. Seeing the honest man that he is, I have let him passed. I even let him do what he asked of me. Have faith that he is doing this not for 'True Order' but for all Remnant.

If this was another one of the Queen's tricks, I would've known right away. The Angels of the Heavens are tasked to interfere if the deal was being violated at any forms. Right now, they have not appeared to stop Oobleck, if they did, he wouldn't have reached this far. In fact, I think the Angels even helped him, guided him through so much, so he can endure the role he was given.

It was enough for me, out of my part as the Winter Maiden, I have bestowed the man of the location where the tomb of the Great King was located.

I have figured, that maybe… this was my actual destiny. To live this long to help him. Something that I will not regret, not ever.

And now that the End is near….. It is now up to the King himself to decide the future of this world.

To fall in eternal oblivion or to thrive and continue to exist.

For the sake of Humanity and the future…. Jaune Arc needs to be awaken….

To be continue….

Sighs* finally! I finally got this chapter out! I waited so long for this! Now few of the question from before are finally answered. If you happened to be one of the readers who read my story at each line (Which is by the way, AWESOME! Because they've happened to endure my wrong spelled words and grammars), the histories and the plot got sewed together perfectly, (At least I believe so)

So anyway, I hoped you liked it J I thought that Team NDGO would be a good idea to set as the Maidens.

Next Chapter : Repercussions

If you want to see what the Devine Shrine looks like here's a references : Noah-Bradley_The-End-of-Sorrow (Seriously, the credits goes to this guy, and Peter Mohrbacher. Their artistic works helped me fuel my imagination and write this fic!)

Don't forget to leave a review

The chapter updates will be weekly (hopefully) my Studies and Professors won't be terrorizing my weekends or any free time.

So until then See Yea!

Kuya-taku is out! PEACE …. (^-^),,"V"