Christmas break for me 24th – 30th, which means no update of this story next week. Will be back as normal after, and hopefully refreshed for a new year. The end of this one has felt like a slog, not really due to fanfiction, just 2020 things.
Cover Art: Mystery White Flame
Chapter 87
It was a strange experience to be able to lay in an infirmary bed and not feel like the world would end if he didn't get out fast enough. Jaune's left arm was wrapped up in a cast that Tsune had made clear would stay on for several weeks or until she felt merciful enough to take it off – which meant the full time length, since everyone knew Beacon's doctor didn't know the meaning of the word `mercy` let alone have any.
He'd come out better than some. Nicholas had two shattered wrists and was going to be eating either through a straw or when fed by Juniper, and Glynda had to have shards of glass removed from her back with a pair of tweezers. Hazel had done a number on all of them, which really didn't make sense considering the guy was, at best, a single huntsman.
"That is why the Relic of Choice is so dangerous," Ozpin explained to him, speaking out of Oscar's mouth. "The Relics cannot lie. They are rigid like that. Such isn't a problem with Jinn, who shows only the present and the past. Absolute truth does not cause problems there. The Relic of Choice, however, shows the future."
"How does that explain Hazel being able to beat all of us at once?"
"Because the Relic shows a specific future, Mr Arc. It shows a choice – and that choice will happen, no matter what anyone does to try and prevent it. Imagine if you wore the Relic and it showed you a choice between sacrificing your mother's life, or your father's life. You would do your best to prevent this future coming to pass, perhaps hiding them away or surrounding them with guards, but if you were successful in preventing it then that would mean the Relic of Choice was wrong. It would mean it lied." Ozpin's face hardened. "That isn't possible. It is a tool created by the Gods. It cannot be wrong."
"It would cheat…?"
"It would cheat," he confirmed. "If you seek to change the future, the Relic will subtly alter the world to ensure it comes to pass. That future must happen, or the Relic will have been wrong, something it cannot be. In reality, Hazel could not have defeated Raven using her maiden powers. He likely couldn't have even beaten Glynda, Roman and Neo working together. He certainly couldn't hold his own against all of us at once as he did out there. However, the Relic of Choice showed him a future in which he had a choice to make, so no matter how many people we threw at him, the Relic twisted things to ensure that future would come to pass."
"It made him stronger?"
"Perhaps. Or it led us into traps, doomed us or gave him perfect knowledge on how to fight us. Think of it as fate or destiny. The moment Hazel donned that crown, he was destined to make a choice to end my life – and that fate was set in stone. All that remained was to walk the path."
That was terrifying. And powerful. Jaune had thought the Relic of Knowledge was the strongest. Destruction was great, as was the ability to create, but you could always do more with perfect knowledge, like ask where the other Relics were and pick them all up as well. With knowledge, you could forever elude someone wielding the Relic of Destruction or ask for the password to the room holding the Relic of Creation.
But at least knowledge could be fought. Choice's greatest strength wasn't so much the choice it showed but how it would make that choice come to pass. Hazel probably hadn't even thought for a second on the choice. Kill Ozpin or not kill him? Snap goes the neck. For a Relic which prided itself on showing the owner a choice in their lifetime, the choice itself was surprisingly meaningless. Did it even show you the outcome of that choice? If not, then what was the point? You'd face the choice sooner or later. All you got this way was a little forewarning and a whole lot less agency on controlling your life.
"There's a reason I sealed the Relic of Choice away," Ozpin said. "And a reason I stopped using it. Would you like to?"
Jaune flinched. "What!?"
"I have trust in you, Mr Arc. After all you've done, you deserve a reward. If you wish it, I will let you don the crown and look at an important choice in your future. One that might define you."
"I… I think I'll pass. Knowing the future is nice and all but that choice will come around whether I see it or not." Jaune leaned back and closed his eyes. "I'd probably only make the wrong choice anyway if I over thought it."
Ozpin chuckled. "That is a wise decision."
"Tell me one thing. How did the Relic of Destruction counter the future?"
"How? That should be obvious. It destroyed it. The Relic was used upon Hazel, in which case his life, his soul and his future were erased from the world. That means the Relic of Choice was not wrong and did not lie. It accurately showed Hazel his future… while he had a future."
Jaune shivered. "That's terrifying."
"Hmm. And you've given it to Cinder Fall. Curious decision."
"Give is a strong word…"
"Give is the word she believes to be true," Ozpin countered. "And she also believes herself to be a Queen, as determined by you. I've had experience with Queens, my boy. Let me give you a little warning." Ozpin leaned in, smirking. "They don't take no for an answer."
"You're enjoying this, old man. Aren't you?"
"Mr Arc, this may be the first time in my immortal existence that I have the time to enjoy anything. If this peace holds, I can travel the world, indulge myself and experience life as a normal person does. You have no idea how much that means to me."
"What about Oscar…?"
"He will live his life first," Ozpin said easily. "I've waited thousands of years. I can wait a decade or two more. I will sit back and watch, let him live his life and help him achieve his goals. He wishes to stay in Beacon for now." He chuckled. "Rather, he wishes to stay with all these cute girls he's developed crushes on."
It was strange to watch Ozpin say that calmly but blood rush to his face. It was like Ozpin was in control, but Oscar could still blush, and he obviously didn't like having that little titbit revealed.
Hey. No one is blaming you, Oscar. If it were me, I'd be thinking the exact same thing. The kid deserved to have some fun for once. Kid? He's not much younger than me. Man, I feel old.
"What about Salem?"
"Within the school for now. James helped sneak her in. We're still not 100% on the agreement yet – you're needed for that. Peace is our goal and it's finally within our reach, but it is one word at the end of the day. The reality of peace is a little more complex and needs to be hashed out. What will happen to the Grimm? What rights will Salem have? How shall this be revealed to the world at large? These are little things to be solved, but important all the same."
"You can handle them, right?" Jaune asked, nervousness creeping in. "I mean, I just convinced an eldritch abomination to peacefully co-exist with humanity. I just ended thousands of years of war. You can handle this last thing without me, right?"
"Ha ha ha." Ozpin clapped his shoulder, smiling in a fatherly manner. "The meeting is in thirty minutes. Don't be late."
Jaune stared at the immortal. "You suck…"
/-/
Everyone that was important occupied a seat at the long table, surrounding it on all sides. The most noticeable person was Salem by a landslide, her white skin and red-veined face making her stand out as an anomaly no matter how much she tried to fit in.
Tyrian stood behind and to the side of her, strangely smug and with his hands linked behind his back. He appeared to be revelling in the idea that he was the last – and thus only – person left of her followers. Presumably because that meant he'd be relied on more.
Oddly enough, that was probably all he wanted. Cinder had sought power and domination, Hazel wanted revenge and Watts had his own agenda, but Tyrian was a simple soul who just wanted to serve his Goddess. If she decided she wanted peace and tranquillity, he'd happily go along with it. Serving her the severed heads of her goes or martinis was equally rewarding to him.
General Ironwood took a seat with Winter emulating Tyrian's position, while Glynda did the same for Jaune, representing Beacon. Finally, Cinder Fall sat on the far corner, the Relic of Destruction laid tellingly on the table before her. The maiden's eyes burned with smug satisfaction, especially as she had a place at the table for big boys and girls.
"How is your arm, Jaune of Arc?" Salem asked.
"Healing. Are you unhurt, General?"
"Broken ribs," Ironwood said with a slight rasp. "They came close to my lungs but only grazed them. I was fortunate." His eyes narrowed. "Arc. Your… doctor. I have doubts-"
"We all have doubts about her. Believe me. Well, everyone is alive and well. That's more than we could have asked for. The Relic of Choice made Hazel more a threat than he had any right to be, but he's dead and gone."
"His death was almost anticlimactic," Glynda said.
"Then he died as he lived," Salem said harshly. "Anticlimactically. I don't see a problem. On with business. If I am to agree to peace, then there are terms. These are non-negotiable."
"All terms must be negotiated," Ironwood warned.
Jaune stopped him with a hand on his arm before he could start the second Grimm War within a day of peace. "Let's hear them first. I'm sure they're reasonable."
"I will not be a secret." Salem said. "Ozma saw to keep knowledge of me sealed away, and that benefitted me in some small way, so I allowed it. That will not continue. If I am to experience and indulge in the pleasures humanity offers, I can't do it locked away in the Grimmlands for the rest of my life."
"People will panic." Ironwood said. "There will be blame. Lost lives, Mountain Glenn-"
"We don't have to tell them she's the Queen of the Grimm, do we?" Jaune asked. He looked to Salem to see her thoughts. "Would you be okay if we just made something up? How about that you were kept prisoner by the Grimm and finally escaped?"
"I care not for how it's done, only that I may move freely."
Jaune looked to Ironwood. The man grunted. "It could be worked out," he admitted. "The prisoner angle doesn't hold water as people saw her with the Grimm and you outside, but I'm sure we could come up with something else. I only want the truth to remain lost. People hold grudges. There would be attempts on her life if it got out, and that would only risk hostilities flaring up again."
"Handle it how you wish." Salem said. "I care not. My second demand is resources. Money, a home." Salem's eyes narrowed. "A certain Seer informed me this morning that my home has been all but destroyed."
Jaune blinked. "It has? How?"
Cinder began to whistle nervously.
"How, indeed." Salem whispered, eyeing him dangerously. "Whatever the case, I don't plan to live in that barren wasteland anymore."
"Where will you live?" Ironwood asked.
"I don't know. I intend to travel first and explore this new world, then I shall consider settling down in whatever location I find most appealing. I must find myself a goal. A dream to pursue."
Taking inspiration from Ozpin. Jaune nodded to her, agreeing wholeheartedly. If she could find something to keep her attention, it would stop her ever wanting to go back to destroying everything and everyone.
"Atlas is already paying through the nose for Raven Branwen's services," Ironwood whispered. "Can't Vale handle this one?"
"You've saved the city, Jaune," Glynda pointed out. "If you ask, I'm sure the Council would bend over backward to comply."
"I'll get you your money," Jaune promised.
"The SDC will cover it," Winter said, surprising them all. "We still owe you for saving mother and Whitley. I'm sure they would cover any cost, and Salem can work a deal for mining rights to the Grimmlands while she's at it. That would make her a very rich woman."
"The demands have been reasonable so far." Ironwood said warily. "Is there anything else?"
"The Relics must be separated."
"That goes without saying. None of us want the Gods to return."
Salem nodded. She knew they didn't want it either, but it had to be said out loud. Since the Gods had said they would only spare them if Salem accepted her fate or learned her lesson, it would be death for them all. And even if she had, did they want them back? It would be a return to their so-called utopia, but how could it have been a utopia if people wanted to raise up against them?
You could argue envy and jealousy all you liked, but the whole point of a utopia was that people didn't feel those things because they had everything. Something didn't fit.
"The Relic of Destruction is mine," Cinder snapped.
"Onto the next Goliath in the room," Ironwood complained.
Cinder stood. "I will forgive the lack of address since you are a ruler in your own right, but I will be Queen. The Relic is also mine. If you wish to take it from me, I shall show you its true power."
Everyone tensed.
"That won't be necessary!" Jaune interrupted.
"Cinder Fall seems to believe you promised to make her a monarch," Ironwood snarled. "Perhaps you'd like to explain to her that this is not the case."
Cinder's eyes narrowed.
Jaune gulped. "It's not that. It's just… things haven't been hashed out yet." He felt the temperature chill and blurted out the first thing he could, "We need to decide what land will be hers!"
The cold vanished. If Cinder had faunus ears, they would have been perked up.
"Arc…" Ironwood growled.
"Cinder can't be Queen of Vale or an existing Kingdom, but I'm sure she wants to start her own Kingdom anyway. One she can design from the ground up in her image and design. She's going to need land for that, and building material, then we'll have to advertise it and see who wants to go. With the Relic of Destruction and peaceful terms with Salem, her Kingdom would be a thousand times safer than Mountain Glenn."
Cinder sat down, smug as a fox in the henhouse.
"Arc." Ironwood spat, standing. "A word."
The man all but dragged him out the room and into the corridor. Roman was already there smoking, but the thief took one look at Ironwood's face and hastily abandoned Jaune to his fate. The General made to shove Jaune up against a wall, remembered his broken arm and instead gently prodded him against it.
"You cannot think of making that psychotic woman a ruler! What are you doing!? Leaving aside her crimes, you're talking about giving up land that doesn't belong to you. It'd have to be Vale's land, and the Kingdom would never stand for it. Neither would Atlas, Mistral or Vacuo."
Jaune lowered his voice. "You're assuming it works."
Ironwood paused. "What?"
"We send Cinder out with building material and funds," Jaune explained quietly. "Whatever she starts, it'll start as a village. Those crop up all the time. The land may count as Vale's, but the city doesn't really have any grasp of it. It's wildland. The frontier is a mess. And Cinder will need time to build up, so she'd stray quiet and not cause any problems for a while."
"For a while, Arc. What happens when she has enough security to declare herself an independent Kingdom?"
"Then we have five Kingdoms," Jaune said with a shrug. "Does it matter? This has to be better than Mountain Glenn, and the population of Remnant is going to grow like crazy since Salem isn't actively wiping people out. We're going to need new homes anyway. Maybe there will be ten Kingdoms in a hundred years or so. Maybe twenty."
"Vale will throw a fit," Ironwood warned.
"True, but that's a problem for later. Besides, they won't be able to do anything if Atlas is allied with Cinder's Kingdom."
"Why would we-?" He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Because of the Relic. Fine. You really think it's safe to leave the Relic of Destruction with someone like her?"
"No. Obviously. But do you think it's safe to try and take it off her?"
"No." Ironwood admitted. "No, it's not. I suppose having it kept in some fledgling Kingdom is enough to keep it out the way. There is a chance she might try and invade, however. That weapon would make conquest a simple matter. Do you have a plan for stopping that?"
"No, but she doesn't know that I don't have a plan."
Ironwood stared at him long and hard. "Am I really about to risk Atlas on the concept that Cinder Fall, maiden and current wielder of the Relic of Destruction, will be too worried about your `masterful strategy` to rise up against you?"
Jaune remained silent.
"I can't believe that I am," Ironwood groaned. "Fine. So long as she's your problem and not mine, I'll agree to this. With any luck, it'll take her so long to build her Kingdom that she'll be an old crone by the time it's done."
That was entirely possible. Cinder was doing this on her own so she'd need to pick a place, clear it, plan, hire builders, get supplies, start construction, defend her land, arrange trade deals, attract settlers and all the other hundreds of thousands of little things that would need to be done to start up a new Kingdom. Honestly, she might even enjoy that. If her ambition was to be all powerful, then having the right to make all those decisions herself was just the kind of thing she wanted.
When they came back into the meeting room, Cinder was waiting with a smug smile. Ironwood scowled and sat down. "Atlas has no complaints to the formation of a new Kingdom. We extend warm welcome and the hand of diplomacy should you need it."
The fact Cinder looked to Jaune with an impressed expression made it clear his legend was growing in her eyes, something he wondered if there would ever be a limit to.
"How generous." Cinder said. "I am a generous Queen who will remember those who have aided me. That said, I wonder if I don't have an enemy in a certain former monarch at this table…"
All eyes turned to Salem.
"You think I would steal your crown, Cinder? Pah. I've been a Queen for longer than your family line has existed. I know what work is entailed, and you are welcome to that sorry job. Though." Her fingers drummed on the table. "Do you intend to start a Huntsman Academy?"
The question appeared to surprise Cinder, and she paused to consider it. "In time, I suppose. There are more important things to start with, but every major Kingdom has one, so I want one as well. It will become the greatest Academy on Remnant, far surpassing Beacon."
"Ahem!" Salem coughed.
"Sorry. Ozma Sucks."
"Better. In that case, perhaps I shall apply to be the headmistress of your academy once it has been founded."
Cinder was not the only one caught flat footed.
"W-What!?" Ironwood croaked.
"You heard me. If Ozma is going to continue and take over this school once Jaune of Arc perishes, I will take over Cinder's. I will take that which he created and beat him at it. Every Vytal Festival, he will weep as his school comes second place to mine. He will look on in jealousy as we lift the trophy time and time again."
I guess she can't be expected to fully let Ozma off for what happened. Well, this is a lot safer for everyone than constant war, so I guess it's okay. Competition wasn't a bad thing for Salem to get into, especially if it was with a fellow immortal. Other hobbies could fade in time, but they could keep each other busy for millennia.
"You're hired!" Cinder said quickly, eager to snatch up the most powerful person on Remnant for her fledgeling Kingdom. Ironwood looked even more ill than he had a moment ago.
"I think that's everything sorted, then." Jaune said. Aside from deciding how they'd explain Salem and how they'd explain to everyone that the siege of Vale was over, but that was better left to Ironwood and professionals like Lisa Lavender. "I have to ask, though. What will you do, Salem? You said travel, but do you have any idea what the first thing you'll do is…?"
Salem tilted her head to the side and tapped her chin. She thought long and hard, humming to herself as Jaune, Ironwood and Cinder all leaned in, curious to know what an immortal Grimm witch finally granted free reign would do with it. Finally, she met their gazes, nodding once.
"I'm going to go get laid."
/-/
The heavy work done, Jaune retreated back to the infirmary and laid in the bed next to his father. The older Arc looked over with a proud smile, nodding once and tilting the scroll balanced precariously between his knees. Both his hands and wrists were wrapped up tight, limiting the movement of his fingers.
"You missed your mother."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Probably good," Nicholas admitted. "You'd think she would be relieved we're both alive and well, but she saw my hands and started ranting about how I'm too old for this job." He chuckled good naturedly. "It's probably best she does not see you in a cast. That'll be my fault somehow."
Jaune laughed with him. It'd be good to see mom and the girls again, especially now that they could come to Vale safely. In fact, it'd be good to just be able to relax, let loose and not worry about the end of the world. Finally, I can get some peace and quiet around-
The door to the infirmary burst open.
"He promised me a date!" Yang howled.
"A Queen has need of a King!" Cinder snarled, elbowing her way past. "Jaune, I-" She tripped suddenly, falling over Yang's outstretched leg and impacting the tiled floor face first.
Yang took full advantage to jump over the most dangerous woman in existence, grinning cheekily at him. "Hey Prof!"
The rest of Team RWBY entered a little further behind, Ruby looking upset with both Yang and Cinder, while Weiss apologised loudly for the disturbance and Blake wore a smirk on her face as she watched the theatrics.
"Uh. Hey girls. To what do I owe the pleasure…?"
"You promised me a date." Yang said.
"You are promised to me fully." Cinder argued.
"T… This isn't fair," Ruby said. "The professor should get to choose."
"Choose you?" Blake asked teasingly.
Ruby flushed to the roots of her hair. "I didn't say that! B-But if he does, then he does. It's his choice."
Desperately, Jaune turned to his father. "What do I do!?"
"Remember, son. All a man needs is confidence."
"That advice has never helped, and it doesn't help now!"
"Make your choice!" Yang, Cinder, Ruby and Blake shouted as one. Blake was the only one not intimately involved; it felt more like punishment for all the paperwork he'd had her sort as his personal secretary.
"C-Can't we all calm down?"
"I saw him first!" Ruby argued. "He was my friend first."
"I confessed first," Yang said.
"I kissed him first," Cinder pointed out proudly. Yang paled and looked at Jaune like she was considering jumping him then and there to even the score. Jaune wasn't sure if he should be afraid of that or not!
"Technically, Glynda slept with him first," Blake said.
Why did she have to throw fuel on the fire like that? Was this revenge? It felt like revenge. Not you, Blake. The ultimate betrayal. After all I did, you throw my life away like this.
It couldn't get any worse.
Jaune froze.
It had gotten worse.
While Yang, Cinder and Ruby argued, Weiss' eyes widened as she noticed the bedsheets suddenly begin to shuffle and move. It didn't take long for the others to see, especially as they rose up and slipped back. A head of fuzzy pink and brown hair poked up, long, pale arms stretching as Neo yawned, wearing only a white button-down shirt several sizes too big for her and quite obviously stolen from his wardrobe.
Neo yawned and stretched like a cat, turning and flopping back against his chest, laying over him with her butt between his legs and her hands reaching up over her head to run through his hair. Her sleep, mismatched eyes glinted up at him as she tilted her head back and latched her lips onto his neck, sucking loudly before pulling off with a smack, leaving behind a big, angry, purple love bite. The message was clear.
Professor Jaune Arc whimpered.
/-/
"It's ridiculous, I know, but there needs to be a speech to declare out victory and Ironwood has agreed that Mr Arc is the right person for it." Glynda walked alongside Ghira, Qrow, Roman, Kali and Jinn.
"The guy must be exhausted," Qrow said. "Give him a break."
"You know I'd love nothing more to, but people need to know the attack is over. It will mean so much to those refugees in Atlas wondering whether their family members are safe. This will also let us control what gets out – or do you want Lisa Lavender to be the one to break the news and twist it for tabloid?"
"Lisa is great and all but it's probably best she not break the news," Roman said.
"As long as it is broadcast that Menagerie assisted in the defence, I don't mind." Ghira rumbled.
"It will be. Menagerie kept out waters safe. Vale will never forget this."
"Ahem."
"And you, Jinn," Glynda said, rolling her eyes. "Thank you as well."
"AHEM!"
Glynda pinched the bridge of her nose. "Admiral Jinn."
"Better," the Spirit of Knowledge said. "I earned my rank, thank you very much. Hm. Being outside the Relic is a lot more fun than I expected. I hope Ozma doesn't think he's shoving me back into a dark cave after this."
"Discuss that with Jaune."
Jinn's grin grew. "He's a little busy right now."
Everyone looked at her oddly, but Jinn only ran a finger over her lips, letting them know she couldn't say. The party arrived at the infirmary, and Qrow reached out to pull the door open.
Chaos ensued.
"He's mine!"
"I claimed him!"
"Let him choose! Let him choose me!"
"That's my son!" a feminine voice squealed over a scroll. "That's my son! Go get them, Jaune! Grandbabies forever! Oi, white-hair, why aren't you getting involved? Get stuck in there!"
Pinned down by Neo and with Ruby clung to his healthy arm, Jaune Arc struggled to extricate himself from the wrestling bodies of Cinder Fall and Yang Xiao-Long. His eyes caught theirs and he reached out desperately, begging for salvation.
Qrow slid the door shut. "Blue-eyed blonde bastards. Every single time…"
"We'll come back later," Glynda said, brow creased. "I'm sure the headmaster will be free by then. Or dead. Whichever comes first."
"Don't you think we should help him?" Ghira asked.
"Nah." Roman grinned and hooked an arm around the giant man's shoulders. "Haven't you heard? He's a master of strategy. If this is happening then it's surely because he planned it to happen."
"Is that so…?"
"Sure." Roman grinned. "Why not?"
I was curious as to whether I should end it here, but I do think it deserves another chapter at least. A story that's gone on this long is really hard to decide where, when and how to bring it to a conclusive end. I'm thinking of doing an epilogue to show the state of the world twenty years later or something. That could be fun.
Omake:
Ilia Amitola rocked back and forth in her room, hands around her legs, chin resting on her knees. "They haven't forgotten me," she told herself hysterically. "They'll remember they kept me prisoner to interrogate me. I'm sure they will. They're just trying to see if I'll crack under the pressure. Yes. That's it. Aheh. Aheheheh. Ahahahahahaha!"
Beacon's janitor tilted his head as he heard the crazed sound, shrugged and went back to sweeping the corridors outside, whistling to himself as he worked.
Aka, I totally forgot about Ilia as a few reviews pointed out.
Next Chapter: 31st December
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur
