AN: I apologize for this late update. But I've actually only uploaded this one chapter because I didn't want anyone to think I'm dead or anything.

But anyways, I've just been busy doing some assignments, test and stuff but also working on the Lore and Story at the same time. I try to do one of each a single day, finish my assignments, work on my story, then work on my lore and then going in and doing some daily grinding on Genshin and Honkai.

Honestly, I don't think I have played any Steam games in so long, especially Doom Eternal. The only recent one I've played is Payday 2 which is kinda getting boring fast after reaching Infamy II.

Anyways I've held you long enough. I think I might upload a new chapter next week, but that depends. Also this is a really short chapter, since it's kinda setting up for the next one.

Dream Cycle: Shadowgraph PT.2

Augustus draws Crocea Mors from its shield sheathe and brings it down on a tree branch blocking their way, slicing it in a single clean cut.

His third oldest daughter, Valerie, accompanied him in this hunt.

There was word that a pack of grimm had been terrorizing a neighbouring frontier town and had been growing larger and larger every day. Being one of the only huntsmen out here, the frontier town had commission Augustus and Valerie to track and purge the grimm. Following the tracks they left behind, the duo was now located in this forest.

"Hey old man," his daughter called from behind.

"Hm?" he grunts, cutting down another tree branch that blocked their path.

"Hasn't Jaune been acting weird lately?"

"What do you mean?" he asks, sheathing his blade.

"I mean, have you seen him? He looks like a walking corpse; it's been getting worse every day." She hisses, "Seriously what's going on with him?"

It had begun three days ago. After two nights of mysterious pain and nightmares, he said that it had finally stopped it. He even smiled for once. However, lately he appears to have been getting more exhausted that he looked like he just came from the morgue, dead. His eyes have heavy black bags under them, and he's been incredibly snappy too. It's almost as if he hasn't slept at all.

"It's most likely his video games and comics. You know how he is," Augustus answers, nonchalantly.

"Yeah but… I'm worried," She says, rubbing her arm, "It's not just about him being snappy and not sleeping."

"What do you mean by that?" He stops in his track, finding some prints on the floor and inspecting it, "Hm… this is recent, we're close."

"I mean, haven't you noticed?" She asks, incredulously.

Augustus simply turns around and raises a brow in question.

"Seriously?!" She yells, "His eyes darts to shadows every so often and he stops when there's a corner before making a turn for it, it's like he's expecting for something trying to hurt him. That's not how a normal 15-year-old boy would act!"

Augustus takes a small step back from the sudden outburst.

"You stupid old man! Haven't you noticed?! Jaune needs help! "

"I… We'll… talk about this when we go home," He sighs, turning his back to his daughter.

"Tch."

~~AMONGST US~~

His eyes continue to dart in every direction, taking in every single hint of detail in his surroundings and the people nearby.

There's a man looking at the fruits in one of the stands nearby. He was wearing a simple attire consisting of a shirt and jeans. However, his hands were kept inside his pockets and that was suspicious enough to Jaune.

Then there was that women who was reaching into the handbag that she carried on her shoulders. The bag was big enough to maybe fit a small firearm in there.

Then there was that-

"Jaune!"

He was snapped out of his thoughts when his second oldest sister, Maya, shouted at him.

"H-huh?"

"I said we have everything mom needs. We can go now."

"Right… sorry," he mutters.

"Come on, let's go," She says, handing him a bag to carry.

He only nods and follows.

Throughout the whole journey, there was silence between them. They never looked in each other's direction nor spoke at all. The only noise being the locals chattering about and the merchants shouting, advertising their products for the people to buy. Every now and then though, he would notice his sister glancing at him. A look of worry painted over her face. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but holds back, as if the words are stuck in her throat.

By the time they were nearing their home, she finally spoke up.

"Jaune, look," She started off, "We're worried about you."

She spared a glance to him one more time before continuing.

"Mom… the whole family is worried about you. We don't what's going on but if you need help, we're here. You can talk to us about your problems, we're fa-"

"We're here," he cuts her off coldly, opening the door to home and entering.

She stood alone by the entrance and sighs miserably.

"Where did I go wrong?"

~~AMONGST US~~

Jeanne closes the door slowly, careful not to wake her two daughters up. By the time she shuts the door, she could only sigh.

She slowly walk down the stairs while massaging her forehead to get rid of the fatigue from the day. When she had arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she spotted her husband's hunched form over by the dining table, a scribbling noise coming from him.

"Your debriefing report?" She asks.

"Yeah…" He answers.

"…"

"…"

"I guess I'll go to bed first then," She says, before turning to leave.

"Jeanne," Augustus calls out suddenly.

"…Yes?"

He stands up from his seat and approaches his wife.

He pulls her close and kisses her on the forehead, before hugging her.

"Goodnight…" he whispers, "I'm sorry that I couldn't join you sooner, I've just been so busy."

"It's okay, I know you're just trying to look out for us," She replies, planting her head against his chest.

"Just a few more jobs, okay? After that, I'll retire, I promise."

"I know you will… but how much is a few more?"

"I… don't know…" He answers honestly, "I don't know, but if it is for the sake of the family, I will continue my duties."

"…I know you will," She whispers with a smile.

She left the embrace and walked up the stairs, back to their room.

Augustus does the same, walking back to the table to continue writing his report.

Minutes pass and soon hours, as he continues to scribble onto the piece of paper, the ticking of the clock being the only noise besides the scribbling, filling in the silence of the house.

"D-Dad?"

He turns around quickly to find his son awake, late in the night.

"Jaune?"

AN: Sorry I just have a off topic story I just want to share.

Right now, my hair is currently wet from a hot shower. I had cross country today and ran 3km, which is smaller than usual. Got a massive stitch right under my right rib cage and nearly vomitted on the last lap (We ran two laps around an island before crossing back to the main land and running a final lap). Normal stuff, but you know, nature is kinda a b!tch and decided to give us a few free cold showers.

Next thing I know is that, in under 3 hours, it had rained over 3 times and it wasn't one of those small ones. No, it's the type where you see a whole mountainous island disappear behind the rain type of shower, and it came thrice. Honestly, I'm still wondering how I haven't gotten trench foot yet from all that water in my shoes.

Anyways, when I got home and had a hot shower, it felt very... not hot? The water felt like it's just under luke warm and I assumed we were running low on gas, but then I realized, 'Oh... it's me.". So apparently my body was so cold that a hot shower felt as though it was under luke warm. Not great.

Anyways, see yall in the next chapter. I'll be going back to work on Fragmented Star's lore now.