An Arc Returns to Fight Chapter 1
Sorry everyone that it's been a while since I've uploaded anything, long story short my glasses busted and it took forever to get a new pair. Next thing I knew thanksgiving was coming up so I decided hey let's see how many I can pump out by Thanks Giving.
And so we're here, hope you guys like these.
Concept: A Maidens Return to Fight rewrite with Adrian and .Hack elements
Adrian stood within a room, for the first time in so long he felt hope, not merely in seeing tomorrow like his master had led him to seek. But in righting the countless wrongs of this dead world, he stood there looking back to his mentor as he smiled.
Standing there was the man he respected and admired most, the one who'd taken him in after his mothers had… He'd always been his hero, always believed in him since the first day he declared he wanted to be a huntsman like him. Because he knew what it was like for nobody to believe in you.
His eyes were deep azure with shoulder-length golden locks, his form was broad and filled with muscles honed over decades of training and combat. He was the one who stood at the summit and led humanity even now in these dark dimming days. He rose a sceptre up high, the relic of creation and asked for its aid as he did any of the four, whether it be the sceptre of creation, the lamp of knowledge the crown of choice or the blade of destruction.
And just like everytime before the avatar within the relic manifested smiling to its leader and fulfilling his request and his alone. No longer were they bound only doing what they wished and for who they wished to aid. He watched as a small doorway formed, after putting his sceptre away he unsheathed the blade which oozed red light that threatened to render anything it touched to nothing.
Thrusting it forward the space distorted before the blade, tearing the very fabric of the world asunder. His body tensed, muscles budging before spewing blood as backlash from dealing such a blow was made. He wanted to help his master yet the man rose a hand stopping him as the void before him begun to swallow all before it even light itself. Finally, he rose his palm to his crown and from it a third avatar formed and happily allowed his request.
The door shone as the choice had been enforced upon the impossibility before them, the chaotic void settling, succumbing to the relics will. Slowly he tapped the lamp and from it Jinn formed her body no longer chained no different than her sibling relics. She looked to the veteran and smiled somberly as she watched him struggle to stand, the strain of using all four of them was immense without the brother's aid as he was forced to compensate with his own aura for any other that requirement alone would be impossible. But his semblance allowed him to cheat that amplifying his aura to purely fuel them.
Still the strain for their power was not one to be trifled with yet he had, summoning forth all four of their powers. Brother Creation to form an impossible material capable to restraining a torn reality so as not to spread. Sister Destruction to tear the very fabric of the world apart and brother choice to bound the tear to another point in this world but not this time. He looked to her too tired to ask yet she knew and happily responded.
"You did it." She watched him fall to his knees as relief took him a single tear falling as he learned his efforts, all those who died hadn't been in vein. The avatars of the other relic's glowed and formed around their savior, not wielder but friend for they chose to be beside him to aid him as the relics.
After several moments of joy he finally looked back his eyes teary but as happy as the day he rushed to Argus. Desperate to save his family but failing to find his sister and her wife dead he had roared in pain and grief regretting Salem's defeat for the Grimm did not weaken but rile no longer controlled. He'd nearly gave then, his sorrow too much to bear as the last of his kin was gone until he saw him, his nephew clinging to life. He looked to that child today, he'd grown so much, so strong, stronger then he'd been at that age.
Crocea hung on his hip, his gift to his sole student, nephew and heir, though Arc's blood did not flow through his vein their soul burned brightly inside him. He stumbled and Adrian rushed forward grabbing him.
"Uncle!?" He chuckled.
"Its fine… Just a bit tired is all, I just need a moment of rest." Adrian nodded as he shook, he understood, after all in the first time in so long they needn't merely maintain hope, no, now they had a chance.
"Is it, is it true? Can we… can we really go back." He smiled then and was about to confirm until they heard it… An unholy shriek that resonated with their very souls and a great pressure that threatened to shake the very world. Adrian paled as a look of horror covered his face, he looked up then to his mentor and found him standing face towards the outside world.
"No…"
"Adrian…"
"NO!" He shouted as fear filled his heart, he had nothing left in this world, nothing but him, his role model, his goal, his family! The man turned to him then his smile sad but eyes determined.
"I can't forsake them, not now, not when they're about to be out there fighting, dying." He wanted to scream, to plea for him to come with him, to beg for him to turn away. But he knew he wouldn't listen, because it was who he was… because even if the being just born was to be his end, he was also the only one who stood a chance… He knew he wouldn't survive, just like Aunt Ruby knew, like her team knew like his uncle Lie and aunty Nora knew… But just like them… and just like the woman who'd held fate in him when nobody else had, he had to try.
He looked to him his face kind and proud, he reached out hugging his nephew one final time his semblance manifesting to breathe his soul into his to convey all the word he knew he hadn't the time to say. All his pride in his successor, all his belief and joy in every moment he watched him grow, all his love for the last family he had. The only thing that kept him from giving in to his despair. And his promise that to the end he'd remain a patriarch his precious Nephew could take pride in.
His hand stretched out tapping the hilt of Crocea, his finger traced the noble steel, one final time he let his aura flow through his family's blade. No longer was it merely a weapon of the Arc, but the blade of humanity and a pseudo-relic without an avatar. And no longer was it his, now it was held by a kinder, more honest soul.
"I entrust everything to you…" He let go then and turned away.
"My goal, our dream and everyone's future." He would not turn back as he marched forward.
Adrian looked to his back before bowing tears still running down his cheeks but also pride burning in his chest. He wanted to follow him, to fight alongside him, but he'd been entrusted a task, a destiny he'd be sure to defy. Jinn followed behind him then to his shock.
"Lady Jinn? Why, why aren't you going with him." She smiled to him cupping the young Arc's cheek almost motheringly.
"He requested me to guide you to your destination, I wanted more than anything to refuse, but… He'd pleaded so hard, begged me. How could I ever say anything but yes." He nodded as she smiled to him and slowly, he opened the door, already he could see it cracking, giving way to the force of the spacial tear. He stepped in a single foot and paused, hesitating, shame and guilt tearing his heart as he readied to abandon this world… Jinn gave him the final push.
"Don't let their sacrifice be in vain." Seven forms came to mind, each smiling at him throughout his life as he grew. Silver and Turquoise eyes always wide and smiling as they played with him. Icy blue scolding him for neglecting his studies while kind Lilac sneaked him away and shifting to an intense crimson when anyone dared pick on him. Noble magenta teaching him control and restraint while calm Amber read to him as he slept. Finally determined Azure that never looked away form him and was the father he'd always wanted.
For the seven of them… he'd take the step.
The people shook in fear as they looked to the skies shaded red that only ever seemed to deepen, Vale, the final civilization in Remnant Humanities last home. After the Cursed Waves had begun one by one the world of men had been claimed by their oldest threat. The Grimm, with each intense wave the soulless beast seemed to grow in power taking over villages in hours, cities in days and even the capitals themselves.
And alongside each wave the very world seemed to be devoured by the endless black as the skies dimmed. A man stood upon the wall looking out into the endless black, once he had been a foolish boy, immature even far into his training to be a huntsman. Yet now he posed an imposing figure, gone was the immature bully of their school days, in his place standing a veteran of many battles, scars covering his body under his heavy armor. it's pitches black a far cry from the man who led them. On his back was a ungodly mass of steel the War Mace's shaft was thicker than a streetlight's beam while the head was black with deep red dust veins.
He watched as the darkness riled as a hateful light exploded in the distance… the seventh Phase. His heart clenched, yet he did not tremble in fear but smiled.
"You lose Morganna." He smiled despite the false god's avatar of destruction heading their way, because 'he'd' made it back. He knew, knew that his closet friend and current leader wouldn't fail, couldn't fail, he had given his word after all. That no matter the cost he'd correct this endlessly wrong world. He looked back then, to the people, less then five hundred… so few. They were all that remained of humanity, of their race, he longer distinguished between faunus and human both he'd spilt blood beside, lost loved one beside and suffered this cruel world beside.
They heard it then, the howls and roars of the Grimm, invigorated by the alpha, their seventh king of kings. Nevermore, griffins and ravager's and so many more aerial Grimm begun to speed towards them. He rose the upgraded Executioner. Seeing the signal dozens upon dozens of dust cannons fired into the mass of Grimm tearing them asunder. People cheered seeing the mob so easily torn apart, yet he didn't for he knew like deep inside they all knew. He readied himself for this final battle. Yet he didn't feel fear despite knowing his end was near, with a roar he spoke so all could hear.
"The time has come! For our final battle! Our leader, our king has departed! Left to destroy this fate! Yet my pride won't let me merely accept that, won't let me happily fall to the Grimm knowing they 'will' fail. I will fight and defy them to the end! As a Winchester! As a Valeian and huntsman but most importantly as a member of Humanity! Will you fight with me!" Roars erupted all around him as men, women and even adolescents cried out their support, weapons raised.
Just watch Jauney Boy, we'll show you our last stand, even if its utterly pathetic, we'll fight to the end.
It was then he saw it, the first Beowulfas it climbed over the wall beneath it a mountain of its brethren acting as the steps for others to invade. Before it could act however Executioner slammed into its head leaving only a mess of black icor above its neck as it fell. Dust ignited in the war mace's head as he lifted it up high before slamming down into the mob. With a flaming explosion the mob of Grimm were captured in the inferno, thick clouds of miasma spewed forth as dozens upon dozens of the soulless beast fell.
Yet Cardin did not smile only preparing a second swing as yet another hill of bodies rose just left of the first. He was sure this was happening all around the village walls. With a swing he destroyed the second mass before he heard the screams and turned finding his hunch correct. There on the floor was a woman a Ursa Major atop her as she struggled against its powerful jaws. However before the beast could sink its fangs into her flesh ad spinning blade of lightening shot forward tearing through its body and into the Deathstalker behind burying into its carapace revealing a dagger Cardin knew far to well.
No sooner did its owner seemingly appeared grasping the blade his semblance Warp strike, pulling it out the blade exploded in lightening while its twin erupted with ice. With speed and prowess, he tore into the tail severing it. The man was a huntsman, his subordinate Russel Thrush and like him no longer was he the pathetic excuse for a bully but a hunter willing to put his life on the line for others.
lean and toned he stood strong his mohawk still present falling to the side over the left his face, he looked up then to Cardin and nodded and Cardin nodded back. He could trust Russel to keep the people safe and he was sure Dove and Sky would to. He turned back to his focus swinging the head burying deep and then through a Beringel's arm tearing it off before exploding into a ball of fire. However, its brethren took the opportunity to swing at Cardin who slammed Executioner into the floor to anchor himself from being launched away.
With a roar he swung up rubble from beneath launched making deadly projectiles tearing into a through Grimm of all shapes and sizes. Not wasting a moment and desperate to kill as many of the beast as possible he charged tackling into the Beringel and launching himself and it off the wall. Falling from so high should be suicide yet luckily for him he had a hell of a big cushion as the Beringel hit earth first dying upon impact.
Cardin stood upon the quickly fading body and roared engaging his aura letting it rage with all his resentment, anger and hate turning himself into a Beacon for the Grimm. The beast turned then drawn and utterly enthralled by him and rushed forth ignoring the hundreds of humans within all for the delicious one before them. He roared Executioner burning as he readied for his last stand, he trained alongside his king clawing his way to becoming the second strongest humanity had to offer and he would show it here.
Swing after swing, he tore into the mass using his aura only when needed to endure blows to his exposed face ignoring any to his body faith in his armor that was forged with the same technique as Jaune's blade that endured since the Great War to today. Grimm after Grimm fell to him as he showed that the Arcs weren't the only warrior house worthy of respect, he ignored his muscles pleas for rest, his heaving breathes and even his bruising form from the vibrations of his struck steel. He buckled and a Grimm struck a King Taijitu opening its maws and biting down into him, its teeth shattering against his armor. Yet it didn't stop shooting forward slamming the Winchester into the ground yet he wasn't done.
Thick powerful hands grabbed its eyes before crushing them, the Grimm roared but he ignored it raising his mace high letting it again explode into a mass of flames killing the serpent white head. The black head stunned never saw the mace's thrust only feeling the steel as it punctured it's throat and the flames as they cooked it from the inside out. As it faded he nearly feel to his knees panting but refused the urge swing towards the next grimm of the endless horde of black.
It was then he noticed it, not seeing it as much as feeling it, turning a wave of energy rushed into him sending the man flying into the great wall and through it exploding into a mass of flying rubble. His aura shattered from the impact as he was sent crashing into the earth his limbs broken and shattered, Executioner buried in the ground.
Slowly he struggled to look up the red of his blood distorting his already blurry vision as he saw it in all its terrible glory. Crude and wrong were the first thoughts to come to mind, after all it looked nothing like other Grimm. It didn't parody life like its kin after all it knew humans feared what they didn't understand so why would it want to look so comprehensible.
What floated above them was an odd creature, its body seemingly made of stone with several eye like carvings along it side. It looked like a crudely sculpted serpent its form rough and uneven it's tail end fusing back into its body as if mashed in. A crude stake ran through its upper body and abdomen making it curl at the top. However at what could be perceived as the head was rounded with three holes imitating a face that red thick sludge spilled out from.
Cardin gritted his teeth as he saw rays of light spew forth as the cruel phase let loose from the crimson sludge crude clay figures rose copies of the hunters and like fighting the Grimm. They roared as crude copies of their weapons manifested and shot forward. They fought just like them, mimicking everything from their quirks to their very semblances. He could only struggle as his men fought and died as they faced themselves and the endless hordes. With a howl it sent dozens of lights into the sky, no sooner did the malicious ray come crashing down bypassing its prey's aura and ending their lives.
Cardin roared struggling to stand the shame far too much to bare, he refused to die like this, a snivelling mess on the floor who laid down while his comrades died. Struggling he reached for Executioner flooding everything he had into it, his hopes, his desires and all his anger until finally a spark of aura flooded it and his weapon ignited. It turned then seeing the massive hunter struggle to his feet his weapon a burning crutch as he glared upon it far too stubborn to die.
How many were left, hundred, probably less, he could hear his brethren fighting to their last breath. They were scared, hopeless and worn out. But still they struggled and so would he, he looked at it then and roared bringing all his power out as he stomped forward his war mace held high. It acted then letting loose another spell and with it he felt his form freeze. To paralyze a crippled warrior, how cruel. A single stake manifested then a miniature copy of the one impaling it. The stake launched forward one moment it was in his sight the next it hit the earth behind him cracking the earth as it buried deep into it.
Blood spewed from his mouth as the pain of the hole through his stomach registered, he fell to his knees as he felt the punctured armor finding a baseball size hole.
"Dammit…" He looked up then and saw it, floating their dozens of stakes levitated each vibrating as they prepared to launch. He chuckled in self-derision, so this was it, all he could manage… truly how the runt's and Jauney Boy's teams had defeated six of these nightmares was beyond him. Yet he wouldn't regret it Jaune not being her, after all with each faced another of their gaggle of heroes fell until he was all that remained.
Yeah… this isn't too bad for a guy like me… besides.
He smiled up at it.
"You won this battle but lost the war." With a single howl it let loose the stakes upon them, Cardin wouldn't look away as he tensed ready to meet his end. What he saw instead was a wave of white light sweep forward rendering the projectiles to dust in the wind. He felt it then, his soul reinvigorate as his aura roared to life restoring his tattered form. He knew as the radiance behind him grew that he wasn't the only one either, everyone who still breathed had been empowered. He heard even steps as 'he' made his way forward standing between him and the Grimm, his cape flowed the signature twin moons of his family proudly displayed for everyone to see.
He burned like a pale sun but gave no scorching heat only warmth to those he shielded, he should've felt relieved, thankful and hopeful yet all he could do as he looked to his back was struggle not to give to his grief.
"Why?" He knew, just like everyone else did, because it was the one thing he could never do. He looked to them his eyes soft and kind as he smiled like the goof he was.
"As if I could run while others fought for their lives." Tear flowed hitting the floor beneath but not from him alone, every man and woman cried as they looked to their leader, willing to face death even if only so they wouldn't have to die alone. He brought out his hand to him then.
"Will you fight with me Cardin?"
"You idiot!" He stood by his own restored power.
"You gave up seeing them again!" His aura surged.
"Seeing your family, your team! Even your wife and child! All for us!" Gripping Executioner he stood beside the boy he'd once mocked but know could only feel pride to stand beside.
"As if anyone could deny you!" He was right, even now he felt it as did the grimm, the pressure of fear and despair dying out as pride filled each of their hearts. They knew they would die, yet to fall beside him… beside Remnants last Hero, what better death could there be. Jaune smiled turning to the beast and calling its name.
"…Tarvos, the Avenger." He stepped forward his soul burning white for all to see as it burst forth invading and empowering all who stood beside him.
"Today is apparently to be my last… but I promise it will be yours as well." A single step, that was all he took, yet the formerly thought invincible Grimm backed away as determined azure glared it down. Slowly they manifested beside him, the three remaining avatars of the Relics. To this day he was the only one they'd ever favor. Long ago when Salem had been defeated and the brothers had descended, each of the seven were allowed a wish. His was their freedom, his family's belief unable to leave the genies bound. And now they chose to be beside him even for his final moments.
The Grimm surged forward yet all he did was give a single swing of his destructive blade, a unparallel forced erupted forth. The mob was gone, hundreds killed by a single swing, quickly raising the scepter several dozen walls emerged between Tarvos and the other Grimm isolating it.
"Fire!" Obeying his roar the dust cannons let loose upon the floating extinction event, it didn't react not even seeming phased as the high impact dust rounds barraged it. Yet he never ordered their cease so they'd unload everything. After all who would deny his orders, the man chosen by the Relics, Remnants last king and Beacon of hope. He roared swinging down an unholy Arc of black surging forth colliding with Tarvos. The beast howled as the smallest hint of damage appeared a mere crack a hair's deep on its stony hide.
Yet seeing it the last of humanity roared in hope, joining in the firing of the cannons. If it could be injured even if just the slightest bit then it could die! Tarvos roared rushing towards the Arc with inhuman speed and to its shock he met it head on destruction raised and ready. With another godly swing they clashed his blade sparking against the stake within it.
"So the Avenger huh, how appropriate." Creation glowed and no sooner did the floor beneath shift and spears of stone rose up into the phase making it lose its balance. Pushing forward he added all his strength into the swing and slowly but surely destruction's blade begun to cut into the stake and then through.
Tarvos cried in pain as crimson tears flowed once more and it begun to rush back away from the swordsman who glared it down. He advanced while his people fought on yet Tarvos didn't surrender as beneath its form the red sludge a copy of the patriarch formed. Jaune did not faulter but charged again meeting his Doppel with a swing, it returned the blow yet while it could copy him the relics were another matter entirely. His destructive blade cut through the clay weapon like butter and no sooner did his copy split in half as well.
In response the copies of the remaining hunters turned on Arc rushing his way desperate to end his life, yet nobody worried, after all while once he was the weakest now he stood at the peak of humanity. He swung meeting any who dared approach him tearing them asunder, no blade nor bullet managing to break his amplified auric barrier. Only Cardin held such power and even now the Winchester fought his Doppel edging out a win, after all while it had all his strength and power it lacked his experience, the experience of a man who'd fought Arc everyday, humanities strongest to to fight on merely his equal was child's play
Tarvos prepared another blast yet the dust fire only increased, the last of humanity unimpeded as their patriarch fought their clones and while before it hadn't felt anything now the rain of bullets and plasma struck the stake where'd it been cut a new weak spot.
He readied to kill the tiny beings who'd dare hurt it yet when its streaks of cruel light surged forth walls of earth rose between it and its prey. Even as he fought the shield of the Seven lived up to his moniker. He roared then as he decapitated the last of the clones turning his attention back to the phase noting how the walls blocking off the creatures of grimm begun to crack.
He rose his scepter and no sooner did several dozen walls appear slamming into the beast restraining it even if only for a moment, which was all he needed. leaping forward he fell upon the Avenger blade at the ready as he stabbed down, Tarvos cried as its outer crust shattered and the blade ran deep emerging out the other side. Jaune roared his aura igniting a destructive pulse within the phase. Quickly jumping off it Tarvos spun and writhed as dark miasma spewed forth.
Fearful Tarvos wailed letting loose a plethora of cruel rays of light, Jaune rose his barrier alongside every other hunter's. Despite no loss of life the walls gave and Grimm spilled forward. Jaune readied to face the horde but no sooner did dust rounds rain into the soulless beast and war cries erupted from the hunters as they met the horde head-on. Russel turned to him then.
"We'll combat the Grimm, Jaune you face Tarvos, and don't you dare die!" He smiled at the demand, wasn't he supposed to be the leader here? With a mad grin he plunged forward using Creation to seal himself with the beast within a dome, in that moment that he focused on the dome surrounding them the phase struck a stake rushing his way. Jaune rose his blade, but not nearly fast enough, Executioner intercepted the blade, Jaune looked surprised as Cardin stood their eyes set on Tarvos.
"Cardin what are you doing here?"
"Tsk, you can't be that stupid Arc, after all you guys never beat one of these things alone right?" Jaune nodded, it was true they'd always done it as a team even if those members were slowly dropping until all that remained was him.
"Well then, just consider me a stand in." Jaune chuckled.
"There's no one I'd trust more in this world." Jaune smiled as he fed his aura into Winchester.
"that's actually kinda sad Jauney Boy, what about your nephew?" Jaune shook his head.
"I had him go with Jinn, I entrusted our fates to him." Cardin nodded.
"Phew, that's a load off my mind, after all that kids something else. Guess I can die without a worry huh?"
"Not before me." The two smiled to one another sharing the briefest laugh before their expressions became serious as they looked to Tarvos.
"Can we beat it?"
"Honestly, I don't know… But we'll give it our best try." Cardin smirked gripping Executioner tightly.
"Sure as hell Jauney Boy!" Both men rushed forward splitting and rounding on it from both sides. Tarvos let loose a flurry of light rays trying to hit both marks instead of one. Had it focused its all on a single man even Jaune's barrier would prove futile but the wave was new and eager not wise and cunning. Both boys tanked the blast closing in on it then with a roar Cardin slammed Ignis Mors against its shattered parts further spreading the crack. Turning to the Winchester it howled letting loose a blast of energy that sent the man flying but in doing so left an opening that Jaune all to eagerly exploited.
Again he thrusted running the beast through, but the cursed wave was capable of learning and endured the blow summoning a legion of stakes above him. Jaunes saw the blade and triggered his barrier but could not swing to destroy them as he withdrew destruction. The stakes fell then, each slamming into the barrier and while one did little more than make the barrier glow several made it dent and several hundred shatter.
Jaune felt the blade's descend burying deep into his flesh, No sooner was he struck by a great force as the phase tackled him sending the Arc skidding. He rose to a knee body bloodied and wounded as blades peaked out from his flesh.
"Cardin!" The ginger rose his form hurt by alive as his left arm slumped shattered but healing even now as his aura flowed through his comrade's form. Outside he heard the last of humanity fight, die and defy their fate and he and Cardin would do no different.
"Hey Cardin."
"Yeah Arc?"
"Is this how you wanna die, curled up and beaten by this thing, our last actions being a mere whimper?"
"The fuck kinda question is that? Hell no! If Imma dying I'm going out swinging." Jaunes nodded channeling his inner Yang as he let his aura flare.
"Yeah… BROTHERS, SISTER OF HUMANITY!" His roar was like thunder and he knew even outside this dome they could hear him.
"LETs SHOW THIS CRUEL WORLD WHAT HUMANITIES MADE OF, WE WON'T GO OUT WITH A SILENT WHIMPER. BUT A DEFIANT ROAR!" Outside the men cheered and him and Cardin smiled as they rushed forward. Time and again they clashed, blade and war mace meeting the phase's hide slowly chipping away at it. And though their barriers were strong and aura massive, the Cruel Wave's body was sturdy, near immortal.
Yet near was not the same as absolutely, finally Jaune roared swinging down destruction and shattering the stone hide again and once more miasma spewed. Tarvos begun to regenerate from Cardin's moves but not Jaune's or more precisely destruction, for magic was its only Achilles.
Cardin roared swinging down drawing its ire, it turned to the Winchester, Cardin struck with a feral swing. Tarvos shrieked as its form shook and riled, the stone beginning to give way, falling to reveal several large glowing stones held together my elastic ligaments.
Cardin grinned knowing that the beast was on its last leg unable to heal and charged.
"Cardin no!" Jaune roared as the phase charged, after images from its speed as it tackled the boy into a wall his aura shattering as Jaunes had none left to give. Jaune rushed then intercepting several stakes aimed at his comrade's vitals, with destruction he shattered the first, his weakened aura barrier endured the second yet the third shattered the auric shield burying deep into the Arc's form. Cardin looked up seeing Jaune as he swung destruction the mighty blow shooting forward tearing into Tarvos tearing off one of the stones form the body.
The Phase cried out again yet it still remained letting loose another volley of stakes, Jaune roared charging forward, he knew this, knew he would fall to his phase like Jinn had told him, had told each of them! Yet he also knew only if he participated could it be felled. And just like Ruby, like Weiss, Blake and Yang and his brother and sister in all but blood he'd not hesitate to make that trade. The stakes shot true, each burying deep in his form, But he wouldn't stop!
Even as the blade tore through his flesh, spilled his blood and shattered his bones he'd rushed forward on willpower alone. Seeing him close in Tarvos cried, not in pain but fear for the man before him was as much his destined killer as it was his. Creation ignited as once more pillars emerged from the earth slamming into the cruel phase from every direction pinning it in place. Jaune's crown burned white as he stole its choice to run, to struggle and leave itself open and exposed. Finally, Destruction cried out with him as its crimson light burned and mixed with the noble white of his soul.
His fate, humanities destiny, he'd render it to shreds with one swing!
The air cried as it was parted and the dome entrapping them split diagonally as the clouds above were split horizontally. What remained of humanity looked in pause as they saw him, their last hero standing blooded and in tatters but breathing while his destined nemesis froze in place. A deep silence took the world for a single moment before Tarvos acted, a final whimper as it shattered a mass of miasma spreading through out the land. Humanity stared shocked in disbelief, for the first time a cursed wave had fallen and one of their Beacons remained.
Even the creatures of Grimm froze in shock and for a moment hope begun to fill the world, until Jaune felt a hand grip his shoulder and viciously pull him back before throwing him aside. Jaune looked to see Cardin there looking up in horror before a pillar of light engulfed the place before him. An explosion of light and then darkness.
Slowly painfully Jaune's eye opened, only one in condition to see, the other long since burnt away, before him was a crater red from the heat that'd struck it and at its center a large form like a human but utterly black.
"Car…din." He struggled to rise but fell over himself only then realizing why, his left leg, it was shattered.
Jaune…
He looked to his blade, destruction as it glowed a note of worry in its tone yet it was also then he'd noticed the scepter snapped and his head feeling lighter.
Creation and Choice?
For several moments silence reigned before she spoke.
They endured the brunt of it so you would not die.
He knew they had, of course they would… yet to hear it, his heart still ached for them as much as it did Cardin. He only noticed then that he could no longer feel his aura flow in the forms of his fellow men, he'd wished it were a mistake yet he knew why.
I failed… didn't I.
Again she was silent before her tone rose.
You tried, and nobody could ask any more of you then that.
He looked up then and a wide heart breaking smile showed on his face as several dozen eyes looked back down upon him at their center was what could only be described as a fleshy colossal seed with a metallic blade like a leaf shooting out its top.
"Heh, so… Tarvos wasn't my killer… There was an eighth?" Jinn had told them there'd be a phase for each Beacon of hope. He'd thought she meant his friends, the seven of them but now she came to his mind, the fourth of JNPR, yes, even if only to him, she was his Beacon. Tarvos's nemesis.
"Hey Destruction, what is its name and title?"
…Corbenik, The Rebirth.
"I see…" struggling he worked himself on his shattered leg.
"Will you help me one last time, my friend?"
Even now, you'd not demand me to, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Destruction ignited one final time with its crimson light. They would fight, to their last drop of blood had been spilt, till she was shattered, that would be their legacy and humanities final act. He didn't waver even as the last human of the dead world. Corbenik fulfilled its purpose several glyphs manifesting as seven horribly familiar forms emerged.
The Terror of Death, The Mirage of Deceit, The Machinator and Temptress who'd taken his love and treasured friends, The Propagation and Prophet who'd stolen his sibling's in all but bloods lives. Even now Tarvos gazed down upon him, restored to its original state. Yet he also knew 'she' was watching him, surely pleased to see his kind fail…
A final roar was his last words as he struck towards his families killers before he'd joined them, he smiled as he charged thinking of their last hope.
Adrian…
She watched as the being screamed a distorted howl like no Grimm before it, they'd done it, destroy the Harbinger of the Waves. The first, she fell then sure she would hit the floor beneath only for a strong pair of arms to catch her.
"Ruby!" She looked up, her silver orbs meeting concerned azure, she smiled to him.
"We did it… We beat Skeith…" She smiled brightly yet when she looked none of them smiled back each looking terrified, she didn't understand until warm light filled him. She looked to her fellow leader and saw tears ran down his cheeks as he looked to her with eyes burning with determination.
"No! I won't let you!" Won't let her… Won't let her what? It was then she felt it, the cold of the Atlesian tundra, the sweat of her body, the warmth of Jaune's aura… and the stinging pain running through out her abdomen. She looked down then and saw it and knew. Jaune could heal so much with his semblance… but this. She heard him choke as he pushed all he could into her, but she knew it wouldn't work. After all her legs were over there still attached to her lower half.
She looked up then and saw him plead as he struggle to draw even a spark more of his soul's light.
"Jaune..."
"No!" She saw him shake already knowing what she'd say.
"Please, you have to-"
"NO!" His roar was like thunder, as his grip tightened around her, she knew, his aura was all that was keeping her here. She knew once it gave she'd leave him.
"I won't, I-I can't, not you too!" hot tears hit her face as he shook for the first time in so long looking weak and vulnerable. It tore her heart to see him like this, to know what she'd be putting him through. They'd already lost little Summer to this cruel monster, now she'd be leaving him too.
"Please…. Please… Don't." His eyes shut as he cried out barely tallageable words.
She saw as his aura flickered and dimmed and he became more desperate, his panicked pleas repeating. She could see his heart shatter before him, they'd only just started their family and now she was leaving him. Slowly her hand rose cupping his cheek, it wet and hot from his tears yet she didn't care as the touch brought him out form his despair and he met her gaze.
She wanted to say so many things, to apologize for putting him through this, to tell him she loved him a thousand more times and to promise she'd always be there for him like Pyrrha had. But she didn't have the time, even now her vision dimmed. So she decided to be selfish as cruel as it was.
"Promise me…" He looked to her willing to obey whatever she said, to do whatever she asked.
"Please… Please stop them, save everyone." She knew it was cruel, to ask him to continue without her, to burden him with this task, yet. She knew better than anyone that nobody else could lead them, she'd trust nobody else to. Nobody but him who'd supported her at every turn, who'd kept moving even when he had the most reason to give in, its why she loved him. So, when he shut his eyes and nodded it filled her with equal measures relief and guilt.
"Jaune… I-"
love you…
Silver eyes opened as a tiny form rose out of bed eyes wet and burning, heart racing, for several seconds she sat there in bed confused.
"What?" Slowly she rose her hands and saw her palms, so tiny and shaking, not even a trace of blood. It was then she begun to take note of her surroundings, an all too familiar room laid before her. Slowly the sounds of birds humming outside rang in her ears as she looked out to the window and saw the first rays of the sun.
"It, it can't be…" She didn't dare to hope and yet, slowly, fearfully she rose out of bed in the room, looking so much bigger than it had last she saw it. She opened the bathroom door then stepping into the room not fully knowing what to expect until she flipped the switch and once she saw her reflection she was lost for words.
Standing there in tiny feety pajamas was her, Ruby Rose, her form that of a toddler.
"Blake! Jaun-Agh!" Turning to the loud noise she saw a ball of golden hair hit the floor hard, no sooner did the form shoot up seeming utterly lost for words when she realized she could. Standing there was her sister Yang, still a runt rocking pigtails. The brawler rose her hands eyes wide when she saw tiny palms raise instead of Ember Celica or, more importantly her robotic limb. Slowly almost fearfully, still expecting to wake from this wonderful dream she spoke out then.
"…Yang?" the blonde froze completely before slowly, fearfully she looked her way, her familiar lilac staring into her eyes. For several seconds they stood there content with seeing one another.
"Rub… sis?" tears begun to fall from her eyes as no sooner did the tiny brawler rush to her and wrapping her up in a spine crushing hug, yet she didn't try to pull away far too shocked and happy to. Yang cried like the child she was now, falling to her knees as she shook never letting her go. And though both were wrapped up in a plethora of emotions one shone brighter than any other, hope.
"Ruby, Yang?" A voice called then and hearing it they both froze, it was so familiar and yet so foreign, one they'd not heard in so long, when they looked to the doorway a pair of concerned silver regarded them firmly sat in a woman face as she stepped in garbed in her huntress wear. The woman Ruby had named her and Jaune's child after.
The world distorted as it caved in on itself, reality shifting and tearing as doorway opened and from it a form emerged falling to his knees. Hitting the floor he struggled against his disorientation, fatigue and exhaustion. He'd felt as if he'd been put through a grinder and then left to bake in the Vacuo desert for months… His head ached as he recalled the space between realities, so vast and dazzling and indescribable. How his body hadn't been torn apart, how his soul as remained anchored to his form, so many things could've gone wrong. Yet as he looked up and saw it, the shattered moon unimpeded by a deep despairing crimson a tear fell as his soul dared to hope.
His very core shook at the possibility, and he dared not to bring his hope to words in fear this was a final death dream. However when Jinn emerged from the doorway and smiled she held no reservations as she showed a somber smile if she'd been capable of it he was sure a tear would've ran down her face.
"It worked Jaune." Her words were to much as Arc lowered his face to the grass, it was so green, so lush and filled with life… how long had it been since he'd seen such plain and normal life. Wet tears hit the blades of grass.
"It worked… Did you hear that uncle… It, it…" He cried, all the fears and regrets he'd endured seemingly being rewarded he looked to the world he'd longed for. Jinn watched as the young Arc cried, he'd been burdened with so much, like all those he'd endured to that final battle, yet unlike them he'd been forced to live. It was ironic that in the end Jaune had been no different than the woman he'd most aspired to be like. Down to even saving an Arc far too precious to him while he went off to face an enemy he knew he couldn't win.
he could not cry and yet, all he wanted to do then was cry as the final answer to his world had been answered and Jaunes and humanities fate had been seen by the sole remaining Relic.
"I see… you tried, to the very end, I'd expect no less from you." Adrian turned then to her seeing the giantess star towards nothing her expression unreadable.
"Jinn?" She smiled.
"He kept his word Adrian, he'd not shamed your families name to his last breath." She'd expected the boy to breakdown then, perhaps cry again or deny that his great and powerful patriarch could fall to a Grimm of any sort. Yet to her surprise it was when the boy seemed to find his strength and rose to his feet.
"What are you talking about Jinn." He looked to her then his hazel eyes looking straight into hers and while they were of an entirely different color she could only compare them to 'his' burning azure and he smiled to her only the slightest dampness in his eye's corners.
"Of course he would, he was uncle Jaune after all." She smiled to him cupping his cheek one final time and pressing her forehead to his allowing the vision of that final clash to flow into his mind, of his uncle Cardin fighting alongside his master, of humanities final stand and the reveal of Corbenik, The Rebirth but most importantly of his final thoughts, the one that allowed him to face his end not in shame but pride.
Adrian… I know you'll change this fate.
She felt it as her form begun to give, her relic still with him in that gone world shattered alongside her kin. She'd fade from this world but like her kin a part of them remained as she looked to the blade strapped to Adrian's waist. All her memories wouldn't die though, the Relic of knowledge would inherit it in this world she was sure and with it perhaps like in her own world he'd free her and her siblings like he had in their world. Her final thoughts were of him, the one who'd seen them as people instead of tools. She let the memories of those six spread then.
Finally Adrian opened his eyes pride in his heart that to the end they'd fought, but that wasn't his fate, Crocea glowed then a fierce magenta. They were close he looked out and saw it in the distance, smoke clouds, he felt as the sheath pulled towards the small burning village the end glowing pink. He smiled then, of course his uncle would want to come back here, to this moment and save them from that tragic fate.
Wiping his face he rushed forward his eyes burning with the same determination his uncle had ingrained into him. He'd do it, he'd changed their fate and it would start here!
He saw, moments… Faces he didn't know, four girls came to mind each quirky and odd, yet they weren't who he treasured most. Turquoise eyes and orange lively hair, like that girl he'd saw those kids bully, why'd they felt the need to pick on Nora he'd not know… Wait Nora? How did he know her name? slowly the two faces overlapped and a plethora of images came to mind. Ones that simply couldn't be possible.
Of her and him, older, stronger and part of a team, a family…
The scream woke him then, so inhuman and foul that it shook him to his spine, and yet somehow he felt it only the second most disturbing noise a grimm ever made. The door opened and his mother rushed into view.
"Lie, get up. We have to go." Before he could even ask she'd pulled him off of bed worry clear and oozing concern for him as she rushed him downstairs. His father rushed in, breathing heavily as he looked to them just as panicked.
"An, what are you doing?! We need to hurry!"
"We can go to the safehouse." His father shook his head, having seen the abomination that lead the Grimm, its size and clear age things to fear even for a hunter, let alone him.
"No, I saw the beast. We need a huntsman, and you two need to leave." He could hear the tone in his father's voice, the certainty and unwillingness to consider otherwise. Before his mother could retort it roared again, his chest hammering as… flashed came to mind, of beast with two heads, distorted and parodying a horseman. His mother turned to him then, kneeling down clearly to comfort him.
"It's okay darling, everything's ok-" He didn't know why he acted, he just did jumping forward and pushing her away, desperate to… save her. His father looked shocked when the roof had caved in and more so when a giant spear of wood laid where An had a moment earlier. He acted immediately rushing to his wife, seeing her hurt but able Lie against her knocked out.
"We need to hurry!" she nodded raising as he scooped his child into his arms before making way out his wife right behind him.
More images flashed through the Mistralian boy's head, of the four of them… a berry? There stood a redhead, her hair hot red as compared to Nora's ginger locks. And then there was…
Slowly magenta eyes opened as Lie looked to his father, Li Ren holding him close as he rushed through the city, their mother hot on their tail but certainly willing to play the decoy for her son if necessary. People ran and screamed, panic filling the air as the howls of Grimm reigned supreme. His cheek felt warm then as a few drops of crimson hit them from his father's head. Perhaps it was a bump in the road or a ditch, or even a loose peddle or stone. Regardless his father feel then, his breathes heavy and form weak, he rushed to him a unexplainable fear urging him to aid hi, to save him from… something.
His mother quickly rushed beside him over father looking him over and tensing as she looked readying to tear her sleeves to work a bandage, only for a firm hand to stop her. She looked then to her husband and turned to find what his gaze had set on. There at the gates a form entered looking like a horseman of sorts yet she knew better as the Grimm walked beside it.
"An, be strong for our son…" Ren watched as his father rose on unsteady feet, his eyes set and bow already drawn. He lived by the words he told his son and now, he would die by them without a regret as he drew 'its' ire. He looked to Lie one final time and drew the blade he'd bought for him and pushed it's by the hilt to him into his wife.
"Lie, take action." Lie looked to him hen and shook as memories he shouldn't have clawed desperately trying to surface.
"I love you both." He faced it then as the pair ran Ren still struggling to resist his mother's pull as she ran tears in her eyes but mindset to save their Lie. His father roared as he drew his bow, the beast closing in, Lie screamed then not wanting this again! He broke free then as a Nevermore cried above shooting off several pinons at the boy, he should've been ran through, but instead he'd been tackled by a just as desperate and scared girl.
An turned fearfully as she rushed to her son grabbing up a piece of rubble and swinging out at the Nevermore who screeched back. She glared at the beast preparing to make herself a shield for her son if needed. The Nevermore let loose a flurry of feathers and Ren screamed however just before the pinons could meet flesh they struck against iron and bounced off. Lie looked then as a figure stood in front of his mother a shield ready and raised having already blocked the first attack.
No sooner did the shield shift compacting into an sheath around the blade before blade sprung from either side. One swing as an arc of energy shot forth bisecting the foul bird, Ren looked up and saw it, a man standing there his body burning a bright white light he swung the claymore again and from it arcs of aura shot out tearing apart Grimm of all matter while seeming to merely pass through the people it struck.
He heard it then that ungodly roar and when he turned he saw it, his father standing before it bow ready as it rose its clawed hand.
"Father!" He didn't notice the way his body surged an intense magenta nor how his palm dimmed into shades of monochrome. All he knew was that the beast seemed confused as his father was died shades of black and white. The man turned then and gritted his teeth as he charged forward Ren watched as his body sped forward like a bullet.
"Get away from him!" White light enveloped the claymore as his arm flexed he swung then and from it a blade of light roared forth tearing apart the ground beneath it as the air shrieked as it was torn. The blade barely avoided his father tearing into the Grimm's arm and ripping it off. Li looked then turning to see a man standing beside him, he was young no more than 17 at a glance and yet looking to him he could feel a pressure like that of a veteran. There was no question then man was a huntsman.
"You, thankyou." He smiled.
"The worse action is to do nothing, my uncle taught me that." He smiled then to the man as the monochrome left him and he and the boy were once more besieged by the Grimm. Ren and his mother watched as the two were enveloped in a mass of the soulless beast the ghoulish rider howling the entire time.
"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality."
Slowly specs of light peaked formed between the Grimm dogpiling them.
"Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all."
Alongside the divine white a faint magenta begun to emerge and grow.
"Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder, protect thee."
Abruptly the mass burst apart releasing a fierce pair of white and magenta upon the ruined city, The light shot forth tearing in and through the Grimm like blades. At its center stood two men one in shock as his form healed instantly while the other glared down at the survivors of his aura bomb. He looked to the leader of the soulless beast.
"So you're the monster who haunted my uncle and aunts childhood huh?" He stomped forward then his gaze set upon the beast ignoring the Grimm who rushed forward. The beasts tackled into him but were repelled by his expanded and boosted barrier. Slowly his aura writhed and expanded enveloping every man woman and child in the area before casting them in shades of grey, invisible to the Grimm. All but himself, forcing the Grimm two look only to him just like he wanted.
"Nobody else, not one more life will be taken here." His word was his life and he'd keep it. Beowulves pounced, Ursa charged and Nevermore launched down, yet he wasn't concerned as Crocea Mors returned to its sheath form and he drew the ancestral blade.
What followed could only be described as destruction as Silver light enveloped the surrounding turning all Grimm it touched to stone that shattered as they hit the floor. The Nuckelavee took a step back then as it saw the boy approach it his eyes burning hazel and aura white in his hand a blade warped and reformed by the relic's power, from Jinn the ability to find his family members blood or not. From Choice the power to draw the Grimm while the blade was sheathed. From Destruction the pressure of her power that repelled the Grimm when the blade was drawn And from Creation the silver light embedded in the noble steel that its wielder could invoke at the cost of ones own aura.
His blade, his families blade Crocea Mors the Yellow Death and sword of Patriarchs and heroes alike. Ren looked to the man as he stepped towards the Grimm. Yet it wasn't him he saw there, instead the form he saw was much broader, that same sword and shield in his hand as he fought beside them… no, as he led them. A tear fell as he said the families name, the family he and Nora had been taken in by and declared the kin of.
"Arc." The man rushed forward cleaving apart the Grimm as they came forth, his form untouchable to the mindless beast. Moments he'd make himself invisible using Lie's semblance to them and other expanding his auric barrier with his master's semblance. He looked to Nora then and stretched out his hand and flooding her with his souls light. There were no words just the filling of her soul with his before her aura awoke and semblance emerged. He smiled as magenta stained his light. Quickly he activated a precious vial of lightening dust before it coiled on his form empowering him.
His speed increased becoming almost superhuman, yet the shade of monochrome grew weaker as the toll of mimicking three semblances burdened him. Each only a third their original strength. Yet he fought, Li watched as the boy seemingly danced through the beast his blade his partner as they tore apart any who dared approach his person. It was beautiful and deadly. Each swing strong enough to fell a tree each flash of aura the strength to endure an even a goliath.
This child, who was he, for such unparalleled skills to be shone so easily he could not think he could be so young. He saw the shield he bared then, the sigil of the Arcs clear to see, the house of warriors. This boy, was he one of said heroes in the making. Adrian roared then releasing a blade of light into the crowd tearing them asunder.
He stepped forward then towards the Nuckelavee, the beast stepped back its instincts crying for its retreat. Yet the anger it felt was undeniable it cried out them the force bringing most to their knees while other's aura's shattered. Yet Adrian stood before it undeterred and in response his aura surged like a sun in the center of the Village. Silver light flooded the area all the remaining Grimm turned to stone, all except the Nuckelavee. The Horse body cried out as its legs slowing petrified and shattered from its weight leaving it to sit there unable to act as the hunter advanced.
Adrian stepped towards it, despite the destruction, the pain and those who'd died all he could do was smile as he looked to his Uncle's greatest fear.
"Don't underestimate an Arc's word." Crocea Mors roared as the steel shook from the aura he fed into his silver blade. He wasn't merely his uncle's student or successor but their legacy, each had bestowed their teaching on him, their hopes and dreams. His family's blade, the seven's faith and his uncle's belief he'd answer them all in this one swing.
Crocea roared, tearing through the and past the Nuckelavee severing its two bodies and ending its cruel existence. As he spoke his word to his master.
"I will save you, I swear it." His uncle and family, both the Arcs and the seven and his cousin Summ-. An image flashed then, of white hair and blue eyes, a boy no older then five and then another of another blonde boy all smiles. He grabbed his head confused as new memories flooded his mind, of a raven hair child and another with hair of multiple shades as mute as the day he was born.
"Nicholas II, Yin?"
Within the cold home of her family a Glyph formed over the young Weiss as a knight rose to watch her as she slept, dreaming of a world long gone and in Menagerie a small raven-haired child woke in her mother's embrace as she cried at a loss of a life that had perished alongside hers never getting to have seen the world.
MeteorElDrago (Ch 28) = I actually like Adam's character on paper at least from when blake first talked about but he quick annoyed me, after all he's merely an edgelord ex. usually, I'd want to portray him as a product of hatred and racism but for Belladonna Arc I'll just stick with the asshat cannon.
Jack Lycan = glad you enjoy it here's another chapter.
Water Clarity = Wow, guess I'm doing pretty good if that's you only gripe LOL.
Guest = Honestly haven't decided yet, though I've been considering something there.
MeteorElDrago (Ch 32) =Yeah Vol 3 he just became an emo edgelord obsessed with Blake instead of a leader of a terrorist group vent of equality through fear. Yeah, as much as I wanted to I couldn't make Blake stay. Jaune definitely added a bit of difference in her but ultimately she left her parent who shows to be nothing but kind so I can't honestly say I see her staying with them cause of Jaune. If anything she won't be as hung up about Adam.
MeteorElDrago (Ch 29) = I'd argue the opposite before Volume 3 when blake spoke of Adam he came off as jaded but ultimately willing to do the wrong things for the right reasons. I can't really call him evil and yes he's certainly not righteous but in the end even before he was really shown to us outside of Blake's trailer she made it apparent that he was an acceptable evil. And ends justify the means and even before his face was shone I expected something to be there maybe an eye missing or for him to be blind as a result of human torture. Still, despite that small disagreement, I'm glad you're enjoying it.
EiNyx = Yeah I mean unlike before their son was left heavily injured, Jauen aside who felt like he failed her Ghira and Kali will react differently especially Kali after seeing the little boy she raised nearly killed by the man who her daughter ran away with.
Siegnir = It'll take a minute to before I load that, Wanna finish all three parts of Xiao-Long XXX first.
Jack Lycan = Already finished Xiao-Long's first lemon chapter.
MeteorElDrago (Ch 31) Loading the first part now, its a long one.
Guest = Blake, Sienna and maybe Neon later (All Faunus are brothers and sisters of the Fang LOL.) NO Klai though, I would never cuck Ghira.
Guest = Agreed but honestly, she was with them a good amount of time after they became violent so had to do it.
Guest = Dude! I love Bleach and Naruto! And those are like the most iconic scenes for me thank you so much! I know you came here to shit on the chapter but honestly comparing it two those two glorious pieces is such an ego booster and knowing you meant to insult me makes it clear you really meant it so thank you so much person too scared to post comments any way but anonymously.
Guikoi = Oh it will I plan to do a few a reaction Chapters before Christmas, though this one won't load till the second session once a certain teacher is in the group too.
So there it is the first new load into this story hope you like it and the 30 others to come. Happy Thanks Giving.
