Quick An;Jaune's attire and appearance are the same as last chapter, though the clothing is repaired
"Talking" -
(Thoughts/Thinking) -
Something Important!
LINE BREAK
"Power…." - The Grimm said.
SLASH!
The Grimm immediately appeared in front of Raven with a powerful sideways slash, the blade glowed white as it cut through her aura.
"Huargh" - She screamed out in pain, at the attack. As if some sort of energy was using the katana as a conduit. Quickly recovering from the almost fatal wound she got some distance.
The sky above them thundered as Raven commanded it to come down, A flash of lightning came down. The Grimm noticed this and vanished in a grey blur. The Grimm used the...sheath on it's left arm for iaijutsu techniques.
(The scabbard became a part of it's left hand,) - Raven narrowed her eyes at the 'sheath' that adjusted position on the arm, then reverting back to where it used to be. - (It seems it can adjust position at will, allowing it to freely wield the blade with both hands while still performing it's iaijutsu techniques.)
The Grimm appeared in front of her and rapidly slashed at her, over and over while simultaneously firing many upon many summoned swords at her.
The Grimm gave a cold, feral growl as it launched at her with it's katana. Raven used her huntress skills in tandem with her Maiden Powers. Lightning and fire were shot at the Grimm, the Grimm sliced through them all with a his glowing white katana while also using tactics. Raven went for slashes and thrust, more from a traditional stance.
Raven curbed her surprise at the Grimm hiding as a human and went of on the attack. The Grimm swiftly dodged and attacked with its...Summoned swords and using several techniques with it.
"Huagh!" - It dashed to her, relentlessly, rapidly slashing towards her. A simple Black-grey, with a tint of white blur launched was launched at her.
RAPID SLASH! RAPID SLASH! RAPID SLASH!
The Grimm was a vague blur to her, but she was older, more experienced. Using her Maiden powers she combined them in one vicious attack.
BLAST!
The attack landed on the creature, but besides a grunt it healed all the damaged at incredible speeds. But the area surrounded him, it was as if a meteorite had dropped down
Great, it had an increased healing factor in this form!
The Grimm suddenly stopped it's attack and stood still in the iaido position. A subtle white, transparent glow surrounded the Grimm, the same with it's swords
"This has gone on long enough!" - Her maiden powers flared up, lightning whirled around her as the air gained an extreme pressure. Fire and ice combined as her strongest attack came!.
The Grimm said only one word
"..Slay all" - And then….
Almost nothing survived
Everything…..Everything around me was black, like some disgusting liquid. It was ….Not something pleasant to experience. I pulled myself out of the the black water, with a limp i stood up before i fixed myself. The place i was at seemed to be a...beach?. The sand was an odd, discolored shade of grey. The rocks all around me seemed to resemble the bones of Grimm.
"How...peculiar…." - I brought my left hand in an attempt to comb through my hair, but then i noticed it. My hand….my hand was not my own, though still familiar to me.
I quickly stood up, noticing my frail looking legs. With a sudden urge i went to the the black water, in an attempt to see my own visage.
No...no-no-no!
Jaune Arc!
The mop of blonde hair, the face!, the weak and scraggly build and the tattered clothes. Why...why all of things, did i have to see my former self!?.
Before i could question why, the ground quickly, yet smoothly faded away. As i fell down down the black water surrounded me….yet i did not drown, as if the water was just like air. A white substance, looking like water was just in arms reach. I reached for it, my hand closing around it….but it evaporated.
What's happening?...
I softly landed on the ground, black water actin like the ground for me. this place, this place felt….dreamlike, yet so real at the same time.
As i stood up i almost fell down, damn this frail body!
I looked in front of me, strangely enough not surprised nor wary. From what i could make out it was a gigantic, broken statue of a female woman. Hair styled it into a large bun with six offshoots wrapped together that also suspended several obsidian-colored ornaments. The woman had dark veins that lined her face and arms, along with a diamond-shaped marking in the center of her forehead.
She wore a very long, short-sleeved black robe that obscured her feet and partially dragged across the ground, complete with a long shawl emblazoned with three interconnected, maroon-colored vertical elliptic sigils resembling a trio of overseeing eyes above a series of maroon-colored diamond emblems. She also wore a ring resembling an insect on her right index finger.
It was the best i could make out, with the help of some of my one guesses.
Before i could ponder it further the water made a small hole, causing me to fall in. I dropped down on my knees on the water until something suddenly grabbed me.
My strength in this body was too weak to fight against the strong grip. No….
Not him…
A large, hulking frame came from the waters, a long mane of bright blonde hair, a thick medium length beard. Regal blue clothing decorated with gems and golden lining. a saber hilted on his side.
It was Ashton Arc, Jaune Arc's former father. The man who stole Crocea Mors.
The scum stood up at his immense height, and stared me straight in the eyes. Of course i knew what this was.
"You are just a dream, a worthless dream.." - This...this wasn't real, none of it was.
The scum's hand quickly found itself around my neck, lifting my up high in the air.
I gasped for air, i used everything i got, but in the end… it was only a futile action - "Begone, you don't exist…."
The other hand came for my face, quickly finding its grip. I widened my eyes
"Y̷e̵s̷!̶,̷ ̶F̷e̶a̸r̸l̴e̶s̸s̴ ̵l̸e̵a̷d̵e̵r̸,̸ ̴d̵o̸n̸'̴t̴ ̷w̵o̶r̶r̸y̴!̶.̴ ̵F̷r̵o̷m̴ ̵n̴o̵w̶ ̶o̴n̶ ̷w̵e̵'̴l̴l̶ ̴n̸e̵v̷e̴r̸ ̶a̶b̴a̵n̸d̸o̴n̶ ̵e̵a̸c̸h̴ ̴o̶t̵h̴e̵r̸!̶"
Nora?...
"F̸i̸n̶e̸ ̷t̷h̴e̷n̷,̸ ̶l̷e̶t̴'̵s̸ ̶s̶t̶a̸r̸t̶ ̸o̶v̸e̵r̷ ̷a̸g̸a̴i̴n̸,̵ ̸A̸r̴c̴."
Weiss!?
J̵͉̒á̴̦ȗ̴̱̝̈́n̴͔̆̐e̸̬̜͆,̸̗͕̇ ̵̫̮͋d̵̼̰̂ő̴̯̅ͅ ̸̠̤̃̓y̷̤̖͂o̷̟͆̈́ụ̶̼͗ ̶̫̰́͗ḅ̸͒̔ȩ̵͉͘l̴͎̖̏͌i̶̗̕͘e̵̠̩̓̓v̵̨͉͛͐e̸̼̿͝ ̵͈̻̐i̵̥̥̾n̷̻̿̚͜ ̵̩̮̉͐d̴͈̈́ẽ̴̛̺͇s̸̅͒͜t̴̠̓̑i̵̩͒n̵̺̼̎ẏ̶̥̀?̵͙̋
Pyrrha!
Flashes appeared in my mind. My time as a child with the Arc family. Being thrown to Beacon. Team NPR,. Yet….so much felt like it was missing, perhaps i could not remember it?
Now that i think about it….I couldn't remember a lot of things.
I choked and struggled with my frail body, yet i couldn't do anything anything….
Yet..the next words were from Ashton's mouth. And i remember them oh so vividly. How long had it been, had i forgotten this feeling i wonder?.
This terrifying feeling.
To be completely and utterly
Powerless
F̷o̸r̵ ̸i̶t̵ ̷i̸s̶ ̷i̷n̸ ̶y̵o̸u̸r̶ ̶w̷e̶a̷k̴n̴e̸s̶s̷ ̵y̷o̸u̷ ̶s̷u̵f̷f̸e̴r̸,̵ ̴a̴n̸d̴ ̸b̴e̷c̵o̶m̸e̴ ̴a̸ ̵p̶a̵r̸a̴g̷o̵n̴ ̷o̸f̸ ̷f̸a̶i̸l̶u̴r̷e̷ ̶a̴n̴d̷ ̵d̵i̷s̵h̵o̷n̴o̸r̴.̶ ̴A̸n̸d̵ ̸f̴r̴o̵m̴ ̷t̵h̶y̶ ̶s̷o̷u̵l̴,̸ ̸I̴ ̷t̷a̸k̷e̵ ̶f̴r̷o̷m̶ ̷y̴o̵u̷
I couldn't scream or cry out. I couldn't do anything.
But then, a thrust from a javelin came from the scum's back, of course i knew that weapon. How many times had i seen it?.
Ashton Arc melted into the water, being released from his grip i looked over to the wielder of the weapon with an emotionless gaze.
The familiar clothing stuck out to me….
"Pyrrha.." - Why was she here?...
She sent me a 'friendly' smile. Everybody was there, looking at me on me knees. She, the others with her, along with the area dissipated.
What a lie everything here is. My own fantasies and wishes came to save me. What a joke.
The ground around me whirled around, creating a whole. I fell down onto my feet. Seeing the humongous purple eye, i already had a good idea of where i was. And what was responsible.
It was a liquid like Grimm melted into the 'ground'
Having landed on its head, My hands made fists as i looked at the creature.
"...Why?" - I questioned it - "Why are you showing me this?" - Strangely enough my words came out calm, much to my surprise.
"What are you trying to tell me?" - I asked again - "Are you trying to shove my weakness in my face?..."
"I am...inferior to them?, is that what you are trying to say?" - It was the only answer i could come up with. I had already been told that enough.
Grimm essence fall down from the sealing, the ground dissipated around me. A popping sound sound occured, as if a statue, or rather bones cracked open.
From my knees i looked up, seeing a humanoid Grimm in front of me. It was grey and black, with three separated coattails. It had black imprints around the legs and trenchcoat. The head had a crest that had a fin shape at the top, its neck had a membrane that curved inwards, the spine was merged with two dark-colored bones exposed at the top as well. An sheathe was altered and attached to its sleeve while having become a clawed appendage, to finish off it had an grey undercoat. The last thing was the row of sharp teeth with fangs that showed.
I finally get why this was shown to me.
Crocea Mors, covered in Grimm essence, floated in front of me, i grabbed it. I knew what to do. Having it in reverse grip i aimed it at my heart and stabbed it.
Blackish-crimson blood came out of the wound
I do not fear death, but before that. There is one thing i am not...The kind of man who will let himself relentlessly suffer in weakness!.
I am absolutely not!
I should have discarded it all, everything that made Jaune Arc a weakling.
The torture, the defeat, everything i lost. Everything that branded me a weakling!. The nightmares!.
My body started changing into the Grimm before me.
I have to become the strongest!.
I need more P̵O̴W̴E̷R̸!̷
A torn and worn down manor was on a high cliff. The manor was a faded green with other decorations on it. Jaune was there, his clothing repaired.
He sat on a chair near a massive hole in the walls, his coat closeby on the table. His sleeveless vest showcased his toned arms, some scars were present on them, though the scars were fading.
His had rested on his chin as he read a book
wד אדאwדאwסדהעהובאwדאwדאפננדכוסwwד אדאwדאwסדהעהובאwדאwדאפננדכוסwwד אדאwדאwסדהעהובאwדאwדאפננדכוסwאדאדאפו̎̕
wד אדאwדאwסדהעהובאwדאwדאפננדכוסwv
"I..cannot read this book. So many forgotten…'language systems' and ancient symbols incorporated into each other. Why?," - This...just seemed unnecessary, or perhaps? - "That it is encoded, or perhaps i currently lack the knowledge to read it?"
The symbols might mean something else than the traditional assumption one might have. Many cultures existed before Remnant 'united' to fight against the Grimm. Jaune already knew the book was quite old, but for him to possess such items. Since the moment Jaune met him, Jaune was an guard and prepared for anything.
Jaune closed the book and put it on the table, turning his thoughts to other matters and events.
(Fortuna….an isolated island on the far off coast of Mistral, it is ruled by a military organization with..questionable motives and intentions.) - The island was enormous, almost the size of a small country, How they manage to stay independent, Jaune did not know, But he had the full intention to find out.
Jaune also remembered his fight with Raven Branwen, the destruction at the end of the battle was immense. Most of the surroundings were filled with scorch marks, ice, and even more. Though Jaune did leave his mark, most of the surroundings were filled with an uncountable amount of slashes. In the end Jaune and Raven came off into a stalemate.
But the most notable thing was that Raven left in a portal...That gained his attention, he thought her semblance was something like control over the elements. So, it was either she somehow had two semblances, had one semblance with a majority of uses or something else.
Jaune also realised something else, he was part Grimm… Of course he had questions on why, but he had no clues. He was pretty sure neither the Arc patriarch or matriarch were Grimm. It was quite disappointing that he had no clues on why he was part Grimm, but he'd play the hand he had.
Though it was still a shame he could only enter his Grimm form for a couple of seconds, but he was still satisfied with the fact that everything about his physical capabilities improved tremendously in that form. And to finish it off in his Grimm form he could also summon more Summoned Swords.
Jaune closed the book and put it on the table. Blue orbs gazed through the hole in front of him, seeing Fortuna in the sea.
A sudden arrival made him stop his thoughts.
"...What is it?, Jack" - Why was she hiding there?, if this proved to be a waste of time, he'd kill her.
"G-grandfather r-r-requested to see y-you." - The father of the old fool, what now?.
Putting on his coat he walked past her, not sparing her a glance. Jaune walked off, sheathed Imperium in his left hand. Past the wall and the absurdly big rooms. Torn paintings decorated the walls and ruined furniture was present.
Jaune suddenly stopped, blue orbs glanced at the escaped Grimm - "Another one escaped." - Couldn't he keep his subjects contained?. - "How annoying."
Slash!
Jaune gave a quick slash from the sheath, killing the 'hidden' Grimm instantly. He walked once more.
Jaune opened the door to the 'study'. Books decorated the wall, several objects were around as well as an operating table, along with some surgical equipment and some notes.
There he saw the old man opening his mouth.
"Eleven years ago, a forbidden text was discovered on a corpse near the coast of Mistral, the beach she was found on faced Fortuna," - Jaune's expression remained cold and stoic as he listened, what was being told to him might be valuable information. - "The forbidden volume was unlike anything ever seen, it was left with a single person. The individual, being interested and well versed in ancient text, attempted the decryption here." - He gestured to a thick book on the nearby table. "On that day a miracle occured before his eyes." - Jaune still showed no reaction besides his usual stoicism and coldness.
The old man smiled at his reaction, - "From moment to moment the blood still flows, the wounds of era's ago still ache, particularly at times when he faced the true Grimm." He continued on, Jaune already had a suspicion on who the 'person' was - "I have never heard nor seen the one that had caused these scars." - He gestured to the thick, black, liquidy wound on his neck. "They had simply appeared as they do now, from now on i can only think of it as a common...a fake Grimm...but" - He smiled eerily once more.
"It was the benefactor that caused me to believe in miracles" - The old man's arms were spread wide open.
Blue orbs gazed at the old man with apathy - "Miracles…"
As if on cue, closets and multiple cabinets opened. Bodies of humans and faunus bodies were hidden there, men, women and children….even some infants were dead. Jaune ever so slightly narrowed his eyes at the fact. The cabinets contained Grimm bones, the jars contained Grimm essence.
The old man quirked an eyebrow - "So, is it not to your liking?," - Jaune said nothing, showed no reaction. His expression and body language were the same as ever - "However, these were simply products of my...Research."
The old man almost seemed saddened, but Jaune saw straight through it - "However, it is necessary of a researcher to expand his knowledge through...Various efforts."
"Now, allow me to give you the explanation of Fortuna you desire," - He waved his hands in a slow, drawled out manner - "The town of Fortuna is surrounded by high ramparts, and it has been cut off from the outside world for many years. Perhaps this is the reason for the anachronistic," - He hummed in amusement - "Almost old fashioned atmosphere within the city walls. The town is governed by a religious organization known as the Order of the Sword. 87% of the population are devotees. The Order deifies two individuals, Ozma and Salem. Two people forgotten, yet they are still worshiped, quite peculiar, right, Jaune?"
(I doubt it's truly for religious beliefs) - Jaune coldly gazed at the old man - "Get on with it already."
The old man chuckled a bit - "Legends tell of the two ruling Fortuna as a feudal lord some time in the country's history. There is also a massive structure in Fortuna that the Order worships as a "gate" of sorts."
"And?" - All of it was interesting, that's for sure. But there must be more, right?
"I am afraid that is all i know…." - Jaune showed nothing but his default expression, but the old man had his uses. So Jaune would let him live for now.
The man said what Jaune wanted to hear since the moment he entered - "Now… on how to enter Fortuna"
Jaune left the mansion, he kept his side of the deal and the father of the old fool kept his. Jaune didn't remember his name, mostly because he didn't care.
"Mr. Jaune ?" - Hm?, what did the old man's daughter want
"..." - Jaune coldly gazed at the annoyance
"The...Tobi's funeral is the day after tomorrow, will you come?" - Why would he?
"No." - Was Jaune's firm reply
"Ah….i see then." - Now that Jaune thought about it, she did look quite young for a forty year old - "That's a shame, Father wasn't going to come as we-
Jaune immediately walked past her. What a waste of time.
Looking from the window, Thomathan looked at the leaving figure of Jaune.
"Do you trust him?" - What a peculiar question
"No….of course not" - Why would he?
"He seems to have quite the obsession with Fortuna?, do you know why?." - …..
"No, but i assume it is because he might be related to the island." - It would make sense after all
"And any more information about him?" - He expected this would happen, what an stereotypical question
No, i do not. Besides his extreme power i know nothing. He keeps his secrets to himself. Any attempts of getting more information from and about him ends in failure" - It was a shame, he hoped Jaune would be easily manipulated. But it seems not. He would have to pull out all the stops it seems.
CRASH! SHATTER!
The glass shattered. Swords that seemed to be summoned from nowhere almost killing the two of them. Though if the attacker had any intent to kill was not clear. The sharp swords shatter like glass
Thomathan looked out of the window, seeing Jaune coldly glare at them from the ground down below. It seemed he knew more then he let on…
Jaune continued his walk further
Author's notes: Sorry for the short chapter, i wanted to set some things up for when Jaune enters Fortuna. If it takes some time for things to get going then my bad.
To make it clear, Jaune can only hold his own against Raven when in his Grimm Form. Oh yeah and the last bit was from Thomathan's perspective, not Jaune's POV.
I'm having a bit of writer's block as well, i'm going to write some other things for a little bit. But rest assured i will never abandon this story.
Oh, and one final thing. The broken statue is a major hint on who Jaune might have a relation to. So props to you if you manage to figure it out!.
Reviews are nourishment!
Now for his moveset and weapons!
Jaune's Weapons:
Imperium: Imperium is Jaune's Katana
Jaune's Moveset:
-Imperium/Sword Skills;
Imperium Combo B, A basic 3 hit combo, 2 times with the sheath and the third time with the blade , Jaune sheathes his weapon after the final attack(Based of off DMC3 Vergil's Yamato Combo B)
Rapid Slash LVL2, Appearing to slash only once, Jaune truly slashes a multitude times, said strikes are almost invisible (Based off DMC3 Rapid Slash)
Judgement Cut LVL2, Jaune slides back and slashes so quickly that he appears to only unsheath and resheath Imperium. A cone shaped distortion protrudes outward from Jaune and within that distortion forms a dark purple orb that causes a more intense visual distortion that is then covered in slashes. (DMC3 Judgement Cut)
Upper Slash, Unsheathing Imperium Jaune quickly slashes upwards, launching his enemy into the air.
Aerial Rave, an attack in the air that can be used in rapid succession
Fighting style mostly based of iaijutsu/iaido. The art of drawing the sword from its sheath.
-High Intelligence
-Superhuman Speed
-Superhuman Strength
-Extreme Stamina
- Regeneration
-Grimm Form, Jaune uses his Grimm Form to boost various things about himself, such as speed and strength and defense, he also has an improved healing factor in this form. Jaune also gains a deeper and distorted voice. Jaune can also conjure a large number of Summoned Swords at once in his Grimm Form. Jaune can only enter this form for a short period of time
-Tricking (A temporary name Jaune gave it); Jaune's 'Tricking' is currently his most effective movement tool, allowing him to reposition himself on the battlefield by are several ways Jaune can 'Trick ' to an opponent Air Tricking will take him directly in front of an enemy on the ground or in the air. He can also use 'tricking will bring him above the enemy or above his current position if there is no enemy. Trick Down will teleport Jaune back to the ground or behind his current standing position. These abilities allow Jaune to close and create distance as needed.
Summoned Swords; Jaune's Summoned Swords look like a dull white-grey, spectral replica of Crocea Mors that appear in a puff of white and grey fire or smoke. They shatter after piercing the enemy releasing more a puff of white-grey smoke
Sub Section;
Spiral Swords - Jaune creates a ring of Summoned Swords around himself that acts as a shield
Sword Storms - Jaune fires out swords at the enemy after executing a Spiral Swords maneuver. The swords surround an enemy then fire all at once.
Heavy rain swords - Creates a deadly rainfall of Summoned Swords above the enemy.
Soul Reaping; Jaune Rips the soul out of someone by unknown methods, he then proceeds to scan the soul for any useful information by unknown means. How this came to be is unknown. (Got the idea from "The Curse of Hatred" Fanfic)
