Chapter Three: The Kingdom of Atlas, Part One
The Wilderness Outside Mantle, Atlas Kingdom, Solitas
"Ah!"
Jaune backed away from the Sabyr grimm quick attack. The saber tooth cat-like grimm bone jaws had snapped close to his sword arm and its two large teeth were dangerously close but thankfully, he moved his shield to block. Its red eyes behind its bone mask were focused on him and its shadow-like body moved quickly around in the snow.
It attempted to launch itself at him again but he stepped aside and brought his sword down through its body. The slash cut through and the grimm disappeared into black smoke. Before Jaune could sigh in relief, another appeared ready to attack. Before it was punched into a tree by Yang…
"You're welcome, handsome." Yang smirked. She wore a brown jacket over an orange sweater, black pants, and brown boots. She wore her yellow and black bracers over her jacket and had brown gloves.
"Yang!" Ruby joined them before cutting the Sabyr Yang punched in half with her ax. She wore the same outfit but with a black coat and black boots.
The only difference for him was the black jacket he wore instead of his hoodie, black pants, and black boots. All because of the cold of the continent of Solitas.
"Thank you. Heh. Both of you." Jaune gave them a small smile which they returned.
Over the past two months, he grew closer to both Ruby and Yang, as well as confident. It took some time for them to really talk after what happened in Vale. The loss of his father was still great but it hurt a lot less. And over that time, he learned a lot about his companions.
Ruby had been studying to become a blacksmith, unlike her parents who were both purely Huntsmen. But she wanted to do both. She enjoyed forging weapons and wanted to build her own like her ax. He had to admit, her ax was crafted perfectly and she had done so at fifteen. And beyond the shyness, she was much like her mom when she talked. Often rambling but he found it cute regardless. And he had said as much to her embarrassment but she did smile a lot more after that.
And Yang, while over confident and filled with puns, was extremely caring over her cousin Ruby as well as her father and Summer. And surprisingly, insightful. She knew he lacked confidence and helped him slowly, as well as trained him. While her specialty was with melee, she still knew enough to help him get better. And their sparring had been something he enjoyed a lot.
They also both greatly valued family which he could relate to. Having a large family was something he was grateful for, even if they had annoyed him at times. He still loved them and thought of them fondly. And he missed them…
Mantle, Atlas Kingdom, Solitas
The first thing they saw when they left the snow covered wilderness of Solitas was the old stone walls of Mantle and the village behind them and an old ruined castle left forgotten close to the base of one of the mountains. But beyond that was the real beauty of the Kingdom of Atlas. Going up the path past the North Gate of Mantle led to the city of Atlas at the top of one of the mountains. Its walls were old but in better condition and its towers seemed to reach the clouds above. And it held the view of Mantle, the cold wilderness, and the large lake nearby.
"Woah…" Ruby whispered.
"I know… We only heard stories about Atlas from Aunt Summer… But this…" Yang said.
"My grandfather and father… told us about Atlas. And Mantle… The Faunus aren't treated great down here. Up there is worse… My grandfather also said during the Great War Mantle rivaled Vale." Jaune said. As they walked toward the North Gate, they saw several Faunus in the village wearing old clothing. Faunus adults and children with cat ears, dog ears, wolf ears, etc. All with slightly glowing eyes.
"What happened?" Ruby asked.
"I'm not sure. My grandfather never liked talking about what happened during the Great War… But he said a large grimm attack happened near the end and Mantle suffered greatly because of it." Jaune said. He stared at the ruined castle at the base of the mountain near the North Gate and Ruby and Yang followed his gaze.
"Okay, okay. No more history lessons. Even if you're starting to get me interested in them… Let's get up there and give the scroll to General Ironwood and find an inn after." Yang said as she placed her arms around Jaune and Ruby.
Atlas Academy, Atlas, Atlas Kingdom, Solitas
"Sir. Jaune Arc, Ruby Rose, and Yang Xiao Long." The young female Atlesian Specialists Winter Schnee said. She had long white hair in a loose ponytail and light blue eyes and wore blue and white armor with the emblem of Atlas and her weapon, a saber, on her hip.
After greeting them at the castle of Atlas Academy and learning why they came all the way from Vale, she led them to the office of General James Ironwood of the Atlesian Military and also the Headmaster of Atlas Academy. All while keeping a professional expression which made them keep quiet.
Once they were close to the office, they saw an older man with gray hair and beard, glasses, and a cane leave, passing by them. And two girls who looked younger than Ruby behind him. One with orange hair and green eyes and a green dress. She saw them and smiled widely and gave them a wave which they returned awkwardly. And the other with dark skin, dark teal hair, and blue eyes who held a professional expression much like Winter. She also wore a white top and a blue skirt.
But inside the office stood the man who they were tasked with meeting. He had graying black hair and a beard and tired blue eyes. He was outside of his armor with a white coat, blue pants, and black shoes. But they saw the sword on the wall behind his desk. When Winter announced them and his attentioned turned to them, he smiled softly.
"Hello. You… look familiar, young man. Jaune Arc? Any relation with Jonathan Arc?"
"He's my grandfather, Sir." Jaune said awkwardly.
"I see… And Miss Rose? Miss Xiao Long? Summer's daughter? And Taiyang's daughter?"
"Yup!" Yang said.
"Yes… You know our parents?" Ruby asked shyly.
"I'm familiar with both of them. I've worked with them a few times before. But what brings you three all the way to Atlas?"
"Professor Ozpin wanted us to deliver this to you…" Jaune reached into his pocket and placed the scroll on his desk. After a moment, General Ironwood opened it and read through it. His expression went through many changes. Surprise, sadness, anger, and sadness again.
"Yes… We received a raven from Vale that told of Ozpin's death… I knew the man for many years… I see why he asked you three to deliver this. It would have been best." General Ironwood said, more to himself.
"Sir? We hadn't opened it but what did the scroll say…" Jaune asked carefully. Yang, Ruby, and him had been curious about what the scroll said and why Professor Ozpin had been secretive about it but decided to wait until they delivered it to ask.
But General Ironwood said nothing. He turned to the window where a crow sat. It had unusual red eyes that stared back at the general. The General seemed deep in thought before nodding his head and returning his attention back to them.
"Perhaps… You all should rest. You've been on a long journey here and it's close to midnight. We can discuss the message Ozpin wrote tomorrow. I think we'll all need clear heads for it. Winter, if you could escort them-"
Before General Ironwood could continue, a knock interrupted them. He called for them to enter and a young Atlesian Huntsman entered. He had dark skin, dark brown hair, and dark brown eyes. Behind him was an Atlesian Huntress. She had a mix of orange and light blue hair and sea green eyes. She was also a fanus with cat ears.
"Coal, Katt." General Ironwood greeted them.
"Sir… A scroll from Schnee Manor came."
The young knight handed the scroll to General Ironwood who opened it immediately. He read it with a bemused expression before he sighed.
"Lady Willow Schnee asked that I send our… new guests to Schnee Manor to stay the night and rest. Winter…" General Ironwood began. Winter showed surprise before returning to her professional expression. Jaune, Ruby, and Yang shared a confused glance between each other regarding the message and their behavior.
"Sir, I'll escort them there."
"Good." The General said nothing more and Winter heard the dismissal leaving with Jaune, Ruby, and Yang. All of them confused by the General's behavior.
Schnee Manor, Atlas, Atlas Kingdom, Solitas
"Lady Willow Schnee, Princess Weiss Schnee, and Prince Whitely Schnee. Jaune Arc, Ruby Rose, and Yang Xiao Long." The butler Klein Sieben announced them in the main hall of Schnee Manor which had as good of a view of Solitas as Atlas Academy.
Before them stood an older woman with long white hair in a low ponytail and tired light blue eyes and she wore a white cravat with a silver brooch and red stone, a light purple jacket, a matching pencil skirt, black tights, and slippers. Beside her was a young girl a few inches shorter than Ruby. She had long white hair in an off-center ponytail and light blue eyes like her mother and older sister and wore a blue sweater, white skirt, black stockings, and white boots. And a young boy who looked younger than Ruby with white hair and light blue eyes and wore a light blue vest, white shirt, blue pants, and black shoes.
Their expressions all varied. Winter, Ruby, Yang, the young girl Weiss, and him with confused, awkward expressions. An amused and warm look from Lady Schnee and an unreadable look from the son. Before anyone could speak further, Lady Schnee approached Jaune and… hugged him tightly. Which confused them all greatly.
"Mother…" Winter said, shocked.
"You look just like him…" Lady Schnee said softly.
"Uh… Who?" Jaune asked, even more confused.
"Your grandfather, of course. Jonathan Arc." Lady Schnee giggled.
"You knew my grandfather?" Jaune asked, surprised.
"Of course. When I was a young girl, your grandfather would visit my father. He did so for a few years after the Great War… But my father married and had me and the Schnee Dust Company to worry about. And your grandfather married and had your father who was named after my own. Your father Nicolas Arc was my childhood friend for a while…" Lady Schnee said quietly. Her expression turned somber and her youngest daughter spoke.
"Mother…?" Weiss asked worriedly.
"We didn't see each other again after he married your mother Juniper and I married my husband Jacques. But we sent letters every few years. He told me about your sisters and you. I got a letter a month after you were born… I heard what happened to your father in Vale…" Lady Schnee said tearfully.
"I'm sorry… I didn't know… My father rarely talked about anything that happened outside our home… I don't really know why…" Jaune said.
"None of that, young man. As far as I'm concerned, you and your friends…" She giggled again which confused Jaune and made Ruby and Yang turn slightly red but she continued. "Are family. So you'll be staying here while in Atlas. Klein, escort our guests to their rooms. And Winter too. Then go to the kitchen and have the servants prepare dinner. And the three of you, call me Willow. Especially you, Jaune." Willow smiled warmly. And once again, her guests and children were all confused except Klein who was simply amused.
…
Dinner had been an awkward affair with Willow treating Jaune like another son much to everyone else's amusement. She enjoyed his stories about him and his sisters as well as Ruby and Yang's story about their respective parents. And in return, she shared stories about her childhood, some of which she hadn't even told her own children. He suspected it had to do with her husband being absent but he didn't comment on it.
However, the biggest source of amusement was how much Willow mothered him. Correcting his posture, how he ate, and how he talked. It was annoying but even he was amused much like Ruby and Yang who giggled. Even Winter and Weiss tried to hide their amusement behind their cups of wine.
But there was something strange about the manor. Or specifically how the Schnees acted, except Winter, but he couldn't figure it out. Willow seemed warm and friendly but tense. As were Weiss, Whitely, and Klein.
And the servants were unusual. One such servant had shoulder-length black hair in two buns and amber eyes and she would glance at him every now and then during dinner. Another two did the same. A dark skin girl with mint green hair and red eyes and a boy with gray hair and eyes. And another girl with black hair and mismatched pink and brown eyes… But before he could think about it further, Willow spoke and said…
"So Jaune, are you courting Ruby and Yang?" Willow asked.
"What?!" Jaune choked on his drink and flushed like Ruby and Yang. Winter, Weiss, and Whitely looked mortified.
"Mother!" Winter exclaimed, embarrassed.
"It's okay. You know, young men, especially Huntsmen, need to marry and have as many wives and children as possible. With the grimm, our population is always in trouble of decline. And you have seven sisters. Arcs have had many children. I think you'll need another wife. My daughter Weiss would be perfect." Willow said with a small smile.
"Mother?! That is not appropriate for dinner!" Weiss shouted. Her pale face was dark red from embarrassment.
"I-I…" Jaune began.
"Something to think about." Willow said. Her smile stayed for the rest of dinner while no one said another word. Hoping she wouldn't begin another conversation about courting. Jaune realized this had been the most awkward dinner he had. And he had seven sisters.
…
Jaune laid in his bed in the guest room given to him by the Schnees. Dinner had been awkward but enjoyable. He liked Willow. She reminded him of his own mom and Summer. And Winter was polite even if she did seem intimidating. And he hadn't said much to Weiss but she was just as polite as her older sister. Strangely, she seemed shy like Ruby. He hoped to talk to her more while they were at Atlas. His last thoughts were of what Willow had said about courting but he realized something was off. Something was wrong with him. And he wouldn't realize it until it was too late but he had entered a deep sleep from the very wine they drank…
A/N: So there is a lot I want to clarify about this story such as characters, events, and more but I'll wait until the end of the next chapter. I don't want to ramble at the end of each chapter lol