What's up, everybody?!
So new chapter today! I didn't have any issues writing this one. Just some research I had to do to make sure a part of this was accurate.
Hope you guys enjoy!
[Yang]
The girls plus Ren were gathered together on the far right side of the lecture hall. Ms Peach's class devoid of the instructor, leaving the students to do as they wished with their free time. The group was currently observing the young man they had once known very well—the blonde noodle which had gotten more than an upgrade to his looks and was now drop-dead gorgeous.
Yang would even say he was sexy. A sentiment shared by probably half of the student body now. The news having spread all throughout the school in a matter of moments. Quite a few of the students in here had abandoned their work in favour of gossiping over the newest changes to Jaune's appearance.
For Yang, she really wanted to say this change was a good thing for Jaune. She'd seen his decline over the past few weeks and felt terrible for him. It was too bad because he was just a good guy who didn't deserve any of the shit he'd been put through. Something that Yang did regret was allowing it to reach this point in the first place.
Can't take it back, so I have to figure out how to fix it... But what's broken now?
Yesterday, before the attack on the bridge, Jaune had this look of joy plastered on his face for some reason. Yang wasn't sure why, and it confused her to no end. Jaune seemed to be entirely out of it and completely different from his mood the prior morning. Now, he had this same smile on his lips, but it felt off.
Currently, he was sitting at another desk about fifty feet from Yang, using his right hand to prop his head up. Jaune stared off into space like he'd been lost in his thoughts momentarily. Had his eyes been closed, Yang would have figured he'd fallen asleep. Not in this instance, however. It felt as though a predator was among them, inspecting the flock with an hungered gaze.
The boy over there didn't feel like Jaune. Like someone had replaced him entirely, using a similar-looking meat suit. But Ruby was sure that it was Jaune, not some doppelganger.
Not that it changed Yang's confusion. Her own thoughts had to be scrapped to deal with this newest bombshell. Any plans that were made to make Jaune feel better had to also be altered to compensate. His change in mood didn't help either.
So, Yang turned down to a notebook sitting in front of her. All over the page were questions or plans in the making. Many were crossed out or rewritten with an explanation besides them. The page was most certainly a mess. It didn't stop her from scrawling a line or two in the space where it could fit.
"Okay, so what do you guys think," Yang said, continuing to hold her gaze on Jaune. "And no, Nora, he hasn't been abducted by aliens..."
"Awwwwwww!"
"Well," Blake began, setting down her book. The cat-faunus took another second to compile her thoughts. Even for one who rarely spoke in matters such as this, she'd taken quite an interest. "He isn't wearing coloured contacts."
"What," Ruby uttered in a confused tone.
Me too, Rubes...
"How could you possibly know that," Pyrrha asked in a tone mirroring Ruby's. Her scepticism was warranted as would anybody else's.
Yang wanted to know, as well. She wouldn't expect Blake to be the one to walk right up to him and ask if they were contacts. It was too bold for something she would do. Maybe Nora or Yang. Not like she was Velvet shy either.
The blonde couldn't picture golden eyes on the old Jaune, though. It would seem too out of place for that. However, with his more handsome features, it did work out quite nicely. If a bit weird, since nobody was used to the change.
"His pupils dilated and contracted," Blake explained confidently. "If he'd been wearing contacts, both of his pupils wouldn't change size."
"And you just happened to notice this," Yang questioned. Her tone suggesting something else was going on. It was enough to make Blake blush a bit before she spilt her beans.
She looked away, trying not to meet her friend's eyes. The blush on her cheeks was growing by the second as it soon captured a majority of the skin.
"Yes, when he came to us in the cafeteria, I saw his pupils change size..." Blake continued with wavering determination in her voice. "Humans don't have golden eyes either."
That's kind of freaky... So what the hell is going on then?
People's eyes didn't just change colour overnight. Even if he'd gotten his irises tattooed or something like that, Jaune wouldn't have come to school for several days. Maybe a disease that affected the eyes would change the colour, but it was still too rapid.
"You are right about humans not having golden eyes," Ren agreed, leaning back into his chair. "Jaune's appearance changing is too drastic to be natural either."
"What are you two suggesting," Pyrrha cut in with anger beginning to drip from her voice. Something, in their words offending her.
Given Pyrrha's lengthy relationship with the boy, Yang suspected such would prompt a reaction. The same thing would happen if it were Ruby as well with Yang. Having someone close to you being examined with such scepticism wore on the heart easily.
"Nothing," Blake countered, making her position quite clear. "It's... odd, seeing Jaune like this. I think most of us were pretty well aware of how he's been these past few weeks. And in the last week, it's gotten worse." She let out a breath of air and kneaded her eyes. "We're concerned, is all..."
"Exactly," Nora threw in her weight with them. "Jauney got beat up a few days ago, and now he's acting scarily happy! It's just not him..."
Yeah...
Yang had been there when Jaune got the shit kicked out of him by Cardin the first time. Or more accurately, she and Ruby had found him. The images of Jaune lying in the grass-covered in bruises and blood from his nose, refusing to leave her mind. Ruby's inconsolable voice filling her ears soon followed as she cried, holding Jaune's head in her lap.
For the next few days, Jaune kept his head down, usually burying his face in his arms so nobody could see him. Clearly embarrassed that there was nothing he could do to stop them. More so, when people came to check on him, wanting nothing to do with anybody. Purposefully, resigning himself to his own little corner of the world.
Pyrrha had been barely able to hold Yang back when she was about to kill Cardin. Nora had to help, so the blonde couldn't break free from her grasp. A rage-filled expression worn on Yang's face as she screamed obscenities towards the brunette in the hallway.
But Nora was right about Jaune's mood. It simply wasn't like him. Even for someone as positive as Jaune, bouncing back from getting jumped wasn't something one did easily. Whatever Cardin had done to Jaune in the bathroom slid off the boy like it was nothing.
"You're right, Nora," Pyrrha conceded, propping her head up with her arm. "But, what if Jaune is trying out a new look like he said?" She paused for a moment, cupping the lower portion of her face. "That doesn't explain his eyes though..."
Why don't we just go up and ask him, P-Money?
"I'd say he's doing a bit more than trying a new look," Yang proposed, gesturing with her right hand. "Jaune's been acting weird lately, right? Super happy and stuff like that!" She looked to all of her friends, making sure their attention was on her. "Change in attitude and look at about the same time makes him seem like a whole new person..."
"So, he's trying to change himself into someone else," Ren finished the thought.
"Ehh, not like that," Yang clarified, sitting straight up and leaning in. "I think he's trying to make a newer betterer version of Jaune... Like the one from a few days ago wasn't good enough and he's sick and tired of it."
By itself, it wasn't a bad thing. Changing your look or personality to fit a desired ideal is what a lot of teenagers do. It's about self-development and making yourself into the person you want to be by making positive changes like working out to mould your appearance or benefit your health.
"And it's because of Cardin and Weiss made him consider it," Pyrrha suggested, looking very tired now.
"Yeah... they said a lot of mean things to him," Ruby agreed, starting to appear mousy. Her nerves getting the better of her when talking about her friend in such a way. "But Jaune didn't say anything about wanting to change."
"If Jaune wanted to improve himself, I don't think he would mention it to any of us," Ren expressed, sinking back into his chair. "For him, it would be embarrassing, so he would bottle it up and refuse to show it."
Sounds like Jaune...
"Especially with the toxic atmosphere surrounding him, Jaune may have thought he was the problem," Blake added on. "Even if we don't feel the same, we have to understand Jaune's been through a lot... His timing couldn't be any better, though."
With all of the stuff going on in Vale, it would have been the perfect time to re-establish himself at Beacon. Everyone was so focused on the bridge, they wouldn't have noticed Jaune's absence or make a big deal about it. Laying low as he did would help to avoid any attention being drawn to him.
"So what do we do," Nora asked, begging for a plan to help her friend. "Jauney was perfect! He shouldn't have to hate himself because of them!"
"We do nothing," Yang declared with emphasis.
Everyone at the group looked at her like she was turning into a werewolf. Pyrrha was fuming, seeking out an actual answer instead of Yang's. Ruby and Nora were confused about the method behind the madness. Blake and Ren gave her an inquisitive look, refusing to give their thoughts via body language.
"Look," Yang began, appearing as sincere as she could. "We can speculate on how Jaune turned from tall, blonde, and scraggly to being a hotty all day. But, the facts of the matter is this, Jaune's got some stuff he needs to sort out. So, why not just keep everything as is, and make it less awkward for him? He got beat up and still said he wants to go with Ruby to the fair anyway..." Yang let out a sigh. "Just keep an eye on him though."
"I suppose that's a plan," Pyrrha concurred hesitantly. "Although, I do wish to understand why his mood changed so suddenly."
"Jaune did say he snuck out last night," Ren mentioned, twirling a pencil through his right hand. "It's possible he went somewhere near the bridge to give himself a place to think. Inadvertently putting his life in danger may have been what he needed to forget about Cardin and served as a catalyst for everything else."
Ehhh, that's probably stretching it a bit. I can see it...
But why did his face change so much? Makeup?
No... Why would Jaune bother with it if he got stuck near the bridge? I don't think anybody would care about their looks if they were there.
Yang had seen makeup used to polish someone to about where Jaune was, but there wasn't any she could see. Although the Arc family was no stranger to natural beauty. Many of the girls were unrivalled by their own peers when it came to appearance and didn't have to bother with makeup. Hell, their mother looked as though she were still in her late twenties.
It wasn't like Jaune was a bad looking guy anyway. However, turning into the most beautiful man in the world was a bit much. Too much for even makeup to handle. It bordered on the impossible. Same for his eyes.
What's going on, Jaune?
[Teutoburg Forest: Germania]
A roman Centurian marched at the head of his men, guiding them along a route through the forest. Before him, were dozens of other centuria marching in a narrow formation. Their pace slow and bogged down by the conditions of the path and the weather.
He scanned the edge of the forest, sighting nothing within. The land becoming eerily quiet as they entered this forest. Not even the bird song echoed throughout this sea of green. Only the sounds of legionaries trampling over brush filled the air.
'Damn it...'
The Centurian hated this quiet. The legions were far too exposed in this area. He cursed to himself for allowing his men to travel into this place. However, they were here on the orders of their commander, Varus. There was nothing for the Centurian to do as there was no turning back now.
He scanned the forest line once more, looking for anything hiding within. The standing orders given to his subordinates were to do the same. Any sign of movement or rustle behind a bush could be anything, but he didn't wish to be caught off guard.
The feeling of eyes watching him made his hairs stand on end. He couldn't shrug this sensation off. Not even the rain could give him a chill to compare. His hands tightening their grip on his scutum and pilum, finding some mention of comfort with the weapons.
Suddenly, a horn blew, echoing throughout the whole forest. Everyone stopped, searching for the source of the sound. The Centurian dropped his pack and raised his shield. His eyes darting from the forest to his men, watching their confusion and chaotic formation.
What the hell is this?!
As he watched for movement, a javelin erupted from within the forest, burying itself into the standard-bearer to the Centurian's right. He fell to his knees, dropping dead from the blade piercing his vital organs. The death immediately followed by the frightened gasps of his fellow soldiers.
Without further warning, hundreds of germanic tribesmen revealed themselves—the forest concealing their approach from the Romans. Simultaneously, they began to lobbing their javelins or spears down onto the legionaries, killing many before they were able to raise their shields. Their death cries, filling the air as the blades tore through their bodies.
"Form up, on me," the Centurian shouted to his soldiers. He immediately raised his shield to block an errant spear from killing him. "Testudo!"
His soldiers followed the order, raising their shields to cover their fellow man, and coming together. Slowly, they were able to create a shell where they were protected from the missiles. However, many others were unfortunate, getting caught in the open before they were able to find cover.
As one, the testudo moved down the path to make its way to safety. Their pace at a fast march, speeding past the other soldiers who were left surprised by the ambush. Dozens of missiles slamming into the barrier along the way.
From the Centurian's point of view, he could see another body of soldiers forming their own defence up ahead. The tribesmen were dozens of feet away, using the cover of the trees to rain missiles down upon them. Barking a single order, his men advanced to meet up with the other group to mount a resistance.
Before they could reach the other soldiers, another horn blew from within the forest. This signalled the tribesmen to descend upon those left on the path. A dozen of them charged directly at the testudo, throwing caution to the wind. The first few throwing themselves at the barrier, causing those behind it to bury their feet into the ground.
On the opposite side, more tribesmen were charging directly at the testudo. They stopped a few feet away from the wall, waiting for a break in the formation. Even more surrounded the soldiers, preventing them from breaking through to the other group. On all sides, there was no escape, wholly encircled by a numerically superior opponent.
'Damn...'
The Centurian barked another order, and the entire testudo broke down. They raised their shields towards those surrounding them, keeping their backs against each other. The Centurian himself stood on the front line, holding those he commanded behind him in the formation.
With a shout, the first tribesman charged at the wall and so did his comrades. As one, choosing to strike the legionaries down without mercy. They threw their spears into the shield circle or attacked at the wall with a sword in hand. Everything they used against the legionaries falling short as they met legion steel.
The Centurian raised his scutum, blocking a tribesman from striking down with his sword. He followed up with a single thrust, punching into the man's gut before tearing the blade free. The tribesman grasping onto his stomach as he collapsed to the forest floor.
Another tribesman threw a spear at the Centurian, prompting him to block the missile. His vision obscured by the guard, allowing the rebel to take advantage of the opening. The rebel bolting forward, leaping off a rock with his shortsword cocked back.
The Centurian countered by hefting the shield above his head and blocking his attack. The man slamming into the wooden guard and then being thrown over the Centurian's head into the mob. He was quickly struck down by another legionary, and his body trampled over by the chaos.
Behind the Centurian, the cry of another one of his soldiers told him all he needed to know. A spear jutted out from the young man's chest as he was not able to block it. He continued crying out before blood filled his lungs, blocking his airway. Moments later, he collapsed onto another body, and someone else took his place.
The Centurian blocked an attack from the front. A man carrying a spear thrust the polearm towards his face. He immediately drew it back before thrusting again, missing just barely as the Centurian ducked out of the way. The Centurian then raised his shield to redirect the spear upwards before slicing across it with his sword.
Just as his opponent went to draw a sword, the Centurian cut across his abdomen, opening his torso completely. The man's organs spilling out onto the forest floor. He grasped at the wound but was killed immediately by another strike across the chest.
Another scream from the formation filled the Centurian's ears. He didn't bother to look, slicing a tribesman's arm clean off and then dispatched him with a thrust into his throat. The kill creating an opening in the crowd, allowing the Centurian to see that other group of legionaries putting up a defence.
They were currently being decimated by the tribesmen's attack. Their numbers quickly dwindling to a few men before all were snuffed out. The last legionary stabbed through the eye by a spear. His body fell into a mass of both legion and tribesmen.
'We're going to die here...'
The last hope of any resistance died there. The Centurian understanding what was about to happen if this farce was kept up, striking down another tribesman. He then raised his shield to block his body before issuing one last command.
"LEGIONARIES," he shouted with every ounce of strength in his body. "GIVE YOUR LIVES FOR ROME! FOR THE EMPEROR! DO NOT GO TO ELYSIUM WITHOUT TAKING EVERY ONE OF THESE DOGS WITH YOU!"
He cried out to the heavens, sending a vicious roar through the forest to the fright of the tribesmen. The Centurian charged forth, slamming his shield into the first man he could find. Such a brutal strike threw the poor fool off his feet and into his comrades. He then turned, letting another scream pass through his lips towards more of his enemies.
The rest of his men followed their commander, devolving into a savage display of barbarism. They threw down their shields, charging directly at the tribesmen with no thought of survival. If one man fell, another four were just behind him to tear apart his killers—each taking their deaths gladly, smiling as they passed onto the afterlife.
The Centurian brought down his sword directly onto the head of a tribesman. His blade cleaving through the man's skull, popping one of his eyeballs out of the socket. Another tribesman attempted to surprise the Centurian but was met with the face of his shield. The hard edge then slammed down onto the prone body with no mercy.
The Centurian wrenched his blade from the body and continued with the battle at hand. He sliced another's head off clean off, sending the cranium spiralling off into the growing pile of bodies. Another man felt the cold steel enter his chest from above, failing to counter the shield bash. His heart pierced by the gladius through his collar bone.
An attack from behind threw the Centurian off balance, causing him to drop his scutum. He whipped around to face the threat, slashing the man across the arm with his blade—the gladius carving through him with no effort, separating his arm at the elbow.
The Centurian searched for his shield, finding it to have been lost to the tribesmen. Dozens now circling his position, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Alongside the legionary was only two other back-to-back with the Centurian. Their bodies covered in blood.
His heart raced at the sight of his enemies. The Centurian wholly lacking the fear of death. His entire life spent serving Rome and willing to die for her glory. The thought excited him.
He reached down and grabbed another sword, bearing a set of twin blades. The Centurian prepared himself for the onslaught that was to come. His body descending into a blissful calm with only a single-minded focus.
And without another moment to reflect, he charged forth directly into the mob. His arms wildly swinging back and forth, cleaving through everything that got in his way. The sting of an iron blade cutting into his leg ignored in the Centurian's madness.
A tribesman swung widely, attempting to lodge his sword into the Centurian's neck. It was deflected by the legionary's gladius and tossed from the man's hand—the Centurian whipping around to cut his head clean off, sending the skull flying into his comrades.
Another blow from a club was parried from the Centurian's left hand. The small wooden staff sent flying into the crowd. Without warning, the Centurian cocked back his arms and thrust both blades into the tribesman's gut, burying them deep in his body.
Watching the tips of the blades jut out from his back, the Centurian ripped both away and turned to face his next opponent. Another tribesman, however, surprised the man, clocking him in the head with a sword—the blow rippling through the armour and stunning the Centurian enough to throw him to the ground.
He could not reach for his blades in time to continue the fight. A half dozen tribesmen were already on him, burying their swords in the Centurian's torso. The man's organs torn apart as they repeatedly stabbed into his chest without mercy. Blood beginning to pour freely from each of the open wounds.
...
The Centurian had no idea how long it had been. His vision became blurry, and the air grew quiet. He could not lift his body up to inspect the battlefield and call for his comrades. No matter whatever sound he made, it would not draw anyone to his location.
However, an approaching figure in his peripheral vision drew the man's attention—his dark skin, indicating that this newest arrival was from a land far from here. The way he walked telling the Centurian he was not concerned with the battle going on here. In fact, the man was joyfully taking a stroll through the woods.
When he came closer to the Centurian, the man's eyes changed colour. A dark sclera and bright orange iris replaced the white and brown. This development sending a shiver down the Centurian's spine. His body feeling a terror he had never known before.
That a monster was in his midst.
He tried to raise a sword to his defence, but the man simply placed his foot atop the blade, stopping him there. The man then picked the Centurian up by the collar and lifted him to his height. A set of fangs erupting from the man's canines soon found their place buried into the Centurian's throat.
[Jaune]
Jaune sharply inhaled, looking around only to realise he was still at school. The students to his left and right were chatting aimlessly, waiting for the next bell to ring. Everything around him giving the impression nothing was out of place. A sense of calm filling the air to a more chaotic setting.
What was that?
He gazed into his open palm, clenching and the opening the fist several times. Jaune unsure of what he'd just seen. Whether it be another vision given to him by the Ghost or a distant memory could not be determined. However, he had seen everything from that Centurian's point of view. Jaune had lived through his experience dying on the battlefield.
Something Jaune did understand was that vampire. He was Methuselah. Albeit, the man looked more like an unkempt vagabond than the corpse Jaune found. A few thousand years younger than he was today.
As he continued to ponder the events within the vision, Jaune's heart raced. His body trembling with the sight of the battle. The courage in the Centurian's heart to face his foe gladly and give his life for a cause he held so dear. His berserker's rage and thirst for the blood of his enemies.
Those emotions and actions were felt as if they were Jaune's own. Akin to a distant memory or dream he conjured. Such a discovery did not come alone, however.
Upon waking this morning, Jaune could have taken the first breath of fresh air he had in years. Everything was new to him. From his sense of taste to touch, it was all amplified to an extraordinary degree. His emotions more potent than ever before.
Seeing Ruby this morning elicited such a robust response, Jaune could barely hold himself together. He was so happy to see her again, his body began shaking, and his stomach tied into knots. The rush from this minor encounter coming with such an intensity he never experienced once in his life. Everything else palling in comparison.
Even when he was a normal human or newly-blooded vampire, the emotions he felt were stifled compared to this. For all intents and purposes, they were fake—a pseudo facsimile created by Jaune. Only these counterfeits were a crude attempt at recreating something so much more beautiful.
For the few memories he held before leaving Vale, Jaune's emotions were still cursed by this same constraint. All feelings and sensations suppressed by a force his younger self could not understand. However, that did not stop a child from living as if they were not so. Jaune's fledgeling soul unable to be tainted by this sensation, which plagued him.
His awakening finally throwing off those shackles, allowing this long-dead corpse to rise from the grave. The events of the previous night serving as the first step towards his new-found goal. A new beginning for the young man to finally live as he was meant to. No longer chained by the boundaries, which had been unknown to him for his entire life.
So, Jaune made his way through school today, taking the time to appreciate every moment. He savoured every feeling and interaction he took part in—the man revelling in these experiences like a child first heading out into the world. His lenses no longer clouded by the years of repression inflicted upon those forced to grow up.
The feeling of dissatisfaction driving his cravings was still there. Its void not forgotten so easily by the boy. How it encompassed all the things he loved.
When Jaune had seen Weiss during lunch earlier, Jaune felt the cold sting of her words once more. How deeply they cut his heart as they repeated over and over. How he hated seeing Weiss' terror growing with every step he made towards her. Jaune wanting so badly to talk to the girl.
As she rose from her chair, Jaune could hardly continue, yet, forced himself to otherwise. The moment she disappeared, her aura vanished along with this sombre mood.
I should stay away from her...
If Jaune could feel her aura, then she could do the same. The difference in power between the two now flipped wildly. Whatever pain it inflicted upon her was probably too much for her to handle. And Jaune didn't want to hurt something he loved so dearly.
Such was the dilemma he found himself in. The boy loved the feelings he endured, but so fervently wanted to avoid this one for the sake of something else he loved.
Thinking about the times he asked Weiss out brought this same feeling back to light. The pain of rejection a common theme in Jaune's life regardless of his condition. Every single time, another dagger to the heart, delivered mercilessly and without hesitance.
"Hey, Weiss," Jaune said, flashing her a gentle smile. His heart beating against his chest at the sight of his crush.
She looked up towards him, giving the boy a look of apparent disgust. Her annoyance almost palatable in the air. Those opal-blue eyes piercing straight through his body. A shiver sent down his spine as they continued to hold their gaze.
"Ummm, there's a new Spruce Willis movie out," he explained nervously. "I-I got some tickets and wanted to know if you'd want to go out with me..."
Weiss continued to hold the same expression, not giving him an answer for several moments. However, after this pregnant pause, she inhaled lightly and closed her notebook.
"No," she replied tersely, refusing to let the boy down lightly. "Why would I want to go out with 'you?'"
Before Jaune could say anything, she quickly stood up and left her desk along with the boy. His body refusing to move from this spot, still reeling from her words.
A single droplet fell onto Jaune's open hand. It was followed by another, landing an inch away from it. The boy blinked several more times, feeling his eyes fill up with tears rather suddenly.
"Heh," he let out a light laugh. The way his body responding to these tears eliciting such. "Heheheeehahahahahagh..."
Oh, how much he delighted feeling such emotions. It served to drive his cravings even further.
The sound of the bell ringing signalled the end of the school day. Students quickly rose from their chairs, accompanied by the rise in volume from their speech. They each began funnelling to the door, leaving Jaune by his lonesome.
What should I do next?
Jaune wasn't sure where he would be if he never realised his desires. Only by gathering the knowledge needed to overcome a crux he'd been unaware of, he was able to finally break free of it. That said, the result was how his own ideas were no longer grounded in the current truth. They didn't hold up to the scrutiny of new information, so he needed to start at the basics once more.
Why not just enjoy my time here?
This most ambitious project Jaune was undertaking could take years to complete. Yet, already, the forceful brushstrokes were layering over the former's work. His efforts forging these emotions and sensations Jaune craved, leaving him only wanting more. The abundance of love he held for this world, driving him to achieve his satisfaction.
Because... From the bottom of my heart, I love everything... The one and only truth I have in this life.
So, I must seek every stimulus this world has to offer. For my Magnum Opus requires the world and everything within to be completed.
The most beautiful monument this world has ever known cannot be composed of tawdry materials.
Jaune rose from his desk, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. He turned to head out of the room when he spotted his friends huddled together. Their conversation disturbed by Jaune's attention being brought to them. They quickly sat back down, all staring at him in response to Jaune's gaze.
Their expressions projected this sense of unease unto the Vampire. They were not apathetic to his appearance, but the exact opposite. A few seemed genuinely interested or enthusiastic about seeing him once more. Although, Pyrrha, especially was rather nervous.
Jaune did not feel self-conscious about their staring. He did not even worry about this when his appearance changed overnight. In fact, the beast that peered back at him through the mirror appeared to be a familiar one. Jaune's truest form in all it's splendour.
It did not matter if he understood the reasoning behind his new looks. Jaune could not care less if they were such a drastic change from his original appearance. The sensation of panic to disguise what he became simply did not vex him any longer.
There was no shame in allowing himself to act in a manner according to his nature.
Stepping up to his friends, Jaune flashed them a genuine smile, saying, "Hey, guys!"
Everyone acknowledged him, either waving back or verbally replying. Their reactions subdued with his presence. Clearly, each of them was disarmed by Jaune's appearance. Unsure of how to deal with it just yet.
He turned to Ruby and Pyrrha, sitting next to each other. The taller, shrinking back into her chair with just his gaze standing upon her. Ruby, however, seemed unperturbed about his attention, acting as she always did.
"Ruby, Pyrrha," he began. "Do you guys want to hang out?"
A question based on a whim. Jaune's desire pulling him to bring along these two female companions. His heart already aching with the possibilities it would conjure. Legitimately excited for the opportunity to spend time with his friends.
"Wooowwwwww~," Yang cut in before they could respond. "No invitation for the rest of us?! I'm sad, heartbroken!"
"No, you're not," Blake countered, giving the blonde a deadpan look. Her outrage not getting the best of the faunus. "You already said you were hanging with Coco, Velvet, and me."
"Dang it, Blake, let me have this!"
Ignoring them, Jaune turned back to his prospective companions. Ruby was already rearing to go, but Pyrrha seemed more hesitant about it. Jaune sure his new appearance having a more significant effect on his long time friend.
"Come on, Pyrrha," Ruby chirped, standing up and climbing over the desk to free herself from the crowd. "Let's go!"
The prompt from Ruby forced something out of the girl. She turned to Ren and Nora with a nervous expression plastered on her lips.
"What about you guys?"
"Eh, we're stuck on campus," Nora explained, shrugging her shoulders. "They cancelled all the clubs and barred all the 'bored'-ing students from leaving..."
That sucks...
Jaune already knew about this restriction taking hold. A hardly entertaining predicament to be trapped in. However, even with how dull being stuck at school was, he could understand the reasoning. Protecting her charge was one of Ms Goodwitch's most important roles.
"Okay," Pyrrha agreed, summoning a surge of confidence she recently did not possess. "That sounds like a wonderful idea!" The red-head reached down and grabbed her bags. "Shall we get going then?!"
...
Coming outside into the courtyard, Jaune observed the crowd ahead. Many of the students were waiting for a ride to pick them or were passing the time. Their scents filled the air all the while as the Vampire passed through the ranks. His ears picked up their conversation only as background noise to his friend's speech.
"Heh..."
For the modest setting of a high school, this place was but a promising battleground. Only now, stocked with souls hardly worth the sacrifice. Their hearts not yet truly tasting the sweet ichor that flowed them all. A mere collection of shadows amidst the more distinguished figures of this location.
Those being himself and Weiss.
None were capable of standing as equals among those two. The Centurian's meagre soul easily putting the rest to shame.
However, Jaune's interest turned back to the girls walking beside him. Ruby's excitable demeanour currently the charm he craved. Not to say Pyrrha's presence did not bring its own majesty.
"So, what do guys think the fight was all about," Ruby asked, walking backwards so she could face her friends. "Like, what caused it?"
"Magic," Jaune answered confidently, shrugging his shoulders. He dared not tell the rest of the truth to these two. Their minds were not ready to handle such knowledge.
"That's a pretty big assumption, Jaune," Pyrrha replied sceptically. "Although there are many things which we do not fully understand, I don't want to suspect something supernatural. What if it was some kind of weapon that escaped?"
"I don't know," Ruby expressed, cupping her chin. Her expression morphed into one of contemplation. "It would make sense if it walked into the bay. But, we all saw that giant rise up from under the ocean." She looked over at Jaune. "Did you get a better view in Vale last night?"
More than you know...
"Yeah, it looked like a hole opened up on the seabed," Jaune explained truthfully. "I didn't stick around very long because of the explosions, so I'm not the person to ask about this kind of stuff."
"That's fine, Jaune," Pyrrha encouraged, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But what were you doing down there anyway?"
Jaune felt apprehensive about answering this question. The way Pyrrha sounded was as if she were concerned about something. Most likely dealing with Weiss or Cardin, since Pyrrha had fretted over him during the past few weeks because of those two. Not that it was a bad thing either. He appreciated her concern whole-heartedly.
It made Jaune think back to the time he nearly killed himself by jumping off the bridge. Such a spot was already a popular place for those hoping to do the deed anyway. With how his behaviour had been recently, Pyrrha might have suspected he was trying to do the same. Only this time, interrupted by the Killer and her pet giant.
"Ugghhh," Jaune groaned, glancing off to his left away from Pyrrha. "I needed some time alone... You know, I just wanted to think about stuff. Being stuck in my room and trying it wasn't working, so I just took a walk." He flashed the girls a light smile, rubbing the back of his nervously. "My crappy luck decided to show up right there..." He finished, laughing nervously.
"You're luckier than you think," Pyrrha reassured. "We all saw how much damage that giant did around the bay. It's a miracle you didn't get hurt!"
Yeah, I'm surprised only a hundred people got killed... All of those apartment buildings by the bridge were flattened, but nobody got trapped inside them.
"Kind of wish it was helping me out when I came back to my house," Jaune countered, blushing as the memory played in his head. "My sisters nearly tore me a new one when I tried to sneak in."
"Was it that bad," Ruby asked the obvious question.
Jaune was not prepared for the onslaught of his sisters when he arrived. They were all waiting for him in the living room once again and fell into a fit of mania as he walked through the door. A lot of yelling and berating Jaune for being an idiot followed and the boy had to do his best to keep himself from laughing.
"Yeah," Jaune confirmed. "They didn't lock me in the basement, though, so it could have been worse."
"I'm sure it wasn't," Pyrrha agreed with a laugh. "Your sisters are pretty overprotective, but they were just concerned."
"If they locked you in the dungeon, Yang and I would have come to rescue you," Ruby expressed with bravado. "We already planned, Operation: Save Jaune's butt again... So, our brave knights would break into the castle and whisk away the princess to the fair she was supposed to attend."
Ah, yes, the fair...
Jaune's heart leapt into his throat just thinking about it. From his chest to loins, the Vampire felt a tremor ripple through him. When Ruby mentioned the idea to him, Jaune was already excited for the event. The chance to accompany his friend to a night of fun. It did not matter if other vampires were stalking Vale.
They would all die if they interfered. A sacred event such as this could not be interrupted.
"And your princess would be grateful," Jaune responded, taking a cartoonish bow. His tone mimicking that of a noble. As he finished the pose, Jaune looked back up to Ruby. "However, I have one request. Can we bring along the rest of our friends?"
"Really," Ruby asked excitedly, breaking her act. Each of her silver eyes opening widely as she hopped up and down on her toes.
"Eh, why not?"
Before Ruby or Pyrrha could reply, a group of eight men wandered into view. These figures belonging to the Beacon Academy student body. Many of which Jaune could hardly recognise as he did not interact with them. However, the four Jaune did know stood in front of him.
"Cardin," Pyrrha angrily spat, stomping past Jaune. Stopping before the taller boy, she looked directly into his eye with a snarl on her lips. "What the fuck are you doing?!"
Jaune swore a shiver ran down his spine, feeling Pyrrha's anger in the air. Cardin, however, played ignorant to this outrage, beaming like an idiot. His friends did not match this same confidence their leader held.
"What's wrong, babe," Cardin replied calmly, ignoring the girl standing in front of him. His tone trying to sound cool despite it not being so. "I'm just going to have a little chat with Jauney-Boy over here..." He gestured to one of his friends, and they grabbed Pyrrha, pulling her out of his way.
Cardin headed straight towards Jaune with a serious expression verging on anger painted on his face. With every step, Ruby shrunk back away from the boy, but Jaune refused to move. The act the brunette was putting on did not frighten Jaune in the least.
How could someone so weak cause a Vampire to grovel before them? A pretender of strength no better than the typical charlatan. Cardin was hardly worth addressing as a man much less a serious combatant. Someone so insecure about themselves they'd rather point out other's faults than deal with their own.
"What the fuck did I tell you, Arc," Cardin shouted into Jaune's face. His height forcing the blonde to look up at him. "Stay away from Nikos! That's it! But you decide to come back here acting all tough and shit! A new look doesn't change a goddamn thing, faggot!"
"Are you done, yet," Jaune asked before Cardin could get another word out. "Because I'm making plans with my friends for this weekend, and you're interr-"
Cardin cocked back his left arm and launched his fist directly into Jaune's face. The knuckles slammed into the centre of his brow, causing a loud crack to emanate from within. Furthermore, the sound of Cardin's arm breaking came immediately after. His radius crumbling along with half the metacarpals in his hand.
Jaune was not even moved by the fist. He remained standing there like a stone block.
"FUCK," Cardin screamed, grabbing his newly broken fist with his already damaged one. Tears pouring out from his eyes due to the sheer pain he was in.
Jaune did not allow him to walk away yet. He reached down, faster than Cardin could react, unlatching his belt and allowing the man's pants to fall to his ankles. With the newly found belt in hand, Jaune gave Cardin a gentle lashing across the back of thighs, making him yelp from the sting.
Cardin then collapsed behind Jaune as the blonde stepped past him. The pain clouding his judgment and preventing him from realising that his pants had fallen. A single step tripped the boy up, and he unceremoniously tumbled to the concrete.
Three of his friends moved in to jump the blonde. The humiliation their leader received not unsettling them in the slightest. Jaune only stood there, meeting them with a smile on his face. The belt slung over his shoulder, folded in half like a father would punishing some children.
The first of the trio threw a punch at Jaune's head, but the Vampire stepped to the side, easily dodging the attempt. He stumbled forward, putting too much force into the blow. An opportunity Jaune took, wrapping the belt around his arm and redirecting the man completely.
Spinning him around faster than his friend could react, the first brawler was clocked right in the mouth. Jaune then unleashed his arm, quickly wrapping the second man's arm with it as well. Before the two could move, Jaune grabbed the first man and tied the two together. Without a pause, Jaune then buckled the man's arm to the other's head tightly.
As the third moved in to assist, Jaune kicked the man in the crotch, stopping him dead in his tracks. He cried out similarly to Cardin, grabbing at what remained of his bloodline. Jaune then slapped his arms away, undoing his belt before lashing it around his leg. A simple tug brought the man to the ground.
Grabbing onto his leg, Jaune pulled him over to the other pair struggling against their binds. With two of the three arms, Jaune wrapped the belt around those and the third man's leg before tying them all together. The trio now hobbling around in a humiliating fashion.
A fourth boy met the same fate as his friends. He attempted to strike Jaune from behind but ended up missing. A slight step to the right made his fist crash into the first boy's head again. Jaune wasted no time rectifying this, undoing his belt and then tying his legs to the only remaining arm available from the first two.
Taking a moment to admire the work of art, Jaune then turned to the last three remaining boys. Dove, Sky, and Russel. Two of those idiots were holding onto Pyrrha and were having to fight so they could keep their grasp. Clearly, the stronger girl needing two fully grown men to keep her down.
Dove's concentration on Pyrrha moved to Jaune for a brief second, allowing her to take advantage of it. She stomped down into his foot with her uniform's heel, probably breaking several tarsal bones as a result. He screamed loudly and grabbed at the damaged limb, but was silenced by Pyrrha, giving a quick jab at his throat.
Sky and Russel, however, didn't know when to quit. They each bumrushed Jaune with hardly any concern for what happened to the five boys tied up behind him. Not that it mattered either way.
Sky's weak attempt at a haymaker was ducked under by Jaune. He cocked back his arm, then slamming a fist into his right thigh. Not enough to shatter the femur, but enough to make Sky tumble to the floor. His knee having hyperextended itself at the same time.
Russel, the last one standing, did nothing. His legs got swept out from underneath without warning. His upper half finding itself crashing into the concrete fast enough to knock the wind out of his lungs.
Without hesitation, Jaune looked over to Pyrrha, who was rubbing her arms. Bruises likely began forming on the skin from her tussle with the boys. The pained expression on her face made Jaune fume with anger. However, he knew it wasn't the time to let loose and deliver a proper punishment to Cardin and his friends. The young woman before him deserved more care than that.
"Are you okay, Pyrrha," Jaune asked concernedly. He took one of her hands and rolled up her blazer's sleeve to expose the bruises.
His eyes locked with her's for only a moment. However, both refused to take them off each other—this ephemeral moment lasting for what felt like an eternity. Pyrrha's emerald eyes but the deepest ocean Jaune could lose himself in. Ended all too early as she looked away.
"Yes, I'm fine," she answered, blushing hard and quickly taking back her arms.
"Sorry about that, guys," Jaune apologised, going to pick up his bag. "Do you want to call it a night?"
Jaune was sure Pyrrha would want to retire after this. Their fun ruined by a few interlopers who had no business getting in the way. The only thing Jaune could do to salvage this was to walk Pyrrha home at least.
"No," Pyrrha and Ruby said at once. Their denial confusing Jaune.
"It's not your fault, Jaune," Pyrrha continued, resurrecting her cheery tone. "I still want to hang out with you... But you're going to make it up to us at the amusement park, right?"
"Yeah," Ruby chirped in agreement, pointing at him. "I expect a rollercoaster ride out of you for once!"
The two girls stared at him with the most serious faux-expressions they could manage. Their hopes for both this evening and the one planned not hampered by this fight.
"Hahahhahahahahaha," Jaune burst out laughing, unable to control himself at this turn of events. The unexpected, far too entertaining for him to suppress the reaction. "Okay, I'll make it up to you guys! Let's just get out of here!"
Ruby lead the group along, followed by Pyrrha and Jaune. The mood returning to what it once was, but with a different flavour entirely. One that felt less sombre as they moved onto lighter topics. The genuine experience Jaune hoped for.
"But, we're going to tell your sisters you got into a fight..."
Crap...
[Later that Night]
A woman fleeing from something turned down an empty street—her hopes for someone to aid her not able to be fulfilled. Her panicked breathing filling the air amidst the distant cacophony of the city. She trepidatiously continued through this place despite the uncertainty, choosing not to hide.
The woman reached into her purse, searching for a phone. Locating the device, she fumbled it while attempting to turn the power on—the light click of the button with no result agitating her further. Tears beginning to pour down her cheeks with the swell of emotions.
"Goddammit..."
The sound of a bottle rolling across the concrete alerted her to the road she came from. A breath hitched in her throat as she took a single step towards the opposite side of the neighbourhood. The woman continuing to retreat, keeping herself hidden next to a row of cars.
Suddenly, wires wrapped around her body, stringing her up from a lampost. Only a single cry for help managed to escape as they gagged her. The woman trying to combat her pursuer with every bit of fight she could muster, thrashing against the steel cables.
From the darkness, a figure approached the woman. Her body clad in a black mist. The wires used to restrain her coming out of her hands.
The woman's struggle increased as she watched the Killer come closer. However, a soft brush on her right cheek made her stop. She opened her eyes to stare into the blackened abyss, trying to speak a plea all the while.
"Verweile doch, du bist so schön," she said. Her voice reverberating in a supernatural manner.
Before the Killer could do anything else, something drew her attention away from the woman. She turned around to find another pair of figures wearing black trench coats, standing off to the side. Each of them was leaning against a vehicle, nonchalantly watching the show.
The Killer raised her hand, pointing it towards the pair. A flame sprouted from within, growing to around the size of a baseball. The intensity of the heat enough to cause discomfort to any standing in the street.
"Oh, dear," one of them spoke in feigned concern. A young woman, covering her smile with her right hand. Her voice sporting a rich german accent. "I believe we have been spotted!" She reached behind her back, grabbing her own hands and then leaned forward. "Do not mind us! We are merely casual observers! You may do as you wish with this woman!"
The Killer complied, turning back to her quarry. A slight constriction of her right hand caused the wires to tighten down. Without warning, the cables then cut through the woman, exploding her into hundreds of pieces. A messy pile taking her place as the wires retreated.
With the deed done, the Killer turned away and began heading back to the alley she came from. The two individuals she ignored, continuing to watch from the side—the feminine member waving as the Killer left their sight.
"Auf wiedersehen, mein fräulein!"
Translations for those who only speak democracy: "Stay for a while, you are so beautiful," and "Goodbye, my lady."
Complete and utter humilation of CRDL and four other poor fools at Jaune's hands. They done fucked with the wrong vampire.
Now, the battle of Teutoburg Forest is a real thing. Three roman legions were massacred in a rebellion there. Jaune was able to see the final moments of a soldier who was killed by Methuselah.
And Jaune got his emotions back! But they're way more substantial than they were before. His awakening removing the last of his unknown chains, allowing the true form of Jaune to exist in this world.
The Jaune in this chapter is not his final version, though. He can and will change over time as his experiences morph his attitude. The development of these new emotions and appreciation of the world need some time to get used to.
Encyclopedia of MAJMLYAI.
Vampires:
Jaune
Aliases: Leonhardt, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown
Familiars: Crocea Mors, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown
People Consumed: 31
Major Arcana: The Emperor
Pasty
Aliases: Element Unknown
Methuselah
(He ded.)
Friends/Allies:
Ruby
Aliases: Element Unknown
Yang
Aliases: Element Unknown
Pyrrha
Aliases: Element Unknown
Weiss
Aliases: Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown
Blake
Aliases: Element Unknown