Got my first Immunology test next week. So, in order to prepare for that cock and ball torture, I'm not gonna be able to post. So, next chapter will be out in two weeks.
[Brynhildr: Five Years Ago]
She picked at her food aimlessly, lacking the desire to eat. Brynhildr instead, chose to listen to her surroundings, to the sounds of the other children talking and laughing amongst themselves. This dining hall became abuzz with activity with the onset of their meal. Dozens of unruly children focused more on each other than their own food.
Brynhildr, however, was silent. No other children chose to even sit with her at this period, leaving her alone. As she listened, the girl could hear the others speaking through the cacophony of background noise. Her name came up in several conversations, using derogatory language against the girl, calling her an 'animal.'
This caused her to sink low, tucking her head into her arms. However, Brynhildr could still hear their voices. Brynhildr could feel their eyes glaring at the young girl in contempt. Their unfair judgement of the girl for who she was, for what she was. For the crime of her birth.
She lifted her head once to gaze about the room, finding many groups looking her direction. The Sisters standing on the far side of the dining hall spoke quietly as they glanced at her from the side. Even those who were taking care of her in her parent's absence showed disdain for Brynhildr. Their bishop's pleas went ignored by the caretakers, allowing for such spite against the girl.
Brynhildr simply wanted to be left alone. To be treated the same as her human counterparts and freed from their unjust disposition. However, the sound of footsteps treading in her direction was going to make that impossible. A mixed group of children who liked to torment her especially chose to make Brynhildr the butt of their jokes this day.
Their leader, another girl, opened with kindness used to mask the passive-aggressive nature she beheld. It was not moments later, an insulting joke was made to the amusement of the other children. They laughed at her without concern for the feelings of the girl. They did not care, they would not care.
Soon, another child made a remark about her heritage, asking her to perform a trick. To use her faunus traits for their pleasure like she was some kind of pet. Brynhildr refused politely, attempting to ignore them as best she could. However, it was met with another insult to the laughter of those children.
"Leave me alone..."
The scenario devolved into a flurry of jokes to Brynhildr's detriment. They ignored her and continued on in their torture. Not another person came to her side, choosing to abandon the girl like her parents did. The Sisters merely stood at the other end of the dining hall and watched. Other children not from this original gathering began chanting alongside their companions, mocking the poor girl in unison.
The pain borne from this hatred welled up inside Brynhildr. It encompassed every part of her, snuffing out anything with less intensity. All she desired was to escape it somehow. She did not know how she could, but it remained nonetheless.
By now, Brynhildr was crying uncontrollably. She attempted to stand and flee from the children, but they blocked her every direction. They forced her back against the table, pushing her into the unfinished meal she left there. Another child found it hilarious that they would pour milk over the top of her head, dousing her hair in the drink.
What then began growing inside her, overtaking the pain was rage.
Her rage began building, and building, and building, and building until it was too much to bear. She was forced to let it out before it consumed her.
"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE," Brynhildr screamed at the top of her lungs. The feelings inside her boiled over. They could no longer be contained inside the vessel as much as she hoped.
However, something else was created here. It appeared in Brynhildr's mind with just a thought.
'Musphelheimr Laevetinn'
An explosion erupted from within her chest as she cried out. This firey wall engulfed everything in sight within a second. The children surrounding her were vapourised, existing as only skeletons before crumbling to dust. The concussive force of the blast threw tables outwards, crushing all those just outside the initial radius. They were unable to escape as the fire scorched their bodies, rendering them ash.
The building was unable to withstand the explosion. As the fire began burning through its supports, it crumbled progressively from the point of origin. Brynhildr wiped her eyes and stood, walking towards the door to escape it.
The flames did not touch her. They seemed cool to her skin. In fact, where the fire engulfed the wooden floor, they parted to make way for the girl. The others who survived the initial blast were not as fortunate. The flames seemed to congregate at their feet before overwhelming the victim, setting them alight.
The front door to the orphanage was unlocked, allowing Brynhildr to walk out of the building. Support beams collapsed in her wake, trapping those who remained inside to their fate. As she pushed open the heavy oak door, a wave of light met her eyes, forcing her to shield them. People outside the building immediately rushed to her aid, bringing the girl away from the fire.
None would know what had transpired behind those walls. The entire structure collapsed, creating a tomb in place of what came before.
[Ruby]
Ruby rolled over, attempting to get comfortable on her bed. The injuries she'd sustained two nights ago were making things difficult. It was either painful to sleep on one side, or she could hardly breathe on the other. Her medication was not helping her situation in the slightest, only dulling the constant painful burn.
The sound of her Scroll beeping caused the girl to lift herself to reach it. That alone was painful but shortlived as she quickly snatched it off her nightstand. The message was sent from Jaune, causing Ruby to sit up in response. A nervous twinge shot through her body, thinking about what he wanted from her now.
Ruby had forced her mind to realise she was dealing with both Jaune and a powerful vampire at the same time. They weren't mutually exclusive. Vampires on an entirely different level than what she'd seen in movies or video games. She would have thought it was cool if not for the risk of death. Though, her fears were mitigated by the fact it was Jaune. He might not have been trying to protect her when Cassius arrived but was going to now. Jaune was still her friend.
She sighed and opened up the device revealing the text.
J: Ruby, I want to show you something. I met with some mages, and they want to meet you too. I'll be at your house in a few minutes.
Mages?
It might be the guy who saved me...
There was a reason they wanted to meet with Ruby as well. Likely, it was because they wanted to make sure she kept her mouth shut. Ruby could easily spill the beans, and many people would believe her. Though, officials would likely deny knowledge, saying it was a conspiracy theory. If they could answer her questions, it would remove some of the fog gathered in her head.
Maybe they'll tell me about Weiss.
Weiss was definitely magical. She wasn't a vampire, but she was also different from other people according to Jaune. The girl could also see things others couldn't like Jaune's aura.
She also saw Cassius in her room that night... He was already dead, but can probably survive as some kind of ghost.
If his soul belonged to Jaune's Valhalla, then he seemed to retain a will of his own and travel where he liked. That is unless Ruby didn't know anything about ghosts and was barking up the wrong tree. For all she knew, it was a projection of Jaune's that he couldn't control. Somehow Weiss got dragged into Valhalla, so it might have been similar.
I should go with him and see...
Ruby texted him back and got out of bed. She threw on some clothes that wouldn't take much effort with her broken wrist. Her usual red hoodie, jeans, and shoes would suffice, differing little from her actual clothes. Once she was ready, Ruby left her room and made her way to the front door.
Before she could leave, her mother appeared, stopping her from going any further.
"And where are you going," Summer asked. There was a hint of concern in the back her throat. Understandable given what happened to her a few days ago. She needed to know where her daughter was going in case something went down.
"Jaune wanted to go to an arcade," Ruby lied without hesitation. She didn't know how convincing it sounded, but she was trying her best. Not that she liked lying to her mom. "There's one close to the amusement park we wanted to check out."
Saying she wanted to hang out with Jaune wouldn't be enough. There needed to be a specific place in mind for this excursion. If Jaune was coming by with a car, telling her that they were hanging out in Jaune's house would be suspicious, to say the least.
"Hmm, okay then, are you feeling all right," Summer asked again. She either saw through the lie and didn't mention it, or believed Ruby.
"Yeah, I'm a little sore, but we're just going to play games," Ruby answered, telling a partial truth.
"Take it easy then," Summer warned, moving to the side. "If you start feeling like your pain meds are wearing off, then have Jaune take you home."
"Got it, thanks Mom," Ruby chirped, pulling open the door and shutting it behind her. As she got outside, the girl sighed loudly, feeling relief that was over.
By now, Jaune had finally gotten here and was waiting in his dad's car. The Mustang was purring loudly, music to Ruby's ears as she approached the vehicle. Pulling open the door, Jaune was sitting in the front seat, staring off into space. He hadn't noticed Ruby was there, despite her not being subtle about it.
Maybe it's a vampire thing?
"Ummm, Jaune," Ruby called out.
This snapped him out of whatever trance he entered. "Yeah, Ruby, get in."
She was about to, but there was a box in the seat. Ruby grabbed it and sat down, holding the container in her hands. The small shoebox had weight to it, but it wasn't anything to be concerned with. She held the box in her lap as Jaune put the car into gear.
"So, where are we going," Ruby asked curiously, glancing over at the boy. "You said we were going to meet some mages."
"To an apartment building in Vale," Jaune explained, not looking at her. "The mages are from a group known as the Council. They're going to debrief you, so you understand everything I know so far."
"Oh, okay, let's go, I want to see them."
[Downtown Vale]
Jaune drove through the newly cleared streets silently as Ruby observed the damage. She was stunned that Jaune helped cause this much destruction in a single night but understood it wasn't entirely his fault. It was that Brynhildr he spoke of. She was the killer who left those bodies for Ruby and Yang to find.
But she was leaving them for Jaune...
Ruby had to remind herself that. It was an accident that she came across them. All those people were left for Jaune to have some blood. He didn't know her motivations, but it helped him survive long enough to get here. Ruby might have to thank her for kinda sort of saving her friend in a way.
However, Ruby's mind turned to the box in her hand. A part of her was curious as to its purpose here. Even if it was trivial, its presence begged the question. Jaune might have brought it along for his own purposes.
"You can look inside if you want," Jaune said, not tearing his eyes off the road.
How did he know?
Probably because I'm staring at it like an idiot... But whatever.
She pulled the lid off, finding a gun and a medal inside. Ruby didn't quite know the model, but she recognised the medal. It was an Iron Cross—one from the Nazis given the swastika in the centre of it. However, her attention shifted back to the handgun, pulling it out and examining it.
Looks like a Luger or Walther p38. Medal says 1939...
"Did Freyja give these to you," Ruby asked as she turned the firearm over. Before she played with it further, the girl made sure the magazine wasn't loaded but realised it was in the box still.
"Yeah, as a gift," Jaune replied, glancing over. "I was hiding those in my room, but I'm going to move them somewhere else. Didn't want anybody to stumble onto them."
She's weird... Why would you give a gift to the guy you're trying to kill?
Maybe it was because the Nazis were from a prior age that culture was different back then. There might have been some odd respect between those about to kill each other. Honour, chivalry, gentlemanly conduct and all that among warriors.
"They look authentic," Ruby mused, as she went to pick up the medal. "That's really cool..."
These artefacts were a piece of history that survived the last seventy years. She'd heard a lot of Iron Crosses and Lugers were stolen by soldiers and kept as collectables. These probably should have been given to a museum for safekeeping, but Ruby doubted that was Jaune's concern. Maybe when this was all over, they could go to a WW2 museum where they belonged.
I need to ask if I can shoot the pistol once before that happens...
How many people got to shoot an authentic WW2 gun nowadays? Ruby herself was into guns and liked to shoot with her parents, but trying new things out was always a treat. Pretty uncommon and especially weird guns made for the best occasion.
"So, what's the Council like," Ruby asked, shifting her attention away from the gun. "I'm guessing they're a super-duper secret organisation that you have to know someone who's in it to join."
In her mind, it was MI6 combined with the CIA but with magic.
"You have to be a mage, but you're not far off," Jaune explained, turning a corner. "Dew, Gwen, Octavia, and Nebula are a part of it. Beacon is also a school for magi on top of their American headquarters."
What?
Ruby's brain had to catch up a second hearing that. Beacon was filled with mages he said. The girl had so many questions based on that. However, the inclusion of NDGO on top of that was surprising. Girls she knew were basically superhumans the entire time. Right under her nose and she didn't know it.
Yeah, Jaune was a super-strong vampire, but that was only a recent development. Ruby had the feeling this was going to be a long afternoon now. There was an entire world she had yet to explore and was just given a taste of it.
Am I a mage?
...
Jaune pulled into a parking lot hidden in the shadow of the apartment building he was intent on showing Ruby. The boy took the box from her, and they got out of the car. This allowed Ruby to survey their surroundings, getting a picture of the area.
It was close to the Schnee Tower and the skyscrapers that fell back when Jaune fought Brynhildr. Most of this area didn't seem to have power yet, but this building was the sole structure with a running supply. She guessed it was a backup generator they had going double time.
The apartment building was a rather large one at about thirty or so stories with a view of the ocean at almost all levels. It was also very high-end, belonging to Vale's businessmen and women who chose to opt-out of a house. If Ruby didn't already like her house, she would have given a limb to live in a place like this. She assumed rent was nearly nine grand a month as a start.
Weiss could afford it easily...
Weiss had a New York apartment that she never used. It was fitting since their house had literally five hundred rooms. An extra apartment for a trip to NYC was chump change for her. It also made Ruby realise how poor she was in comparison.
"Why did they want us to meet here," Ruby asked sceptically, still gawking at the building and its surroundings. "Doesn't fit for a secret meeting."
I'm not a spy, but couldn't we show up at Beacon?
"It's because my new apartment is ready, and it's convenient to show you now and meet with the mages," Jaune explained, pulling out a key and showing it to her.
No way...
"H-How," Ruby exclaimed, following the boy into the lobby. "Where did you get the money?"
Did he rob a bank with his vampire powers or something?!
"Council gave it to me," Jaune said, holding the door open to her. "So, it's going to be my second home for now."
They can hand out apartments like this? These guys have to be super rich for that.
It was a secret organisation. Who really knows how much dark money they have stocked up. They could be the kind of people with more clout financially and politically than the Schnees. One of their leaders could wave a hand, and their bidding would be done without question.
"So, are you working for them," Ruby asked, checking out the lobby. It was a bit too fancy for her tastes, but it was still nice. The modern look it had was appealing. "Why would they give you an apartment?"
"Working with them," Jaune corrected, swiping a card to an elevator. The doors slid open, and he gestured for Ruby to enter. He hit a button, aiming for the top floor and then leaned against a wall. "They have information I need, so I'm providing them with a vampire they can use. Technically, it makes me a member of their Council, so they gave me an apartment because of it."
Oh, so you're not some pet vampire then... That makes sense.
As the elevator climbed to the top floor, it opened to a room that made Ruby's jaw drop at the sight of it. The apartment was a penthouse giving a three hundred and sixty-degree view of Vale and the surrounding landscape. It was finished with a grey marble floor paired with lighter grey panels on the walls, but the ceiling remained white. The furniture was black with some white highlights, but it worked well with the walls and floor. The apartment itself was of a modern design, yet still managing to appear very easy on the eyes.
"They gave this to you," Ruby exclaimed, whirling around to get another eyeful of the apartment in. She realised that it took up the entire floor and not a small section of it.
As she spun around, her eyes caught the sight of Ms Goodwitch staring down at her from the second floor. The woman was resting on a railing, waiting for Ruby to be done with her gawking. Seeing her principal here made the girl freeze solid, hoping she didn't see anything.
Ms Goodwitch? She must be a mage then...
"Ms Rose, it's an apartment fit for a king of vampires," Goodwitch said, climbing down the stairs with a stack of files in hand. "So less than extravagant is out of the question."
King?
"I don't think she understands Malleus," Jaune mentioned, going to sit at a grand piano next to the living room.
"Malleus," Ruby inquired with a raised eyebrow. "What kind of name is that?"
She smiled, setting down the files on a table. The woman went behind the full bar they set up in the apartment, taking her jacket off and setting it on the counter. Goodwitch began rummaging through the cupboards below and pulled out two glasses. In one, she placed a round chunk of ice.
"It's my arcane name, Ms Rose," Goodwitch explained, pulling out a bottle of scotch and pouring it into a glass. "Magi choose one as a sort of nickname we call each other. Vampires possess this aspect on a more personal basis, taking on a name that always belonged to them. All another vampire needs to do is discern their name and would understand what kind of person they are. For example, Freyja, is the Norse goddess associated with beauty, love, and war. Julius Caesar," Goodwitch gestured to Jaune. "...Should need no introduction. However, can I offer either of you a drink?"
"Ummm, I can't drink..." Ruby replied shyly, not moving from where she stood. "I don't think Jaune can either."
"Because you're not old enough?"
"Yeah..."
"Don't worry then," Goodwitch said, pulling out a soda from beneath the bar. "However, Mr Arc can do whatever he likes. The concept of age among vampires is foreign. Living forever will change one's mind regardless of their original perspective. That, and the bar was already here. It was cheaper to leave it in. But, if you would sit down, I can begin explaining what really goes on in this world."
As Ruby sat down, Goodwitch brought their drinks to the table. She stood once more and gave Jaune a glass of red wine, which he set down on the piano. Goodwitch then sat back on the couch opposite of her, taking her scotch in hand.
This version of her principal was wholly foreign to Ruby. The Goodwitch she knew was a stern woman who refused to take any shit from her students. Now, the woman was relaxed and dare she say, laidback. As if the woman was in her element and no longer putting on an act. Ruby's brain really had to try hard to connect the two together.
"What I meant by the king of vampires is the particular flavour of vampire, Leonhardt is," Goodwitch began, taking a sip of her drink. "High vampires are regarded as the apex of vampire kind. The reason for that is, vampires like Leonhardt and Freyja will hunt their kind and devour their souls to fuel their weapons. Normal vampires are far too cowardly to fight amongst themselves unless they are guaranteed victory or are insane. They fear high vampires and regard them as kings now. It wasn't that way before the Second World War with the exception of Count Dracula, but now it is. Their fear has turned into respect in a manner. So much so, that vampires regard entire continents as belonging to their better's domain."
That's what she meant...
"So, there's like an entire vampire society," Ruby asked for clarification.
If there were kings, then were would have to be barons, viscounts, dukes, and the like. Some group of people had to perpetuate this sense of lordship through official means.
"Not in the way you're thinking," Goodwitch denied, taking another sip of her drink. "Organising vampires is akin to herding cats. They don't form large social groups unless they share a specific goal in mind. The few vampire cabals the Council has rooted out had issues with backstabbing and challenges for supremacy amongst their number. They take their power too seriously and believe themselves infallible. Few are capable of backing that up when it's required. Think of vampire society as a shared culture and understanding amongst them. They should enjoy their lives in peace, and work together only when a threat greater then themselves arise."
As Goodwitch began opening the files she laid out, Ruby heard gentle keystrokes coming from a piano. She glanced over to see Jaune slowly playing the instrument in the centre of the room. The song he played was familiar, but the way Jaune did so was otherworldly. He made the instrument sing beyond what she thought it capable of. His hands caressed the keys masterfully, creating a tune that forced Ruby's heart to dance alongside. It sent a chill up her spine hearing the sweet melody.
She couldn't tear her eyes away from the performance. It was too good. Ruby drowned out everything else in the room and focused solely on Jaune. He never looked up from the keyboard, playing with every bit of his heart. Ruby doubted if he ever noticed she was watching him.
"Kreisler's 'Love's Sorrow,'" Goodwitch revealed with a smile. "I don't believe I've ever heard someone play it like this before."
"I didn't know Jaune could play," Ruby confessed, still enraptured by the music.
"That's because he couldn't, at least when he arrived at Beacon," Goodwitch replied, turning to watch the performance. "Vampires are capable of stealing the memories, skills, and experiences of others when they drink blood. Though, this is the first time I've seen it personally. In the future, he may be able to outperform the masters of most known subjects. He's likely capable of outmanoeuvring General Ironwood now when it comes to military tactics."
"General Ironwood," Ruby asked, cocking her head to the side. "Never heard of him?"
"You will now," Goodwitch said, gesturing to the files in front of the girl. "Begin reading, and I will walk you through everything."
[Several Hours Later]
Ruby's brain hurt.
She and Ms Goodwitch slogged through the hundreds of pages of information over the past two hours. Everything from the Nazis, to vampires, and the Council itself. Ruby couldn't believe how much had been buried to cover up the existence of magic. Then there was how dangerous magic could be on top of that, requiring a careful study before one attempted a spell.
She felt like she'd been fed a lie for her entire life. But it was all for the sake of protecting the world from another who would misuse magic for evil. Ruby wondered what Weiss would think if she learned this. That she discovered her true nature.
Ruby didn't know if she was angry or scared at everything going on right now. All this information was too much for her to process appropriately. A part of her was fascinated by it, however. There was so much she still did not know about the world.
At least I have a reason for why Weiss ended up in Valhalla... Jaune brought her there by accident. If he thinks about something, it can become reality.
"So, am I a mage too," Ruby asked upon finishing the last file Goodwitch brought. "Most of the kids at Beacon have some magic in them..."
"Not quite," Goodwitch explained, leaning back into the couch. "Your soul is very weak in comparison to the other students. I would say you're average among the population. Had you fought back against Cassius and pushed beyond your limits, you may have become one. Your sister is actually one who we are looking at. Her soul is what we've expected from mage potentials. Though none can compare to Ms Schnee, she has the advantage of being a product of a bioweapons experiment."
So I do have the normal knees...
Ruby wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. She couldn't help Jaune fight anything directly. It made her feel helpless that she wasn't born with a strong enough soul despite Yang having that natural advantage.
"Can we go back to souls then," Ruby said, pulling that file towards her. "How does it work for vampires?"
"Of course," Goodwitch permitted, pouring herself another drink. "When a vampire takes blood, they're also taking the soul as well. The two are intertwined. Though, whether or not it is a soul as described by Christians is up for debate. From what we know, it is metaphysical energy we've dubbed with that name. However, with enough souls, one becomes resistant to certain kinds of damage. Think of it as an arcane armour. Any attack can shave a piece of that away, leaving the mage more vulnerable. Vampires have the advantage of both quantity and quality. Normal magi can possess powerful souls like General Ironwood, but they must regenerate their soul when using Ahnenerbe or take damage. That is an example of quality. If a vampire were able to kill General Ironwood, they would take his strength equivalent to that of his soul. Jaune could also kill a thousand people and take their souls, giving him the power of a thousand. It may not compare to the quality of one mage soul, but it is more plentiful and easier to obtain. By that point, one could have a nuclear device dropped on their head, and they would come out unscathed."
Woah.
"How do you kill something like that?"
There has to be something: a weapon or someone who can put down vampires that strong.
"You don't," Goodwitch confessed with a shrug. "Count Dracula was not as powerful as you might think. Most vampires until the Second World War were relatively weak. Ordinary people had no trouble putting them down with a hunting rifle and a silver bullet. The Church mastered this craft, using magic that became amplified with their follower's pleas to project a field anywhere a church was that would bolster their own spells. Dracula could avoid that and coexist with humans. My ancestors killed Dracula with the help of Van Hellsing merely through gunning him down. They surrounded him with cannons and rifles, cutting the man to pieces before he could run. Now, you're going to be lucky if a vampire allows you to draw your weapon. They've become bold and wish to assert themselves. With vampires the likes of Freyja and Leonhardt around, you would need to ally yourself with someone on their level or higher to have a chance at defeating them."
"That's what you're trying to do?"
The entire world was in their hands. Ruby didn't know what came after Freyja's victory. They had to win, or it was all over. Teaming up was their best solution.
"It's what we're forced to do," Goodwitch corrected with a sigh. Before she could continue, her Scroll beeped, cutting her off. She checked it and exhaled deeply. "However, we must cut our conversation short here. I have other matters that need attending to. Ruby, if you have any questions, my door is always open to you. I will leave these files here for your use and have a key made to grant access to the apartment."
"Oh, thanks..."
Goodwitch gave one last nod to her before getting up and leaving the apartment. With her gone, Ruby stood up and took a deep breath, trying to find some balance in her emotions. She looked over, seeing Jaune continuing to play the piano with little regard for anything else going on right now. He had been playing this entire time, now on Vivaldi's 'Winter.'
Ruby didn't know why Jaune wasn't a mess like she was right now. The girl was so anxious, she felt like she was going to be sick. Yet, here he was enjoying himself to his heart's content. Nothing concerned him more than the performance he was giving at this very moment. There were no thoughts of the impending conflicts or threats to his friends.
Ruby sat down on the bench's edge, keeping enough distance between herself and the boy to not interrupt him. He still did not acknowledge, continuing to play as if she weren't there. So, Ruby sat by, merely enjoying his music.
"You're scared," Jaune pointed out, finally speaking for the first time in hours. His song transitioned to Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata,' changing the mood to fit that piece.
"Yeah, how could you not be," Ruby asked rhetorically. "There's people trying to destroy the world!"
They were going to kill everyone in a single instance. These Nazis were crazy, trying to take the world down with them into their madness. Why wouldn't someone who's job it is to fight them not be scared? The stakes were too high not to feel some kind of terror.
"Ruby, have you ever had an epiphany," Jaune inquired in reply. His tone of voice becoming oddly calm and profound. "Perhaps the realisation about an aspect of yourself that was invisible to you prior? Something that may have been buried instinct finally brought to light? Until that moment, I would have rathered life my life the way it was given to me than die. A companion showed me the path I was meant to tread upon. What I was destined to accomplish. That I was not living as the man, I honestly should be."
*Ta-Thump*
Ruby felt her heart leap into her throat. A surge of emotion took hold of her body, causing her heart rate to skyrocket. These feelings were coming from Jaune, coursing directly into her veins. His latent power shaping the world, thusly shaping Ruby alongside it. Giving her a taste of what supermen are capable of.
Her knees became weak to the point of collapse. Before she could fall, Jaune caught her with a single-arm, using it to hold her back. Another cradled her knees as Jaune lifted her off the ground. He brought her over to the couch, dropping her there to catch her breath.
"Recently I discovered my purpose, my niche in this world," he continued, sitting next to her. "It's the reason why I'm not scared because to me, it's natural. Fighting these Nazis is like breathing. Do you understand?"
"I-I think so," Ruby stuttered, nodding her head to emphasise it.
She breathed deeply, trying to find equilibrium once again. Jaune had well and truly thrown it off by doing that. Yet, it was akin to going down that roller coaster. It was a pleasing sensation if a bit extreme, almost beyond what humans should be capable of feeling. She felt everything he was at that moment—primarily joy. His determination was a shadow, hiding among the well of emotions, but absolute.
Jaune was going to achieve victory. The journey to that moment was merely an enticing treat to the man. Every ache and pain was worth it. Suffering ensured his emotions would not fade in time.
"Do you want to rest for a moment?" Jaune pulled her over slightly, allowing her to use him as a pillow. "And sorry about that... I forget that people are not as tough as I am sometimes."
Ruby felt her eyelids grow heavy. The experience made her feel weary. She shut her eyes for but a second and sleep took over.
[Beacon: Later that night]
"Gentlemen, thank you for coming," Goodwitch began, leaning over her desk with her hands interlaced with each other. "Tonight is when you will finally go on assignments together. Consider this a trial run before we take off the training wheels." She pushed forward a file containing the relevant materials. "There is a group known as the 'Knights of the Iron Cross' operating on the west coast. They are a Neo-Nazi organisation who has managed to keep their presence from being discovered by American authorities. Their leader is a former American soldier who came under the tutelage of an SS member who escaped capture once the war ended. Your job will be to disrupt an arms deal their leadership will be attending. Do you understand the mission?"
"Yeah, we got it Malleus, we'll handle it."
"Good, then your standing orders are to not allow a single one of them to escape alive," Goodwitch passionately declared, standing as she raised her voice. "I've given you your marching orders! Now get going!"
Jaune has given Ruby a taste of what these supermen are capable of. On top of everything she's learned today, it was probably a little too much for her to handle. Yang could probably handle it, but Ruby's a little too squishy for that kind of exercise.
Encyclopedia of MAJMLYAI.
Vampires:
Jaune
Aliases: Leonhardt, Julius Caesar, Lord-Commander of the Black Round Table, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown
Familiar/Ahnenerbe: Crocea Mors, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown
People Consumed: 228
Nazis Killed: 1
Major Arcana: The Emperor
Cassius
Aliases: Cassius,
Maria
Aliases:
Familiar/Ahnenerbe: Machecoul
Major Arcana:
Freyja
Aliases: Mephistopheles, Helena, Freyja
Familiar/Ahnenerbe:
Major Arcana: Tower
Arthur
Aliases: Arthur Pendragon
Familiars: Excalibur
Major Arcana:
Zarathustra
Aliases: Ozpin
Familiars:
Major Arcana:
Other:
Brynhildr Valkyrie
Aliases:
Familiar/Ahnenerbe: Musphelheimr Laevetinn
Major Arcana: Temperance
General Ironwood
Aliases: Deus Ex Machina
Familiar/Ahnenerbe:
Major Arcana:
Qrow
Aliases: Corvus
Familiar/Ahnenerbe:
Glynda Goodwitch
Aliases: Malleus Maleficarum
Familiar/Ahnenerbe:
Winter Schnee
Aliases: Sonnenkind
Familiar/Ahnenerbe:
Major Arcana:
Methuselah, Pierre
(He ded.)
Friends/Allies:
Ruby
Aliases: Element Unknown
Yang
Aliases: Element Unknown
Pyrrha
Aliases: Element Unknown
Weiss
Aliases: Sonnenkind, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown, Element Unknown
Familiar/Ahnenerbe:
Major Arcana:
Blake
Aliases: Element Unknown
Concepts:
Ahnenerbe/Familiar/Holy Relic: Form of magic where objects are given a will of their own from the feelings put into them. They can be found, created, or summoned by those powerful enough to bend the world with their willpower. Those who use them, have their souls bound together with the object. They demand fuel through souls. It does not matter the source.
High Vampires: Vampires which have a greater connection to magical forces, which allows them easier usage of relics. All but twelve were wiped out by the forces of the SS in WW2. Further mechanics behind their power is unknown.
Mage: Someone able to bend the world through magic. Typical spell caster.
The Council: Organisation dedicated to safeguarding the world from magical threats. It has recently focused its attention to combatting terrorism, but its original goal still stands.
Arcane Name: Alias used by magi as an alternative identity. Vampires typically are given their arcane names by no choice of their own. It merely conveys and aspect of them.