Chapter 3: Profanum Corpus

I usually write clarification stuff here, but I guess the principle of 'show don't tell' is something I should heed more.

The look that passed on her face was warm and maternal as she brushed her fingers through his hair, now a stark white colour, her fingers brushing through the strands and checking the heat of his body for any signs of awakening. His skill in the manipulation of the magic within him was as crude as any beginner would have, yet… It was magic.

"My sweet little boy." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, her eyes looking at his unconscious features, momentarily replacing those features with a duskier skin, with eyes that had peered into her with love and affection.

"It's beautiful."

The glen that stood before them was yet another refuge from the world, after their home had been torched by the simpletons who believed them to be witch and wizard, her anger and lust for destruction tempered by her husband's plea for forgiveness.

"Just like you."

She smiled at him, even as she playfully tapped against his cheek. She liked the warmth of his skin, even though her own never grew warm anymore, after the heat had faded.

"Flatterer. You're just saying that to make me melt."

It was working. She was not averse to the beauty of their surroundings. Her fingers brushed through his short hair.

"I love you."

The words were so easily uttered, even as her lips seized his earlobe, whispering those words in his ear. His strong arms around her, cradling her, protecting her… Her Ozma, the man who had pulled her from that tower, who had been instrumental in freeing her…

"I… I love you too."

It had been a moment of hesitation, yet she did not mind. It was a new life for him… A new life with his loving wife. Whatever the issue with his incarnation… It would wait. Her fingers found the belt, working with experience to tug it open.

"I love you so much, Ozma."

The cloth fell to the ground after she had undone the bindings, inhaling the smell of her husband, the scent of him…

It had been a sunny afternoon, a beautiful afternoon that had not her blood set aflame or her throat parched for the desires. It had been her and her husband, on the ground, her body pressed against the earth as they mated like animals, without concern for whoever saw them. She was immortal and he was incarnated… They were perfect.

"I… Ah! I love you so much."

She had spoken those words and they had been uttered from his mouth again and again, even as the frenzied pace of their bodies together increased, the heat of the day coupling with sweat of their bodies, her pale flesh never growing tanned, even though his body was beholden to a tan that could scorch the loins.

Her hands had moved without thinking, her body crawling atop his, miming one of those positions that she had taken, her gaze drawn down, as her fingers laid against his chest, above the nipples, his body not as sculpted as her husband had been, nor as directly appealing to the urges inside her that been recalled by a memory of millennia ago.

'Focus…'

Her teeth bit into her finger once more, drawing blood. She was used to pain, even as she pushed the finger into the young man's mouth, his breathing stopping the moment that he ingested the blood, lips pressing around the finger and sucking slowly, the tasting of her blood making his body react, the pattern of the dark veins spreading from his chest intriguing her, even as she witnessed his skin turning nearly translucent as the darkness spread.

The pool swallowing her as she dove. The pain of the waters hitting her and then a moment of ennui, of weightlessness, of purest pain and purest bliss as the waters hit her with the force of a billion magical blasts, her whole body shuddering and quivering with every last inch that was filled with that dark power.

The first hour had been torture. The second had been agony. The third had been a hell…

Her hand reaching out from the pool after nearly three weeks. Pain wracking her body, even as she knew that she was now changed, that something had fundamentally changed.

She would get her revenge on the cruel gods who had not heeded her selfless plea!

"You will be my best son, Jaune." Her finger was pulled from his lips, a wet stain of her blood on those lips, even as she leaned down to give him a gentle kiss on the lips, the kiss that a mother would give to her son, a kiss that a lover would give to her beloved, the one that…

'Who cares?' His body stilled and she could feel the power massing inside him, as her lips pressed against his own, a kiss that was as hungry as a consuming flame within a barn filled with straw following, even as his pallid features shifted lightly, a spark of something that could be called joy welling up inside her.

"My beautiful boy…" Her voice was thick with emotion, even as she'd broken the kiss, his breathing restored once more, her fingers brushing over his cheeks.

"Mama?" He asked, voice sounding weak, as he looked at her. She smiled at him, a kind smile, one that her subordinates did not get to see.

"Yes, Jaune?"

He looked at her with a look, one that was impressive, weak… easily manipulated. That post-slumber bliss, with his eyes peering up at her. His hair slowly turned back to its golden colour, the magic that was within him carefully guided already by her hand.

"Can I go back to my hotel room to pick up some of my stuff?" She smiled, knowing that the boy had another room elsewhere. It wouldn't do for his toys to be taken by some irate hotel owner… It would not be fair to her to have her son be cheated and stolen.

"Of course, Jaune. How do you feel now?" She enquired, her fingers brushing through his hair. There was a look on his face of calm acceptance, even as his eyes moistened softly and he sighed.

"It's… magical." He said, and she could understand. The first drop of power that could be touched was the sweetest, even as the pattern of dark veins continued to spread over his body. "Like I could do anything that I want to…"

"It is your right, Jaune." Her voice was soft, even as she kissed his cheek.

"You deserve the power… You are going to make mama so proud, my sweet little boy."

He blushed, clearly a little embarrassed, even as he looked up at her, his eyes glinting with something that was familiar, her smile warm, as she recognized that look.

"I want to… I want to hurt people." He said in such a shy voice, even as she kissed his cheeks again.

"It's okay…" Her voice tried to assure him, knowing that it was her own will that told him so.

"Do you want to hurt your mama?"

It wouldn't do for him to hurt her… She had been hurt before. To see him willingly hurt her…

'No… he would never.'

"Of course not! You're… You've been so good to me. I'm… I'm not your son, but-"

She snarled, a dark sound, her eyes flashing crimson, as the power inside her filled her veins with a corona of power erupting, her eyes fierce.

"Don't ever say that you are not my son, Jaune." Her voice was desperate, her eyes burning.

"I gave you a gift… I… I shared with you something that I have never shared before."

Her heart hurt, as she looked into his eyes, seeing the fear in them, revelling in that fear for an instant, before he whimpered.

"Mama, I'm… I'm afraid." Her eyes widened, as she realized that she was scaring her son, her words having been harsh yet…

'Not again! I will not let another of my children be taken from ME!'

"I didn't mean to, I mean… You are mama. You've been such a nice woman, cared for me, taught me how to tap into those magical powers…" She felt her anger quietening down, as she felt the connection with him, felt the hopes and fears, even as her face softened and she kissed him on the lips.

His wide eyes were enough to show her that it had been unexpected, yet she felt compelled to do so, her eyes locked with his own. Breaking the kiss after ten seconds, she smiled at him, her anger gone mostly. 'No, I was being hasty… He won't leave me.'

"Mama was… a little upset. Don't be scared, my little prince." Her arms wrapped around him and she brushed her cheek against him.

"Mama has been…"

'Do I tell him?' She wondered, even as she took a low breath.

"A man that mama loved very much, once upon a time…" She started the tale, the personal tale that nobody else but the two of them knew. There was no Selene Umbra now, but Salem, solely Salem.

She rolled off his body, looking at him as he got back into a comfortable position. "He hurt me." The anger that she saw flash in his eyes, the corona of dark red that darkened those brilliant blue eyes and the urge to kill that she saw flash within those was enough.

"It had been a wonderful day. My children and I had been making little dolls. Selene, my eldest daughter, did have a wonderful one."

She could recall the face that she had made when her daughter had first shown her the work of her stitching, the expression on that face enough to bring with her the surprise.

"And then…"

The falling roof. Seeing her daughters scatter, yet too blinded by her anger. She had thrown up no barrage or shield, yet she had tried to take her husband's life.

"And then there was a fight. He said it was for their own good. That he would leave and they would be safe from me… As if I was going to give them anything less than what they deserved!"

The lamentation in her voice was real, as she still could see the face of her daughter as the block of stone hit her, could see the blood leak from the crevice as a searing green blast of energy slid over the wreckage, her anger having exploded once more.

'If I could bring you back…'

"And then… And then, they were all dead. My husband, the coward… He took them all from me. If not for him…" She was telling him the truth, as she saw it. As he looked at her with enraptured intelligence, she could feel a sameness of their very soul…

'Yes… He understands.'

"Mama…" Her son's voice spoke, and her body tingled, as if her lover was there.

"You did what you could. If he…"

His words were like a balm, as his hand laid on her shoulder. A man's hand in the making, not yet calloused by the work outside, by the work at handling a weapon…

"If he hadn't tried to take them from you, you would still be happy."

His lips found hers in a kiss. Her body froze, stock-still with that sudden appreciation, his tongue forcing itself into her unresisting mouth. 'What?'

She was an ancient sorceress, able to manipulate the countries of Remnant, yet here there was a young man kissing her, his tongue slipping into her mouth with ease, even as his arms wrapped around her. 'My little Jaune...'

"No matter what… You've shown me how to become the hero that you need." She was crying now, she knew that this was wrong, yet this felt so right, this felt so…

For a moment, it was Him again. His hand stretched out, the bedroom chamber opened and the locks upon it shattered.

"Are you alright?"

He asked her, as he held his hand out, which she took. She was surprised, her clothing still as modest as it had always been, her fingers unused to the touch of his bigger hands.

"Ah, yes… Proper decorum is to introduce yourself, Sir."

She needed little introduction. The world knew who she was, according to her father. He smiled at her. It was a pleasant, warm smile.

"Ozma, it is a pleasure, Princess Salem."

There was no proper decorum that the hero had, yet it did not matter. She was saved from her seclusion. The world awaited her once more… and she would have all the time to get better acquainted with the young man.

"The hero that I need…" She felt the urge inside her. It was a sinful urge, a depraved urge, a need inside her to… take. She knew that it was not to be, as she had claimed him as her son, rather than… a lover.

"I'm going to Beacon to become a hero. Well, a Huntsman. It's all thanks to you."

The smile that he gave her was enough to make her heart throb, the memory of that lazy afternoon in the glen coming back to her mind, as Ozma had such a smile on his face as well… One that held hopes and dreams and glimpses of the future that they would build together in it.

"You… you'll come to live with me here, right? Up until you leave?" Her eyes pleaded with him, even as his smile never flagged or faltered.

"Of course. A hero has to guard his mama, right?"

She felt her vision change for a moment, as distinctly immoral thoughts tickled at her brain. Her tongue licked over her lips, even as she took a deep breath. 'There is a world out there for him…'

"Mama will teach you how to make magic work for you, my child." Her voice was steadier than she could imagine it to be, as he smiled at her, the light in those eyes burning brightly. It was a contrast to her own burning darkness, a contrast that was like the shadows against the burning sun.

"I liked to exercise with Mister Callows." He said, and she felt an odd stroke of pride in him.

'This is what you should be, my son. Always striving for better chances.'

"He will teach you the fundaments of how to work your body, yet he will not touch your deepest depths." The words of that ancient ritual to unlock the 'aura' of humanity were not to be uttered. Magic was enough to guard against the creatures that shared the same dark desire as she had.

"Mama…" He blushed, as she undoubtedly had called up associations with things that a boy his age would find embarrassing.

"You are not a homosexual, are you?" The empathic head-shake and the odd thrill of her body lighting up to that headshake's meaning was something that brought with it an amusement, as she licked her lips.

"Good." An heir must be produced.

"I hope to run into Weiss again. She's this girl who's into the escort business, or so I think… I mean, I feel kind of bad to see such a pretty girl giving herself up to whoever pays her the most." There was an odd musing in his voice, even as he spoke of another girl…

Jealousy was squashed in her mind, as she realized that it was not unimaginable that he would have dalliances with women… Every powerful man needed dalliances with women, of course. It was their right, as the strongest…

'He will need to… In order to forge the bonds that will be enough to guard his empire.'

There was no doubt in her mind that Jaune would be someone who would impact the world of Remnant, as she knew that her blood ran through his veins now.

'I will need to think on this…' There were protocols to go about, if one wished to consort with courtesans and such, a mother's choice in such matters not to be ignored in the slightest.

It was standard etiquette that she had been taught, in order to accommodate the harem of her late father, the women who had not borne progeny giving her deferential looks… Yet she was the trueborn daughter of her father. 'A man deserves….'

A mother often ensured that her child had a broad spectrum of partners to choose from…

She would do her duty, as was expected of her. He had accepted her tale and he cared for her… So what was a little bit of time spent on ensuring that he would be happier than she had been?

Ozma had never been allowed a consort, though the tales of the maids about his dashing good looks and hints of an illegitimate child had been squashed… He had been loyal… Devoted… and yet, he had hidden things from h-

"She looks delightful. Soon, I wish to have children of my own."

It was not often that she commented on the children of the staff, the dusky skin and the pale hair that covered its head enough of a sign that there had been some of the foreign blood within the young woman. The silver eyes were peculiar within the child, whose gaze rose to meet hers, calling memories of the past to the fore, of different silver eyes.

She had quivered a little, a twitch that had been something that she had made note of, yet her husband had laid a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll make some nice children, Salem."

He had assured her and their coupling had been romantic, yet…

The maid had been dismissed by her husband in the next week, something about caring for the child mumbled… and she hadn't paid it any mind. He loved her.

'Ozma…' Her mind filled in the blanks, an angered look surfacing on her features.

"Is… Is something wrong?" Her head turned away, as a sob came from her lips. 'I shouldn't have believed him when he said he was just out to see one of the far-flung villages…' There was a lot of the management that she had to do as the queen of her own kingdom, the goddess who controlled all through her crystal sphere.

"He… he committed adultery on me." She was crying now, as she just KNEW that the man she had once-upon-a-time loved had committed such an atrocious deed.

"He… he cheated?" The tremor was enough, as she tried to turn away. She might be an old and uncaring monster in the eyes of the world, yet it still hurt… It still hurt that he had spilt his seed within another woman, getting her another child and then assuming that she would be STUPID enough to accept it…

'There were none of foreign nations within our kingdom, save for him…' It was something that she hadn't paid attention to… but it was enough to ignite the pain inside her again.

He saw her change, saw her emotions ping across the surface, the dark urges inside him that told him to do things to her that were not safe or sane or good ceasing, as he pulled her into a hug. She was a woman he felt for, one who had been through so much, who just… who just wanted someone to call her mama and be a son to her.

'Mom always said that there's a friend to be gained, wherever you go…' the saying wasn't truly accurate, yet as she shifted a little, her pale features looking like they had been oppressed by the dark emotions that she felt, it was like an awakening had taken place. He kissed her gently on the lips again, a bold, daring move that he would never have done before.

"Selene… Mama… I'm not going to let you wallow in your pain. So, he cheated… It doesn't make you anything less than the woman I call Mama, right?" She wasn't his biological mother, yet he could feel the closeness with her, even though the way that they were acting sent strange little butterflies through his stomach.

Her slow exhale was enough to show that she was crawling back out of the pit of darkness, her whole body twisting into him, her tear-filled eyes looking so fragile, even as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be there for you, Mama."

She smiled, a watery smile, even as she took a deep breath. "Mama will be fine, my little prince."

Her voice was not steady, even as she looked at him, an expression on her face that did not look as wonderful as it was. "Look at me, making a mess…" She smiled and kissed his chest, right over the heart.

"I'll teach you some more magical tricks after you've been to your other hotel room and you've retrieved your stuff." She was sure that he would need some support… and that he found that he didn't mind her help.

She was like a hopeful spot in his life. "Please teach me, Mama." She looked happier now, as he got up. Her eyes looked at him, even as he stood up straight, her amused expression enough to show that she found something bemusing.

"Jaune… Waving your manhood in my face isn't exactly something most mothers enjoy, you know?" Their positions, with her still seated and her at the height of his groin, definitely was enough to make him feel a thrill of something, a deep-seated confusion and strangeness to go through him.

He looked down at her, seeing her look up at him, the veins on her face darkened and he couldn't help but… think back to what he had thought about the white-haired girl. "You're a very naughty boy, Jaune."

He blushed, even as he turned away, the clear laughter of Selene ringing in his ears. At the thought of silencing the escort girl, he had grown aroused, images of the young woman filling his mind. "It is good though that you respond to a naked woman. Mama is happy… She feels old sometimes."

"No, I was… eh… Yeah. Let's just forget about this, alright?" He said, even as Selene smiled at him, the gown that she wore pulled on again.

"I reserve the right to tease you, Jaune." She said, even as she began to get herself together again, leaving him to go for his underwear. Checking the time told him that it was nearly three in the morning, hardly a good time to go out and into the world, yet it was something that he felt he needed to do.

"Mister Rainart? Could you join us here for a moment?" There was a faint hum in the air, as she brushed her fingers through her long beautiful white hair, her face slowly showing the flicker of magic, as the face of Selene Umbra once more looked back at her. No matter whether her hair was blonde or whether it was a silvery white colour, she had one of those faces that made his thoughts think of her in more... sensual ways.

The door to the room opened and the tall man stepped forwards, his expression moderate, his gaze going right to the woman, in obvious respect. 'A good bodyguard.' There was approval in Jaune's mind for the man, as he merely waited for the woman to speak.

"Jaune will need to retrieve some of his things from his previous lodgings." There was a tone that brooked no denial from the man, even as the woman gave a soft sigh. "Please escort him… I would be… upset, if something were to happen to him."

The man looked at him with a stoic look, his eyes looking right at his face, even as he pulled on the shirt, the man nodding once. "We need to protect the children." The words were spoken with something that he could recognize… a similar tone to how Selene had spoken about her children. 'He has known the loss of someone dear to him as well…'

"Indeed we do. Tyrian would be… difficult. Whilst I trust his skills, I know that you would be more capable of blending in." The man nodded, clearly understanding what she was getting at. Jaune wondered briefly how such a tall man could blend in, before the man's gaze went to him.

"It seems that we are together for a short while again, Mister Arc." Jaune smiled, the man genuine in his manner, though he seemed more focused upon the business end of the deal, a faint grimace on the man's features enough.

"I've only got a small bag and my sword and shield, I don't need…" He tried to protest, yet Selene shook her head. "You will retrieve them together with Mister Rainart. I will not risk you getting hurt." Her gaze directed itself to Hazel, a visible tremor in the air, as a corona of power erupted around her, pure darkness wrapping around her. "See to it that he is unharmed, Hazel."

"As you wish, ma'am." The man said, respectfully so. He seemed to be impressed by the aura, even as Jaune knew that it was only a small droplet in the ocean of Selene's power… He had felt it, before.

"Let's not worry too much about it, alright?" He tried to moderate, even as Selene's eyes fell on him.

"I would tear this world asunder if you were killed by someone, Jaune." He could feel the brief tension in the man's body, as she stepped forward. Her stature was slighter than his own, as she pressed herself up against him.

"I would make sure that every kingdom would fall, just to avenge you." Her voice was thick, the big man's face showing anger, as Selene pressed against him.

"Promise me… promise me that you won't make me hurt… Please?" Her plea was enough, as he smiled at her.

"Of course, mama. I'll make sure to inform you if I'm ever going out on a dangerous expedition." There was relief in her face, even as she took a step back, her smile warm, womanly and there. Like a mother should have when looking at her son, he mused, yet there was something inside him that sang a wholly different tale…

"I'm going to make sure that we won't lose another child to that madman, Ma'am." The words of the large man sounded personal, even as Selene regarded the man with a look, nodding once.

"See to it that you do." Her words left no other image than his complete eradication with how the frosty tone clung to the words, her eyes flashing angrily. 'He really hurt you deeply, didn't he?'

He didn't know how old Selene was, yet the divorce must've been something that was stunning to see if there even had been one. She was all fury and flame, anger burning and sizzling through her body, the magical power that housed itself within him as well being a light in the darkness.

As they emerged from Selene's room, he caught sight of Tyrian leaning against one of the walls, idly toying with what looked like a large huntsman's knife, the blade spinning in the air and deftly caught once more. "Going out, Young Master?" The man's voice was needy, even as those eyes locked with Jaune's.

"We're going to my hotel, to get my stuff. I'm checking out of there, Selene has been nice enough to let me stay with her." The man's eyes looked at him, a little giggle coming from the lips of the man, as the tongue moved over his lips.

"Your prey has passed by here six hours ago… perhaps it is time for you to hunt once more? The delight in my heart was stimulated by her fright… oh, she would be a morsel truly worth scooping out, Young Master." The words were cold and cruel, the inferences that he made from those words not friendly in the slightest, even as he shook his head.

"She'll hopefully pick a better career." The light in those eyes and the manic smile that came to the man's face was enough, even as Mister Rainart gave a soft cough beside him.

"She has told us to go. Please don't interfere." The man nodded, enthusiastically.

"Whatever the goddess wishes, it shall be done." The man's voice came from barely moving lips, his eyes looking right at him, as the man bowed once more. "I shall inquire whether my services are needed once more."

The man's voice was not in the slightest bit repentant, even as he moved as swiftly into the room as he could, the door shutting behind him, and Jaune felt a surge of amusement rise through him. 'An obsessive zealot, ready to slice and dice and murder and maim… A useful tool, when applied properly.'

He stepped into the elevator, feeling the push down from the movement, the silence of Mister Rainart steady, even as the man's gaze looked soberly at the doors, exiting a moment later. "Do you wish to take the car?" The man asked, his voice sounding gruff with that brief pinch of care that was sprinkled through it.

"It isn't that far and… I've been meaning to stretch my legs a little." The man's grunt was enough, and they walked, an oddly matched pair, yet Jaune could see that the man's gaze was as fierce as it had ever been.

"Ozpin…"

The man growled suddenly and he caught sight of the car that stood waiting at the traffic lights, a stern-faced blonde woman at the wheel with a pale-haired man sitting beside her, his hands busy with a Scroll and a cup of what seemed to be coffee, raised to the lips whilst they waited for the light to go to green, the man's deep growl sounding so familiar that it was like something had roused within him, a deep-seated pain.

"An enemy?" He inquired, the only name that he knew that was called Ozpin being the Headmaster of Beacon. The man remained silent, as he took a few deep breaths, trying to regulate the feelings inside his body obviously. Anger, he could feel, like a haze of red surrounding the man.

'The strength of anger, the pain of loss that has never gone away… a useful distraction, to set up others for failure…' The whispers in his mind, spoken in his own voice, gave him the aid, and he knew that… 'I can just push him into the darkness of those emotions with a few simple words…'

It wasn't something that a hero would do… Yet…

"Let's go, shall we?" He called out to the man, who took a moment to wrest control back over his features, the angry look in his eyes enough, even as he took a deep breath.

"I…" The man took a deeper breath after he said that, his face morose.

"I shouldn't forget the objective. The lady will not be pleased if I do not protect you with all my might." The issue seemed to be gone now, something that came with its own version of relief, even as Jaune watched the man calm down. 'A single spark to ignite his powder keg. Words work better than force, yet the force within is hard to control…'

"It'll be okay. Whatever the man has done…" He wasn't going to immediately call out the Headmaster of one of the premier academies on the face of Remnant for upsetting a man. "He'll get what he deserves."

The man gritted his teeth, looking indecisive for a moment before he firmed up, laying a massive hand on Jaune's shoulders. "Thank you, young master." He was sure that the man would've said more if he had the time, yet he knew that it was not the time yet… not yet.

"Watch out!"

Hazel shouted and he caught sight of a tall man with orange hair atop a car, a young woman driving it as it weaved through traffic, getting on the pedestrian side as well, and he threw himself back, aware that it was a moment when his eyes met with the man's which sent a jolt through him, the cane weapon that the man wielded enough to fend off the pursuing cop cars.

'The headmaster of Beacon and… some stern blonde lady… They probably could catch the crook if they wanted to…'

There was no accounting for things like this, as he watched the car speed up into the distance, the pursuing vehicles still dealing with an explosion that'd made one of their number crash. "The wastefulness of people these days…"

The man said in his deep voice, as he watched the car turn a corner, the bowler-hat wearing man leaving an impression on Jaune's mind that wasn't positive, yet it wasn't negative either. 'People do what they have to in order to survive…'

He wasn't going to cast blame on people for bad circumstances. "It might be a criminal, yet he deserves to live as freely as he wants to… I mean, I want to become a Huntsman, but…"

"The world does mistreat those who are different." The man said, his voice sounding far-off, as if he were drawn into memories. "You are wise not to cast judgment so swiftly… The greatest paragons of our world… Their shadows stretch long and their deeds are vile."

He entered the hotel room after putting his room key in the lock, finding it still as it had been. There was no mess, as he kept things clean… Selene was supposed to help only, and not… 'Mama is great…'

He could remember her kiss. It had not been a motherly kiss, not a mere peck to the lips, a hopeful little smooch… no, it had been a KISS. Something that you shared with a partner, someone who could understand… Someone who was an equal.

Someone who cared…

'When was it the last time that someone cared? My sisters…' He could see their faces, their varying levels of annoyance that they showed often and their own disdain, their teasing way…

'They would find it hard to-' The images that came to his mind were… dark. There was no way that he would ever do such a thing to them, they were his sisters, not… 'They would be like the lambs amongst the Beowolves… Weakest prey to be devoured first… Didn't they dress you up and used you as a girl model? Why not… indulge? You are better than them.'

He did not like to think about hurting his sisters, yet… The thoughts felt good. The darkness in his veins… 'Is it really that bad to use magic?'

The energy coalesced into the shapes that Selene had taught him, the power strongly flowing through his body as he looked right at the orbs, knowing the power within them, the feeling of strength flowing right through his body, even as he heard the big man gasp.

"What is that?" There was a hush in the man's voice, an impressed sound that was not hidden from the interest in voice, even as the man's gaze went right towards the orbs that floated there. 'I can work with the magic…'

"A gift that Selene gave me." He dismissed the orbs, noticing that the dark veins had started to creep down towards his hands, his eyes closing for a moment, as he felt the rush of endorphins surge through his body, even as the man made a sound in the back of his throat, as if he were considering things.

"You keep that under wraps. There aren't many things that can give an edge… and this is an edge, if I saw one." The man's voice was gruff as he looked at him, Jaune feeling a momentary distance between them. 'A lower man, unable to move past his grief and achieve the great things that are demanded of him… Unworthy…'

The voice… no, the thoughts and impulses that he felt were right. This man belonged to Selene and would never… 'No, she's mama, she would never…'

He couldn't help but feel a spark of something slide down his spine and back up again. 'But what if…' He knew that she cared for him, he knew that she loved him and appreciated him but…

'I'm going to be a hero.'

Selene would be proud of him… He was going to be the best Huntsman that he could be… And make sure that she would be proud of him. Her employees would be able to cut him loose and… And he'd make friends!

"Alright, this is it." He had the backpack prepared, the man giving a grunt.

"It seems you will be staying with the Mistress, so…"

The man paused, seemingly trying to come up with the words. Jaune waited, even as the man's gaze firmed.

"She will kill you if you fail her. I do not know what goal you have for being in our camp but…"

The man's eyes were strict and almost paternal. "Know that you will be up against impossible odds."

Jaune nodded. The Grimm were nearly impossible to deal with, he knew that much… and he knew that it would be enough to be able to fight at the very least longer than he had been able to before during his 'training', which amounted to clumsy swings in the hotel room with Crocea Mors.

"I'm going to make her proud… Mama is not… I mean, Selene is not someone who would do something without a good and valid reason, she doesn't… I mean, she doesn't come across like that." There was a pause, as he doubted that himself for a moment.

"We live to follow her will. You will do so as well… It would be a waste to see such a young life as yours snuffed out." Jaune was sure that the man was perhaps overly cautious. A Huntsman couldn't be someone who would deny people the rescue that they craved. They were heroes, people who gallantly saved the girls and got rewarded for it… 'Take whatever opportunity you must…'

"I'll be alright." He said, as he saw the face of the young hooker flash before his mind, the pale face and her eyes wide and terrified, the thoughts turning once more to how he had desired to break that resistance and destroy her…

"I hope so, for your own good." The man said, even as he held open the door. Jaune checked the room for anything that he might have left behind before he nodded, closing the door behind him.

'It's time that I get the fame and respect that I deserve…'

'The servants gather, as you ascend…' The strange voice inside him was enough to whisper to him, as he fell into pace with Hazel, the man remaining silent, even as he got half of his deposit back, the Lien hardly mattering much…

She looked into the mirror, the pale features perfect for what she was to do. Her eyes scanned the volumes that she had set aside. 'Nothing but the best for my son…'

There would be nothing that would stop her from making her child a permanent fixture in the world… even if she had to personally educate him in what was expected of the future ruler of Remnant…

'Oh yes… There would be a need for economics… and the skill to ensure that his concubines are well-treated…' The thought of concubines brought a sudden halt to her thoughts, her fingers stopping immediately as they seized a hold of the dress that she wore.

'Concubines! I… I forgot.' She wouldn't see her son be some no-name whelp who did not even allow himself to give progeny upon the world…

She was not averse to children, having had several of them herself and enjoying the care for them, as atypical as it might sound for someone of her fine stature. 'Does he even know…' The lessons of her father had been focused upon the rule of a nation, not on the pleasures of the flesh…

'A young lady is to be expected to pleasure her man…' The thoughts she had were now distracted from the vengeance that she would visit to more sensible constructs. 'The lady said that pleasure is to be…'

"And thus it is important that you seize the head and roll your fingers below it, in order to ensure that he is able to feel the pleasure." She had tilted her head, taking a grip of the wooden shaft and then brushing her fingers below the head.

'It looks stupid… does it really make a woman feel good?'

"Right, your majesty… Now…"

The woman spread her legs, Salem remembering the flush on her body, as she watched how the faux member was pushed there, the woman giving a shudder, the coolness of her tower room enough to ensure that it was unpleasant at times, mid-winter now.

"It is pushed in, most men do not have the sense to do so gently, so you will need to grit your teeth like… so."

The woman demonstrated, and Salem herself had briefly wondered how such a thing could feel pleasurable. Six years later, the experience had been most definitely 'very pleasurable', as far as she could tell.

'A courtesan of skill… I wouldn't trust Cinder with such a task… She is not…' The flare of something dark inside her came with a rush of realization that it had been familiar, as she realized that she was considering… competition. 'No… A professional may be able to guide him the best into becoming a lover…'

She trusted none of her associates to ensure that there was a pleasant-looking wench there to take care of her child's baser desires. The boy had been oppressed by his siblings, as far as she could tell, so there would be a low chance for him to hold much experience… His mother ought to have taken him to a nunnery and allowed him to spend his wanton urges within them, paying them the price of three silvers per proper job!

She paused, her head tilted. 'I suppose…' There was a smile on her face, as she pushed her bust out at the mirror, the surface showing the mounds wobble.

'You cannot trust another woman with the taking of your boy's virginity… So it is time that I will take him by the hand and show him the glory of a woman's body.' She would spoil him a little… If need be.

She was a queen, after all… The Royal Heir would have all that he desired…

She was a good mother, after all…

The faces of her daughters looked at her, as she knew that she would not fail her son.

No matter what…

Mama knew best, even if she had to guide him through the halting steps of manhood himself…

For the people who were talking about the difference between Mama and mother that is being used… Salem lost her children when they were very young. Losing a child is hard on people.

Jaune calls Selene Umbra mama because she said she would like it and he felt close enough to her to allow it. She is a good friend and… he's feeling conflicted about it. His mother is still the only one he calls Mom and Mother.

As for the idea… Yeah, I've got a few thoughts about how this changes the balance of the powers. Jaune is not going to be 'Mr UberMaiden-Slayer' like some people would think. He's also not going to be a pure villain.

However…

Some traits he has are stimulated. Expect him to be better at some things, worse at others… and well…

Beacon Academy is his dream… His mama won't ruin her boy's dream, even if she DOES take his virginity.

Oh yes… Salem is a twisted woman, but she was raised to be a queen. If you can't find someone else who does, you will have to do it yourself, is something that she was taught. Morally wrong? Maybe. She doesn't care much about what is morally right anymore.

I may just write that scene out if I write Dies Irae's fourth chapter and put it up on AO3.

It's still a Jaune x Salem, with a very weird relationship between the two of them. I'm also fleshing out the villains a bit more. Watts is up in the next chapter. Oh, and we get to see the white-haired escort pop up again as well.

Leave a review if you'd like! I like seeing what this weird and twisted story is going to bring...

And Weiss really needs a friend, don't you think? Such a lonely, sheltered girl...