Please read the author's note at the end of the chapter.
Also, welcome back! Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.
Bright, golden light erupted within the Emerald forest like a blazing bonfire. Cinder's gaze sealed itself shut as she raised an arm to block off the blinding flash. It was like an explosion of energy, one that felt warm, like sunlight. She forced her eyes open, only for them to widen at the sight in front of her.
Jaune stood with his hands spread apart, golden light shimmering along his body like light reflected off of glass. The massive Beowolf stood directly in front of him, limping on one paw.
That was Jaune's semblance.
She wasn't really sure what it was, but it seemed to act almost as a sort of… shield. It protected him from the blow, shielding him from what would've been something truly detrimental.
Yet, Jaune was frozen, seemingly shocked at what had occurred.
The Beowolf was not.
She didn't have the time for the words to escape her throat, before the beast raised it's massive claws and barreled right at Jaune, swinging its meaty, thick arm at his chest with a fierce roar.
His scream of pain made her blood run cold.
The blood which coated the ground like scarlet rain made her head feel light.
She leaped behind him, catching the blond before he could strike a nearby tree. She supported his head with one hand, placing him against the tree with an almost gentle caress. It was odd, and unusual for her, but he had gotten hurt while trying to protect her. Why did he always do that? Why did he always recklessly endanger himself for others? For her? It was how they had met, and the reason she was so bewildered by him. The actions of selflessness, coupled with his drive and lack of skill.
It would be endearing if it wasn't so foolish.
"You're an idiot." She hissed, venom thick within her tone. The Alpha Beowolf watched her with hatred filled eyes, two beams of burning red light. Yet her own amber gaze seemed to burn brighter, her eyes like twin burning suns of rage she had not felt in a long time. She had to fight to keep the maiden powers from leaking past her fingertips.
"G-got distracted…" Jaune managed next to her, forcing a dopey smile upon her lips. "Semblance kind of made me forget about everything for a moment."
He didn't have his aura raised at the time of the strike. The fool. His armor had taken a majority of the blow, but the grimms lower claws had managed to strike just beneath the armor at his abdomen. She could see the darkness of his blood dampen his hoodie, feel its warmth below her fingertips as she applied pressure, and smell it's metallic rust-like scent overwhelm her nostrils.
The sight, the sensation, and the scent. It made her feel almost dizzy in fervent rage. Like molten glass or burning candles melting wax.
She stood to her full height, gripping both her daggers within a firm grip. Her left hand held the dagger within a reverse grip, angled sideways and pointed forwards, while the other dagger was gripped with the point directed towards the Beowolf.
Seconds ticked by.
Sweat would collect at her brow, treading down the length of her nose.
They moved.
She was several steps ahead of the creature as it lunged for her, the maiden narrowed her amber gaze and leaped over the creature, slashing with her dagger down into its back, between the bone like armor and through its flesh. She dipped her head, front flipping through the air as she landed on the back of her feet, sliding against the blood stained grass as both she and the alpha turned towards one another at once. It's rage seemed to skyrocket by the second, further angered by the wound she gave it.
Good. She would make this slow.
The creature roared as it lunged in again, this time leaping onto a tree before pushing off of it, the force of its powerful legs causing a great rip to burst as half of the tree would be torn in half. She narrowed her eyes, lowering her body to dodge the strike, before then quickly spinning around as she rammed the back of her foot into the creature's hind leg. The momentum, combined with her own impressive strength was enough to cause a hiss of pain dashed with rage to howl from the grimms jaws, though she didn't allow her momentum to stop. Allowing her foot to halt against the grimms leg, she pushed her hips forward and rammed the dagger straight through the back of the grimms knee, black blood bursting by as she twisted and wretched the blade out of the grimms leg.
It's subsequent roar was deafening, a roar that shook the forest trees itself. It moved quickly, attempting to take a swipe that would rip off her head, yet she leaned back, bringing both her daggers around the grimms paw with a reverse grip.
"GRAHHHHH!"
She felt a sadistic glee soar within her, as the grimms paw fell at her feet, severed from the wrist and below.
She hopped back, a devilish grin curling along the corners of her lips as she watched the monster collapse onto one side of its body. Perhaps it was a waste of time, but seeing it in pain, seeing its rage gradually grow as it realized it was about to die…
It appealed to her. It got what it deserved.
Jaune's groan of pain cut through her clouded thoughts, stabbing into her and breaking her concentration. He laid on his side, clutching his stomach with a pinched expression.
No. She couldn't waste any more time.
She dove forwards, bringing both her daggers down into both of the alpha beowolfs eyes like twin flashes of silver lightning. The blood that pooled at her hands was unpleasant, but she didn't find herself caring as the grimm gradually stopped its spasms.
She pulled out her blades, running towards Jaune as she lowered herself towards his fallen body. He would live- that much was clear, but he looked pale, and his breathing was ragged.
This was because of her, despite the fact that he had gotten injured, he jumped in because she gave him the impression of recklessness. The fool shouldn't have jumped in there, not again.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"I-it's not your fault." He half mumbled, half hissed.
He received no response.
/-/
She sat within the infirmary, just outside of Jaune's room. She would have liked to have stayed inside, but the nurse had forced her to leave. In the end, she decided to wait until she had permission to enter and see the fool who had so recklessly thrown away his life.
His team had already been informed as well, part of her was irritated that they would receive permission to see him before she did, though she forced that part of her down, down and far away from the surface. She shouldn't care if she got to see him after they did, and she had no reason to be so desperate to see him.
He would recover in time, perhaps in less than a week even, maybe even a few days. He should count himself lucky, the Vytal festival was only a month or so away.
A month.
She felt her heartbeat hasten, like a thundering drum striking at her chest. In one month she would attack Beacon, kill its students, and take the maiden powers for herself.
The notion did not excite her as it once did.
She could still feel the deep, desperate longing; the desire to attain the full ability for herself. It was as though a fire within her burned desperately to attain it, that had not changed.
It was simply… just not as intense.
This, coupled with anxious feelings made her believe that something was wrong. Why would anything be? Everything was in order; the plan had come along perfectly, there were no suspicions placed on her, and she had already hacked into the Atlas systems. All that she ever wanted was happening before her eyes.
Even still… The anxiousness in her gut was nauseating. The Vytal Festival… It was soon, too soon. Roman was already in position- awaiting the signal to begin his stage of the plan, and Adam was still gathering dust and preparing his troops. All the while she felt… wilfully unprepared.
She knew it was foolish of her.
The students of Beacon had been… less competent than she thought they were. The only team that genuinely became a hassle was team RWBY, and that was only due to Roman being an incompetent fool. They weren't powerful enough to be an issue for her, she doubted even Pyrrha Nikos would be.
There was nothing holding her back from going through with her plan.
Nothing.
So why then, did she feel so uncertain? So conflicted about the plan, the attack, and even herself.
The rustic taste of blood cut through her a moment later. Only realizing she had bitten her lip in an effort to snap away from whatever stupor had clouded her. She couldn't, wouldn't allow herself to crumble so easily, not when everything was so close to being realized.
She would go through with the plan, there were no obstacles standing in front of her.
None.
The sounds of rapid footsteps across smooth flooring took hold of her attention, she raised her eyes only in time to see two individuals making their way through the hallway. She quickly recognized them as the members of Jaune's team; Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. They looked incongruous with their differing personalities and appearances.
The girl suddenly halted right in front of her, cyan eyes wild and cheeks slightly flushed. "Is he inside? Is he okay? How did this happen? Is he awake yet? Di-"
"Nora." A calm voice interjected, before a hand would soon be placed upon her shoulder. "Calm down, don't overwhelm her. I'm sure she's dealt with enough for today to have us hounding her." The boy paused, allowing his pink eyes to meet her own amber. He was a stark contrast to his partner; while her eyes were wild, hyper, and emotional, his were… calm, intelligent even.
"We got the message, Jaune was injured, what happened?"
There were several ways to spin this, she could state that Jaune threw himself into the line of fire and she had to dig him out, nearly dying herself. It would make her look good to his team, adding a natural blend of trust which would cost them later down the line.
She could also simply say that Jaune got hurt while trying to take down a massive Grimm, and she was the one to defeat it. Both could benefit her in several ways.
She stood from her seat, her amber gaze on both students.
"It was my fault." She began, lowering her head ever so slightly. "I took Jaune to train with him in the Emerald Forest, but due to my recklessness I neglected to inform him of the Alpha Beowolf. I was also not fast enough to stop the Grimm from attacking him when he lunged at it because he believed that I was in danger."
She was shocked that those words were her own, completely unaware of what she herself was doing. This wouldn't benefit her in any way. Showing humility for being weak wouldn't earn her any favors, yet she did so, she blamed Jaunes injuries on herself.
"I am sorry."
For several moments neither said anything, and yet, for once, Ren was the first to speak. "We aren't upset with you. Mistakes happen, and you clearly show regret."
"Besides!" Nora stepped towards her, the energetic girl taking her hand within her own. "-You still saved our fearless leader! And that makes you an honorary team juniper member!"
She stood in front of the two teens, gaze somewhat widened. They hadn't been upset? The notion was so… odd, it almost made her think they were stupid. This had been her fault, and yet they were thanking her?
Before she could reply, the door to the medical room would push open, the nurse stepping out to regard both students with a small smile.
"He's recovered, and awake. The two of you may now see him, and Miss Fall can as soon as you two are finished."
Nora quite literally barrelled past her with the force of an Ursa, running into the room before anyone could utter another word. Ren simply gave her a small smile and bid her a nod, before then stepping around her to step inside.
Cinder blinked, turning her body to stare at the now closed door.
Her eyes narrowed.
She should be allowed inside too.
/-/
Jaune felt like shit.
His head throbbed, his body hurt, and his skin felt like it had just gone through a blender. He woke up to white walls and a pretty, dark skinned nurse telling him that he was in the infirmary. She had informed him of what happened-though he already remembered- and told him that he'd feel sore for a few days, but that there was nothing to worry about besides that.
She then asked if his teammates could come in to see him.
He said yes.
Only to receive a bone crushing hug from Nora a moment later.
"Jaune! What happened? Are you okay?"
"Nora, you're crushing him."
The ginger released him with a pout, causing him to relax within his bed with a groan. Nora… really needed to learn her own strength.
"So… are you?"
"Y-yeah. Lack of oxygen aside. A little hurt but I don't feel the pain anymore."
"That's great! I was so worried! Me and Ren were battling giant Nevermores-"
"-We were in line to get pancakes at the cafeteria."
"-When we got the message that you got hurt! Ren got so worried he burst into tears!"
"Nora dragged me across the cafeteria."
"Cardin dared stand in my way!"
"Cardin was walking across the cafeteria and Nora ran over him."
"I had to break private property to get here!"
"She jumped out a window."
"So!" She exclaimed, suddenly replanting her hands onto her hips. "What happened Mister? How did you get hurt?"
He sighed. That was a pretty complicated story. Okay, maybe not complicated, but embarrassing. What kind of Huntsman forgets that they had Aura in the middle of a fight?
"Guys it's really not a big deal. You don't need to be worried about me, it's just a little scar, I'll be fine in a few days."
At their expectant look, the blond sighed.
"Cinder and I were fighting Beowolves in the forest, and then this huge one popped out of nowhere. I ran at it… and then… and then…" He paused, sapphire eyes widening upon the realization that he had in fact used his semblance. He didn't really know what it was, only that he managed to not get ragdolled by the Grimm, but it seemed like some kind of defensive ability, and now that he thought about it… a similar thing happened when Cardin punched him.
"-I used my semblance!" He explained, a broad grin forming across his face.
"Really? That's great!" Nora answered back. "What is it?"
"I… uh, don't really know." At their bewildered look, the blond blushed. "I-I don't really know! It happened really fast… I think it's some kind of defensive semblance? A golden light shined through me and I kind of...didn't get hurt?" He answered back sheepishly.
"A defensive semblance." Ren noted, glancing away in thought. "An interesting ability. We don't have many semblances like that here in Beacon. Though it does sound like it'd be rather difficult to test."
"Oh! I know! Let me hit Jaune with Magnhild until his semblance works!"
"No!" Both he, and Ren shouted at once. "No no no! I'm good! I'm sure I can wait a little longer until I'm able to use it properly!"
Nora seemed disappointed, gaze becoming downcast as a pout formed on her lips.
Ren however, was ever the perceptive one.
"Wait." He paused, pink eyes turning to meet his sapphire blue. "How does any of this lead to you getting injured?"
Dammit.
"That's… not important."
"Jaune…" Nora warned, narrowing her eyes.
"I kind of...well. You know how you sometimes get distracted in the heat of battle?"
"Yes…?"
"And I had just used my semblance…"
"Yes…?"
"And...I kind of. Sort of. Forgot to use aura?"
Silence. Absolute silence. They both stared at him with dubious expressions, Nora more so than Ren.
"You forgot to use the most basic ability of every Huntsman?" Ren inquired.
"Yes."
"I see."
He groaned, raising a hand to drag it across his face. "I know, I know. I was an idiot. And I was also lucky Cinder was there."
He really was. Gods, he owed her so much. She's trained him, helped him, and now saved him. All without being even on his team, or even being a Beacon student!
"That's rather odd. Cinder said that your injury was her fault."
His eyes snapped towards Ren, confusion washing over him as he rapidly shook his head. "What? No! That's ridiculous. It was all my fault, and I'm only alive because of her!"
Why would she say something like that? He had been reckless, it didn't have anything to do with her actions in the least.
"We should get out of your hair now." Ren spoke, much to Nora's obvious dismay. "You should get some rest. And… there will probably be more people who wish to see you."
He smiled at the two of them as the team said their goodbyes. He watched them leave, a small smile on his lips.
Minutes would pass, and for a while he thought that nobody else had been outside.
That is, until the door pushed open, and Cinder stepped inside. She looked… perfectly fine. No injuries, no signs of any pain. Heck she didn't even look like she had been in a fight! It wasn't fair.
"Jaune." She began. "How do you feel?"
"Never better." He grinned up at her, though that smile faltered at her glare. "I mean… like I've been put through a blender." He admitted with a laugh, though the sudden searing pain cut him off with a groan. "B-but I'm getting better. Nurse said the pain should go away in three days, and I should be fully recovered in a week."
She nodded, taking a seat upon the edge of bed. "Good, good. You'll be fine for The Vytal Festival then, and the Huntsman missions we'll be given in a week."
"Huntsman…. Missions?"
"You aren't aware?" She asked. "Why am I not surprised? The only time you notice things is when they're tearing your head off." She scoffed, some obvious irritation in her words.
He simply smiled at her, glad that she was at least talking to him like she used to. Maybe she wasn't talking about what happened, sure, but it was something. She didn't say much else after that, and a comfortable silence stretched across the room as Jaune sat with a content smile on his features.
"I'm sorry." She spoke suddenly. "I became distracted. It was my fault that you got hurt. I saw the Alpha as well, but didn't warn yo-
""It was not your fault!" He exclaimed suddenly. "I became distracted. I was stupid and didn't raise my aura in time. It was my fault Cinder. So please… don't blame yourself, alright?"
He almost never raised his voice towards her, though he didn't feel sheepish about it, instead he smiled at her.
She didn't respond, merely staring at him with a conflicted look.
"Then… we are even."
"Even?" He asked.
"Yes. You saved my life months ago. And now I've done the same."
"Cinder. I didn't help you because I expected you to help me." Why was it that every good thing he did couldn't have been done without something in return? She always seemed conflicted by the mere idea that he helped her just because he wanted to.
In response, she smiled at him. It wasn't a teasing or playful smile, instead it was knowing, as if she expected him to say that. "I know, because that's the person that you are."
Before he could ask her what she meant by that, the door burst open in an explosion of rose petals. Ruby seemed to form out of thin air, collapsing on top of him with a wild, concerned look.
"JauneareyouokaywhathappenedIheardfromyourteamand-"
A groan was all she got in response.
/-/
Cinder stepped out of his room shortly after, emotions and thoughts ran wild within her mind, they played on a loop, not giving her any rest from her conflict.
Because that's the kind of person that you are… what had gotten into her? To say such a thing. It was childish, naive, and… unlike her. Yet she couldn't lie to herself, she couldn't simply act like being friends with Jaune would bring about anything good.
Beacon would fall, and so too would Jaune with it.
Unless…
No. That was an idiot's thought. She wouldn't be confused by possibility, especially possibility that was nigh impossible. She… in some strange way cared about him now. She didn't care about anyone, not Salem, not Mercury, and not even Emerald most of the time.
Yet she cared about him.
Could she save him? Bring him with her? Take him somewhere that would keep him safe?
She… couldn't.
He would hate her even if she did, despise her. It surprised her that the idea of him feeling that way towards her… hurt.
She grit her teeth, fingers curling into her palms with enough force for her nails to bite into her skin. She was in too deep, even training with him loosely caused these emotions to flare within her.
She needed to cut him off, for good.
Before things could get any worse.
/-/
The power vibrated within his sword, trembling with barely concealed potential. He could feel it run down the blade and towards his hilt, he could feel it course through him.
A blue eye glared hatefully through his mask, time seemed to slow as the massive Atlas Droid launched itself towards him, something which should be nearly impossible at the speed it went when one considered its size. It was strong, with dense metal armor few could hope to penetrate.
He was one of those few.
Adam slid his blade into its scabbard as he charged in with his body low to the ground. The metallic enemy descended upon him, hoping to crush him with its gargantuan weight.
Adam twisted his hips to the left, spreading apart his legs. With gritted teeth he tore his blade from the sheath and attacked at the same time, the blade shone a quacking vermillion red, and with speed faster than the eye could see… he slashed at the center of the droid.
VROSHHHHHHH
His crimson blade cut thunderously, energy erupted on all sides as the Atlas weapon erupted in an explosion of metal, wires, and machinery. He slid his weapon back into its sheath with a frown.
Atlas has been getting better. Hn.
"Are you alright, Blake?" He asked without turning.
He received no response. Panic set through him. She had been struck by the robot, yes, but she looked okay when he had last seen her. The redhead spun around, running through the train carts as howling winds struck him head on. He could spot a figure up ahead- and by closing the distance he knew who it was. She stood with her back to him, yet there was no mistaking his partner's beautiful dark locks, or the ears that sat atop her head.
"Blake?" He asked as he halted at the end of his cart. She turned to him, conflict and uncertainty clung to her golden eyes. He wished he could wipe those emotions away.
She raised her head to gaze at him, the solemn expression within her eyes told him something was wrong before she cut off their train carts.
"I'm sorry."
/-/
Metal struck metal with a ringing clash. The White Fang troops around him stood with their weapons drawn, as for the first time someone attempted to attack him head on.
"Cover your guard." He spat, bringing his free arm over their guard while pressing down with his sword. His knuckles met solid bone as one of his troops collapsed onto their side with a startled cry.
Not good enough.
His five other men attempted to surround him, two attacking his flank while the others came at his back.
When surrounded, break past their flank to prevent being overwhelmed.
He did so, breaking past the one who met him head on before he spun his foot and struck another. The others fell soon after, one by one.
Still not good enough.
They had to be ready for Beacon. To attack Beacon and be ready for Beacon. This was not yet enough.
He had to go harder on them.
"Get out. Review what you did wrong, and be ready for tomorrow. I will not be so forgiving if you do so poorly once again."
His men picked themselves up, dragging their bodies away with their heads bowed low.
He was hard on them, but he had to be, if he pressured any less than they would die. Training them all at once was difficult, so he instead trained five to ten every day, switching groups every hour, while his most trusted men handled the rest.
The attack was imminent, and he couldn't help but suppress the slight glee that ran through his body at the thought. No amount of remorse was felt by him, not anymore. That had dwindled long ago, since he was a child even.
His mother had once told him that his father was a peaceful protestor. One who fought with all their might to give the Faunus better opportunities. He had never once been violent, nor did he ever have a position of power, he was simply persistent. That changed one day, during a protest within Atlas, civilians began throwing rocks into their neat, peaceful march. In turn, a Faunus threw a rock back.
What resulted in the end was a mob fight, soldiers attempted to break it up, but it resulted in a three way battle, one where his father didn't survive past the bullet that struck his chest.
His mother took her own life two years later. As an orphan he was forced to work and get enough money for food and to depart for Menagerie.
He didn't quite expect to get a permanent branding placed upon his face.
He served diligently within the Fang since then. He did well, fought well, and trained well.
It was cruel that his own people never saw that, that she did not see that.
His scar began to itch.
The man grit his teeth as he stepped away. She… would reap what she sowed. From intel he knew she was within Beacon, and while she was far from the reason he was aiding Cinder… she would be an added bonus.
She abandoned him, betrayed him, used him. Now? She acts as though it never happened.
His fingers tightened around his hilt, as memories assaulted his mind.
There would be no forgiveness for betrayal.
/-/
His shoulder struck the bark of a thick tree as he suppressed a desperate cry of pain that shot through his body. The male gripped his shoulder, applying pressure to the blood that pooled down his black clothing.
Footsteps hammered across grass nearby, while the light of a bullhead was cast down towards his direction.
Atlas had arrived fast. They had only attacked the train a few minutes ago, and yet Atlas arrived only mere minutes after Blake had cut off the train.
Pain shot through him, one unlike the throbbing wound at his shoulder. His most trusted ally, the person he fought for, and cared about the most, the woman he loved… had betrayed him.
He pushed away the distraught, the anger and sadness which burned within him. She had left him for the Atlas dogs, left him to be arrested… or killed.
Had he really meant so little?
"It's Taurus!" A voice called, and it was the only warning he had to leap from his spot beside a tree before a grenade erupted the tree into flames. The force unintentionally aided his momentum, throwing him with greater force through the air. He tried his hardest to control his momentum, yet he was instead left uncontrollably flying through the air before his back struck the ground, he skidded across it and into a boulder.
He didn't know how long he had been on the run now. An hour? Two? He couldn't tell except for the fact that dusk had become night. It started off with just twenty or so soldiers, but as he cut them down… more came.
He was tired, his limbs ached in screaming pains, his shoulder had been shot while he was distracted, and his Aura was nearly below yellow.
He couldn't afford to die here today.
Adam's feet hammered across the grasslands as troops pelted him with gunshots, he raised his sword to block most of the gunfire and avoided the shots that managed to cut through, one managed to strike his stomach, bringing through a hiss of pain from his gritted teeth.
The sound of revolving machinery was the only warning he was given before dozens of bullets rained down upon him from the bullhead. Adam quickly lunged into an area filled with tall trees, narrowly evading the shots as he ran by. They persisted however, the ground around him and the trees being torn apart as they tried their best to corner him.
He had few options, far too few options.
Was there even a point in fighting anymore? He did this for his men but they rarely gave much thought to his words, Sienna was a terrible leader, and now Blake had left him for dead.
The thoughts consumed him, threatened to break him right then and there, swallowing him whole.
Yet he didn't allow it. Biting his tongue with enough force to draw blood, he steeled his nerves. This wasn't about what he got in the end, it was what his people— the Faunus, got in the end.
Freedom.
Safety.
Power.
The vibrating hilt firmly held within his hand told him what he needed to do.
The air whirled around him, that bullhead was his main issue; for the troops weren't fast enough to strike him, nor were they skilled enough to challenge him head on. Instead they were merely an annoyance, preventing him from running from the bullhead.
He needed to destroy it, quickly.
His plan came to him a moment later, the sight of a cliffside clear as day at the edge of his cover. The bullhead would see him leap from it, they could shoot him down and quickly gave chase as he plummeted down towards the river below.
He could leap, attack them from below, but there was no guarantee that it would land, or that he'd successfully have the range to do so depending on how far down they'd go.
A nearby thick branch gave him the answers he was looking for.
The bullhead up above watched with its spotlight concentrated on the forest, the men inside used their superior view to keep eyes on where he would move.
Luckily for them, they found him.
He moved quickly, practically blasted out of the forest, and down the cliffside. The darkness of the night made it harder to see, but his vermillion hair and black jacket fluttering down the cliffside was enough of an inkling as to who it might be.
They shot down after him, guns blazing, ripping through his body, as wood splintered out.
Wood…
Within the jacket, hastily tied, was a tall branch with thick, crimson leaves. Normally mistaking such a thing for a human would be impossible, but at night, at the speed it was thrown, and the high adrenaline?
Adam had made use of that.
He leaped after them, now above the bullhead which had flown down to catch him.
The pilots inside realized their mistake too late, they turned the ship over just in time to see Adam rip his blade from his sheath violently, crimson energy erupting all around his blade.
It was the last thing they saw, before the bullhead was cleaved in two, erupting in a fiery explosion.
Adam awoke an hour later, floating within the river, aura dangerously low and body damaged beyond what even he was used to.
He promised himself something that night.
No one would make a fool of him the same way again, no one would use him in such a way and get away with it.
Blake would most certainly not.
Well, I'm back. Feels good to be back.
A few things happened in this chapter, Cardin gets ran over, Cinder feels unknown emotions, and Jaune 'realizes' what his semblance is, kind of. On top of that we get an entire section dedicated to Adam. Do not worry though, while I do understand that the Adam scene may feel out of place, I can promise you it is due to his importance in the future. And no, while this scene was enjoyable to write, there won't be many more sections of future chapters dedicated to characters that have no bearing on the romance, and if there are, it won't be to half the chapter like it was here. So rest assured, this story remains as Knightfall as ever. I'll warn you, next chapter (chapter 12) will be a Cinder heavy chapter, so there may be a lower amount of Knightfall, however chapter 13 will be very Knightfall heavy.
Before clicking off the fic though, I need all of you to help me with something! Yes, you! Person reading the fic!
I currently have 3 stories planned. Two of which will be shorter, and one longer. The longer one will be another Knightfall story with quite a bit of a different premise. Generally speaking I'm someone who obsesses over titles, and due to this I'd like to do a little poll of sorts for my readers as to which title they like best for my future fic, it will be done using comments because I honestly don't know how to access polls consistently.
Below will be a short summary of the fic, with the possible titles beneath that.
And yes, I understand that having another fic drafted while I write my Lancaster fic is a bit tough, but I'm confident in it.
Quick summary is; after the fall of beacon (which is carried out by another woman) and losing Pyrrha, a full year goes by with Ruby still knocked out due to the silver eyes. With his patience low, Jaune travels alone to atlas (the reason as to why will be explained in the fic) and ends up within the glass unicorn, where he meets an adult Cinder who never escaped the hotel and who never met Rhodes.
Such a fun, light hearted story huh?
As for the possible fic titles, here they are below:
-Not Broken, Just Bent
-Of Souls Not Yet Lost
-Mend
-To Mend A Heart
-Where Our Hearts May Be
-The Silhouette of A Soul
-Melody of The Fallen
Your thoughts are highly appreciated, I really am struggling with choosing, so I need all the help I can get.
That's all folks, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to comment your thoughts below.