Back at it again, with a new chapter peeps, sorry for being late. Life's hard. Someone PM'ed me something, while I won't disclose what it was, I will reply to you here.
This story, or any story I would write, it's about characters and their journey and how they resolve their conflict. I took Jaune as the main character because he is one of the most flawed characters and that's what makes him, more relatable and more human.
I have no qualms with gay, lesbian or transgender nor do I have any problem with strong women, but that's not the trait I want my characters to have. I want them to struggle, I want them to grow- the romance is secondary which comes with character development, which also includes the harem.
I, by no means, want to make a story where I will push any form of agenda or any other stuff like that, the readers already deal with that daily basics, with the toxicity all-time high, I want my readers to experience something fun after the daily shit they go through.
I apologize if it comes off as harsh, but I don't mind representing LGBTQ, but I do not, do not, by any means want that to be a character trait.
If my character surrounds the discussion of who he or she wants to have sex with or what's their gender, I failed as a compelling writer, which I want to be.
I really am sorry, if it comes off as harsh, it is not, by any means.
I go by the rule of improving upon something if it's not broken, I will not butcher any of the RWBY characters, I will improve upon them. All of them.
The same goes for any writers who have an idea but are afraid to post them because they would be trolled or embarrassed or will receive hate. I can say only one thing, there is hate in people, yes, but I choose to see the good people who support me and will support you, if there are 10 people that hate you, there will be 10 people who care- write for them, more than that write or do anything you want to do, for yourself.
As great Stan Lee once said, "If you have an idea that you genuinely think is good, don't let some idiot talk you out of it."
Thank You, for reading this.
Also, a little tribute to Willem Dafoe and Spiderman: No Way Home.
[Part-1]
7th June, Monday- RX21, 12:20
Lancelot had never seen Jaune so quiet- granted he knew the boy for a few days, but he knew the kind of boy he was- he would always question him and would not hesitate to insult his cooking skills, he had been after he explained to him what is a Stand-in semblance. However, in a way Lancelot understands what one would feel getting their teammate, partner- their close friend gets beaten up you would feel the anger too.
However, this is a tournament, this was bound to happen. However, some of the stuff that Jolyne said, must have been lingering on Jaune's mind and he had been quiet ever since.
There was something truly ominous- a cheerful guy like Jaune, who had a blank expression. The simple thing Jaune asked as if he could visit Pyrrha or not- to which, Lancelot forbade.
Now, was not the good time, something in Lancelot's mind told him that he stepped on a mine. Lancelot could read the blank expression.
"I understand that you wish to meet your friend, but now, if you do it would be nothing more than pitying her."
"Pyrrha is better than that, she would know I am going for her, and her alone. I am concerned about her."
The reply came quick and swift. He had prepared it.
However, Lancelot's reasons for not sending Jaune were different- even if the Olympus family may appear great and mighty and benevolent, that is one big lie- he knew that what Lancelot didn't know that Pyrrha Nikos was a part of Olympus family.
The leader of the Olympus family, Hera Olympus was known to have five husbands of high caliber. A harem isn't…frowned upon, it depends, however- not everyone can have a harem, and ones who have been kind of a, for the lack of better word- assholes, well there are better ways to describe that, but now was not the time.
The Olympus family, to Lancelot's knowledge, are strict- they do not see weakness in their eyes, anything close to it is regarded as a failure. The man- Hades, the elder of the Olympus family and the first husband of Hera Olympus- was mad.
He didn't show it, but he was mad- at Pyrrha's failure. If Jaune would visit her, things would have gone south, very-very fast. It could be bad for both Jaune and Pyrrha, and the Olympus family's elder could jeopardize their relationship.
When Lancelot saw the girl, Pyrrha, he instantly knew his doubts about the Olympus family were cleared. No matter how hard she hid it, she had the face of a prisoner, one who was bounded by chains- and was severely punished should she try to break free them.
Jaune on the other hand, is a cheerful boy, a friendly guy and something about him, attracts people around him- and Pyrrha Nikos must be finding solace in their friendship.
To preserve that, Lancelot decided it would be best for Jaune to not visit Pyrrha, not yet anyway.
Speaking of attraction, from the corner of Lancelot's eye, he could see, high up, Gabriel Pendragon staring at Jaune with a blank expression, and the reason was quite simple.
Before the start of Jaune's bout, Artoria, the princess of Camelot kissed Jaune, even if it was on the cheeks, a kiss nonetheless. Not, even a month in and Jaune Arc causes enough chaos as it is.
Strangely, Lancelot did not dislike it. For some reason, he did feel, even in this short time that he was as if his own-
No.
Not going that far.
Whatever it is, it would be best, if Jaune waits for a little- emotions should not get the better of a person, and what Jaune might consider kindness, could pave a way for Pyrrha to be hurt.
The stadium was fixed, once again- and the next match-
"The next match would be-
Gilgamesh Vs Cinder Fall."
Lancelot glanced towards Jaune, whose eyes were now zoned and ready- he, somewhere in his heart was waiting for this battle to break out, he wanted to see, Gilgamesh in action. Lancelot knew that- and he knew Jaune was in for a bit of a rude awakening, he would find that Gilgamesh isn't like Karna.
There is a reason why people call him a tyrant.
Mercury, Emerald, and Cinder blinked.
Even if Mercury hated Cinder, he sympathized with her in this predicament of hers. She was going to die.
"So, will you forfeit?" Mercury asked, with an almost jolly undertone- to which he received Cinder's glare; however, she too wasn't prepared for this.
"Don't take me lightly Mercury."
"And don't think of this fight, like the one with Adam."
Cinder glared- how dare he!
"I know you don't want to hear this- but you and I both know, he, Gilgamesh, the Tyrant- is far superior to Adam. Stronger, his presence alone makes everyone around him feel submissive. He is not normal, none of the warriors here are, but he takes the cake. If you wish to live, I suggest- regardless of what you think about me, not to fight him."
Cinder wanted to counter him, she really did, however, whatever words she was about to spit died in her lips.
"El-Cinder!", with the ferocity of a lioness, well maybe because she was one, Mereoleona, arrived.
Her sudden arrival surprised Emerald and Mercury- did Cinder have another accomplice? They weren't informed about it.
Cinder was caught guard enough- that she couldn't even explain the situation to her accomplices. So, she decided the best course of action would be to humor Mereoleona first, she also might just be here to say- do not fight.
"You ready?"
Cinder blinked-what?
"What?"
"I asked, you ready? You are up against the guy who, even if everyone is quiet about it- knows that would win the tournament, you nervous?"
"I-I thought, you would have discouraged me from taking part?"
Mereoleona nodded, "Indeed, I would have, normally- but that guy is a piece of shit and I thought, you would at the least enjoy at least, you know throwing a punch."
Cinder narrowed her eyes, "What if I didn't want to fight?"
Mereoleona on the other hand still smiled, "Then, I will support you all the same, it doesn't matter."
Cinder looked away, "Why are you being good to me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Since the day we have reunited, I have been nothing more than- an unruly person, with you, I have my reasons. Perhaps, you know, why are you like this," Cinder pointed and continued, "Why are you acting as if nothing is wrong?!"
Mereoleona gently held Cinder's hand, "I am not a god Cinder, I can't fix past. I am but a person, a flawed person, but a person nonetheless. I…have my shortcomings, I have made mistakes that couldn't be rectified in a lifetime, no matter how much regret and remorse I show."
Mereoleona smiled, a smile Cinder had forgotten, "Let me be that supportive friend once again if you would let me. That I still, care about you."
To say Emerald and Mercury were baffled, would be an understatement- who is this woman and how is she able to tame Cinder this easily? And to top it off, make Cinder a bit more…womanly?
There were so many questions that needed to be answered, however, it was best not to interrupt the conversation just yet. Emerald could see, Mercury wanted this conversation to continue. He wanted to know more about this girl and Cinder- and their relationship- could it be something hot?
Emerald knocked him with her elbow as if she could sense, Mercury could be thinking something that is not appropriate.
"What?" he whispered,
"You are thinking about something wrong, aren't you?" she whispered back.
"Well, yeah, it involves, Cinder, the Faunus girl, and chocolate all over their body. Why?" Mercury stated, as a matter of fact, Emerald, on the other hand, blushed a little.
"Are all boys perverted?"
"Huh? Well, yeah, everyone is a pervert regardless of their gender, it's natural you know, arousal?"
"What's arousal about two girls?"
"Lesbian sex, of course, gets things going. You just had to ask that, knowing the answer yourself, didn't you?"
Emerald cursed under her breath, she has to go tangent from this conversation as fast as possible, "So, what do you think- how do they know each other, agents of Salem, we don't know about?"
"That's Mereoleona Vermillion, The Beast, she is one of few of the hunters and huntresses who got their license quite young, sixteen I believe. She usually works for Mantle. She is not an agent- she is more like a- "
"Childhood friend?"
Mercury was a bit taken aback, "What gave that away?"
"The touch of familiarity and yet the little distance maintained."
"Could have been love."
"Could have, yeah. But it isn't. the happiness in the eyes, the sadness on the lips, the little more distance, the vindication that she could have done better- not both of them, not love- childhood friends."
"Eh, good observation, but you forgot the important part."
"I…didn't?"
"Yup, the face of regret."
"Mercury, the face of regret is something that even lovers have- hell, it's something that most of the people have."
Mercury nodded, "Indeed, that is true but, a friend's regret is different. A good's friend regret is different and a best friend's regret? It's even more different. A regret that eats you out from the inside and you learn to live with it. The regret of lovers, at the end you come to terms, but regardless of how you feel, losing a friend…even if you come to terms, the regret still is there that-"
"You could have done better."
Mercury simply nodded.
"I didn't know you were this smart."
"Come on, Em- I am a man of many talents, you should know that."
"Heh. Tell me that when you got your foot movement correct, Jaune Arc danced with a dress and heels and still had better coordination than you- having iron legs."
"Listen, credit where credit is due, Jaune Arc, better than me at dancing and given the current circumstances- he's getting stronger as well. Given you know…"
Emerald gave Mercury a side look, "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you notice, unlike others- Jaune Arc was weak, weaker than everyone among his peers."
"Maybe because he's bad?"
"And suddenly capable enough to face someone like Karna? Think, Emerald, think- he's wasn't bad- he didn't know how to fight to begin with."
"Wait, how would that be possible, to enter Beacon, one must even attend a combat academy and-"
"From what I could see and what I think, Jaune never went to one, he had a very- very basic foundation, and well, from what I had gathered he was learning from Nikos and still wasn't doing that good."
"And he suddenly became good?"
"No, something suited his needs, something came naturally to him for fighting and he picked up on that- and closed the distance and quite fast he did, if the same person trained him since Jaune Arc young, then perhaps he would be someone I wouldn't cross, I know talent when I see one and it didn't sit well after all Miss Goodwitch isn't that great teacher."
Emerald blinked; did Mercury just say that?
"She isn't going to like that if she ever hears it you know?"
"Eh, she might be a great huntress but that doesn't mean she is a great teacher. She just uses her personality and attitude and knowledge in her favor. She is a great huntress, yes. Is she a good teacher who could teach? No. Have you seen her advising her students? It's basic, it's not on a personal level for each student. She teaches as if her students are mass and not individual. For all the shits my father gave me, he was- is a knowledgeable man- he did say 'A good teacher may not be a good student, and a good student may not be a good teacher'. That applies to Professor Glynda Goodwitch."
"Is that what you think?"
"Well, the thing is time and again, it is shown that the more you train and fight the better you get in due time- and most of the students get a hang of their way of fighting in their combat academy. Most, not all. Some are lost and don't know what to pick, and well, the teacher must help them out. Every time, however, as I stated, Professor Goodwitch, will of course in her condescending tone- mock the students and tell them to improve- she never tells how. A basic explanation isn't the answer, there should be more than that, and I don't think, it's her fault, it's just she doesn't know, how to teach and she does not realize that."
Emerald was about to speak, when she looked around, "Shit, Cinder left and we didn't even see."
Mercury shrugged, "Eh, we'll see her at the center, come on."
{Bout 4: Gilgamesh Vs. Cinder Fall}
Cinder Fall, left a sigh. She chose to fight, she let Mereoleona get in her head. Or was it her ego as well? Maybe.
Chills!
Cinder's back straightens, her palms become sweaty, even though they are Grimm's arms, she could feel the sweat. She gulped, like her eyes, or an eye finally stared at her opponent.
Red eyes- no, not red, red is a tame color, it's crimson, glowing crimson- eyes of authority, the face of a ruler.
How the hell, did Jaune Arc, that useless hunter-in-training stand up to him. Even mocked him! Cinder was simply petrified. She…she cannot…
You cannot win this.
For the longest time, Cinder thought- Salem and Hazel were the most terrifying people she ever met. But then, she heard about the man who defeated Salem and in the last few years, the actions of the Tyrant.
Rumors were one thing, witnessing this was other. The place was quiet, and his footsteps could be heard perfectly- it wasn't there, but Cinder's mind registered those footsteps of a thousand army.
You cannot win this.
Cinder shook her head. Multiple times. Yet the voice-
Cinder's eyes were wide open as her gaze fell on Gilgamesh. He gave a sadistic smile as if he knew what was going through her mind…no, it was as if he was projecting his thoughts on her.
She blinked the haunting words had disappeared and so had Gilgamesh's smile; a blank face rested. Yet the tension did not alleviate.
She looked around, surprisingly Mereoleona was waving and she was with Jaune Arc in the upper levels, even Jaune gave a smile and wished for luck, even though it looked a bit strained?
Once again…this feeling, this strange feeling- the one that she felt during the few times she had to visit Jaune Arc with Mereoleona just to eat the dinner made by him, surprised to see that the Princess of Camelot and the Specialist and his girlfriend were always there as well, something told Cinder that the princess was more than willing to spend time with Jaune- and reasons were unknown. The worse thing was, whatever this Jaune Arc was doing- it began affecting her behavior and combined with Mereoleona's rekindling of friendship- Cinder's mind was in the array, she constantly reminded herself- her task in here. Why did she come to Camelot, what is her task? She-
"The battle ends when the other party admits defeat or is unable to move. Even after the shattering of aura, you are allowed to fight…well then, contenders…are you both ready?"
Cinder's thought shattered, the moment Sherlock's voice echoed, and out of pure instinct she nodded.
"Let's go ahead!"
Gilgamesh didn't rush, nor did he deploy anything, instead he opted to simply walk towards Cinder, with nothing more than a bored expression.
To Cinder, it was insulting and humiliating. With a dust-woven outfit, she created two glass blades, she could have used her Maiden Powers, could refer to it as her elemental semblance, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
"What, swing the blades. I'm standing right in front of you."
Cinder blinked.
Huh…?
What?
She looked up, the figure that towered her- the distance was closed and Cinder felt like a little mouse.
Like going for a little head pat, Gilgamesh touched Cinder's head even before she could react.
"Such pretty face, shame if something occurred to it. Shame."
DON!
Cinder's aura crackled as she fell - what happen?
Gilgamesh grabbed hold of her face and kneed her, she could not…feel her face, she wasn't prepared for the attack, she knew he was strong, but didn't know this much…he and Adam couldn't even be compared.
"Guh!" Cinder screamed air knocked out of her, Gilgamesh had stepped right on her chest.
"You don't look that good of a fighter. Perhaps I suggest doing, prostitution…"
Gilgamesh's foot hovered over Cinder's breasts as he squeezed them- using his foot in a rather painful manner.
"AAAaaah!"
"Was that a moan perhaps? Tch. Who gave you the huntress title? When you knew, you would have to face it, you should have just quit, do you like humiliation that much? Or are you perchance trying to please me? If so, you should have visited me in my chambers, but then again, I wouldn't touch anyone in the same state, as you are. You seem to have a face of a killer queen, but in reality, you are nothing more than a damned slave under my feet."
Ptu!
Mereoleona saw blood, she saw destruction- she wanted to kill, kill, that man. The Tyrant, Gilgamesh, just spat on Cinder's face- he isn't even giving her a fight, he is just…he's just tormenting her, with no reason whatsoever.
The sense of respect for the tournament locked her, and Lancelot was right behind her to make sure she doesn't do anything that she would regret.
DON!
Crack!
Mereoleona's aura seeped, her nearby folks could feel the emotions through her aura. Gilgamesh with a single stomp broke Cinder's aura and her ribs…
Cinder was coughing blood; her face was distorted as well.
"Someone as incomplete as you could never touch me, let alone try to defeat me."
"I…I…give…"
"You are nothing, nothing more than a leech, a weak little parasite under my foot. Do a favor, quit your pathetic existence."
Cinder somehow managed to throw coherent words, enough for Sherlock to hear.
"Cinder Fall admits defeat. The winner of the fourth bout is Gilgamesh!"
The coliseum on the other hand was quiet.
[Part-2]
7th June, Monday- RX21, 12:30
Once again Jaune sat in complete silence- the last bout with Pyrrha, the least was there were two warriors. Even if Jolyne mocked Pyrrha, the least she did was go all out against her opponent.
Rage may it be, Jolyne did give Pyrrha respect as a warrior, just like Karna did for Jaune even if he wasn't strong.
Gilgamesh…he…The Tyrant was the correct name and he realized why the moniker was given to him. He didn't see Cinder as a person, as a warrior. No, Gilgamesh doesn't see anyone as a person, to him…they are all insects, non-existent.
Jaune felt something under his skin, it was bubbling- reacting, explosive, hot, it shone white- he could taste it- he wanted to-
"Calm."
The heat dissipated instantly, however, Jaune didn't turn around, prompting the man to speak, "I understand, your rage. Your anger- however, remember this, do not pick a fight, you can't win, not yet. Control those emotions of yours, lest they get better of you and consume you. It was the same previously, it is the same now. Do not jump, not yet."
Lancelot reasoned, all the while Pitou and Mereoleona had left so they could heal Cinder.
Mereoleona wanted blood and she wanted it bad, she was a few steps away from losing sanity, Pitou's warnings are what kept her sane for the moments- that and her instincts telling her not to jump Gilgamesh.
Pitou's healing continued, she had an urge to scream to do it better, but didn't. Mereoleona knew better- and beside Cinder were two others…her teammates? A silver-haired boy and a green-haired girl, Mercury and Emerald if she recalls Cinder telling her.
No, that doesn't matter, what matter is-
"Calm down girl, you'll break the pavement. This girl is fine, I have healed her, she didn't receive damages as Jaune did-"
"Are you really comparing damages intake?"
Pitou shrugged, "If it helps you, she did the right thing by quitting…in the first place she shouldn't have even taken part. This is on her and her fault."
Mereoleona exploded, "What?! Her fault?! She fought against that man?!"
Pitou still gave her the blank look, "So? Congratulations? It is not a fairy tale girl; people's actions have consequences. Hers did too. She should have known better to throw pebbles at a mountain. Know the difference before you pick battles. Jaune did the same, and you how that ended up, you were there after all."
Pitou didn't say anything more but enough to shut Mereoleona up. Her semblance disappeared as she had done the healing and to add to that Cinder started breathing fast- her teammates and Mereoleona aided her.
She needed aid. Sad.
Pitou left the group, instead of going back where Lancelot and Jaune were, she opted to walk back towards Sherlock, who still was puffing smoke.
Sherlock didn't say anything.
"Roman's info was on dot. That girl does not have human arms but Grimm and she has the other half of the Fall Maiden's powers as well…"
"Foo~" Puffing a little more Sherlock opted her to continue, "I believe there is more?"
"I am not sure, I'm not that familiar with Grimm physiology, that's Merlin's department she knows about them more than I do, but if I have to guess, there is a parasite that links her arms to her heart, or perhaps the Grimm to her heart, it must be some form of back up."
"I am assuming that those two with her, are her allies." Saying so Sherlock gave Mercury and Emerald a knowing look, perhaps even his gaze soften up a bit.
"Indeed."
"And the one crawling outside the coliseum?"
Pitou blinked, "So you sensed that too?"
"That person isn't doing anything to hide, quite a bold move in that, perhaps whoever the person is, must have a lot of faith in their skill. If I have to guess, he's a brawler-assassin mix, and the way he is scouting around…a Faunus. Don't worry, we'll intercept them after today's set of bouts…unless they have a solid plan, they cannot escape Camelot."
Pitou walked away.
Sad.
Sad, Cinder Fall cannot escape.
Multiple matches were held but Jaune couldn't focus, his mind was in shambles- first Pyrrha and then Cinder, even though Cinder wasn't his friend per se, but she did come by with Mereoleona, so he would like to think that they are more than just some acquaintances.
However, that wasn't the case in the slightest, something was crawling under Jaune's skin and he was feeling it, he hated this feeling. A nudging on his mind, something constantly poking him…
He disliked this feeling, just like disliked what occurred. This seething feeling inside him, what was it? Why, exactly why did he feel so bad? Why did he feel this wronged? Why did he feel helpless?
~~Bend me over, make me scream~~!
Jaune blinked as he looked around, a familiar voice? But he could not remember, whatever it was…it amplified his ugly emotions. Control.
He needed to keep it in control.
"The next match would be-
Lucius Tribieus Olympus Vs Jolyne Xavier."
Distraction. To avoid those feelings, he willed in focus towards this next match. Lancelot wasn't around, apparently, he wanted to speak with Sherlock.
Lucius Tribieus Olympus, if Jaune recalls, he saw him and a few others…with Barnabas, Pyrrha's uncle. He did look like Pyrrha if a bit older. The hair and the appearance are quite the same, a male version of Pyrrha with cyan eyes.
He felt it once again. Jaune felt this presence when he first saw Gilgamesh, he gets the same feeling from Lancelot, from Karna, and even those four Lü Bu, Ozymandias, and Scáthach and Artoria. Not anyone else, but from these guys.
It's like something is fundamentally different about them that Jaune couldn't put his finger on. Something was different about these guys and now does he think about it…why? What exactly are these people different from the norm, why is it that from them Jaune perceived a different aura?
Jaune shook his head. No need to think about anything else, focus.
Lucius's appearance and aura around his armor were similar to Gilgamesh, Artoria, and Karna's. He wore what appeared to be metallic king armor in grey color with black accents, but he could move it just fine without restriction. His cape was royal crimson color and started from his shoulders which were gold in color. His cape was very similar to the capes worn by generals during the war.
Lucius stood, his face stoic. However, his eyes subtly stared at a boy. The boy his little sister has a fascination for. Jaune Arc. What exactly is their relationship, other than their teammates? Why exactly him? What does he do that makes her happy?
Happy.
Lucius shook his head slightly. Now is not the time to drown in emotions. Or even remotely think about it. He has an objective, a mission to accomplish. Regardless of what occurs, he has to crush his opponents regardless of who they are. Who they would be?
Regardless of the obstacles and problems that would be thrown in his way, this path is forged in a single manner that will not change. He will win.
Even if it was her sisters or brothers. Especially if it were them.
Jolyne Xavier remembered the taste of her blood. For even though she mocked Pyrrha Nikos, all things taken into consideration she packed a mean punch. That would be given since she does have the title of Invincible Girl. Jolyne was just a level above Pyrrha.
She stared at her knuckle. She showed a brave image in front of everyone but Jolyne cried when she was being healed. Embarrassing as it was, if she had made a minute mistake, it would have been her defeat or a tie.
Jolyne needs to be careful; the first match was almost the close call for her, and she was cocky to a certain extent.
"Tch." Jolyne clicked, who was she kidding, in reality, she would have lost- if only Pyrrha didn't have those eyes, the fucking eyes of a prisoner who is bounded by chains that cannot be broken.
No, that's not the words. The chains can be broken, the thing is Pyrrha Nikos refused to. Whatever her reason was, whatever her reason would be, she refuses to break the chains. That face, the face of helplessness, that damned face is what triggered Jolyne- that sole fact is what triggered her the most.
It was like a mirror. A clear mirror that showed Jolyne's reflection. For so long under her father's thumb and do what had been told to her. For her benefit.
It wasn't for her benefit, she knew that. For things her father did, he did love her and her mother. Jolyne wasn't blind to the fact that she and her mother could be used against her father, Ozpin. Her mother may be love stuck and did what her father told of her, she on the other hand…
No, she won't be tied in a single place. She wants to be free. She is free.
And yet, she doesn't feel that.
{Bout-7: Lucius Tribieus Olympus Vs Jolyne Xavier}
Sherlock looked like he hated repeating things time and again, but assuming that is his job, he did look tired as he said, - "The battle ends when the other party admits defeat or is unable to move. Even after the shattering of aura, you are allowed to fight…well then, contenders…are you both ready?"
Jolyne nodded, on the other hand, Lucius's eyes were closed, merely in wait perhaps, however, Sherlock understood that Lucius is ready too.
"Let's go ahead!"
Jolyne wanted to initiate, she really did, but something was wrong. She couldn't see, Lucius's weapon. However, that wasn't what bothered her, what bothered her was Lucius still hadn't opened his eyes.
"You gonna sleep? If you wanna quit, just do it then, it won't be much of a big deal, I will not make fun of you. It would be hilarious though."
Lucius who now gently opened his eyes replied, "A two-bit clown thinks she would make me quit; you are right it is hilarious."
A vein popped.
Jolyne would make the guy suffer, oh she would. Her Stand summoned, [Stone Free], she scanned her opponent, he looked like a male version of Nikos, a little more buff if anything- are they related? But both had different family names, distant cousins?
Jolyne shook herself out of trance, no time for thinking where they originated from. She would do what she did with Pyrrha- she charged, her stand-in semblance ready and it threw the hardest punch possible.
DON!
The punch felt like it connected, it should have, and yet…and yet…her semblance, her stand's attack was centimeters away from Lucius's face- she poured aura and tried to push through, but it wouldn't budge.
If that was the case then-
DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON!
Jolyne launched a barrage of attacks punches and even kicks and yet it all stopped and repelled a few centimeters before Lucius, who still had his eyes closed.
Gently opening them, cyan eyes glowed as they stared at Jolyne, looked down on her.
"Forgive me, it would seem that you aren't a clown but rather, an entire circus."
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Even before Jolyne could make out what he meant she was blasted off. Her stand disappeared to minimize the damage she would intake. It…was that Lucius's semblance? Is it similar to Pyrrha Nikos's then? No. From what Jolyne remembered, and saw in battle Pyrrha controlled her weapons, so her semblance must be either related to weapon control or something to do with magnetism, the latter must have been the case.
This was different, it was as if she reached a point against Lucius and then the force of nature acted against her.
Jolyne got up, she did take damage, but not enough to put her out.
"Why are you so far off?" Lucius's voice echoed, "Come a little closer, sweetheart." His voice was like that of a devil's whisper.
The force acted once again and Jolyne was its target, this time she was being pulled towards Lucius as she flew right in his arms and he in return choked her.
"Guh."
Concentrating aura in her hands she tried to force herself out yet Lucius's grip would seem as if it was made of the diamond itself.
"Haaaaaaaaah!" [Stone Free] appeared, Jolyne grunted, she didn't have enough in her to generate destructive power that she did against Pyrrha, but the least she could do is force Lucius on defense- "Guh!" she had to because now Lucius was squeezing even tighter with the grip, if it weren't for her aura, her neck would have snapped and she would not have any means to breathe.
[Stone Free] raised its arms and went for a straight jab- Jolyne somewhere in her heart she half-expected the punch to be blocked like before, however-
DON!
The jab didn't connect, instead, Lucius using his other arm fended it off- it hurt, but in that split second it clicked in her mind- she is, regardless of her hate, daughter of Ozpin, one of the strongest huntsmen on Remanent.
Even if she couldn't figure out Lucius's semblance, she did figure out one thing- his semblance must be related to a point target, category- it means it affects one person at a time or for better use one object or target- and if the current target is Jolyne then-
Her eyes burned.
DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON!
Shit! The difference between Pyrrha and Lucius is as clear as the day and night. Even with one arm, Lucius fended off all of her attacks and a reminder that her attacks are- by no means weak, she can crush a skull with a single attack if she wanted to. Right now, she wanted to crush his skull-
DON!
"Guh!" Jolyne's blood cascaded out of her teeth, damage done to the stand-in semblance, will always be felt and affected to its user as well, and right now, her gut scream 'pain' over and over. After deflecting all of her attacks, Lucius even managed to force more damage.
Lucius didn't say anything, but Jolyne could feel she was being mocked- heh-whatever, it gave her just enough time to-
SLIP!
Lucius was caught a bit off guard, when suddenly Jolyne's neck fell off his hand, he almost, almost thought that he accidentally snapped her neck the moment opened his hand, where Jolyne's neck should have been- now were blue threads, strings the correct term.
"What?" Lucius was indeed genuinely confused by her actions.
[String Decomposition], her stand-in semblance's true ability. While she has power and speed above average, her ability relies on how to use this skill to its fullest. Power isn't her forte against these kinds of opponents who overpower her nor are they dumb as the Grimm.
The advantage of using [String Decomposition] is, any or all parts of her body could be turned- her entire physiology into strings and in that form, she is immune to any and all forms of damage, but in this universe, everything is dependent on equal exchange to achieve something you need to give something in return. Sadly, Jolyne isn't at that level to do damage in her string form, but she cannot attack back, even if she is invulnerable- she cannot attack back.
Equivalent exchange.
In that few moments something clicked, the Equivalent exchange rules must apply to Lucius as well, whatever his semblance might be, it cannot affect two objects at a time.
Swoosh-
Jolyne head connected once again, doing a summersault she once again summoned her stand-in semblance. A pincer attack, she even though didn't hone her semblance's abilities, she did prepare something else. Usually, when Stand-in semblances are involved, it's the stand that did the fighting because it took a lot of mental fortitude and aura to control it, hence the user usually didn't partake in the fights.
Jolyne on the other hand- did something different, she mastered her mind and body connection to the farthest she could take it and now, her semblance could fight independently.
Jolyne and [Stone Free], name a better dynamic duo- aura and semblance danced together against the single opponent, a two against one, yet that put hardly any pressure on him- instead- Jolyne saw his face, it was as if he decided to humor her.
Deflecting the incoming fist from [Stone Free] and then immediately hitting Jolyne in the chin- her brain shook with that, her will faltered a bit, enough to make [Stone Free] a little weak.
DON!
"Guh!" Jolyne clutched her guts- Lucius didn't hit [Stone Free] …no, he directly hit Jolyne herself- her semblance disappeared as she got on her knees- it was hard to breathe, really hard to breath- the air was knocked out she was coughing, really bad- all this with a single punch- had she anticipated that, she would have used aura to protect her, but she barely had any on defense as such the damage she took- was immense.
Jolyne's will had shaken a bit- still unable to figure out Lucius's semblance- which had to play a major role in her downfall.
"Perhaps you do understand the gravity of the situation, you are in?" Lucius's voice echoed as he towered above her.
Perhaps it was late, but it did click, she should have figured it out sooner, maybe then maybe she could have come up with a counter. The reason why he was untouchable, the lone wolf.
Pyrrha Nikos controlled magnetism.
Lucius Tribieus Olympus controlled Gravity- he was the very definition of the force of nature- he didn't need an army- he is the army.
The last thing Jolyne saw was- his grim eyes as he looked down on her- no words needed and yet it felt as if he was exacting an act of vengeance upon her.
The weight of the world fell on her as her aura shattered and consciousness lost.
"Jolyne Xavier can no longer fight. The winner of the seventh bout is Lucius Tribieus Olympus."
[Part-3]
7th June, Monday- RX21, 14:25
{Outskirts of Camelot}
Nikola Watts sighed as he stared through the window of his VTOL.
"This plan is a failure, isn't it?" he said, to the man sitting behind him, even in a hunched position, the man has an intimidating figure- giant would be the best term to describe it.
"I did say that, didn't I?" the man spoke- his voice heavy and deep, "Perhaps this might be the desperation of her part, but she does need a win."
"I am a dedicated man, Hazel, I really am- but I am a smart one too, I know my limits, my strengths, and weakness and let me tell you I am not foolish enough to go in and rescue Cinder- do not know why I don't want to," Nikola said- as in a matter-of-fact voice.
"I do not blame you for that, the King's semblance is dangerous and his ability even more so and with his skill, no wonder Camelot stands."
Nikola stared at Hazel, whose figure was still shrouded in darkness, "What's his semblance? And this ability you speak off?"
Hazel finally looked up, "Named [Luxiem], the semblance also called as the 'Hope in the Dark', is the ability to control every and all properties of [Light] itself or close to it."
Nikola made a tch, noise, annoyed, "Of course, it's bloody overpowered, isn't it?"
Hazel shook his head, "Remember, semblances are strong, yes, but it depends how one uses it and what are its conditions, even the mightiest of the ones could be brought down with proper planning and I am no stranger to that. Just because the king has the properties of [Light] doesn't mean he has no weakness, but the king knows that too as well- so we need to play our cards right if we have to save Cinder that is."
"So even you wouldn't face the king?"
"In a head-on fight? With injuries, I would win- the problem is, the strength I have- but in there, there are few just as strong as the King- they would pose the problem and I cannot take all at once."
"Hoh? So, tell me this ability- "before Nikola could finish his sentence his scroll rang.
"Who is it?" Hazel asked to which he got the reply, "Tyrian."
"I thought you wouldn't have called, the faithful dog of Salem would have done things in his way- that I knew the plan would have gone derailed, I brought back up."
"There is no need, instead- I have great news, that would make my goddess success come into fruition."
Nikola twisted his mustache, "Pray to tell me, what that is?"
"You wouldn't believe it, not that I want you to anyway, but the Queen of Camelot has struck a deal with me, if I do her bidding, she would let me have anything that I want, do you know what that means Doctor?!"
Nikola put his scroll on hold as he stared at Hazel, "You are from Camelot, tell me, Hazel, would the queen betray the king as Tyrian says?"
"Ask him how did he make contact with the Queen in the first place? Aren't you supposed to be the brains? And as for your question, no she would not, I have seen her she is quiet love stuck with Gabriel, but times change so, who knows?"
Nikola had the decency to look embarrassed. Once again asking the question, "How did you meet the queen in the first place?"
"Oh, great question! I thought, why not take it a step further and assassinate the king himself with that our access to the maiden and the relic would have been much easier, but the queen caught me, with her weird semblance that I don't know- she appeared to know of me- well, I am well known-not as much as my goddess but still am, she struck a bargain and…as much as I hate to say it, it is a good bargain and it mostly benefits us."
Nikola Watts wanted to smack his head hard. How dumb is Tyrian? Most of the missions get jeopardized because this man can't seem to follow the orders properly, yet Salem keeps him around. Tyrian wasn't a scorpion Faunus, he is a dog Faunus, a dog who is forgiven way too easily.
Something that even, Hazel shared the sentiment with. All of the people, except for Hazel, seem to provide Nikola Watts with a migraine and he worked with snobs of Atlas, which speaks a lot.
"Before I ask anything, does the Queen know of Salem?"
"I don't know, never asked. Should have?"
"No…no, let it be." Giving Hazel the knowing look, Nikola continued, "What's the deal then?"
"Not that difficult of a task. She just asked me to kill her daughter, the Princess of Camelot, Artoria Pendragon."
Both Nikola and Hazel- blinked before they went,
"Wait, what?"
{Coliseum, Central Camelot}
Well that just happen, two more bouts after Jolyne and Lucius were over and Jaune's mind was still processing what occurred during their bout. Jaune hates to state it but he does sympathize a little with Jolyne, a little though- not that much, however, this was very similar to what occurred between Gilgamesh and Cinder- however, much tamer…the least Lucius didn't outright insult Jolyne.
Jaune looked towards the sky, something felt wrong, he couldn't explain it- but it felt wrong, putting a finger on it was difficult but…
"What's wrong? Why the space?"
Jaune looked beside him, Artoria was standing with a smile on her face, Lancelot arrived as well, muttering something about old age, to do action stuff, he retired?
"Nothing…just, no, nothing." Jaune really tried to force the smile, on the other hand, Artoria kept her smile, as she responded,
"Has anyone ever told you that you are a bad liar?"
Sigh. "Hear that a lot."
"So, I'm all ears, sometimes you got to vent what's inside, or else it would eat you up. Express your emotions, don't bottle it up, it's unhealthy. You are, after all, human."
Jaune really, really wanted to ask why? Why was Artoria, whom he didn't even know for that long was being so nice to him, so kind to him, but why? There were plenty of chances to say that what Artoria was doing was a joke, yet she didn't- he expected her to belittle like Weiss, she didn't- she was stern, not harsh and-
Artoria's smile.
Jaune looked towards a different side- his face was heating. Dammit. Beautiful women and smiles, it's an unfair advantage god gave to them, no wonder men were so easily seduced.
"Nothing it's just…the way Gilgamesh acts, it's…does he have to be like that? Do people really have to be scums? Why can't they just…they just…"
"Live in peace and harmony?" Lancelot completed Jaune, the latter just simply nodded, before he could say anything- Sherlock's voice echoed.
"The next match would be-
Pyrrha Nikos Vs. Touka Daichi."
"Perhaps you would like to focus on their match first."
Jaune agreed with Lancelot.
Pyrrha watched Jaune walk away, he came to give her best wishes, but the glare from her father and Uncle Barnabas's insistent that she was fine, Pyrrha could see Jaune leaving begrudgingly, giving her a small smile on his departure.
A smile threatened to form on her lips as well.
Threatened.
"So, that's the boy you are enamored with? I can see, your roots of failures, that Headmaster should have assigned you a better team, and you should have been the leader- not that pathetic man of bones."
Pyrrha's facial expression was that of the stone, unreadable, yet somehow- full of emotions.
Her mother had called them, Hera Olympus, and she for the worst saw Jaune and his attempt to have a conversation.
"Is that why you went to Beacon? To whore yourself out to unworthy men?"
Whore yourself? What is this woman talking about? Isn't she the one sleeping with her father and all his brothers? The disgusting thing that Pyrrha herself saw was, her husbands had a schedule who would do her on what day- and Pyrrha's father wasn't provided with any- she overheard Aphrodite, that her mother enjoys when Hades sees her bed, other men- Hades isn't allowed to touch her- and yet Pyrrha's father loved her mother, more than her, who was the real whore here? Pyrrha really wanted to scream.
"Your failure in the first match just shows the company you were in. It would not have occurred, had you simply- like an obedient child, listened to what I had to say. You keep playing with fire and you will get burnt."
"Jolyne Xavier is a good fighter…"
"And you should have been one of the best." Hera continued, her voice booming through the scroll, "Lucius defeated her without breaking as so much of a sweat- as expected of my favorite, your other siblings won, what about you? Do you even stoop to consider why you haven't been given the family name? Why you, are simply branded a failure, always will be a weakness to our family. I don't expect much from you, not anymore. You fail to comprehend what's at stake here, your weakness directly affects us. It affects my status. Be glad that the people of Mistral are no better than sheep- be glad that you still receive facilities of our household. This is your last- I have already called up Ozpin, your huntress-in-training lessons are over, you need not do that anymore. Whatever cheap thrills you had at Beacon, it ended there- you have simply one duty now. Your days as a huntress are over."
Pyrrha's will shatter.
Meekly she looked at her father, a reminder that he did love her daughter, that they played together- they were happy.
The call with her mother ended.
Pyrrha's father looked away, with a blank expression.
Walking away, Pyrrha muttered something, something that she thought perhaps no one would hear, "If you all hated me this much, should have killed me in the womb."
Minerva and Barnabas's eyes widen as they see Pyrrha's retracting figure.
Barnabas was enraged finally snapped, "Have you lost all your feeling as a father? Are you that devoted to your wife, that it's okay for you to see as your daughter's life gets butchered? Have you lost all sense of humanity?"
"She did a mistake, she paid for it."
"Are you listening to yourself right now?!" Barnabas's vein exploded, "You are her father, she needs you first! What the hell is wrong with you? I knew you were cold to her but to this extent? Pleistarchus?!"
Pyrrha's father turned and simply rubbing his neck, his choker, he said, "My name is Hades. That's what my wife calls me, remember that."
Her body was feeling a bit numb or was it even feeling anything, it was hard. It seemed as if all of her hard work, no matter how hard she tried, everything seems to just wash away. All her childhood memories seem to be a distant dream, a sweet lie that Pyrrha tells her every night. That her mother and father love her. That she is cared for and adored by her siblings.
However, the sunrise tells different story-the cruelty of her family, the reality of hate that is being bred. Pyrrha simply had a small dream- to help people, to be a huntress and set an example that people are not cruel. She is not cruel.
She wanted friends too, can't lie about that. She, finally made them- the little red ball who dreams of saving people, Ruby. The egotistical, prideful but secretly with a soft heart, Weiss. The cool and aloof, but willing to help from the shadows, Blake. The outgoing and eccentric, Yang. The silent and caring, Ren. The bubbly ball of energy, Nora.
The stupid, idiotic, make mistakes and yet…yet stood there for her always, treated her like a person, like a normal girl, and perhaps made her realize even if it was a schoolgirl crush, it wasn't false. Her time at Beacon, her time with them will never change. Even if cruelty awaits, she would see the stars as she goes to bed remembering that no matter what, Beacon wasn't a dream. Her friends weren't a dream. Jaune wasn't a dream.
Pyrrha Nikos wasn't dreaming. She did shine. Even if it was for a single moment, she did shine.
That's why it came as a surprise when Jaune received a hug, a tight one from her.
"Pyrrha!" Jaune returned the hug, he hadn't returned to his stands, he was waiting for the chance to talk to his partner, "Pyrrha?"
Jaune could hear sobs, even if they were made to make sure he doesn't hear them.
"Don't talk. Just let me…be like this, okay?"
The hug got tighter, yet Jaune didn't mind what he did mind, was what was Pyrrha going through.
"Jaune, I…am proud of you. Of so much that you accomplished and that you will accomplish. And I…I genuinely believe that it would be you who would win. I believe that. I believe that to be your destiny."
"Pyrrha…?"
Jaune was speechless once again. Her face, even if she was crying, Pyrrha Nikos's smile could rival the sun.
"My time in Beacon, my time with JNPR, my time with you, I will always cherish them."
"What do you mean…?"
Jaune Arc wanted answers…but for the sake of the heavens, he could not move. Stuck at a place, seeing his partner's retreating figure as his heart clutched.
Something told Jaune this would be the last time he sees Pyrrha smile. The last time he ever sees her.
The bubbling heat came back once again.
{Bout-10: Pyrrha Nikos Vs Touka Daichi}
Karna purposeful lost the first match. If Touka didn't know Karna, she would have thought that he was bribed, but the man is called Hero of Charity, in a place like Vacuo. Her partner, Arjuna lost his fight, though. Loath as may it sound, only Karna could have defeated the specialist. As for Karna's partner Aśvatthāman, the man's been itching to fight, yet till now didn't gotten a chance.
Well, Touka Daichi will give her all.
She wore her battle yukata, black and yellow ochre. She really did try to seduce Karna, really did, man didn't even stare at her boob window, so she got rid of that, story for another time.
Well, she removed her glasses, as it would break upon the use of her semblance. Her trusty katana, [Raikiri] on her hip as she was ready for the battle.
Or she should have been when Touka saw her opponent. The desperate way to show that she was fine and not at all crying. From one glance Touka could tell, whatever had occurred to her opponent, to Pyrrha Nikos, it broke her will- if her will is weak or broken, the aura will not generate strong enough nor will her semblance even work properly.
For all intent and purposes, it appeared as if Pyrrha Nikos came for a suicide.
Touka Daichi, despised people like those. If she wanted to die, she should not have been a huntress in the first place- that's what her initial thought would have been anyway. But, Touka knows, things aren't black or white as they seem to be. Whatever happened to her, happen after her first bout and Touka, by all means, isn't the one to fight someone whose will is too weak- however, loath as it maybe she isn't as charitable as Karna either and she would be lying if she said that she wasn't looking forwards to this fight. She wanted to fight the champion of Mistral, her once home…but she wanted to fight Pyrrha Nikos at her best, her match with Jolyne didn't count, because something mentally hampered her and now, it was much worse.
Touka wanted a fight. But she will not fight someone whose heart isn't in it-however if Pyrrha Nikos didn't back off- then.
Pyrrha did look as if her soul was ripped off, before Sherlock gave the command, Touka Daichi, spoke, "Miss Nikos, I will not lie to you- my ability and my way of fighting, enables me to finish fights with a single strike, you do not look in any fighting condition- please, quit and take rest. It is for your good health."
Pyrrha didn't have the will or energy to agree or disagree, but just gave a small smile, a strained smile and that solidified Touka's intention.
She shall not hold back.
"The battle ends when the other party admits defeat or is unable to move. Even after the shattering of aura, you are allowed to fight…well then, contenders…are you both ready?" Sherlock voiced, Touka still had doubts, she nodded so did Pyrrha.
The latter on the other hand couldn't muster her semblance, Pyrrha's eyes widened- her use of semblance, she can't even muster a hundred percent of aura.
"Let's go ahead."
Touka had an expression of pity, she knew exactly- what Pyrrha was suffering- she, Touka Daichi will not insult.
"Pyrrha Nikos, this battle will end in a single strike."
Pyrrha didn't understand what Touka meant by that, but she prepared her shield and her javelin, at best it's eighty percent of aura, she cannot for some reason use semblance nor she could muster any more of her aura.
"[Aura Zone: Ethereal Lightning Maiden]"
Touka's body disappeared, instead what replaced was an ethereal form, a hollow form where green lighting danced around her body and-
SLICE!
Pyrrha gave a final smile.
CRACK!
She would once again be a prisoner, and perhaps she would now be fine with it- but her time, what she enjoyed, Pyrrha did not dream. She did experience happiness, she danced, she played…she lived.
Her signature weapons, [Miló] and [Akoúo̱] broke down- Touka's ethereal form passed through Pyrrha breaking her armor and shattering down her aura.
Touka kept her promise. She finished the battle in a single strike.
"Winner of the tenth bout, Touka Daichi!"
[Part-4]
7th June, Monday- RX21, 17:30
Few more bouts had ended, but Jaune Arc never cared nor did he pay any attention to it, but he remembered Pyrrha leaving, with her father, a final smile.
The bubbly heat came back, poking his skin, something about Pyrrha's father didn't sit right with him but he was tenser about the fact that what Pyrrha meant, what that conversation was.
Pyrrha wouldn't pick her scroll as well.
"You are going to drill, a hole in the stadium with that much tapping."
Lancelot said, having a cup of tea- how did he get that? Jaune didn't have the strength to ask.
Because, all this occurrence with Pyrrha, Gilgamesh's behavior, Jaune simply asked, without zero hesitation- no, he wanted to divert his attention to something else- so that he won't lose his mind, "Why are human beings so cruel to each other? And how do we justify acts of sheer inhumanity?"
Lancelot sipping the tea, put his cup away, "The conventional explanation is that people are able to do terrible things to other people only after having dehumanized them. In the case of the Faunus war, for example, Atlas and Vale were willing to exterminate millions of Faunus in part because supremacy ideology taught them to think of Faunus as subhuman, as objects without the right to freedom, dignity, or even life itself."
Jaune asked, "How do you sum up your argument about the roots of human cruelty?
Lancelot sighed, but not in an irritative manner, but rather, it would be better if Jaune has the conversation, something from an experienced person, such as himself, "A lot of people blame cruelty on dehumanization. They say that when you fail to appreciate the humanity of other people, that's where genocide and slavery and all sorts of evils come from. I don't think that's entirely wrong. I think a lot of really awful things we do to other people arise from the fact that we don't see them as people. But the argument I want to make is that it's incomplete. A lot of the cruelty we do to one another, the real savage, rotten terrible things we do to one another, are in fact because we recognize the humanity of the other person."
What? Jaune was confused, however, Lancelot- ignoring his expression continued," We see other people as blameworthy, as morally responsible, as themselves cruel, as not giving us what we deserve, as taking more than they deserve. And so, we treat them horribly precisely because we see them as moral human beings."
"I've always thought a campaign of genocide or slavery requires two things — an ideology that dehumanizes the victims and a massive bureaucracy," Jaune stated, while he might not be the smartest, he does understand the situation of the world.
Lancelot was impressed a little, "I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. I disagree that those things are "required." I think a lot of mass killings unfold the way I described it: People do it because they don't believe they're killing people. This is what some call instrumental violence, where there's some end they want to achieve, and people are in the way, so they don't think of them as people."
Lancelot gained a sad expression as he continued, "This is obviously what happened in the Atlas concentration camps. People were reduced to machines, treated like animals for labor. But a lot of what goes on in concentration camps is degrading and humiliating, and it's about torturing people because you think they deserve it. Only after James Ironwood became The General, did things change for the better. It's about the pleasure of being dominant over another person. But if you merely thought of these people, Faunus as animals, you wouldn't get that pleasure. You can't humiliate animals — only people. So, dehumanization is real and terrible, but it's not the whole picture."
Jaune continued, "What does that say about us, about our psychology, about our susceptibility to this kind of violence?"
Lancelot nodded, "Think about it this way: We're all sensitive to social hierarchies and to a desire for approval and esteem. So, we often fold to the social pressures of our environment. That's not necessarily evil. I, at my young days, come into my job as a huntsman and I wanted to do well, I wanted the respect of my peers. There's nothing wrong with that. But our desire to do well socially can have an ugly side. If you can earn respect by helping people, that's great. If you can earn respect by physically dominating people with aggression and violence, that's destructive. So, a lot depends on our social environment and whether it incentivizes good or bad behavior."
Looking outside, the setting sun, Jaune continued, "Are our intuitions about why people do terrible things wrong? Are we too sanguine about human nature?"
Lancelot shook his head, "I think our intuitions are wrong in just about every way they can be. First, there's this myth that people who do evil are psychopaths or sadists or monsters who are driven by the sheer pleasure of watching other people suffer. The truth is far more complicated than that. Then there's the myth of dehumanization, which is that everybody who does evil is making a mistake. They're just failing to appreciate the humanity of other people, Faunus, and if only we could clear up that mistake, if only we could sit them down and say, "Hey guys, those Faunus, the people of Vacuo, the LGBTQ community, the people from Mistral, they're people just like you," then evil would disappear. I think that's bogus."
Jaune heard the last bits of Lancelot's words, and focused a little more, "Why is that bogus?"
Lancelot looked as if he was expecting that, "Consider the rhetoric of human supremacy. Human supremacists know about the humanity of Faunus and whoever else they're discriminating against — and it terrifies them. One of their slogans is, "You will not replace us." Think of what that means. That's not what you chant if you thought they were roaches or subhuman. That's what you chant at people you're really worried about, people who you think are a threat to your status and way of life."
"So, cruelty isn't an accident or an aberration, but something central to who and what we are?", Jaune was starting to ask good questions, color Lancelot impressed.
"It's many things, and I don't think there's ever going to be a magic bullet theory of cruelty. I think some cruelty is born of dehumanization. I think some cruelty is born out of a loss of control. I think some cruelty is born out of an instrumental desire to get something you want — sex, money, power, whatever."
Lancelot stared at the coliseum as another bout went underway, "I think a lot of cruelty is born out of a normal and natural appreciation of the humanity of others, which then connects with certain important psychological appetites we have, like an appetite to punish those we think have done wrong. I think that, for the most part, people who do terrible things are just like us. They've just gone astray in certain specific ways."
Jaune went for it once again, "I tend to think of human beings as more malleable than we'd like to believe. Under the right conditions, is anyone capable of almost anything?"
Now, Lancelot was actually impressed with Jaune's questions, "Wow, that's an interesting question. I sort of believing that. I think, under the right conditions, most of us are capable of doing terrible things. There may be exceptions. But we've seen, both in laboratory conditions and real-world circumstances, that people can be manipulated into doing terrible things, and while some people will say, "No, I won't do that," they tend to be a minority. Again, I think the banal answer is that we're swayed by social circumstances in ways that might be good or bad. You and I would be completely different people if we lived in a maximum-security prison because we'd have to adapt. There are powerful individual differences that matter, though. People can transcend their conditions, but it's rarer than we'd like to believe."
Jaune stood beside Lancelot, "When I first read about Faunus war and the atrocities committed, I tend to think that 'I will never be like that', but after talking with you now, it's not that simple, is it?"
Lancelot nodded, "I think, you're right. We have this horrible tendency to overestimate the extent to which we're the moral standouts, we're the brave ones. This has some nasty social consequences. There was a great article that came out in the Camelot Post last week about people who say, "I'm confused about the people who have been sexually assaulted because if it happened to me, I would say no way, and I would put the person in their place, and I would speak out." This attitude is oftentimes scorn towards people who get harassed. They're somehow morally weak, or maybe they're just not telling the truth. It turns out that Pitou and Merlin, did a study a while ago in which they asked a group of people (Merlin did the talking, Pitou couldn't do the talking), "How would you feel if you had a job interview and someone asked you these really sexist, ugly questions?" Just about everybody says, "I would walk out. I would give the person hell," and so on. Then they did it. They did fake interviews where people thought they were being interviewed, and people asked sexist ugly questions, and all of the women, weak men, Faunus were just silent. The point is that we don't behave in stressful situations the way we think we would or the way we would like to. So yeah, if you and I were in Atlas, during the war, we'd like to think we'd be the righteous ones, we'd be the heroes. But we might just be regular old Atlas soldiers."
For why Pitou did this, Lancelot never asked why, Pitou's mind works in mysterious ways.
Jaune scoffed, "If your knowledge is right, then it's foolish to think we can get rid of cruelty if only we got rid of those noxious ideologies that justify it. In the end, it's about us, not our ideas."
Lancelot shrugged, "I think there are all sorts of ways we can become better people, and I think we are becoming better people. But if I'm right, there's nothing simple about this. Acknowledging other people's humanity won't solve our problems. Ultimately, we need better ideas, better ideologies. We need a culture less obsessed with power and honor and more concerned with mindfulness and dignity. That's the best we can do to quell our appetites for dominance and punishment. Am I optimistic that we can do this? Yeah, I am. But it won't be easy."
To Jaune, it appeared as if Lancelot spoke through the experience itself.
Jaune turned back to the bouts, his second turn still didn't come up yet, but he stays for other fights, Sigurd won his, Mereoleona won hers, Karna won quite easily- his teammate Arjuna got a win as well. Cinder didn't fight, something told Jaune that she was a little too traumatized after what Gilgamesh did to her, he doesn't blame her.
No, one could leave, till all the bouts are over.
The sunsets as the stars finally shone upon the dark sky, and then it occurred.
"The next battle would be,
Gilgamesh Vs. Cardin Winchester."
[Part-5]
7th June, Monday- RX21, 20:10
This was Cardin's first match, so late as well and against such an opponent- Jaune wanted to go ahead and warm him, but before he could, Cardin was already standing near the coliseum.
What? Cardin first hand saw what Gilgamesh was capable of then why is he going at the fight, he could see CRDL and CFVY, calling him, telling him to return- but somehow, it was falling on his deaf ears.
What was going on?
{Bout-34: Gilgamesh Vs Cardin Winchester}
Cardin steeled himself, he knew this was suicide, but he wanted to confront something. Cardin Winchester, age seventeen, was a bully and blatantly racist towards the Faunus. The reason may be justifiable, but Cardin was man enough to admit that he was in the wrong. His view was wrong.
Four years ago, North of Vale- He, Cardin Winchester, a thirteen-year-old boy, was stuck. A plaza was attacked, Cardin was on the second floor when the building exploded. The members of White Fang, during that time, were nigh-high and that attack would soon be one of the beginnings of many more. Little Cardin witnessed the slaughter of many people- which included his mother and little brother.
Even after getting rescued, Cardin didn't get over it- whatever occurred, he did not get over it- he despised all Faunus, regardless of what they did or not.
But beneath all that he despised another person.
Gilgamesh, The Tyrant.
The backup from Vale forces couldn't arrive in time because they were dealing with multiple casualties from the White Fang attacks- so the Government asked for help from Babylonia to send forces- to aid.
New crowed Gilgamesh, three years older than Cardin himself- declined the request- he still remembers the message fresh.
"They died by the hands of animals; Babylonia had nothing to do with it. It's the fault of your continent, the failure of your army, and those weak people who simply couldn't protect their families. If they don't have that capability, they shouldn't have a family to being with, think of it, as nothing more than culling of the weak."
That day solidified something for the people, all over the Remnant- Gilgamesh, The Tyrant, then reports flooded in, sex scandals, Faunus trafficking, harsh treatment, illegal deals- Gilgamesh did everything openly, people knew that and yet did not have anything to trace it back to him- he openly declares himself as a racist and yet people could not lift a finger. Against him, people faltered, against him- people were silent, even after what he did with that girl- no one bated an eye.
That should have been the case, he saw how Arc, Jaune fucking Arc acted around the Tyrant. Was it dumb? Certainly. Was it something Cardin wanted to do? Absolutely.
The balls of Arc, man.
Perhaps that's why- Cardin today wanted to confront this man- he wanted to know as to why he did not provide assistance. He could have saved people; Gilgamesh could have been someone adored and loved by the people and yet he chose violence and hate.
Why? If only they would have helped, maybe Cardin's mother would have been alive, maybe his little brother would have been looking up to him. Maybe, he wouldn't have turned out the way- he did.
Chills!
A shiver ran through Cardin's spine- a grim reminder of who he was up against. He was sweating, his back was wet- but seeing Jaune and what he did, and his match- if Jaune Arc, the one who was made fun of, bullied at Beacon, was capable of growing and becoming someone better…
What's stopping Cardin Winchester to face his demons, even if it was, for a search of closure.
Gilgamesh seems to have a bitter expression.
"What's this rooster? Why am I facing a maggot once again? Is this tournament turned into a joke? A circus? Who allowed that joke to have even the leisure to stand before me?"
Gilgamesh bellowed, clearly not satisfied, probably also because he had to wait for his turn for too long as well.
"The battle ends when the other party admits defeat or is unable to move. Even after the shattering of aura, you are allowed to fight…well then, contenders…are you both ready?"
Cardin, though his legs were shaking quite a bit- he did nod. For some reason, Gilgamesh didn't, and yet, Sherlock took it as a yes.
"Let's go ahead."
Cardin knew he would lose the fight- so before that occurs, he shot in the dark, "Before- I lose, would you please, entertain my one question?"
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting, whatever Cardin was Winchester was doing. Yet, for some unknown reason, he decided to entertain his thought, he didn't outright reply, but his expression appeared to be bored and yet indulging Cardin to continue.
So, that's what Cardin did.
"7th June, 4years ago, North of Vale, Liquid Plaza was attacked. The deed was done by White Fang, a branch of it- multiple bombings, many citizens died which even included few of the Faunus population. My family, my mother, and my little brother died as well. The Vale Force, the police backup was held on multiple places- they could not arrive on time- a message was sent, to a nearby place, to a kingdom's army, that was placed for the duration of the period in Vale. Babylonia, your kingdom's army was there at that day, at Vale, I was there when I saw the army- your army, turning away from the chaos and leaving." For the first time, in front of people, tears were flowing, "Why? Why did you not help us?! Why did you turn your back on innocent people?! Why didn't you save them! You are a king; you could have saved so many lives?! Are normal people so meaningless to you?!"
Cardin was prepared for the beating of his life, and yet that didn't arrive- instead, what he saw would forever be etched in his mind.
Gilgamesh had a look of grief and regret, as he gazed upon the stars, "You are right." Cardin was taken aback by his response, "I should have done something. I should have helped people, I am a king after all, if not me then, who? I am the reason you lost your family; I should have done better- then, perhaps the tragedy, wouldn't have occurred, am I right?"
Cardin smiled, "Yes! You can do be- "
SLICE!
"Eh?"
Cardin Winchester was confused as he fell on his knees, strange, he just fell on a single knee- strange- he could hear his teammates, CFVY, screaming- Velvet was probably the loudest.
Ah! He found the reason, looking back, he saw a golden long sword, a golden long sword-
That severed his right leg.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
What occurred? He didn't see, a second before he was about to say, Gilgamesh could change and be better and the next one- Cardin was on his knees. His aura flared as he tried to stop the bleeding, but it appeared as if, that sword sliced through his aura.
Quit! He had to say he didn't, he couldn't fight anymore- then-
DON!
Cardin fell on his back, his jaw- broken and dislocated. He couldn't move it and above him, towered, The Tyrant.
"You a maggot pest, decides what can I do and what I can't? Do not blame me for the shortcomings of your deranged country, a place of failures. What intentions I had is none of your business, know this- if your disappointing family died, it's their fault they couldn't protect themselves. Beacon running on fumes now if they produce insects like you."
The golden sword flew and landed on Gilgamesh's hands, "For the filth that radiated through your mouth, let me remove the head of yours."
The sword swung.
CLANG!
Gilgamesh, was surprised- as the sword was deflected, looking straight, he never expected this to occur.
Jaune Arc.
{Few Seconds, earlier}
The bubbling heat was back once again- Pyrrha's first defeat, where she was humiliated, Cinder's humiliation, Pyrrha's sad face, her smile as she didn't put up anything for the fight, her last bit seeing the retracting figure.
The same with Cardin.
Pain and Humiliation.
The bubbling heat was too much, it wanted to rip his skin off, Jaune Arc could not control himself.
He followed his will, and his will spoke one thing clearly-
CLANG!
Drawing out the blade of [Crocea Mors], Jaune deflected the attack that was meant to slice off Cardin's head- he felt it in his elbows and forearms, that swing by no means was a joke, it was intended to cut off Cardin's head with one single cut.
"The match stops due to the interference of the third party. Get the medic, and Jaune Arc, do not move- the King shall deal with this immediately."
Jaune put his sword away- Pitou had arrived, healing Cardin, connecting his leg, and fixing his jaw.
Gilgamesh looked at the scene and scoffed, "Playing hero?"
Jaune glared at Gilgamesh, "That's coming from a murder?"
"To each, its own, I chose my path and you chose the one with a hero. People would find you amusing. People of Remnant. But the one thing they love more than a hero is to see the very hero fail. Die trying. In spite of everything you are doing for them and you will do for them, eventually, they will hate you, my question, mongrel, why even bother?"
"Because it's right because it's what I want to do, that's what I dream of. Helping others."
Yet, Jaune Arc had trouble believing his own words.
Even before Jaune could react, Gilgamesh slapped his head, "Here's the real truth, five billion people are living on Remnant, those teeming masses, exist for the sole purpose of lifting the few exceptional people onto their shoulders. The huntsman, the politicians, the champions, the Kings." Gilgamesh stepped right in front of Jaune, towering him, "I could squash you like a bug right now, but I will offer you a choice, go back little hero, you are not required. What you think is peace, is a war for someone else. I hate tendencies that scum like you have."
"The King has arrived; Gabriel Pendragon would make his decision," Sherlock spoke in a reserved manner; he was no longer smoking. The place all around was tense, and Jaune could feel that.
Gabriel Pendragon, unreal presence- long flowing blonde hair, as he stared Jaune from above. The King, spoke, "We provide the victor to Gilgamesh since he dominated the match and there was no way for Cardin Winchester to retaliate. However, Jaune Arc interrupted the match." The king's face hardened, "The rules for the tournament were set on stone, that death will be unavoidable, did you, not know that Jaune Arc?"
The King asked, his voice still booming inside Jaune's head, who got a hold of himself and replied, "I did."
"Then pray tell young man, why did you play hero?"
"Because he's my friend and I did not want to see him die, even if it's the tournament. Any, punishment that you see fit, I am willing to take it."
Gabriel stroked his chin, "Is that so? If it meant that I disqualify you from the tournament as well?"
Jaune looked shocked, this would mean- that the chance to prove himself will be for naught, he might have to even quit Beacon- and…
He saw Cardin waking up, he was fine, Pitou did an amazing job.
Despite what others would think, Jaune Arc did his duty as a huntsman, he protected his friend, and if this is his punishment, then so be it.
"I will accept that."
"Strong will young man, but you have starting to get a bit of attraction, from everywhere, hence, while not disqualifying- you from the tournament, you are disqualified from attending your next round, this would mean, you have participated in all ten matches. There will be additional punishment, which will be provided to you."
Jaune Arc wanted to release a sigh of relief, but when he thought everything was good, it hit him hard.
"Since you are so much of a hero, then be ready to carry the burden of one. All participants from Beacon are no longer allowed to take part in the tournament, even if they had won their bout. The sole representor of Beacon would be you, that or, quit yourself, you would be no longer allowed inside Camelot or to take part in any tournament that Camelot sponsors and let others from your academy continue in the tournament."
Gabriel Pendragon sat down, "So, Hero, choose."
Author's Notes:-
Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of Jaune's actions, the boy wanted to be a hero and now faced backlash, well, it was being awaited anyway. With this, Preilimiers arc is over, the next one, will people can guess what's about to go down.
Data Book
Note: - the strength of semblance does not equate to skills or ability to use. these are general parameters of semblance, it's not the description of their ability. The description of their ability will be explained in the story and once again will be provided at the end of the volume.
Remained, that power does not equivalent to victory, these are just the parameters of their semblance.
Lucius Tribieus Olympus
Semblance- Heavenly Subjugation- [The force of Gravity]
Weapon- [Florent]- Long Sword
Destructive Power- EX
Speed-S
Range-S
Persistence- S
Precision- EX
Development Potential- F
Touka Daichi
Semblance- Ethereal Lightning
Weapon-[Raikiri]- Katana
Destructive Power- B
Speed- S
Range- EX
Persistence- E
Precision- EX
Development Potential- B
Gilgamesh
Semblance- Ruler of Babylon
Weapon- None
Destructive Power- EX+
Speed- EX
Range- EX
Persistence- EX
Precision- EX
Development Potential- Nil
Read, if you find mistakes, errors, or something that does not make sense in the plot, please review it. I will take any constructive criticism if it means to improve the quality of the fic.