I'm not dead!
I finished this chapter after nearly a month! First, it was the tests I was almost drowning in! Then I couldn't find any motivation to write because I was so tired from studying! Now I have a project due next week that my group hasn't done shit on yet!
So things are going fairly well I suppose...
Now onto this chapter. This is what I call a travelling chapter. Basically, these moments will be occurring occasionally with different quests I put our characters through. Major quests such as this one. So, this chapter is a compilation of moments that are connected together to give both good pacing and more bonding between our heroes.
And what I had originally intended for this story as well. I want lots of dialogue where our characters just talk about anything and everything. Even if they are just shooting the shit. Because it shows great development in their relationships. I can also insert world building topics so I don't need to put in any long expositionary drops if they are actively talking about it.
Besides that. This chapter is where we are going to see the first major development in Jaune's character. Where he makes a choice.
In other news. I have two more stories on the way (maybe.) One is going to be following an OC team my friends and I had concocted. Team WVRN (Wyvern.) The other is another White Knight fic. Where Jaune and Weiss get stuck on an island. And I'll be able to put my Island Survival Hat on for that so I can present a slightly different realistic survival scenario than that of The Lengths We Must Go To. *Cough* Shameless Plug *Cough*
Finally, I will be going on hiatus until the semester is over. I got this chapter done so I could give the bad news. But I'll be back!
Edit Notes (2/3/20): Minor changes to this chapter. Deleted first scene and placed it at the end of the previous chapter to keep all of the scenes in a day to day basis. Other than that, I made some changes to grammar and wording.
[The Next Morning]
Jaune pressed the small metal flask in his hands against Weiss' forehead. The cold metal was coated in a slight layer of condensation from its contents. An occasional water droplet fell onto the mattress below her.
Weiss stirred as she came to. She pressed her head further into the mug. "Mmmm, that feels good," she mumbled, without a slur this time. A small curl came to her lips.
Good, she's waking up...
Jaune looked over to the other side of the room and found that Ruby had already gotten all of her stuff ready for the day. The Reaper had actually woken him up today. So things were going well at least.
Weiss opened her eyes and winced at the bright light. The obvious signs of a hangover had set in.
I shouldn't have let her drink any more than that first tankard... But who knew? Weiss got taken out by one and a half beers! Honestly pathetic if you asked me.
"Drink this," Jaune requested, going to close the curtains. "It's going to help with your headache."
She took a sip from the mug. "I apologise for my behaviour last night," Weiss opened. "I should not have had any alcoh-" Before she could go any farther, she clutched her head in obvious pain.
And here comes the headaches...
"It's fine, Weiss," Jaune deflected. "Besides, welcome to adulthood. Your first hangover is a right of passage." Weiss shot him a small glare before wincing again.
"Please do not allow me to drink in the future," Weiss added on, holding her head in her hands. "I doubt I could handle very much and I do not wish to repeat this morning or last night."
"Yeah, no more beer for you Weiss," Ruby concurred from the side. "You can't keep up with any of our friends anyway."
Yang and I polished a bottle of whiskey off by ourselves. I doubt Weiss could handle half a shot.
Weiss couldn't say anything else as she winced even harder. The pain becoming greater as she remained up. And while it would be best for her to sleep for the rest of the day, they all really needed to get moving.
Jaune produced another mug. The faint aroma of arabica wafted from within the vessel. Setting that next to the nightstand, he stepped away from the bed to grab his bag.
Okay, we just need to buy some salt and four days worth of supplies.
Wish I had a portal right about now... Wait...
Jaune turned around to face the Heiress. "Weiss," he spoke up. The Mage's head snapped in his direction. Her face buried deep into the tankard containing the coffee. "Do you know any portal magic?"
If she can cast a portal or knows of some way to create a portal, then this trip is going to be a lot easier.
"Yes, why do you ask," she answered with a question.
Why didn't you bring this up earlier! You're supposed to be the smart one! Jaune let out an internal sigh. Doesn't matter as long as she knows portal magic. Better than legging it all the way there.
"Could you make a portal to the fort," he asked, leaning against a table. "Or maybe somewhere close to it..."
Here goes nothing.
Her face scrunched up in thought. She cupped her right hand over her mouth. "I cannot make one to the fort," she began, sounding disappointed. "I know some portal magic, but I am nowhere nearly as skilled as Professor Goodwitch or Arch-Mage Ironwood. Hence the reason why I did not know what that Teleportation Magicon was."
So that's why...
"However, I can establish a link to the town and teleport us back from the fort." She paused. "It would be taxing on my magicka, but, I will be able to hold it long enough for all of us to pass through."
"It's a plan then," Jaune concluded, standing up straight. "We should head out after we buy some provisions. Ruby and I will handle that while you make yourself presentable..." An idea suddenly made itself known.
Wait... What if I use my healing magic to cure Weiss' hangover? Jaune pondered the idea a little more. Worth a shot!
He stepped closer to Weiss and held a hand out over her head. Jaune was hesitant about this because he didn't know how she was going to react. She would appreciate not having the headaches to deal with, however.
"What are you doing," Weiss asked with an annoyed tone. She looked as if she were about to swat his hand away.
"Hold on a second," Jaune deflected. "I'm trying something out..." He placed the hand on top of her head. "Sano..."
His hand started glowing lime-green. The miasma transferred to Weiss' head and radiated with a faint glow. She let out a groan of relief as the healing magic went to work.
"How does that feel now," Jaune asked, looking down at the Heiress. Now she didn't look like a zombie. So that was an improvement.
"Better, actually," she answered him, getting out of bed. "My headache is gone."
It seems there is another cure for hangovers.
Ruby let out a gasp. "Jaune, that was awesome," she exclaimed, clutching her fists below her chin. "Since when could you use magic?!" The Reaper stared at Jaune with the curious look and wide eyes.
Jaune chuckled. "I've always been able to use magic, Ruby," he answered. "But I could never actually cast a spell until I came to the Academy." I'm glad I did too... He rubbed the back of his neck. "What about you?"
Maybe Ruby could pick some spells up as well? It would pad her resume out a little more as we took on more quests. And having a few more spellcasters around would make things interesting.
"Nah," she uttered. "My dad tried to get Yang and me to learn some, but it never worked out." Ruby twirled Crescent Rose around before cradling the scythe in her arms. "Besides, I am happy with my Crescent Rose!"
Yeah... you carry that thing around like a mother would an infant.
...
Jaune handed a small pile of coins to the trader. The supplies he purchased cost him and his party around forty Lien. Which was not a lot for nearly four days worth of food. A few cuts of dried meat, vegetables, bread, and cheese would be the main staple of their diets. Along with some extra salt for Ruby and Weiss' blades that could be used to preserve some fish.
Tucking the last of the provisions into his pack, Jaune made his way to the door.
Time to be a hero...
Before he could reach the handle, Jaune noticed something out of the corner of his eye. On a coat rack near the door was a black length of fabric. Maybe some kind of blanket?
He reached out and took hold of the fabric. It wasn't a blanket but a cloak, almost like Ruby's. The length of the cloak came down just past his knees and tattered towards the bottom. The hood was similar to any ordinary cloak's but had a leather lining built into it to give the piece some form. Holding the entire thing together, however, was two metal pins bound together by a chain.
"Twenty Lien, if ye want it," the shop-keep spoke up. Jaune grabbed the garment and set a silver coin on the table. "Nice doing business with ye."
Throwing the cloak over his shoulders, the black fabric hugged his form. Ira Rubrum and Crocea Mors stuck out through a premade hole in the cape. Whoever sold it to the trader had used a sword like Jaune and had the foresight to not seal the hole, or they just didn't care and sold the cloak for drinking money. Regardless of the fabric's dusty appearance, it would keep him warm and dry.
Throwing the front door open, Jaune was met with Weiss and Ruby. The latter brightened up when she noticed him.
Ruby let out a yip. "Jaune, you got a cloak too," she said, cheerfully. The girl dashed over to him and inspected the garment. Her hands ran along the length of fabric.
"Yeah, I needed to buy one eventually," he explained, waiting for Ruby to finish checking him out. Wondering how she managed to find everything fascinating.
Ruby stepped away from him and beamed a smile at the boy. "Welcome to the club then," she declared. "Cloaks are awesome! They keep you nice and warm! You can sleep anywhere you want! T-They're just the best!"
Whatever you say, Ruby...
"Don't you already have a cape," Weiss asked, sidetracking from the topic. "Why waste the money on this..." Her words trailed away as she gestured to the second-hand garment.
Jaune shrugged his shoulders. "Capes don't really do anything," he said. "Ruby pretty much hit it on the head though..."
Cloaks are probably one of the most useful pieces of clothing any adventurer could have. Being used for centuries by travellers and nomads for protection against the weather, be it sandstorms or heavy snow. Or in camp as something to sit on next to a campfire before wrapping yourself in the thick cloth and passing out.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Whatever, it doesn't matter now," she mumbled, walking over to a nearby wall. The Mage pulled a piece of chalk from her bag and began drawing a pentagram on the stone. Inside the star, she inscribed symbols in the language of magic.
Jaune walked up behind Weiss. "So this will bring us back to the village," he asked, reading the symbols. "Or are you just messing with the villagers, so they think a witch is among them?"
The last thing they needed was to be chased out of this village by peasants wielding pitchforks and torches. Not to many of them would take kindly to there being a mage among them. Especially with how superstitious the peasant class could sometimes be. All it would take is one rumour from a muttering wise-woman, and that Mage would be accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake before the day was done.
"Yes, and no," she answered. "Once the scribing is complete, it will disappear. I already took any misunderstandings into account, especially since we do not know of any Inquisitors among the villagers."
I almost forgot about them...
"You think those guys from the church are here," Ruby spoke up. A mild tinge of fear hung in her voice. With good reason as well.
"I did not say they were here," Weiss, clarified. "It's merely a precaution." She finished the spell as the rune flashed with a bright orange light before vanishing. "One learns to be careful as a mage living on Solitas."
"Or as a mage living anywhere," Jaune quietly added on.
[Valish Forest]
Jaune readjusted one of the bags on his back. The two packs he was carrying were not that heavy. In fact, the only issue he had with hauling three bags around was how much they dug into his back. And the satchel on his side kept smacking him in the groin every time it somehow made its way to the front from where he tucked it.
"I'm just saying, I don't think it's fair that Jaune carries your bag," Ruby asserted her side of the argument.
Ruby and Weiss had been going at it for the last twenty minutes now. Between the Heiress thinking her sense of direction was perfect, and Ruby trying her best to help use the map. They weren't doing very well. Jaune had even stepped in to send them in the right direction, but the Mage's ego wasn't helping them at all.
Now the two were just going back and forth. Pointing out every little thing that the other was doing wrong or minor complaints really about the other's attitude. It reminded Jaune of his sisters. They somehow argued about anything and everything, but it never went past that. Even now, the girl's arguing wasn't a bad thing. It would help them get anything between them out of the way now instead of later.
"It's not that heavy, Ruby," Jaune spoke up, from the back of the group. "I wouldn't be carrying the bags around in a fight anyways."
Unless you want to die in the event of an ambush, of course. You are always supposed to drop everything in your hands or on your back. A bag could easily be snagged on a claw or a set of jaws, and then you would find yourself being thrown around like a ragdoll.
"That's beside the point, Jaune," she replied with a little more energy. "You have to do all of her work!"
"It also has to deal with my strength stat," Weiss added on. Her cheeks flushed red out of embarrassment. "And if you couldn't tell, I'm not built for strength, physically either."
That's why I carry your bags...
"Then just work out," Ruby suggested, shrugging her shoulders. "It's not that hard. Just lift weights and focus on different muscle groups. Yang forced me to when we started training"
I know what that's like...
Jaune could still remember how sore he was on those days. Running laps around the perimeter of Bar until he threw up then kept going. Doing push-ups, curls, and squats past his limits. Even carrying heavy logs weighing hundreds of pounds around just to get into good enough shape so he could wrestle monsters to the ground.
Weiss let out a loud breath of air. "Even if I lifted weights, it wouldn't help me regardless if I began looking like your sister," she explained. "Stats limit how effective everything is. Thus wasting my time on a fruitless endeavour. And is why I don't wish to put effort into it!"
"It wouldn't hurt to do some conditioning, Weiss," Jaune intervened. "A little can go a long way to keep you in shape. And working on your strength would force more stat points in that direction, right?"
"Yes, it would," she reluctantly agreed. "But it takes years for something like that to happen. You can't force your Affinity to shift overnight."
"Your what," Ruby asked with a confused look on her face.
"My Affinity," Weiss repeated herself. "Every person has his or her own affinities for the governing stats. Hence the reason why no two people's stats are the same." She gestured over to Jaune. "Take him, for example. He's a knight, but his stats are not that of a knight's. They are, however, just enough for him to be considered a part of their class. The reason being that his Intelligence is above average for your typical hero, and well above the norm for most knights."
"Wait," Ruby spoke up. "You guys know each other's stats? Isn't that kind of private?" Both teens cheeks 'slightly' flushed.
That is a very intimate thing to know about another person. Like having sex with someone for the first time intimate. To the point, Jaune didn't even know his own family's stats, let alone any of his friends.
"Y-Yes," Weiss sputtered. Her cheeks still flushed red. "B-But, we do not know any specifics! Only inferences based off of previous experiences! Nothing more!"
"Oh, okay..." Ruby seemed to accept that and didn't choose to speculate.
Most people knew only what stats their peers may lean-to. Nobody would ever willingly give the specific numbers out unless it was with a lover. It was more acceptable socially to infer that information because you would learn it or figure it out as Weiss said. Even then, Mages and Rogues were never privy when it came to that.
"Back to the topic at hand," Weiss nervously continued. "Every person's stats will be specific to that person. Those who fall within certain categories get grouped into classes. Hence why there are three primary clades that everyone falls into. The Rogues, Warriors, and Mages. Then some subclades can be hybrids of different clades or new branches of the original three such as the Dragon Knights, Paladins, the Spellswords, Spartans, Rangers, and other classes which fuse one or more fighting styles."
"Basically, your stats are who you are, and what you like to do which can change depending on your interests," Jaune summarised the concept of Affinities. "I spent most of my time studying when I was younger, which helped build my Intelligence more than other knights. I also trained as a warrior. So if Weiss trained like a knight, she would become more like a knight."
"Well, you could have just said that," Ruby said, sounding slightly worn out from that lecture.
Weiss threw her hands in the air. "I give up..."
...
"If we pass through this part of the forest, we can reach a clearing," Weiss proposed, holding the map out in front of her. "From there, if we head north..." She pushed aside some branches in the way. "We can-" Weiss was cut off by Jaune grabbing her. He clasped a hand over her mouth and pulled her down into the bushes.
The girl did not offer much resistance as she was pulled to her knees. Ruby followed as she and Jaune crouched in the brush.
"Shhh." He put a finger over his mouth to silence her. Letting go of Heiress' mouth.
He pushed aside some branches obscuring his vision. In front of them was the clearing Weiss had mentioned. But there was a little something there that none of them wanted to run into. Something that would kill them without a second thought. Luckily he spotted it before Weiss broke through the cover.
In the clearing, there stood what seemed to be the silhouette of a man. White tufts of fur jutting out from his joints. His entire body black as midnight. Small armoured plates dotting his body, creating a thick carapace that could not be sundered by most adventurers. Claws the length of a dinner plate.
However, the creature did not move like a man. Its limbs spasmed and contorted in unnatural directions. What sounded like bones snapping with every movement. It jerked its body as if it were having seizures on every limb.
*CHCHCHHCHKCCKCH!* The creature let out a chittering sound. Not unlike those giant spiders, Jaune encountered during his first Task. It sent a shiver down his spine that shook his very core.
It was a Creature of Grimm. One of the remnants left over from their invasion of Remnant. Or possibly one that was sent through a portal and stranded here. Regardless, the demon was standing maybe twenty feet away from them.
"Back up, slowly," Jaune whispered to his partners. "We need to-"
"HUAARRRUAGHGAA!" Jaune was cut off by a shrill screech from the demon. Ruby and Weiss cringed as the cry rang out.
SHIT!
Jaune tucked his head down, hoping it hadn't spotted them. There was really one thing they could do if that happened and it was to run as far and as fast as they could. Even then, it was not a guaranteed chance of surviving this encounter, nor was it a good idea.
Ruby began crouch walking back along the path they came from. Weiss followed right behind her. Jaune held back in case one of his swords got caught on something.
*Snap*
A twig far off in the distance broke in the direction the group came from. Jaune was sure it was not from anybody hiding in the bushes with him. Maybe it was an animal?
Before Jaune could think it over any further. The Grimm stumbled through the brush, nearly running him over. Weiss clasped her hands over her mouth to keep herself quiet. Ruby's hand went for her scythe.
The sounds of heavy footsteps grew quieter as the monster chased after whatever caused the noise. Once it was far enough away, Jaune quietly stood up as did his other party members. They wasted no time dawdling and moved as fast as they could across the clearing and over a nearby hill.
As soon as they were in the clear, all three of the party members nearly collapsed from exhaustion. Having sprinted up a steep hill and almost three hundred metres to put distance between them and the Grimm. That and having to lug around heavy gear added to the stress.
"What was that," Ruby asked with a mix of relief and remaining concern. Her lungs heaving for any purchase of extra air.
"That," Jaune began, taking a large breath. "Was a ghoul, Ruby."
Ghouls are humanoid Grimm. Very fast, very dangerous even by themselves. Their eyesight is not stellar. But, they have excellent hearing. How it didn't notice Weiss was a miracle. Maybe it charged into the clearing after hearing her and couldn't figure out where the voice came from?
"He's right," Weiss concurred. "I'm surprised you were able to see it before I did."
I'm surprised I did too...
"Probably because I could see over the bushes," Jaune teased, followed by a chuckle. Weiss glared at him - more like burning two holes through his soul.
"Why you..." Weiss tried to come up with some sort of retort but lost it. She took her loss throwing on a pout before turning around in the direction of where they were heading. "We should get moving. It looks like it's going to rain." The Mage started trudging forward, grumbling something else under her breath.
Jaune looked up to see a gathering storm front a few miles out. Large black and swirling blue masses of water vapour billowing on the horizon. The faint hint of petrichor on the wind as well as the distinct scent of ozone. Winds picked up even more as Jaune stood there watching this wall move towards him.
"This day just keeps getting better and better."
If anything, it could be worse.
...
"So, do you guys know why that ghoul was here," Ruby asked. "I mean, demons are not really around anymore since The Great War ended." She turned to face her companions, who were walking side by side.
Jaune scratched the back of his head looking down at Weiss then the map. "That's true," he confirmed. "But there have been cases where a few dozen or maybe a hundred Grimm show up out of nowhere."
"You mean the Invasions," Weiss wondered, looking up at the boy.
"Yeah, those," Jaune halfheartedly replied. "But I don't think it was an Invasion. There was a lone ghoul and no other demon species around. And ghouls are usually pack-hunters as well."
Running into a lone ghoul was probably the best thing that could have happened. Actually, they are a lot like goblins in a way. While they are not a nesting species and prefer to roam about the forest like deer. They are strongest when in a group and a lone one could be killed easily by an experienced adventurer. Usually, said adventurer has to be in the level forties or above to have a chance at killing Grimm since their spawn level is so high it's almost ridiculous.
"Invasions are kind of like what happened with The Great War, right," Ruby asked with her childlike curiosity still present. Surprisingly it still remained even after encountering a near-death situation.
"Yes. Scholars and mages do believe that The Calamity Wars were a prolonged Invasion," Weiss began, gesturing with her hands. "And Invasions are both artificial and natural phenomena where suddenly dozens or hundreds of creatures or demons appear. Either through somebody summoning them using a specific form of conjuration magic or through sudden tears in space that lead to different dimensions. I won't go into specifics, but if one knows the summoning ritual, they can trigger an Invasion at a specified location."
What if somebody caused The Great War on purpose? Who would even have that kind of power? Jaune shuddered at the thought. Who knows what they must be up to now?
"Even if there was no Invasion triggered, demons still live on Remnant," Weiss continued. Her poise and fluency on the matter sounded natural to her. "They primarily hide deep in the forests away from civilisation. Breeding naturally like any other monster species. For example, the Ghoul or Menschenfresser as we call them on Solitas. Have been recorded to have their numbers grow naturally between seasons like any other animals. Although their exact method of reproduction is unknown."
"Huuaaghh," Ruby groaned. "How do you guys remember all of this? It's like you have dictionaries inside your heads!" Her sudden outburst earned an amused chuckle from Jaune.
"It's fine, Ruby," Jaune placated her. "You won't learn everything the first time you hear it."
He hadn't thought she was trying to remember all of this. It showed she had promise. Maybe more than Jaune did. Ruby wasn't the one who decided to run away from home because she didn't get her way. But she was trying to branch out and grasp more concepts than simply swinging her scythe around.
"And you also need to study," Weiss added on, shooting Jaune an approving nod. "While we both are very knowledgeable about subjects. Arc is more practical in his studies - choosing to neglect theory in other disciplines. Such as magic and basic world mechanics. Of which I have no idea how he managed to survive until now. And I will admit that I am not perfect as well. Choosing theory over practice."
Ruby stayed quiet, formulating her response. "Could you show me some books that I could look at," she bashfully asked, fidgeting with her skirt. The Reaper almost sounded ashamed that she had to ask. Which there was nothing wrong with asking for help, of course.
"Sure," Jaune immediately agreed, playfully ruffling the shorter girl's hair. "How about when we get back to Beacon, we can go check out the library? Maybe bring Yang along as well?"
"If the boob doesn't distract you..." Weiss faintly mumbled under her breath. Jaune managed to hear it but made no point in responding.
...
The next several hours of their journey was filled with more small talk. Basic orienteering, arguing over which way was the correct direction to head in, and largely unimportant stuff Jaune was likely to forget in the next twenty minutes.
The best part about it was how Weiss seemed to open up a bit more. Usually, the frosty Heiress was the introvert and rarely spoke up. But now she was keeping up a full conversation with Ruby on her own. Only if they could get Blake to stop being anti-social...
Jaune did his best to include himself in any debates or lectures about monsters. But he was still working on coming to terms with giving up on his crush. And that wound on his heart still remained open. He just didn't want to give the impression that something was wrong. Having that literally happen the previous night would have caused most teens to feel like crap, but Jaune was used to it. Heartbreak builds character, after all.
Luckily neither of the girls seemed to take notice. Which was good, of course. That's why he remained at the back of the train where the girls would be more focused on each other. Getting his arse kicked in the fight that was soon to come when they reached the fort would help him get over this rut.
"Ummm, Jaune," Ruby spoke up, dragging the boy from his thoughts. "We may have a problem."
Jaune looked up to see a river in front of them. How that snuck up on him was beyond his concern now, but how to get across was the new task at hand. This is why he should have been paying attention and not moping over Weiss. It could have gotten them all killed had he not been paying attention when that ghoul showed up.
"Great," he sarcastically replied. "Is there a bridge nearby? If not, then we are going to have to swim across." Jaune crouched at the edge of the river.
The channel seemed to be moving slowly. No rapids or fast-moving water which was a plus. And the river was maybe twenty feet wide where they were. Which was manageable if they needed to swim. No drowners would spawn in these waters as well with how muddy they were. Clogs up their gills.
"The nearest bridge is pretty far north," Ruby said with an unsure tone. "Maybe two or three hours from here?"
Swimming it is then...
Jaune dropped his bags and pulled his cloak off of him. Ruby followed along without a word as she set down Crescent Rose then began untieing her corset.
"What are you two animals doing," Weiss indignantly asked. A lovely blush appearing on her cheeks.
"We have to swim across," Ruby replied nonchalantly. "I don't want my clothes to get wet, so I'm putting them in my bag."
"NO," Weiss shouted. "We will find another way across! I am not going to swim through some disgusting stream! Nor will I undress in front of you!" She looked directly at Jaune as she finished her sentence. "I do not care if we have to walk another three hours or five!"
"Weiss, what's wrong," Jaune asked. A mild tinge of concern in the back of his throat. There was obviously something else going on here that she didn't want to tell them.
"Come on, Weiss..."
The blush on the Heiress' cheeks worsened. To the point, they were mimicking Ruby's cloak. Her head snapped downwards, and both eyes peered at the grass.
"Okay," she shouted again. "I-I can't swim!"
"That's it," Ruby apprehensively asked, sounding almost as if she were relieved. "You could have just said something." She kneeled down to fish something out of her bag.
"It's embarrassing!"
"It's really not that bad Weiss," Jaune added on. "My younger sisters had trouble swimming, but they got over it. I just helped them swim when they were learning how-to for the first time."
Ruby produced a length of rope that was almost fifty feet long. "I'll swim across with this first - then you can tie our bags to it," she proposed. "So now Jaune can help you swim across!"
"That's actually a really good idea," Jaune agreed. "Good job!" He shot Ruby a smile, and she returned it.
"Fine," Weiss grumbled. "But I will not be taking off my clothes!" She blushed even harder. Not meeting Jaune's eyes. Or anybody's for that matter.
"Alright," Jaune acquiesced. "Nobody is going to force you. But you will regret it later when you're freezing your but off!"
"Whatever..."
Jaune turned around to give Ruby some privacy. He knew how this part went since he lived in a household almost entirely consisting of women. Staring was not allowed. Not that he would mind you. Jaune was a red-blooded male, but he was still a gentleman. The fact they were his sisters also helped to dissuade any peeking. So looking away felt natural to him.
"Okay!" Ruby grabbed her rope and dove into the river. Jaune turned around to watch the girl glide through the water. She seemed better suited to life in the water with how she swam. It was almost graceful.
Surfacing on the other side, Ruby tied the rope to a tree. Jaune looped the line through his, Ruby and Weiss' bags. Finally, he wrapped all of their weapons in his cloak to protect them from the water.
Jaune pulled off his own clothes down to his trousers. Sparing Weiss from any further show of skin. Tucking his garments into his bag, he rechecked everything to make sure nothing would come loose and be lost to the river.
"Go ahead, Ruby," Jaune shouted to the girl. She nodded and pulled the mass through the water. The Knight watched it intently in case something happened to it, and he needed to dive in there. Once across, any concern he had dissipated.
Jaune turned around to find Weiss blushing intensely. He didn't know her that well, but she could hardly be in the same room as Jaune in any state of undress. It was probably due to some high expectancy for modesty in Atlas. Or Weiss wasn't used to seeing male peers like this. Shirtless that is. She was too much of a prude to have seen anymore.
"Are you ready?"
Weiss nodded lightly. "Just help me get across," she meekly asked. "And if you let me drown, I will haunt you."
Jaune chuckled lightly and made his way to the edge. Jumping into the shallow end of the channel - his feet found purchase on the silt coating the bed. He turned to help Weiss down almost catching her like a small child as she dropped into the river.
"Just grab on, and I'll do the work," Jaune suggested, stepping further into the river. The current was now pushing against his legs. Nearly carrying him off his feet. Entering the final drop off, he started treading water and pushing himself upstream to stay in the same place.
Weiss stepping into the deep end and found her height put her at a disadvantage. Almost sinking straight to the bottom if it weren't for her proximity to Jaune. She immediately wrapped her arms around his torso, and her head ended up on top of his abs.
Jaune started swimming across the river in the backstroke. Trying to do his best to ignore his former crush clinging to him for dear life. Had he known it would have been this difficult to get over her, he would have done it after the quest was over and when he didn't have to put up with this shit.
Gladly, it all came to an end as Jaune's back touched the other side of the river. Climbing out with Weiss still holding onto him, Ruby reached down and pulled with all of her might to get her teammates over the riverbank.
Landing flat on his face, Jaune rolled over to look up at the sky. "See, that wasn't so bad," he calmly jested.
Weiss looked down on him from above. "We do not speak of this, ever," she demanded harshly, pointing her index finger at him.
Before Jaune could respond, a sudden downpour came. A once blue sky literally opened up and began drenching the three students. The wind blew hard enough to make it rain sideways. Ruby's cloak threatened to fly away.
God shits in my dinner once again...
...
It was now night or maybe dusk. Jaune didn't know anymore. The sky turned black a few hours ago ever since this monsoon rolled in. Loud cracks of thunder rang out with every bright flash of electricity. The temperature had fallen well below the comfort zone, and the wind wasn't helping.
They needed to find somewhere to sleep for the night lest they freeze to death come morning. Weiss had yet to voice her regret at not keeping her clothes dry, but she was shivering. Jaune and Ruby were not any better. Both having hastily thrown on their clothes, but still ended up wet.
The group kept pushing forward while continually looking out for some sort of shelter. Jaune managed to keep the map dry using his cloak as cover and Weiss provided light through her magic. So they were doing fine at the moment. No monsters had decided to attack under cover of darkness.
"Guys look," Ruby spoke up, pointing to something in the distance. A lightning bolt gave them enough light to see it.
A cave.
The three quickly made their way into the hole in the side of the rock face. Weiss sent several Candlelight spells down the passage to find that the cave only went a ten feet into the side of the hill. The ground was dry, and a firepit was dug in the middle of the chamber.
An old hunters camp?
"Finally," Weiss groaned, hitting the floor with a wet slap. She pulled off her outer robes and set them off to the side. Only wearing her trousers and shirt now.
Jaune dropped his own packs before turning to the mouth of the cave. He needed to find enough wood to keep a fire going for a few hours. "I'll be back in a minute."
Stepping back out into the cold was unpleasant. The cave had been the warmest thing out here since this afternoon. Luckily he didn't need to be out here for long anymore. Scattered tree branches and twigs were in plentiful supply out here. He quickly gathered everything up and ran back into the cave.
Coming back to their camp. Jaune found that Ruby and Weiss had changed into dryer clothes in his absence. Which was appreciated since he would not have to wait for them.
He dropped the wood in the centre of the room. Only now registering his exhaustion. A full days worth of hiking and much of it in less than stellar conditions was actually quite draining. Not as bad as getting nearly beaten to death by a hobgoblin, but still unpleasant.
Finally starting a fire. He nursed the flames to full maturity and started tossing wood into the pit. He let it get to around medium heat to dry everyone's stuff off, but not hot enough to become overwhelming.
Jaune fell back onto his bedroll that one of the girls had rolled out when he was outside. He looked at the pack where all of the food was stored and didn't even want to bother eating something.
I just want to sleep...
Laying on his back, Jaune stretched out all of the knots that had formed throughout the day. The gentle warmth of the fire soothed him just enough that he quickly drifted off to sleep.
Ok, the chapter's over!
I introduced several new ideas into the story, and clarified on some others. And someone a while back asked if I was going to add demons into this story. Which I did just now.
Jaune had also been crushing on Weiss the entire time. I mentioned several times in previous chapters as his motivation for working with Weiss. So, don't come asking me about it!
If nothing else. I'm out this bitch!
Level Seventeen
Strength 33 (+5)
Agility 17 (+3)
Defence 23 (+3)
Perception 27 (+3)
Constitution 33 (+3)
Intelligence 40 (+5)
Charisma 21 (+3)
Willpower 14 (+2)
...
Abilities
Arclight
A high-intensity explosion of light, equivalent to that of the sun. Burns the flesh of undead and magical entities. Momentarily blinds living and non-magical entities. Sudden magical intensity can cause affected to flee regardless of status.
Active Debuff:
Turn and Face The Sun!
Longinuslanze Testament
A most unholy weapon. Forged by our lord to answer to only one master. He who has the will to dominate such a blade.
It shall sunder any armour. It shall never miss its mark. It shall grow with your own strength. Its holy light searing all who stand to oppose it.
In turn, you shall become vulnerable to attacks whilst wielding this unholy relic. It shall challenge your mastery by forcing you to fight at your full strength.
Active Debuff:
Turn and Face The Sun!
...
Miscellaneous Knowledge/Buffs/etc.
Monster Slayer
Spent years studying the various monsters of Remnant. Knows the different species and taxonomy of each known creature. Understands the weaknesses of most known monsters.
Armour and Weapons Smith
Worked a forge for his entire life. Jaune is able to judge the composition of metals, and know the condition of his weapons and armour.
...
Gear:
Jaune's Breastplate
Level Seventeen
Materials: 2% Silicon, 0.60% Carbon, Remainder is Steel and Leather
Minimum Stat Requirements:
Strength: 32
Agility: 16
Defence: 22
Constitution: 30
Eagle's Armour
Level Twenty Eight
Materials: Unknown Alloy Ratio of Enchanted Steel and Corundom, Carbon Steel, and Leather
Minimum Stat Requirements:
Strength: 57
Agility: 25
Defence: 30
Constitution: 39
Buffs:
This specific alloy of steel and corundom is less dense than normal steel while just as hard. It has a strength to weight ratio similar to menachanite allowing the user to build a thicker armour without sacrificing for weight.
This armour was also specially built for you. The measurements fit your body exactly, allowing it to be worn as a second skin granting a tremendous degree of flexibility.
Crocea Mors
Level Seventeen
Materials: 0.50% Carbon, 0.60% Manganese, The Remainder of the Materials are Steel, and Leather
Strength: 34
Agility: 15
Perception: 26