Jaune was studying an ancient book, it was mostly tattered and the papers blur most of the words out, but he can still read some of them and learn how to use magic. The book has a skull on the front cover, the colors are black and red, but it was very worn and hadn't been used in a long time.
The book titled "The Book of Necromancy" looks scary from the design, but the book itself was harmless despite its age. So it details how necromancy practice in black magic involving communication with the dead – either by summoning their spirits as apparitions, visions or raising them bodily – for the purpose of divination, imparting the means to foretell future events, discover hidden knowledge, to bring someone back from the dead, or to use the dead as a weapon. Sometimes referred to as "Death Magic", the term may also sometimes be used in a more general sense to refer to black magic or witchcraft.
Though Jaune frowns at the thought of black magic, He mean, who would've thought that magic is real? Magic is just a fairy tale just like The Silver-Eye Warriors, The Four Maidens, etc... and thought this was a waste of time. But... something tells him that picking up this book was already too late to turn back, so he continues reading the book and learns more from it.
"Magic were originates and gifts from The Gods, two immensely powerful magical beings and the creators of the World of Remnant. They are two brothers, the elder being the God of Light and the younger being the God of Darkness. The God of Light created life, and the God of Darkness created agents of death. The God of Darkness gave the people of the first era the power to use magic, but when the Gods had abandoned Remnant due to unknown circumstances, Later, the second era of Humanity blossomed, but they had no magic nor any knowledge that it had ever existed."
Jaune was in shock at what he just discovered. Magic was real after all? He read the book five times and confirmed his suspicions. So the first era of Humanity was gifted with magic from God of Darkness, but the second era of Humanity wasn't? What could have caused the Gods to abandon Remnant in the first place? More questions leads to more answers, he focuses his attention back to the book, he needs to know more...
"The Gods have left four artifacts throughout the world, as to whoever finds these artifacts will summon the Gods back to Remnant. They are known as Relics. The Relic of Crown grants its user visions of the future. Visions are random and cannot be controlled. The Relic of Knowledge can answer any three questions per century except pertaining to the future. Can change size and stop time when used. The Relic of Creation is capable of creating anything, but requires details to do so. Can only be used for one task at a time and is forbidden from resurrection. Can change size and stop time when used. The Relic of Destruction is unknown, no one has ever seen the sword in action, even my minions couldn't find or locate a tiniest description of the sword."
"Though, from what my sources are telling me, The Relic of Destruction was rumored to be used by The King of Vale. I don't know how he got a hold of that sword, but I'll think twice before messing with that man, he smells like a bad omen to me... But enough about the King for the moment. I'm leaving behind this book for anyone who ever finds it. All my notes, research, and knowledge of magic are within this book. However, it ain't going to be an easy task just by reading, oh no! You're going to have to prove you earn the right to learn the dark arts."
"In order to gain access to my magic, you need to travel throughout Remnant and unlock secrets of my past relics. The gifts I left there should help your travels, turn to the next page and there you'll see a map."
Jaune flipped to the next page and there was indeed a map, it was tattered like the book itself, but the map is still easily readable. He slowly flips the parchment open and reveals the map of Remnant. There were seven red X marks in each location according to the map, Two is in Mistral, Two is in Atlas, One is in Menagerie, and the last is in Vale. Each of them contains ancient relics of the mysterious old necromancer.
"Once you reach one of these locations, you'll have to draw your own blood onto a stone pedestal, just a few drops and a door will open to you. There you'll recover one of my gifts and a few spell tomes of the dark arts waiting inside. Continue this task and more doors will open to you, to whoever finds this book, know that I'll be watching even from death, for as I have a special gift, a gift from a True God. Farewell, and good luck."
True God? What does that even mean? Was there perhaps a third god that wasn't mentioned in the history books? Jaune stood up and went over to the other section of the library to find the history of the Gods. He flipped through the books as quickly as he could and found no records of a third God. Could the person who wrote that book be a psychopath or something? More questions left unanswered...
"Kid? Are you doing alright over there?" A man named Tuckson calls out to him.
"O-oh! uh? Yeah, just a bit out of it, I guess." Jaune scratch the back of his head and giving a force smile on his face
Tuckson can tell this kid was lying, but it wasn't his business, "Okay, so did you find something to read?"
Jaune went back to the bookshelf where he found the rusty book, he brought it to the counter and Tuckson eyed the book with a confused expression.
"Where did you get this?" He asked
"Over there in that section, it was an interesting book despite its age, and I'll find someone who can restore this back to its former glory." Jaune responded honestly
Tuckson sighs before grabbing a barcode scanner and scans the rusty book, strange... it wasn't registered in the system. He thought it might be a mistake and scans it again, this time it actually goes through, he checks the price and realizes it was one of those 70% discounts he added in last week.
"Alright, kid, sorry for the wait. Is this book the only one you want?"
"Yes Sir"
"Alright, it's going to be $30 since the book is a 70% discount."
Jaune pulls out his wallet and pays for the book, Tuckson accepts the money and puts it into his cash box. He hands Jaune the receipt as he took the book and left the store.
"What a weird kid..." Tuckson mutters before his door opens again and two individuals appear.
One in green and one in gray...
Jaune was in the park of Vale and reading his newly purchased book, he frowns as to how he's going to find these locations, he can't exactly sneak off Beacon and travel to another place finding these ancient relics of an old necromancer. Besides, Team RWBY and his team have been keeping a close eye on him since the Cardin incident. He was glad that Cardin stopped bullying him after he saved him from a Ursa, it was only fair to return that favor from the bully.
Another thought pops into his mind and wonders if this is all a trick, it was just a prank made from a drunk one day and wrote convincing riddles in order to fool the ones who bought this book, maybe that's why this book was under the 70% discount section.
Wait a minute, wasn't this book in the old fiction section? He could've swore that it was... never mind, it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that this book is his and can do whatever he wants with it.
So the map details the locations of the relics of the necromancer, and one of the locations is here in Vale. If he's reading this right... The marker in Vale is on top of Beacon Academy, though it seems to be in a basement of some kind, weird, he didn't know Beacon has a basement over there. It sounds simple enough on finding this relic, but he doubts he could just ask the teachers and ask them to allow him access to their basement, so it seems he's gonna have to do this at night.
The problem is that he isn't much of a sneaky type, and asking someone like Blake for help is a big no on his part. He can't just ask Blake to go along with his plan on whatever he's looking for, that'll be way too suspicious and less of her trusting him. He doesn't know much about Blake, other than her being quiet and reading books, that's all he knows about her.
He shook his head and closed the book, it was getting dark and he needed to head back to Beacon anyway. Jaune took the long walk back to the Bullhead, he had to hold out not throwing up due to his motion sickness... air travel sucks, then he went past the water fountain and into the main hall of the school.
Jaune has his hands in his pockets, his book on his right armpit, it was already nighttime and knew his team was going to fit him for taking so long. But then he got an idea, it was already nighttime so why not use this chance and find one of the relics? Jaune looked around to see no one on sight, he took the left corner and went outside, there he saw the CCT standing tall in front of him. He doesn't know why, but something is telling him to go inside and enter a room not accessible to the public.
Jaune enters the tower and into the elevator, the headmaster's office is at the very top, but Jaune isn't heading to see the headmaster. He's heading to the Vault.
He pushes the number 0 and the elevator goes down towards the spot he pushes. He waited inside the elevator and wondered what he was doing was right? He was currently trespassing and risking his future here in Beacon, but that same gut feeling inside him told him he was fine. Where did that thought come from?
The elevator dings and now he was in a new location he has never been to before, It was a large underground chamber hidden beneath Beacon Academy. This place looks like it can hold thousands or perhaps millions of people if there was ever the end of the world...
"Now... where do I go?" Jaune muttered to himself as he was in unfamiliar territory.
The corridor appears to intersect perpendicularly with another, this place has kept lots of hidden things over the years it seems, This place is vast and dimly lit by wall-mounted torches that cast a pale green light. But despite the weirdly green lights, Jaune still has no clue where to find the relics of an old necromancer, as he was starting to have even more doubts on this "Adventure" he's having.
He reached his book and strangely it flew out of his hands and into the air.
"What the!?" He gaps and couldn't believe what he was seeing! A book is floating in the air!?
The book then slowly flew towards the opposite side of him, it turned back and motions for him to follow after it, Jaune was dumbfounded and couldn't believe what he just witnessed. But he regains his composure and follows after the book, it seems it is taking him to find the relic it seems.
The book turns to its right and then the left, until it stops in the middle of a doorway. Jaune stood in front of the doorway and it was a wooden door, he proceeded with caution and opened the knob of the door, and inside was an old stone pedestal in the middle. The book flew above the pedestal and motions Jaune to do what he came here for.
Jaune got close to the pedestal and noticed a knife inside it, he remembers that the book mentions that he needs to cut his hand and drop just a few blood, he slowly reaches and grabs a hold of the knife. He removed the right glove of his hand, and slowly cut the palm of his hand, gritting his teeth as his blood dripped into the pedestal. Suddenly, the wall behind the pedestal starts moving around in a heavy fashion, noise could be heard throughout the Vault, it also didn't help that the building shook as well. Jaune was put on high alert and needed to find what he came here for and leave.
Jaune quickly heads inside the wall and what do you know? It closes behind him, like no traces of his existence was ever in that room room to begin with. He shrugs and continues following the book and inside the wall is... quite something.
In front of him were two items, one is an ornate golden crown with red jewels embedded in it. The other is where the book flew towards and stood over it, it was an old reinforced mask, it looks deformed and scary lookin, it has a dark aura surrounding it. It felt like he was staring at Death's mask itself.
"Finally... Someone decides to step up and become the next Necromancer" A voice calls out
"Who is that? Who is there?" Jaune calls out to the mysterious voice
"Oh? I didn't expect the next Necromancer to be young, well, this works better than I expected." The same voice said again
Then, a dark portal appears below the grounds Jaune is standing on, Jaune was starting to hyper vent and didn't know what's going on! Until a demonic woman has flown upwards into the room, she has blue skin and black sclera, and wearing revealing armor showing their body which radiates dark magic. She has long dark purple hair that goes to her butt, horns, and giving Jaune one of the most lusty expressions he has ever seen.
"It's been quite some time since I've arrived back to the mortal realm, hmm, I didn't expect to end up here though. I guess that old wizard has something to do with this." The demon grits her teeth on remembering the immortal wizard.
"Who are you?" Jaune asks the demon, he had a wide-eyed expression on his face, and was just stunned by the whole display.
"Me? Well, I'm a Demon Lord for one. I ruled over the underworld for the last five decades, I commanded my demon soldiers into battle against the rebellion who were against my rule, and defeated the rebellion's leader Marty Darkwood into submission. I've then spent my time in the underworld sitting in the throne waiting for a challenge, but none would come and thus I was getting really and really bored, and now I appear before you now. Summoning me as I live and breathe onto the mortal realm once again." She answered with smugness in her tone.
"Well... I didn't expect to see an actual demon, it freaks me out to say the least."
"I don't blame, it's not everyday humans like you can see a true demon like me, or live for that matter."
"Right... So what do you want with me?" Jaune getting straight to the point.
"Right to the point aren't you? How dull, fine, I guess I needed a vacation from the throne anyway." She pouted before regaining her composure.
She grabs the floating book and holds it, "You found this book? I didn't know this was still around, but it's in bad condition... I'll just restore it." She then uses her magic and restores the book like it was brand new.
"But back to business, As you know I'm a Demon Lord and ruled over the underworld for the last five decades, you, the mighty young necromancer has found the room of this mask," She holds up the mask in front of her, "This mask contains little of my power within it, it was created by one of you mortals, I believed his name was Emer Dareloth. That thief manages to get the best of me and steal parts of my powers, now it is inside this mask, which I'll say Dareloth has good taste in fashioning this little beauty."
"Each wearers has different unique talents once they wear this mask, I lost count how many wearers before you, though Emer Dareloth is the one name I'll never forget," She grits her teeth again, "But that's the past and this is the future, now, this mask hadn't seen the light of day since it was sealed within this cursed vault, built by that damn old wizard Ozma..."
"And now it is up to you, young Necromancer, to take up the mantle as the next Necromancer and earn whatever wishes you desire. Money, power, fame, all you could do once you wear this mask." She tossed the mask over to Jaune, but he didn't catch it since it was floating in front of him.
"But know that I'll be watching, when you put the mask on, your eyes are mine eyes, I see everything in front of you," She flew over towards Jaune who was staring at the mask, "The mask is calling out to you, little one, put it on and see what it feels on having power beyond anything you could ever imagine~"
Jaune was conflicted, he wanted to be a hero and one of the reasons why he's here in Beacon to become a Huntsmen, but he always felt doubts that he'll ever make it to the top where his friends are at. He was slow, weak, untrained, and pathetic, he would never rise from anything if keeps being held down by his friends, Ozpin, or anyone else... no he needs to prove how strong he really is, and if accepting the mask would help him to become better than he is now? He'll become a necromancer and grab hold of the mask and put it on.
A flash of bright light has shone all over the room, The Demon Lord has to cover her eyes from the light, and once it dies down she is shocked by what she is seeing. This human is unlike anything she has ever seen before.
Standing before her was Jaune but in different attire, He has black long coat on the outside while orange on the inside, his white and gold chest plate has been upgraded, two armored shoulder pads bearing the same color as his chest plate, red long waist belt, a brown holder pelt, two armored knee pads, and black combat boots. And of course is the Necromancer mask on his face, as he puts his hood on to complete the look.
Then, a few books appeared out of thin air and flew across to Jaune, opening the covers by itself and purplish elements and symbols projects around him. It was books left behind by the ancient necromancer, leaving behind its research, knowledge, and magic behind to the one who finds it... Jaune Arc.
"Now... It's my turn." Jaune coldly states before he raises his right arm and opens the palm of his hand, purple magic radiates in his hands, as the same white light from before appears behind the newly Necromancer. The mask and his Aura glows in the darkened room, light and darkness being used as one.
The Demon Lord stares at her newly Necromancer in awe, the power she feels through the mask is unbelievable, the aura the human has is melting her completely.
"My Necromancer, allow me to finally introduce myself, You can call me... Karen." Karen bows to the newly necromancer like a servant, it was like the role between them earlier switched and now Jaune was the one in charge.
"For now on, Let's work together and do wonders in this world, for as long as you breathe... my Necromancer~" Karen giggles as she finally has a new Necromancer, a Necromancer who is young, handsome, and perhaps the two of them can do business in bed...
I'll stop this here for now folks, so yeah, Welcome to my new story dubbed Ashes to Ashes.
So if you have noticed I've changed my account name from TheRealCaesar to KnightMarshmallow01, well, it was time for a change and I like the second one better. And I needed a fresh start and I came up with this one.
And I would like to thank someone from Discord, Akira, for helping come up with a name for the story, Ashes to Ashes. If you want to look him up, he's over at AO3 under the name Akira_Kronos, give him lots of love and support and thank you for helping the naming dude.
I don't have much to say, and I hope you'll enjoy this new story and we'll see what the future has in store. See you later!