Chapter 1
Despite being only a third the size of Vale, at the crack of dawn people in the city of Vytal had already started their business for the day. Bakers had their ovens warmed and their dough was beginning to rise. Fisherman had departed from the Island city in the early morning mist in hopes of beating other boats to their catch. The royal guard had started training a fresh batch of recruits, having them sprint through the empty streets surrounding the palace walls. While a young teen awoke at the house on top of the hill at the other side of town. They sprung out of their bed excited for what the new day would bring and got ready for their day. A shower, a change of clothes, and a quick look around their room showed the other bed in the room was empty and their twin was missing.
"Mom!" yelled fifteen year old Joan Arc " Did Jaune already leave?"
Jaune was currently busy hauling crates onto a truck as he made his last stop for the morning at a local grocery market downtown. His face was covered in sweat from the couple hours he had spent traveling from business to business in the city. He shook the hand of the store manager and wished him luck for the festivities later today. Since today was the Vytal festival and the celebration was always the biggest on the island of Vytal.
"Today the past two years of planning will finally pay off!" Jaune thought to himself as he hopped in the back of the truck and slapped the side of the truck bed. The truck took off driving towards the center of the city as the clouds began to part and sun began to peak through the dreary atmosphere. "Looks like we don't have to worry about the rain today either and just like that everything's coming up Jaune for the first time"
The truck pulled up to a building that was locked up with metal shutters. The truck's engine idled before going silent. Jaune hopped off the back of the truck and began to unfasten the cargo. The driver, a tall, blonde, middle aged man in his late forties took a deep breath of the early morning air before stepping out of the truck. Strapped to the man's side was a longsword without a scabbard and he wore a chestplate with twin arcs embossed on the front.
"Jaune" called the man as he walked in front of the shuttered building "Come over here for a moment."
Jaune walked over and asked "What's up dad?"
Jaune's father, Nicholas Arc, held up a key ring and tossed it towards Jaune, who fumbled slightly on the catch.
"You planned all of this from the location to the suppliers. All of this is yours and I thought it would be best if you were the one to open it up on the first day" Nicholas said as a brief smile passed over his lips. Jaune stepped forward and before he could reach the shutters he felt a hand on his shoulder. He couldn't see his father as he moved directly behind him, but Jaune could tell his father was emotional from the sound of his voice. "Son, I could never do something like this. I'm only good for wielding a blade and even though you chose not to take up the sword" his father's voice began to waver a bit "I'm proud of the man you've become. Now open this up quickly before I start bawling my eyes out."
Jaune stepped forward undid the lock and lifted the shutters to reveal the words.
"Vytal Soup Kitchen Grand Opening"
A big smile graced Jaune's lips as he took a brief moment to look at his hard work. Jaune felt his father pat him on the back before saying "Let's hurry up and get this truck unloaded before the crowds start hitting the street for the festival"
As the sun dried up the city a bunch of people began to enter the streets in droves. First came the volunteers Jaune had arranged for the first shift of the day, then came city workers setting up all the sounds and displays for the Vytal tournament, shops and booths began to set up on the other side of the square. Meanwhile Jaune and his father were preparing the first meal of the day and let the volunteers handle the service. They cleaned up the kitchen in preparation for lunch and found themselves with an extra hour before they had to start the next meal. Stepping outside Jaune and his father looked at the displays as they ate their own breakfast.
"Welcome one and all to the 39th semi annual Vytal tournament this year hosted by Mistral" said a lion faunus that appeared on the screen in front of them. " I am Haven's headmaster Leonardo Lionheart and we are all excited…"
The man on the display continued to speak in the background as Jaune turned to his father "Thanks dad for helping me out with the kitchen. It means alot to me that you would skip the party just to help me out." Jaune's father reached out and touched Jaune's shoulder.
"I can always be at another party but I can never be there for another son" Nicholas Arc hugged his son and smiled before whispering "despite the many times your mother and I tried to have another."
"Ugh, dad I really did not need to hear that last part!" Jaune said jokingly before his father let out a soft chuckle.
"Well let's get back in there these hungry people aren't going to feed themselves!" Nicholas said and as he stood up he heard an explosion and felt the ground rumble beneath his feet. As he stared in horrified shock as he saw smoke rise from the royal palace.
"Dad…" came the sound of his son who was too stunned to finish his sentence
JAUNE'S POV
"Dad…" I whispered, unable to finish my sentence due to shock.
I looked around the square at everyone who was staring just like my father before a woman across the square screamed and all hell broke loose. People started running for shelter shoving into one another as they did not know what was going to happen next. Men, women, and children all screaming and falling over one another. My father pulled out his scroll as he stepped off to the side saying "Jaune stay exactly where you are."
The display on the screen changed as an elderly man in a business suit appeared behind a news desk. "We are sorry to interrupt this broadcast but we have breaking news out of the island of Vytal. Be advised that what we are about to display is graphic, We turn over to senior field reporter at the royal palace Lisa Lavender."
A woman in a purple suit appeared with a trickle of blood running down the side of her face. A tattered white and gold banner swayed in the breeze behind her. "Grave news in the royal palace of the former king of Vale. An explosion has rocked the palace and there is an unknown number of casualties. This situation is developing as we speak but all of the main royal family was in attendance at this event and we do not know their condition."
I let out a gasp as a feeling of dread washed over me. The woman on the screen had a paper passed to her as I waited, unable to close my eyes or turn away. The Woman adopted a somber appearance.
"I'm saddened to report that crown prince Alexander and his son prince Charcoal have died in the attack. We are unable to confirm if the king himself has passed but the title of crown prince has passed to Alexander's younger brother the reclusive Nicholas Arc."
I let out a wail as my legs could no longer support themselves. I stared into the distance, unable to focus on anything besides the despair as it felt as if the ground fell out beneath me. It was a while before I felt a pair of hands grab me and pick me up as if I was weightless. They belonged to my father as he began to lead me by the hand.
"Jaune we need to leave, NOW!" Dad said in a tone I had never heard him use before. It was rough, determined, and didn't allow any room for me to defy it. "I wasn't able to reach your mother but I am gonna find someplace safe for you then find her and your sisters." He continued to drag me by the arm. It felt like he could rip my arm off with no effort at all. We reached the back of the kitchen, the other volunteers and the people in the front had left in panic apparently.
My dad closed the front shutters and locked it from the inside. He began to head to the back entrance as he said "Stay here and lock the back door after I'm gone."
"Dad, wait." I called out meekly, but he continued toward the exit "DAD, stop!" I shouted. My father paused for a moment.
"What?" he said in a grim tone without turning to face me.
It took a brief moment for me to work up the courage to say it. "Uncle Alexander and Charcoal are dead." I paused, "This is it Jaune, you can't let him go back out there" . I locked my gaze at the back of his head and tried to match the tone he used earlier. "You're the crown prince now, you shouldn't head to the royal palace, it could still be dangerous." I said from the opposite side of the room and as he turned around to face me he gave me a look that I don't think I'll ever forget. It was the same look he gave me when I opened the kitchen this morning, nothing but pride. He closed the distance between us.
"Jaune, I know you're scared about what might happen to me and I find it amazing that at such a young age you can care for the duty we hold." My heart began to fall from my throat as I realized he wasn't going to stay "but I can't ignore our family for that duty and besides I trust you to do better than me should anything happen. Now it's tradition for the king to do this for royal family members, but I am sure your grandfather can make an exception." He placed his forehead against mine "Close your eyes."
"For it is in service that we are provided clarity. With clarity we are a vanguard of humanity and protect those who seek shelter in our vale. Oaths only broken by death, I release your soul and with my hand guide thee."
I felt lighter than I have ever felt and my footing was solid despite being shaky just moments before. I breathed easier and my mind focused as I felt a warmth wash over me. I opened my eyes to see a white glow fade from my hands. "Woah" I whispered with a soft gasp.
"Impressive you even have more aura than I do." Dad walked toward the exit and paused at the door. He looked back at me over his shoulder and smiled before he uttered the only lie I have ever heard him say.
"Everything is going to be fine Jaune."