Chapter 4 - Aura

Sweat pools from every pore in my body. My chests heaves in and out as I lay on the snow. Despite the air emitting from my mouth turning foggy as it leaves, my body is numb to the freezing cold of the snowy forest. I feel like a man drowning in the middle of a desert.

I lift up one of my arms, peering closely at the space around it. Where the glow should be, yet it isn't. I growl to myself.

Nothing. It's been hours and still nothing.

After learning as much as I could from Tai last night, I quickly went to work on how to activate my Aura. From the best I could understand, a person's Aura works somewhat like having an energy shield around them. It protects the user from certain attacks, heals minor wounds that managed to break through, and other stuff that I still don't quite understand. In layman's terms, it stops what should be normal human beings from being turned into meaty pieces by the savage Grimm. As for where it comes from...

Apparently, and I'm quoting word for word here, 'Aura is the manifestation of a person's soul.' That's where it comes from. Your soul. Now, as far as I know, there are two ways you can go about it. The first way is through a combination of training and willpower. The other way is far more common but that's not an option.

I'll need to unlock my Aura by myself.

Still... I'm a little skeptical that I even have it. The way Taiyang described it, anything that has a soul has its own Aura generating from it. It's all very spiritual sounding but, home's version of Aura is a lot less... literal. I might be one of the few exceptions to that rule.

Well, I really, really hope not. I need to have Aura to get into Beacon. Hell, not just to get into Beacon. I need it to survive. I look up at the dark sky, stars dotting the cosmos. When I started, it was a clear blue. My first day is drawing to a close. I don't have any more time to waste.

Snarling, I push myself over onto my knees. One by one, I pull my legs up to stand. Up. Up. There. I stumble slightly but I'm back up onto my feet. Now...

Which field am I in again? There is the part of the forest west from the house and the other east. I rest my fingers on my chin. Where did I decide to go to again?

Ah! That's right. I'm in the west field

God. I've been out here so long I'm starting to forget things. Well, if willpower is what it takes to open my aura, then I'll give it as much as it needs. I put my hands up, clenching them both tightly. My stance is sparse and unrefined but I'm not in the position to complain about refinement. I suck in my breath and...

A sudden sound. My head snaps around. Wind? No. Grimm?! No, no. Calm. Remain calm. I'm not that deep into the forest. Besides, they're attracted to negative emotions. It's not them. Calm down. You won't let it best you this time.

"W-who's there? Sh... show yourself!" My voice wavers but I stand strong, scanning amongst the trees for some kind of movement. I hear the snow crunch underneath someone's boot. Slow, like they were a predator on the prowl. I keep my eyes sharp. I won't let them get the drop on me. I know my way back to the house. I'll use it to my advantage if I have to.

Then, a petite figure pops out from one of the trees. I see black. Black and... red? That's...

"Uh... hi." Ruby. She waves to me.

"H... hello." I raise a hand in reply. What in the world is she doing here? Ruby plays with her fingers.

"Uh, dinner's on back at the house. It's King's Mushroom Soup." Oh. Yeah. I suppose it's about that time, huh. Ruby scratches the back of her neck. "Uh, you've been out a long time so Dad asked us to search for you and we don't see you that often and, uh... I'm babbling again, aren't I? Sorry."

I shake my head. "Ah! No. It's okay. I'm... I'm not really hungry at the moment. T-thank you." Ruby raises her eyebrows.

"Are you... sure about that?" I nod back, ignoring the feral growl coming from my stomach.

"Y-yeah. I'll be in later." Ruby just looks at me. I can't quite discern what exactly she is thinking. I was never really any good at that in the first place. Eventually, Ruby just hums.

"Hm. Alright." I'm... not sure if she bought it or not. She said that in such a matter of fact way. Then, silence. I'm trying to think of something else to ask but nothing really comes to mind.

"You're trying to activate your Aura, aren't you?" My head snaps up. Huh? "I heard you and Dad talking last night. That's what you've been training for, isn't it?"

"Ah... y-you heard all that, huh?" I rub my arm. "U-um... sorry for waking you guys." A sudden smile spreads across Ruby's face. Her silver eyes lighten as she quickly closes the gap between us.

"Well, that's no problem! I can unlock your Aura for you! I've had plenty of training at Signal. I know how to do it. I know the words." A pause. "...Mostly." She... she wants to unlock my Aura for me? That's...

I shake my head. "Thank you but, I'm fine." Ruby's eyes widen.

"Huh? Why? It'll be so much easier this way. Unlocking your Aura by yourself takes so long. You'll never get it open before your test with Uncle Qrow." I sigh slightly to myself, ruffling my hair. It shouldn't be that shocking, hearing the odds. According to Tai, it would take a person years in order to unlock their aura by themselves. Months if they got lucky. I know this. It's... having someone tell you that doing so in a few days does put a little weight on your shoulders.

"Yeah. I know." Once again, Ruby is taken aback by what I'm saying.

"If you know then why won't you let me help you?" I stay silent. "Eren?"

"Don't worry about it." I shoot her a small smile. "I'll be fine. Y-you should head back. I-it's pretty cold out here." Not that I would know. I feel like I'm smoldering. My arms and legs are aching something terrible. It's like if I put any more pressure on them they'll just snap. Still, it's not all bad. The more pressure I'm under, the better my chances of unlocking my Aura. I give Ruby a small wave and turn around, once again firmly clenching my fists.

"I don't get you." I release my grip, turning back around again. Her voice sounds... somber. It's like all the energy had been completely drained from her. "I don't get you at all." I blink twice. "D... did we do something wrong? Did we hurt you? D-do I annoy you?" What? Where did she get that idea?

"N-no!" I hastily wave my hands. "No! No! That's not it at all!" Ruby looks at me.

"Then why do you keep avoiding us?"

I hold my tongue. I take a long look at her. Well, not saying anything is going to make the situation worse and I really don't want any of them to think badly of me... "I... is it okay if I be totally honest right now?" Ruby nods. I go to speak but I feel my throat clog up. All of a sudden, it feels like my collar is tightening around my neck like a noose. I zip down the front of my hoodie, sucking in my breath. Okay. Here we go.

"At first, I distrusted you guys." I answer honestly. "I thought that you guys were complete psychos and you just wanted to hurt me. You had weapons and... it was scary. Really scary."

"We didn't mean-" I throw up a hand to stop her, giving her a small smile as I do so.

"It's fine. Seriously. I mean, you having that giant scythe is terrifying but... I understand why you have them. I get it. That's totally fine and... I understand why you saved me that night." Ruby raises an eyebrow.

"You... you didn't before?" I shake my head.

"No. I really had no idea, but that's okay. I understand now." I nod to her, still showing a polite smile. "You guys only did it because you had to."

"...Huh?"

"Yeah. That's why you guys saved me. It was your job. That's what you get paid to do. You're like the Police. You don't do your job, you don't get paid. That's how it works."

"What?!" Ruby's voice booms throughout the forest. I almost bound back at how sharp her tone turns. Does she think that I'm insulting her? Oh crap! I-I better clear this up. Fast! Hurriedly, I raise my arms up in front of me.

"No, no! It's fine! I totally understand. You didn't have a choice but to save me. It's part of your job and that's totally fine. What you're all doing is just part of being a Huntsman." I lower my arms. "You don't have to keep helping me. Your job's done." I scratch my head. "I'm... probably just annoying you guys at this point."

"Wrong!" Ruby's face scrunches up."Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! That's just... so wrong on so many levels!" I take a step back every time she utters the word 'Wrong.'

"W-wait, what do you mean?" Ruby shakes her head rapidly.

"That's not why I saved you! That's not even close! You couldn't be any wronger than how wrong you are!" But... but I can't be wrong! That's the only way this entire situation could make sense! My voice becomes louder as I ask her for the answer.

"Then why?! Why are you going to all these lengths for a guy you don't even know?!" She had to save me! It's part of the job! That's the only reason anybody would risk their life for a stranger! How could I be wrong?!

"Because it was the right thing to do! I saved you because I wanted to save you!"

Silence. I wait, expecting some sort of addition. Something more complex: more obscene, more selfish and self-serving in nature. Nothing.

"That's... that's it?" I prod for something more but Ruby just nods at me, her face loses some of its intensity.

"That's it. That's the only reason." My throat hitches. If anybody besides my family told me something as wish-washy and morally clear as something like that, I'd label them a liar. There's no way I would believe something as transparent as that. Yet, and I'm really not sure why, something about the way she said just sounded so...

Earnest. So honest. Whether it was right or wrong, she believes it. There's nothing else there. She... she really isn't expecting anything?

"But... But that doesn't make any sense." I say aloud, my voice stutters. "I-I'm a stranger. You brought me into your house. You fed me! You cleaned my clothes! You-you-you-you... Why?!" Ruby just shrugs at me.

"I just told you. I... We did that because it was the right thing to do. We don't want anything from you, Eren. We just wanted to help. That's all there is to it." That's... How can she... What?

"I-I-I don't..." I clench my head. It can't be true. It has to be a lie. It's too good to be truth, so why can't I deny it?! Ruby draws in closer again, resting a hand on my shoulder.

"Eren, I don't know what happened to you for you to think this way or anything but... Please. I just want to help." Her voice is soft. Despite how high-pitched, energetic, and cheerful it normally sounds, there's a certain calmness to it. Something that belonged to someone ten years my senior, not the hyperactive girl a year younger than me. There's only one way I could be certain that she is telling the truth.

"...Say it again."

"Hm?" I turn my body around, lowering my head slightly.

"Look me in the eyes, say that again and make me believe it." Ruby doesn't say anything. Instead, she removes her hand from my shoulder and looks me deep in the eyes. She speaks clearly.

"I don't want anything. I just want to help you." ...Nothing. Once again, nothing. There's no mirth: no sarcasm, no joking, no deception, no delusion, no hints or clues to some 'real' goal she's been working towards this entire time. She truly believes that she's telling the truth. I rub my eyes.

"You... You're either a really damn good liar or I'm going crazy but..." Ruby casts her gaze downward.

"I don't know what else to tell you. It's the truth." I let out a dry laugh.

"Hahah. I guess it is..." Crazy. This whole world is absolutely crazy. I go turn my gaze away from her but Ruby steps in front of me once again. Her voice retaining its serious demeanor.

"Eren, you're not going to unlock your Aura by yourself in less than a week. Nobody can do that. Please, let me help you." ...I let out a small sigh. Six days won't be enough. If I really believe that she's telling the truth, that she is willing to help me... I'm not in the position to deny her any longer. I have no more excuses. I'll only be screwing myself over in the long run.

"...F-fine." I struggle to say the words but nevertheless, it's done. Ruby gives me a bright endearing smile. Despite being close already, Ruby steps a couple of paces closer once again. It's enough to make me shake.

"Okay! Great! Let's do it." Being but a breath away from me, she reaches out to cup my cheek with her small hand. However, as soon as she almost touches it, I reel my head back like ice meeting fire.

"D... do you really have to be this close?" Ruby just laughs awkwardly, one of her arms reaches around to scratch at the back of her neck.

"Yeah, I know. It's pretty weird but it's part of the ritual so, ya know." She rolls her eyes. Well, I suppose when it comes to something as intimate as the soul, you need a method equally as intimate. I sigh but I let Ruby continue regardless. Her hand rests on my cheek. I can't tell if it's me or her hand but my face is feeling really warm right now. Her other hand comes to land on my chest, right where my heart is.

"Okay. Now, you have to close your eyes and concentrate."

"A-a-alright." I keep my eyes firmly shut. She didn't specify what exactly to concentrate on. I'm assuming that it doesn't really matter as long as my mind doesn't drift throughout the ritual. I can hear Ruby mutter something to herself.

"So... how did this go again? For it is not- No, that's not right. Um... Oh, yeah!" She clears her voice. "For it in passing we achieve immortality-"I shut the world out. My mind goes blank.

A bright light. An array of colours flood my young eyes in an almost static-like depiction.

A green leaf, on it an ensemble of tiny eggs lay peacefully.

Bit by bit, the creature inside nibbles at the shell. The hole widens. Emerging from it is the larvae.

The larvae eats away at the eggshell. Then, it eats the leaf. It eats. It grows. Then, it couldn't grow anymore. A thick cocoon morphs around the larvae and it becomes a pupa.

From the outside, the pupa looks stagnant. Unmoving. Still. Nothing. On the inside however, the pupa morphs. It changes. Transforms. Cutting away old pieces and makes way for new ones.

Then, the pupa breaks. A blinding light pieces my eyes. A sharp deafening sound. I can't see. I can't hear.

What came out of the shell?

My mind lurches back into my body. Before I have a chance to comprehend what I was just focusing on, my eyes snap open. As though she's a lifeless corpse, Ruby's body limply collapses. Before it makes contact with the hard ground, my arms frantically reach out and catch her. Despite having arms as thin as twigs, I manage to keep her upright. If just barely.

"Oh my god. Are you okay?" Ruby's eyes slowly slide eye. She takes one look at me and then gives me a big toothy grin.

"Yeah! Yeah! I'm fine! Totally fine. Just a little tired, that's all." I huff slightly. Yeah, right. I've been out here for hours training my ass off but even I'm not tired enough to collapse like that. Before I protest however, Ruby giggles mirthfully to herself. "Hah. Blue." Blue? I take another look at my arms. Sure enough, a glow the shade of medium blue is radiating brightly from my body.

Ruby giggles again. "Are you sure your name isn't Cobalt or something?" When I'm sure that Ruby isn't going to collapse again as soon as I released her, I take my arms away and scratch the back of my head. A smile smile finds its way onto my face.

"Well, heh, my family always said I look good in blue." Though, I don't think that's why my Aura is blue or anything. It could just be a coincidence. Probably. Ruby rests her arm behind her back.

"So, uh, how do you feel?" As the glow slowly fades away, I'm enveloped by a feeling I had not felt in over a week. A feeling of security, of warmth. I feel...

"Safe." I clench my fist. This is just the first step. There's still a long way to go. Ruby just smiles.

"Well, I don't know about you but I'm freezing! We should head back grab some dinner." Well, I have my Aura now. There's no real reason for me to stay out here. I nod to her. Ruby beams as she turns around and starts making her way to the house. I trail a little behind her.

"Oh! I should tell Sis I found you. When we split earlier, she went in the other direction." Ruby pops into her pocket, bringing out... some sort of iPhone? I guess? I never caught the name of that thing. Nevertheless, Ruby types something into it. I lower my head slightly. Something can just occurred to me.

"Hey, Ruby." She turns her head to me.

"Yah-huh?"

"Thank you." She just smiles.

"Hey, don't mention it. It's all good." I stop walking. Ruby stops with me too as I just shake my head.

"No, not just for this. For saving me. I... never really had the chance to say that." I rub my arm. "Is... is there anyway I can repay you?" Ruby looks at me blankly for a couple of seconds before waving me off with a smile.

"Pssh. Nah! You're fine. Don't worry about it." I shake my head again.

"I-I-I have to do something. To make up for doubting you. There has to be something I can do." Ruby goes to open her mouth again but she halts. She rests a finger on her cheek, her mind whirling with ideas. I'm starting to think this was a bad idea.

"Well, actually. If you're so torn up about it..." Oh no, what have I done?! "Let me help you build your weapon." That's... that's it? I think I need to learn to tamper my expectations with this girl. I tilt my head.

"That... sounds like you're doing me a favor again." She raises a finger.

"Ah-bup-bup! You said you wanted to repay me! No backing out now!"

Guess I don't have much of a choice then. I shrug my shoulders. "Alright, I accept." As soon as I say so, Ruby's grin spreads to as far as her eyes and with the energy of a child coked up on a lifetime supply of sugar and she jumps into the air with a gigantic cheer.

"Yes! I've got a whole list of ideas right here" She takes out notepad from one of her pockets. She flips through the pages with a inhuman amount of speed, showing me one of them. I take a look.

Well.

I think Ruby just exceeded my expectations for something. On the page is a crude drawing of, what I think is, a weapon. Notes mark the side of the page, each one giving incredible detail into how this monster works. The artwork is almost just as bad as mine but it's like she has the final design fully rendered inside of her head. Some people would call this the work of a five year old. I say it's the work of a mad genius.

"Look! This one's a chainsaw battle-axe with detachable blades! It works off of-" Her mouth is moving but it's like she's talking another language. She mentions something about chamber cords or cylinder cartridges or something like that. You know, I'm starting to think she's done me an even greater service by offering to help me. I can't make heads or tails of any of this. I raise a hand to stop her.

"Actually, I was looking for something a bit... simple." As in, 'Something even an idiot can use,' simple. Ruby's cheeks tinge a bright red as she coughs awkwardly to herself.

"Ahem. Yeah, sorry. I tend to go a little overboard with my stuff." I'll say. At least this world has some standards of sanity. Just then, Ruby sticks out a hand. A handshake. "Uh, we never got a chance to introduce ourselves properly. I heard that was sort of the way to go with these things." You too? "So..." She clears her throat with a forceful cough.

"Uh, hi! My name's Ruby!" Silence. I'm waiting for her to say something again but nothing comes out. Wait, is she done? "It's your turn." My body jolts.

"O-oh! Right! Um..." I grasp her hand gently, clearing my voice the same way she did. "H-hello. Uh... My name's Eren. I-i-it's nice to meet you!"

For once, I actually mean that.

A/N: Started this chapter thinking it was going to be the shortest one so far. I was aiming to have this out for Wednesday but, the talk portion of the chapter expanded it by quite a bit.

Also want to give a big thank you to the Guest who posted a review on Chapter 2. Thank you very much for your thoughts on my story, I'm very sorry I missed it out in the last chapter but I'm definitely taking your advice on-board and try not to make Eren completely suck ass. Here's hoping my story lives up to your expectations.

Next Chapter might take a little longer to post due to it being a bit longer than the others.