Daven finds himself lost in a pitch-black forest the sky red like blood the air felt cold just being there ...felt wrong. Suddenly he felt a chill behind him turning around he stood sees his friend on the ground motionless their weapons destroyed
"No...nonono! He quickly ran up to them checking on them hoping for a response but nothing. He then heard a cough near him It's Ruby!
"Ruby!" Daven went up he held her but when she saw him the look on her face wasn't relief it was a disappointment she grabbed his hand
"You...didn't...p-protect us..You..You could've s-stop this" Those were her final words before she and everyone else around him turns to ash"
Daven held his breath he was motionless at what he just witness
"Your Light... failed them." An eerie voice he heard, raising his head his eyes widen in fear standing before him is a woman her skin white as snow with black lining across her face and her hair is white, her eyes all black with red pupils and she's all dressed in black just by looking at her has him shaking
She leans close to him and smiles at him
"Which is why you can't protect everyone."
"HAH!" Daven woke up gasping for air his heart racing his body sweaty. It is early morning and it seems he's the first to be awake. He quickly sat up rubbing his eyes trying to calm himself. It was just a dream but that dream it felt so real to him and that lady who was she but her words are burning in his mind he clenches his fist and whispers to himself
"...I know I can't"
...
It's a new day for Team RNJRS and they are still on the path to Shion Village
"Ughh..how much far to the next village?" Nora complaining
"We're almost there." Ren said to her
"Pfft you said that an hour ago!" Nora puffing her cheeks "…..Oh we should have some traveling music then Daven sings us a song!" She suggested with a teasing smile
….
"Daven?"
"Wha?" Daven raised his head " S-Sorry you said something, Nora?"
Everyone stopped and looked at the one silver eye
"What?"
"Daven….Are you...are you feeling okay?" Ruby asks sounding worried
"...Yeah I'm doing fine why you ask?"
"It's just you've been very quiet since morning" Jaune points out
He looks at everyone he just sighed "...Guys, I'm fine" He tried to assure them "I just had a weird dream that's all.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Nora asks
Daven froze a little "L-look I said I'm fine and I think we're getting closer Shion Village anything we need...to know.
The others saw Daven's eyes widen they turned around to see why. Up in the sky was large puff black in the direction where Shion Village is
"Oh no."
Team RNJRS quickly ran on the path getting there but upon arriving they could only look in horror to see Shion Village is in ruins. They enter the village only to see building vandalize and looted, crashed airships and many bodies on the ground
"Is anyone there!?" They shouted but no response the group began to worry
"Over here!" Ren spotted one he ran up to a wounded man who's a Huntsmen sitting near some rubble as the rest follows him
"What happened?!"
"Bandits...A whole tribe….the,with all the panic….then"
"Grimm." Everyone clenched there fist
"You're gonna be okay sir."Daven quickly took off his backpack frantically looking for some medical items. As he was searching Daven began to think can he save him? No! He pushed that thought away he has to save this man! Finding what he needs he can help this man but just as he moves the man's hand away from the wound it's too severe
Daven held his breath he could only stare in horror the wound is pretty bad he only has a simple first aid kit can it really do any good with it? He looks at Ren to know what to do! But Ren already knew the answer he waved his head to him it's too late for him to do anything and the man know it as well he closes his eyes and took his last breath
Everyone could only just stare in silence at the lifeless man. Daven's heart sank not again he falls on his bottom he could only just grits his teeth at this feeling angry at himself
"God damn it!..." He then felt a hand on his shoulder he looks over shoulder to see Ruby trying to comfort him
"It'll be okay."
"I'm just...just tired of this."
...
Team RNJRS gave the man and others who have fallen a proper burial and hadn't said much after leaving Shion Village they continue marching on the next Village. Eventually, it was getting dark so they set up camp near the road everyone was asleep well except for one
"Hmmm…"Daven slowly opening his eyes (Can't sleep) He sat up rubbing his hair trying to comprehend everything facing the reality of this. He will not lie that this journey has been hard for him, he made his choice to go Haven and so did the others but what's killing him inside is they don't know about Salem, the Relics, The Maidens, and The Guardian that he is. He's keeping his word to Qrow for he will tell them about it but how long can he keep it? How are they gonna react when it happens? Will they resent Qrow and him for not telling them about it? He's afraid they will.
Shaking his head Daven sometimes wonders why he's doing this or better yet why he's still here but doesn't have the answer for either. Thinking about that night at Beacon…..at the tower...with Cinder and Pyrryha... deep down inside….he wishes it was him instead, and not her
"Okay, Jaune."
Daven immediately rose his head that voice...it can't be. He looks around to see Ruby, Ren, and Nora sleeping but not Jaune. Slowly getting up he follows the noise it wasn't that far and when he found it he couldn't believe it. His eyes widen when he sees Jaune practicing to a training video made by Pyrrha for him.
Jaune holding his sword and shield in hand he looks at scroll following the instructions left for him
"Alright, Jaune" Pyyrha said with a smile "..Just like we practiced."
With a deep breath Jaune held up shield readies his sword gripping it tightly, he moves a foot forward and then he thrust his sword, followed by a swing and with one final swing he slashed again giving it all that he's out of breath that it seems he's been doing this for hours maybe
"Okay. Now, assuming you aren't cheating we can take a break." Pyrrha said
Jaune did but by the look of it he wants to keep going he has to, he then looks at Pyrrha on his scroll
"I know this can be frustrating and it can feel like so much effort to progress such a small amount but...I want you to know that I'm proud of you. I've never met someone so determined to better themselves. You've grown so much since we started training and I know this is just the beginning. Jaune….I..I want you to know that I am just happy to be a part of your life...and I'll always be there for you"
The video came to an end Jaune just stood there he clenched tight on his sword and said
"I have to get stronger." And with that, he went back to practicing
Daven could only stare at Jaune in awe, for him to say those words compared to himself he couldn't help but feel proud for his friend he's willing to keep going after everything he wishes he had that kind of strength
"You're already stronger than me Jaune." He mumbles to himself. He shouldn't bother Jaune training he turns around to head back to the camp but as he did
*Snap!*
"Who's there!?"
(So much for being Stealthy me) Daven thought he slowly walked out from cover " H-Hi Jaune" He awkwardly smiled
"Daven?" Jaune lowers his sword surprised to see him "What are you doing up?"
"I..I couldn't sleep" Daven answered rubbing his arm"….Look Jaune I'm not gonna ask why you're doing this at this hour...Just...just don't push yourself too hard. I'm gonna head back now"
"...Wait." Jaune stopped him before he could turn around "….Daven...could...could you spar with me?"
"Huh?"
"Spar with me." He said again, "I want to see how strong I've gotten."
"…"Daven paused he examines Jaune he looks exhausted but he still wants to keep going, he couldn't help but admire him for that. And to Daven, he feels like he owes this to him
"Are you sure?" Daven asks
"Yes." He said sounding very determined about it "You and I are the only sword user in the group and thought you could see how much I've improved with it"
"….Alright" Daven nodded "but don't expect me to go easy on you."
Jaune smiled "Hmph Good"
Daven pulled out his sword Lightbringer and a dagger Mura he stood opposite from him he ready his weapon so did Jaune too
"Ready when you are Jaune."
With a nod from Jaune both stood still staring at each other waiting who will make the first move. After a long stare Daven decided to strike first he dashes right for him
Jaune ready his sword and shield up. Daven jumps as he swung down his sword Jaune used his shield to block it as Daven finished his swing Jaune raised his sword and swung at him but it was blocked by his dagger.
But just as he did Jaune instantly shield bashed him pushing Daven away. The sudden shield bash took Daven by surprise he looks at Jaune who has a grin on his which made Daven grin as well
"Not bad Jaune"
Jaune didn't say a word he remained focus he lets out a battle cry and charge swung his sword rapidly. Daven fending it off he observed him very carefully Jaunes forum has improved and his swings have certainly gotten better as well
Both did a heavy swing with there swords grinding each other pressing hard both were almost equal in strength
Jaune weaved his sword and manages to knock Daven's sword to the side giving him an opening. Daven ready his dagger to block his sword but he didn't use it. Instead, he did A surprise heavy kick to his gut knocking him to the ground.
Daven taken off guard by it he didn't think he would do that but that's was clever of Jaune he'll admit. He quickly lookups to see Jaune jumping down at him with his sword up. Daven back roll out the way barely managing to dodge his attack
Getting back to his feet and charges at him. Jaune ready his shield up as Daven jabs his sword to his shield. Jaune slashes down at Daven with his sword but Daven used his dagger to block it and able to get it caught between the opening between its blade
Jaune knows he had to get his sword back but unable to as Daven was more in control of it. He then felt a hard leg sweep to his legs getting him on one knee followed by a powerful elbow to the head that knocked to the ground
"Ow."Jaune groaning from the pain but when he looks up to see Daven pointing his sword at him but wasn't frustrated at his defeat he was humbled by it he lets out a chuckle "Ah man….I thought had you"
"You almost did." Daven sheathed his sword away and offer him a hand up. "Try to keep a keen eye on your opponent attacks for an opening between them"
Jaune took his hand "Thanks I now know what I need to improve on."
"No problem glad that I could be of help"
As Jaune was wiping the dust off of himself Daven sees he's a lot different now he's not the same 'Vomit Boy' when they first met he has changed a lot but seeing this how things are between him he needs to get something off his chest about Pyrrha.
"Jaune. Daven getting his attention"….about what happened at Beacon.."He clenched his fist"….With Pyrrha and I….I want to say..."
"Daven Stop." Jaune interrupting him "I know you are..." he puts a hand on his shoulder and looks at him " You...I know you did your best and you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened and Pyrrha….she...she would tell you as well. You're a good friend to me, to everyone and we all don't want to see you like this...feeling responsible for it.
"But I am."
"No you are not!" Jaune suddenly shouted "It was Cinder who did it!...It was Cinder." Daven could hear the anger in Jaune's voice mentioning her "She used you….., she used all of us to get what she wants. We're all here together hoping we can do something about it, to try to make it right for what all has happened. Look….you need to remember you're not alone you have friends to be there for you when need it."
Daven stood there he closed his eyes he knows that already but if only they all knew what he knows, will they even still when the truth comes out? A secret that he's been hiding from them this whole time that they don't know what they're heading to except him. Everything that has happened is on him even if they say he's not to blame but to him, he is because there is no one else to blame but himself. If only he had tried more than the outcome could've been different. He made a loud sigh and looks back at him
"Will you?" Daven dejectedly asks
"Yes." He assured him with a smile "I promise you we all do."
Jaunes promise only made Daven waved his head and only said "...Don't make a promise...if you know you can't keep it"
(Author Note)
Okay Done First chapter of 2020 nice
But our Blue Hero has been well hard on himself, blaming himself, and he's trying to redeem himself by helping Jaune and who can blame him after everything I mean would as well but he's still trying to hold on!
Hope you enjoy this chapter and see you on the next!