RWBY: The D'arc Game of Life

by ThePlayer1Company

Jaune Arc has lived a quite normal life, sans his parents splitting up when he was 10. Regardless, he wants to be a Huntsman, a hero like his father! One day, he messes up in the best way possible, and a tiny splinter grows into a grand adventure, in which the blonde must play a dark game of life. Only time will tell the truth. RWBY/Gamer crossover

9. New Days

8/15 at 2AM: I'm going to do everything I can to get this chapter out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I love you all.

A couple of reviewer responses:

(the questioning about the harem route): Don't worry too much, people. Cooler heads have taken control now (not meaning I've been overthrown by someone, but rather the people in-story have calmed down). In this chapter, Jaune has some friendly convo with Blake describing his plight and how he possibly fucked things up with his emotionally charged words (Gamer's Mind or not, what Taiyang did royally pissed him off). I'm not jumping into the Harem Route, I'm more lunging towards it, but stopping at the edge, looking at it, and then backing off. Jaune has learned from his past mistakes and will not be so hasty this time, or at least he'll be able to repair things better.

Asmalar: Alright, people, since there's been a lot of hate I've gotten over Luck, let me explain: Luck increases more than just his drops and chance for, say, a random stranger to donate to his charity (Please support the 'Jaune Git Gud' Foundation), it also interacts with the concept of fate in some regards. At 51, he got a 'good' skill (barely gets used because of how rare its chance is, but it's a nice passive EXP booster), at 101, he got three 'bad' skills ("Damage gets a Double or Nothing" for the first, "Have quite loose lips but other people have slightly looser lips" for the second, and "80% chance of having nightmares every time you go to sleep" for the third). However, the pattern alternates, so that means at 151 he'd get some 'good' skills, but at 201 he'll get some 'bad' skills. Also, his nightmares are not just visions of the future, alright? Nightmares can just be nightmares, y'know (like the Terrifying Nightmares). Most nightmares he'll have will be born of paranoia (Animated Fear) or of past experiences (Traumatic), and Ominous Nightmares just plain don't make much sense but are a bit scary.

kewllewk: Well... sir, you are correct in the allegation that that is bad writing. I know it is, I'm not the best at writing, but I try to get through. I'll provide my meager explanation based on what Jaune knows and thought about (I mentioned a bit of this in the previous chapter, but saying it here too is good). Jaune loves his father to death, and respects him to no end, he's the man who stuck by his side. Jaune does not want to disappoint or worry his father by staying out late without at least telling him why. For reasons (literally just "reasons", I'm sorry but you have me pinned, I have to admit that these things literally mostly only happened because I wanted them to) he figured it was a good idea to do a stat dump, because he could study a bunch of shit and gain INT and WIS, work out like crazy and get STR, DEX, and VIT, and CHA is getting gained by increasing his charms and a bit of it is gained off the back of his increased fitness. When Jaune realized that he was probably going to be in some deep shit, he kinda stopped thinking for the most part. As for the second part of your review, there will be more details on that in this chapter, assuming you're still reading this story at this point. For the third part, Jaune's motivations in the moment were "I hate Taiyang and I want him to be SO fucking mad because he can just eat shit.", and as with the previous point, things will be explained further in this chapter.

Teturo: Ah, well... okay then. I looked up some stuff about bras but I barely understood it. I'm going to just cut out the parts about the rib cage size, just stick with cup size.

Edit 1 (8/19 at 2AM): I'm going over things to fix some stuff due to some suggestions.

Story Arc 2: Playing Prometheus.

Chapter 9: New Days.

---

Acquisition of a Basic Air Elemental has increased your Air Affinity by 10!

*ERROR REDACTED* unknown power *GLITCH BUG BUG BUG GLITCH* +2500 Max AP and +1 INT!

Increasing your understanding of the world by gazing through the eyes of the elements has increased your WIS by 4!

I awoke to see Blake lightly gasp, looking incredibly tired. I realized that I was floating in the air and felt the new presence in my head.

"Mystral." I said simply, and in a few moments, she appeared.

Blue wisps of wind, some tinged gold, some tinged purple, coalesced together, swirling and forming what appeared to be a small blue dragon a darker scales among the normal ones covering its lean body. Between two frosty horns was a mane of lavender clouds. and its wings were tinged yellow, lightning faintly arcing between bones of wispy clouding.

"I am here." she spoke, and I knew it was a she from the voice, which sounded like amplified whispers of wind.

"I can see that. You're surprisingly faint." I noted, now that I took a step back to think about it. She was small, her body no more than two feet long. Her form was faint, hollow in the center, like she was made of glass that was only painted on the edges of each face.

Her eyes gleamed azure, "I am of air. Air is not known to be solid." her way of speaking was slightly more intelligent than Crocea Mors and Xiburichu. Just to experiment, I summoned them as well.

I brought out a large block of metal, and with my sword, it twisted into a shape that nearly mirrored my own, but for being silvery and lacking more than a small amount of coloring.

Then, flames ignited in the air, spreading in a controlled manner and filling out to the form of a short man, no more than 5'4. His skin was like a smooth sheet of flames that had fallen perfectly and been stitched into a human shape, a corona of golden fire around his orange form, his eyes glowing azure just like mine, and brought out all the more by the red surrounding them. He was bald, more than likely because his hair burned off when he became an elemental...

Okay... I'm sorry for that, that was terrible.

I noted, however that Summon Elemental's level had increased by four during that meditative state, giving me another elemental charge.

An elemental with only four charges... reinforced by my willpower and Aura... well, I'd sparred with Crocea Mors.

It was odd, it had come up as a level, but he should have been pathetically weak then, if he was only level 4... then again, as a part of me, his level was independent of his stats and skills. He was tougher than nails and beat my ass, even if I beat his right back. Even then, his levels would still function differently due to just the fact that he was an elemental, an entity made up of soul. The ground didn't have a soul, nor did the air, the rocks, or fire. Nothing that wasn't living didn't have a soul. Levels seemed to partially be gained by soul, or perhaps gained in a large amount by soul. Anything with a capacity for love had a soul, and thus had a level, even tiny little babies.

Yet the Grimm had levels and they didn't have souls. Levels weren't based entirely on souls, but I still read some Grimm as having an amount of energy that wasn't Aura, but was clearly some sort of spiritual force. It was just more confusion for the pile of shit I had to deal with. They had no aura, but did the fact that they have a level and they had this energy... did that mean that they had a soul?

(To Jaune) QUEST RECEIVED!

Quest: Summon Fire from Shadows pt.1

Description: Increase your understanding of the soul by finding out what makes the Grimm tick. Find out why some seem to have power beyond soulless monsters and how one day, the Grimm may not be so grim.

Objective: Discover how the powers of some Grimm are granted and fueled.

Reward for success: Unlock more of this quest line, +5 WIS, Increased Closeness to Grimm, ?

Penalty for failure: Possible death. Permanently increased aggression from Grimm. Loss of unknown percentage of Max AP, ?

It didn't have a time limit, but... those penalties... I severely hoped I would succeed in this, if more for not getting penalized than the intriguing rewards. I accepted it, as I was wont to do. It was too interesting to not look into, even if it was frightening in its possibilities.

I couldn't let chance scare me away. I had to endure, to carve my survival out of the world's flesh. I'd get gristle and fat, yes, but it'd be worth it for the succulent meat among it.

What... was I even saying? I realized that I was very, VERY hungry, and Blake still looked exhausted, I needed to make this a little quicker, "Blake... meet Crocea Mors, Xiburichu, and Mystral, my elementals. It's a unique skill I've found I have, or at least something that used to be more common, but for one reason and/or another, it became a lost art. I don't know the details, because it's older than fuckin' dirt. Either way, I know it know and I can do it."

Blake looked at me, intrigued. She glanced between the three figures, looking at them then at me, "This is... it's hard to know how to react, Jaune. I've read stories where creatures connected with the elements were present, sometimes even a major plot point, but... seeing it actually happen, when I know it should be impossible? It's more than a little shocking. Most people would consider what you're doing to be fairytale magic."

"Well, I told you already, Blake. I'm a magician." I equipped the Wizard class to boost my APR, which was pushed to a solid 3000 AP/m from that. I smiled at her, "So... ta-da~!" I gave jazz-hands as I gestured to the elementals, "Judging from your lack of too much reaction and your increased INT and WIS, I'm assuming you read the tutorial?"

She nodded, "I did. I'm a little surprised, but... I've done a lot of thinking the past few hours, and I'm willing to accept your help."

I smiled, dismissing my elementals and taking a moment to adjust to the new additional perception. I could feel the air all around myself. Not just the air on my skin, but I felt as though my sense of perception, of touch and smell and sight, had become spread throughout the air itself. It was more than a little nauseating, feeling so much at once, but Gamer's Mind cracked down on the mental effects. My eyes were a bit sore, however, for some odd reason, "Right, that's good. All I need right now, before anything else... is first off..." I sighed and created a simple folding chair under me out of steel, sitting down as I wracked my brain for answers. "It's about... almost half-past-four in the morning. I want you to get some sleep, okay? I'm happy that you chose to accept my help. I just... I need someone new to talk to... a girl who probably understands the other party's feelings... I kind of fucked things up with Yang." I pulled up her profile over my hand, showing her picture, "She's... she's amazing, and things tonight... they were supposed to be a really special time, but her stupid overprotective father showed up, and well... he's a hunter, and so there was a fight." I began laying out the tale of last night's events with a slight feverishness, an anger rising in my words on occasion as I worked through it. Getting it off my chest wasn't as effective as TV made it sound, but I felt just a little bit better after letting out the fumes, "So I talked to her uncle for a while and well... I don't know how seriously he'll actually take my requests, I mean... I told him about... about that thing where a guy has two or more girlfriends at once, but like... they're all boyfriend and girlfriend and girlfriend together? Do you know that thing?" I looked at her for answers. She read romance novels, surely she'd know what it was.

Blake's eyes widened slightly in recognition, "A harem. You told your prospective girlfriend's uncle about wanting a harem?" I sighed as her words were incredulous, actually waking her up slightly, as if she was energized by my stupidity, "I'm sure you realize that he's going to tell the overprotective father about that. Do you have a death wish?" she looked at me with a smirk, like she was amused by my imminent doom. However, she yawned a few seconds later, which broke her expression quite handily.

"I'm pretty sure he could just tell that I was emotionally charged. I can't even believe I let myself get that riled up. You see, my power has this thing, Gamer's Mind, which usually mitigates my emotions until they're entirely disappeared. Unfortunately, like a lot of games, it can be broken with the right actions. I just... it's frustrating. It's frustrating as hell that I have to deal with all this... all this BULLSHIT! I should be going out and-"

"Jaune?" Blake interrupted me before I could continue on my tangent.

"What?"

"Could you get back to your point? I'm running on fumes here, you're lucky I'm even still listening."

"R-right... I got a good few minuses to my Closeness to her, during that conversation with her uncle. I don't know exactly why, but I'm pretty sure she was really distraught and shaken up by everything too, and she blamed me for what happened. I just... I don't want to lose her, even if she's not even my girlfriend yet... That idea... the idea of us being together romantically, that's just... that's just a prospect that we were so, SO close to trying out." I sighed sadly, my aura glowing around me faintly as I stared at the floor, as if the carpet was woven with the answers to my plights, "But now she probably blames me for everything that's happened." I sighed, feeling sadness taking hold.

I waited for what felt like years, but was probably only a few minutes, in near total silence. The only sounds in the air were soft breaths and a subtle hint of violin music that Mystral played in response to my mental wish for sad music to emphasize my strife.

Suddenly, the silence and the violins were all broken by Blake's words, "Jaune... I don't have a lot of first-hand experience with fathers or relationships, as you can probably tell with your Gamer's Sight thing telling you my backstory. By the way, you being able to see that REALLY unnerves me, but... right now I can just deal with it, since you... well... you're willing to do all of this for me... Aaaaanyways, I DO know that what you have with Yang... it sounds like something special. I don't think I could ever hope to find something as strong as what you two have." I chuckled a bit at her modest statement, "I'm sure that if Yang is taking the relationship you two have been building even HALF as seriously as you are, then she's probably aching to talk to you."

I sighed, then chose to ignore the obvious for the time being, "You're a pretty girl, Blake, and you're surprisingly nice as far as I've seen. Your INT and WIS show that you're very smart too, and you've helped me feel a little better. I guess... I don't know... I've been going so fast with everything since I got this power that I haven't hardly had a chance to BREATHE. It's like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, barely taking the time to actually utilize my INT and WIS like I should. I've just kinda been... a mess. I got with Yang more on instinct than anything... but... then again, when people don't know what else to trust, they trust their instincts. Not just the ones that tell me to make a family with her, I'm talking about the instincts that made me want to be her friend. The instincts that told me that there was more to her than what was on the outside, and I followed them, I followed them to a T. Now... now we're so close. We're so, so, SO painstakingly close to sealing the deal and becoming boyfriend and girlfriend..." I rubbed my forehead, feeling like my eyes were going to explode, "... and yet, at the same time, we're so, so, SO depressingly far. I'm pretty sure I'd have to beat some sense into her father to make him let me date her, but... that's not an option. I don't want to have to solve my problems with violence. I want that to be the last possible option if possible. I just... with all this new thinking power, I think all the more, and I get so frustrated sometimes because I usually think of more questions than I can think of answers."

Blake studied my face for a full minute, though it was probably her exhaustion making her brain work slower that was doing it. After an uncomfortably long time, she spoke, "Jaune. Relax. Just take some time to relax. Even the White Fang encourages taking a break so you don't work yourself to insanity. They hate humanity, but they know that insanity makes people make mistakes... that, at least, is one thing I can say is alright." she sighed, "Though I suppose taking a break is the most 'good' thing they could do, since it means they're not doing bad things." I could tell her mind was slowing down, as her speech patterns were slowly breaking down. I'd seen it in my sisters long ago, now that I could remember things more clearly with my high INT and WIS.

She blinked slowly with one eye, then the other right after, and I chuckled at how silly it looked, "Heh, yeah, you look like you could use a break too. You sound so exhausted I think that just taking a cat nap won't quite cut it." I chuckled harder when Blake pouted at my pun, "Come on now, don't look like that, instead try looking like an asleep person. I'll let you get to bed, alright? I'm gonna take some time to think things over and figure out what I want to do with myself and with Yang. You just get some rest, and... I'll leave you a note before I head out today."

"Heh... alright, I guess I gotta repay you for what you're doing for me, then?" she looked at me amused, probably with the confidence that she could stop me from doing something inappropriate to her while she was asleep. I suppose her suspicions still held strong even when she was nearly nodding off with each word, "I should warn you... I'm not a good at many things but fighting things and shtuff." her exhaustion was making her speech more spotty and slurred with every passing second.

Still, I understood her lack of trust. We'd only just met today and I had done and said much more than most people would ever even consider in regards to a stranger. I didn't understand it too much myself, to be honest, but I felt some sort of connection to her. It wasn't like what I had with Yang, but rather it was like she was someone I've met before, and that I knew she was a person worth having as a friend. It wasn't a romantic connection, it was something different entirely. I didn't know what exactly it was, but I know that it was... it was just plain odd.

I wasn't going to worry too much about it at the moment, because I had other things to do. I stood up, my chair turning into a steel block underneath me and going into my inventory as I patted Blake on the head, "It won't be much, I don't want to take advantage of someone who's come on hard times. I just want to help you get better. You want to go to Beacon, right?"

Blake nodded slowly, smiling a bit, "Nyeah. Look... I've been pretty shkeptical, but... before anything elshe happens, right now I think I should say tell you thank you. You've given me a some new hope, Jaune... so~... thank you."

I smiled back, "You're welcome, Blake. I'm trying to be a hero, so saving people from bad times is what I gotta do." I gave a two-finger salute as I walked out of the room, but before I closed the door, I added one last remark, "Goodnight, Blake. Sleep well."

She waved to me before unceremoniously collapsing onto the bed. I chuckled softly, using two solidified hands of wind to pull the cover up over her before walking down the stairs to the kitchen.

---

(A few hours later, Jaune's POV)

I withdrew my Vorpal Sword from the Longhorn's devastated side with a grunt, collecting the twisted spear that was left behind, Filanger, and putting it into my inventory. I hadn't found any loot worth picking up until now, since this was a new item.

SYSTEM UPDATED: Added Party-Inventory options.

I looked at the new options, and found it to be exactly what I could have asked for. I guess I had to loot something to get the update, and I hadn't picked anything up except Lien until now.

Three options. The default setting was Munchkin's Bag of Holding, which made it so that I was the only one who could interact with the inventory at all. Next was King's Hoard, which let my party members put things into the inventory, but did not allow them to take things out. That's when it came to the last option, Community Chest, I could appreciate the reference, and the function of letting my party members have full access to the Inventory. I set it to Community Chest immediately, and then moved over to the nearest clean area, leaning against a tree and putting on a shirt, since I'd had Crocea Mors tear me up, mutilating my flesh until the pain was just a dull ache and Stone Skin and Metal Skin had to be hit with heavier, more deadly weapons to be punched through.

I wanted to improve myself on my own, of course, and technically Crocea Mors was a part of me. It was how I accepted The Game, since it was a part of me too, as my semblance.

"Good morning Sunshine." I said as I looked at Yang's camera view, having found a way to turn it on from where I was.

Yang cracked open one eye, "Well that's an interesting wakeup call." I saw a smile slowly spread across her lips, though, as well as my Closeness to her increasing by 2, "But not at all unwanted. Good morning Mr. Player Man." she giggled softly, sitting up and letting her blanket fall off her form, revealing her shirt, the left shoulder of which had slipped down, showing off a bit more of her chest, and the tail of which had ridden up, showing her flat, toned belly.

I stayed strong. Yang had ridiculous CHA boosts, and as a hormonal teenager I was more susceptible to them, regardless of what Gamer's Mind claimed to say. I figured out that its effectiveness was based off the total of my effective INT and effective WIS, as well as some of my CHA too (but that was irrelevant). What it meant for the most part was that not only would increasing either stat would grant me even more mental power, my Aura would boost it even further. Meanwhile increasing STR, DEX, and VIT increased the power of Gamer's Body.

After a second of thought, I smiled wider, "Well, I figured a nice start to today would help to make up for the bad ending to yesterday. I think you'll find that I made you a nice breakfast, which is packed in the inventory. You can access the inventory now, I gained an option to let my party members add things to it. I also found an option to make this into a private video channel, so that's now a thing." I chuckled a bit, sitting down to pull out my own plate, a biscuit sandwich, with a sausage patty, a fried egg, cheese, and bacon. I watched with pride as she began to eat at her desk, draining her first glass of orange juice in a few seconds, then beginning to eat. I chuckled a bit, "Heh, talk about breakfast in bed."

Yang giggled, "I'm not in bed, I'm at my desk, and you're... in the forest, I'm assuming? Training?"

I nodded, "Yep, and I summoned an Air Elemental, and made a new friend. She's a faunus who's trying desperately to get out of the White Fang, she doesn't like the senseless violence and she's realized how horrible it is. I believe in second chances and forgiveness, so I'm gonna help her out. Lucky lucky, she wants to be a Huntress like you." I smiled reassuringly at her, figuring that painting the picture in optimistic hues would help Yang understand and make friends with Blake.

... oh who am I kidding? Yang would make friends with Blake easily, even if they were literally like night and day.

"She? Who is she?" her eyes narrowed. Obviously she was skeptical because it was a woman, I should have realized.

"Her name is Blake Belladonna, I added her to a new party, The Bumblebees of Justice." I chuckled softly, "Like your motorcycle. I guess even when I'm with a beautiful young woman, I just can't stop thinking about you."

Yang's face turned an angry red, but I'd thought over this well over a dozen times, "A beautiful young woman, huh? More beautiful than me?"

I shook my head, "She might have three more CHA than you, but she's like the night, while you're the drop-dead gorgeous daytime. Heh... who'd think I'd meet my closest friend ever while trying to figure out my semblance and hitting the gym for the first time ever? I guess my Luck has always been pretty good for these sorts of things." I chuckled happily, finishing my sandwich and pulling out a bottle of water, pouring it over my face as a cool wind blew around me thanks to Mystral, "And despite her literally being the night, I'd much rather spend a night out with you, Sun Angel." I gave a confident smirk, trying my best to at make her laugh, if nothing else. I sounded ridiculous, I was pretty sure.

Yang blushed, giggling like a schoolgirl and smiling, "Help, someone help~! I think some hot guy is flirting with me~. I'm not too sure though, he's pretty goofy."

"Damn, I guess I was too subtle with it." I chuckled heartily, "Well just so you pick up on it now, I know you're beautiful, you don't have to keep showing it off... or you could continue, I'm not complaining."

I felt a surge of pride in my heart when Yang blushed more, coughing a bit in surprise, "P-p-pervert. You skipped flirting and went straight to perversion." despite her words, I saw my Closeness to her increase by another two. I could figure that it was only because of the respect and closeness I had from her that I could get away with what I was saying.

Regardless of whether or not I could get away with it, I reeled it back in, not wanting to push things too far and end up making her doubt me more, or confirm any claims her father might have lectured at her. That... made me think. I checked my closeness to Ruby, which hadn't changed. I suppose it was Luck that she didn't eavesdrop on the lecture, "Heh, s-sorry, I was just joking around." I threw the stutter in for effect, having the decency to blush a bit, "Look... I have an idea, it'll make sure things go smoothly, okay? I've made lunch for you, and don't touch the picnic basket by the way, that's for later. I promise with all my heart that I'll make it all up to you, okay?"

Yang smiled at me, her lilac eyes sparkling a bit, and she swallowed the last of her food, placing the items into the inventory, "I trust you. My dad doesn't, but I trust you. You're the closest friend I've had in years, I'm not letting you go just because my dad knew your dad and thinks you're a dickface because of it." she giggled and got up, taking a few seconds of pause in front of her closet, then began to exchange her bedclothes for her regular outfit, "I... about last night... I'm sorry for not... for not doing anything, I tried but the look dad gave me... he's never looked more... more ANGRY at me... he's looked upset, yes, but never angry like that. I didn't know what to do." I frowned at her sad words. I hadn't blamed her in the first place, she wasn't responsible for what her father felt or desired.

I decided to surprise her with a blue scarf I picked up from a store in town, "Don't worry, alright? I don't blame you, that situation was out of either of our controls. Has your father done anything like this before?" I had to know at least a little more, maybe find something out that would help me squeeze past this bad first impression.

I watched as Yang brushed her hair to straighten it a bit from her bedhead, "I've shown interest in guys, never been out on a date though, because of dad. He scares them all off, either passively or actively. You're the only guy I've met who's made it so far, my only friends are girls and that's just how it is. Dad's okay with a guy, even happy that I have a friend, but if either of us started to show any interest at all, then the guy suddenly thinks they aren't worthy of being my friend, or thinks I'm too intimidating for them to handle, or they just plain never talked to me again..." she sniffled, and I felt my heart crack at that little sound of sadness.

That crack in my heart now felt colder than even my hood, and my hood was now lined with an icy dust. I'd taken some time to go around and collect bits and pieces of things I needed, and in that endeavor I found an interesting piece of information. As it turned out, I had a great-uncle, Antoine, who's been working for about sixty years in the clothing business. He gave me some good discounts on normal clothes, and even wove me a new hoodie. I provided Dust, he provided a product with his semblance, which was like telekinetic clothes-making. He'd finished a few simple commissions in less than an hour. Afterwards, I'd asked why he never kept in touch, or visited, and he was just confused. He didn't get out a lot. It wasn't due to his age, it was due to the fact that he was a little bit obsessed with his work. I hummed softly as I thought about that, then my fingers slightly played with the strings of the hoodie, which I'd dubbed Frostburn. It was a simple design, snowflake patterns on the shoulders and around the mouth of the hood, and flame patterns along the cuffs and tail. It was nice, I liked it a lot, which was why I wore it. The rest of my purchases were tightly clustered into a single group in my quite large inventory.

Really, it's amazing, what you can do in just a few hours when you can run at a couple hundred miles per hour, or in my case now, condense the air into an invisible jet like the Justice League to simply fly over the streets and straight to my destination, then travel times were usually not a problem. With even only six charges into Mystral, she could still make winds that moved at over one-hundred miles per hour without straining my APR too badly, which was at an impressive fifty-per-second now, after my various boosts...

I shook my head and got my focus back onto the situation at hand, "Well I'm glad I was able to get so close, then. Honestly, I don't think your dad is a bad person, per se, but... his personality could use a little work. I'm glad that you don't actually hate me any more, I got these messages, about... my Closeness to you... it had dropped by six points last night. I'm assuming you got a lecture from your dad?"

She nodded, "It was... it was awful. I didn't know what to do, I once broke a lamp and he just told me it was okay and that it wasn't set up right and it was bound to fall at some point. Even last night he blamed you for everything and told me to watch out about things. It's not even you, it's every guy ever." she sighed, "I was almost going to scream and cry, but I saw that you were alive, both times, so... I just went along with it, I didn't want to make him hurt you more." she looked at me tearfully.

I 'wiped' the screen to signify that I was trying to wipe away her tears, "Hey now, don't cry. The sun doesn't get rain, it's supposed to shine bright for all the peoples to see it. A beautiful girl like you can't go messing up her beauty with tears, so cheer up." I smiled reassuringly at her, and her tears stopped, her lips trembling into a smile, if one that was faint and weak, "I'm glad it's not personal between your dad and I, I don't want to hate him, even if I have reason to. He's your dad and he deserves respect. He's known you your whole life, I've only known you for a week now... still, though, he could tone his overprotectiveness down a bit. I can tell he has some measure of respect for me, after surviving all of that, and I'm sure he wouldn't ACTUALLY kill me. Gamer's Sight could tell me that he has too much respect for my dad to kill me. However, past all that, I'm mostly glad you're better than him in that regard. I think that children should be better than their parents, and their children better than them. A parent's objective is to protect, care for, and nurture their children, as well as make sure that those children grow up to be better people than they were." I smiled softly, hoping to appeal to her more family-loving side.

Yang gave a small smile, her eyes gleaming as she turned to the camera, setting down the hairbrush "Heh... well I know two things: I'd never smother my children, or abandon them." there was a bit of venom in her words, not aimed at me but more at her mother, who had abandoned the trio.

I don't know the full story or whatever motivations she might have had, but Raven Branwen must not have had as much of a heart as Summer and Taiyang thought she did when they all got married.

From what Gamer's Sight was able to glean from just a few names in a 'Family' tab, given that it could gain information from more than just looking at the actual thing, I knew that the two women had both married Taiyang together, the three of them living happily as a trio. Raven must have been upset by something and left, just walked out and never came back. Far too soon afterwards, Summer died tragically.

I set that thought aside for a minute, "I know your children would love you, Yang, you're a really easy-to-like person."

Yang smiled at me as she took a second glass of OJ and drank it dry with a wide grin, "I know, I know, bask in my glory~."

I rolled my eyes with a playful smirk, then stood up, my eyes sparkling, "Oh my god~! Did an angel descend from heaven? Does she serve the sun god, is that why she's so bright and radiant~?" I pretended to be absolutely star-struck by her, but a second or two later, I just laughed at how absurd I'd sounded.

Yang laughed too, but she kept it down a bit, the kind of laugh you give when you remember a funny joke or a good pun, "Hahaha, you're blond too, y'know."

I pretended to be surprised, "I am?" I looked at a bit of my shaggy hair above my eyes, "Oh my god I am! Yang why did you not tell me this sooner~?"

Her laughter intensified, even as she called for Ruby to join her in a ride to school, "We gotta go to school, like NOW." she shouted to both Ruby and me, then turned back to the screen and gave me a small smile, "Thanks for cheering me up. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Alright, I'll see ya later, alligator." I closed the private call with a chuckle, beaming as I saw my closeness to Yang was back up to +98 now. I don't know what would happen when I reached 100, but I was going to find out, and I was going to find out TODAY.

Right now, though... Blake would still be asleep for a few more hours, Marbel was in school too, but I suppose just messaging her would be fine. Getting Ruby into the party would be nice. I figured since I'd added Marbel to Team Celeste, I'll add Ruby too. Blake can join after she's out of the White Fang and has made at least a few steps onto the path of righteousness.

I couldn't make things TOO easy for her. She HAD done bad things for the White Fang, but clearly wanted out and wanted redemption. As my dad says, the fruit is as full of sweet as the labor is full of sweat. I don't know if those are his own original words, but they would help make the biggest impact on her psyche and help me help her clear the Fang's goals from her mind, getting a revitalized focus on her own.

With that thought put to rest for now, I ran off, deciding that summoning a new elemental would take too much time, and instead opted to train.

---

(A few hours later, after returning home, Jaune POV)

I stood in the middle of my room, breathing deeply as I channeled fire and air around my body. I had a plan that would work, in theory, purely because of Gamer's Body. It was simple.

To increase my VIT by taking damage, I was boiling my blood in my veins with Xiburichu's flames. After a while the pain just faded away, dull to my senses as I thought.

I'd had a lot to think about, and so I had taken the time to think a lot.

I disliked Taiyang, with an unbelievable passion. I didn't HATE him, per se, even if he'd attacked me, even if Qrow had attacked me too, he hadn't fully tried to kill me because he figured I could be reasoned with.

I didn't HATE either of them. Hate was a strong word. It took dedication and anger and energy to hate. I didn't have the heart to give all that, especially when I knew that it wasn't the right way to go. Qrow had messaged me, asking if I was alright and I had calmed down, and I had immediately messaged back that I was calmer and didn't want him to try to convince Taiyang to let me date Yang and any other women, but rather just Yang.

Luckily, he had taken my claims with a more logical mind, having squashed his anger down more easily due to practice and skill, and confirmed that he'd had a 'chat' with Taiyang about his unacceptable actions last night. He'd also turned off the program that let Taiyang track Yang's scroll, which was how he'd found us after having an epiphany in the midst of his anger.

That had pissed me off, that he'd track his daughter's movements, but it still didn't make me hate him. Every man has a breaking point. It took a LOT to make me actually HATE someone. Hating just wasn't really my thing. I'd like to love everyone, come to gain their trust and their friendship, it's how I'd always been. I would like to do these things.

But just because I'd like for something to happen, didn't guarantee that it would happen, or even be possible at all.

I'd started to break through to him, though, before he broke through me right back. It wasn't that I hadn't made a good point, but that he was stubborn and had double-knotted his apron strings. Trying to threaten him with anything like violence was out of my league, and trying to pull any legal cards was out of either of our leagues.

Hunter affairs were not subject to judicial rule. We were all just... above it, given our superhuman abilities. I'm pretty sure they could bury Taiyang alive in a volcano and he'd escape within an hour. Usually it took other hunters and the rule of the Headmasters to stop things from getting out of hand. The Headmasters of the different academies had ruling over the many Huntsmen and Huntresses that went through their institutions. They were burdened with a great responsibility for their power, just like Spiderman warned about.

I couldn't play the victim, that'd just make me look foolish and weak, and Taiyang would have absolutely no respect for me then.

I had meant what I said to Yang earlier, I didn't blame her for not intervening, it wasn't like she could do anything to stop him except for cry or scream. I'd help her train. I didn't care if she ended up having higher STR than me, I was better suited to be a tough-as-steel wizard anyways. We'd both be badass in our own regards.

Technically I was already pretty badass, though not due to my level, but rather more my skills. I could level my skills independently of my character level. My character level raising only gave me more HP, AP, and SP in my bars, and more stat points to spend. Granted that was useful as it gave me more resources to work with for my skills. I didn't have an impressive amount of HP or SP, but my AP was pretty high. I had a huge INT and WIS score for my level too, and the level of Aura, I could now confirm, raised in accordance to my Max AP, so I could raise it to level 99 by meditating a bunch, or raising my INT further and/or leveling up more. Whatever it would prestige into, it was going to be awesome.

I smiled, I was starting to come into power, as a proper and awesome Huntsman... no, I was already decently powerful as a Huntsman.

Sure I had poor Max HP, but my AP could be used for Mana Shield to absorb any damage I took. In addition, any wounds, even normally fatal ones, would heal in seconds as long as I still had HP left. I could definitely hold my own in a fight, and was a good bit more powerful than my level suggested, thanks to my proficiency in Aura and the breadth of my set of skills.

I'd sorted out my feelings over Taiyang and what I'd do, as well as a bit of planning of what to do with Yang. I'd also done some thinking over my own self and come to realize that I'm not just made of paper anymore, even if I still felt like it. Now was time for thinking over one of my split-second decision from last night.

Blake.

I had thought about it earlier, in that something had driven me to help her. She was hesitant, obviously wary of humans, but still believing that there's good in the world, and that things can get better. She was full of hope, even if it had been drained by her time in the Fang. I'd picked her up at a critical time, when she was still freshly torn and full of impressionability. I'd made a good impression, thankfully, and gained her trust when it was probably at its most exposed. She was desperate for something new, something that would renew her dashed hopes.

I had, thankfully, been that something. If she'd had time to cool and harden, she'd probably end up becoming distant and maddeningly stoic, the kind of person that would take something like Yang's warmth to deal with.

I didn't want to date her, no. I had Yang and she was all I needed. I'd said those things about harems to Qrow out of sheer frustration, I didn't really mean them. If I ever got a harem, I was fairly sure that the only person Yang would be willing to have be a part of it would be Ruby, so the two wouldn't be separated. It'd be difficult going, sometimes, but it'd be worth it to make both of them happy. They were both incredibly endearing, and even if it wasn't in the same way, I loved Ruby too, she was like a little sister that I was denied getting.

One of seven, that is...

I still had that quest to repair my splintered family, and it had gained a couple of unknown rewards. The Game knew something that I didn't about the situation, and I would find out by completing the quest.

Hmmm... that was a thought. "Journal." I said in a commanding tone.

SYSTEM UPDATE: "Journal" was added.

I opened the window and quickly wrote out a list with my mind. I had to get more STR and VIT for my quest for Miss Glyn, I had to visit Coldwater and see my mom and my sisters. I had to find a place out in the wilderness where I could train without being found by anyone roaming the forest, and I needed to continue to mend things with Yang. Our little conversation had done wonders for our tattered interpersonal atmosphere, and I had an idea of what to do next. I remembered the synchronized memory chunks connecting Marbel to The Angel Garden, and the camping trips we'd had. I smiled at the memory, and decided to make a base on Eagle Mountain, since it was a good twenty or so miles away, so I'd have plenty of privacy.

I thought about how to get there, which led me to think 'ride on the winds', which then led me to think about that... I could only call it a 'cutscene' last night, after I summoned Mystral. For some reason, she was different than the other two, and it was in some way that caused that to happen, since it hadn't happened before.

I didn't know what it was, all I knew was that there was a woman who resonated beauty and power, and a lot of evil, making a deal with what my Sight had told me was some creature named Salem, who looked like what would happen if a Grimm looked almost perfectly human. Her unnatural coloration made it clear she wasn't normal at all. As for the woman, it was mostly in first-person, but a few third-person shots, as if shown from the eyes of something very near her, showed that she had white and black clothing, her hair was probably black, given how it glowed in the red light, and her eyes were silver.

I would almost hazard a guess that somehow, Summer Rose was alive and kicking and now EVIL... if it wasn't for the fact that this woman wasn't just a woman, she was a young woman.

She couldn't have been more than 20, from what little I was able to discern from her features.

I didn't know who she was, but I knew that she was dangerous if she was making deals with powerful grimm like what Salem looked like.

I had to sort out things with Blake, first. I didn't like her romantically, I had just been trying to cheer her up, having been desperate to find some amount of joy after last night's debacles.

I sensed the air around her distort as she took in an uneven breath, and cooled myself off with a quick whirlwind, drawing the heat out of my body as I walked to the guest room. I smiled as I saw her start to rise, "Good afternoon, sleepyhead. It's about 1PM. Would you like to stay for lunch or do you have to do anything before your mission in a couple of days?" that was one thing I was glad that looking through her Backstory had provided, if nothing else.

She plans to use an upcoming mission to steal Dust as a means to assist her escape from the White Fang.

Blake sighed, "No, but I should report back to our base. If your power has any way of turning you into a faunus, then you could come with me."

I hummed in thought. I hadn't considered that too much. I'd unlocked Survival Mode during a bit of game studying I did on my scroll in that few hours I had this morning before Yang woke up. I suppose it wouldn't be impossible.

I'd also gained a new skill, too, while trying to grill a burger with Survival Mode on, and I'd put a piece of cheese on top of it. It had melted, and when a bit of it fell into the aura-fueled fire with the handful of charcoal I'd put on there, I had gained the skill, oddly enough, and was left with a piece of chalk in the coals. This one... it seemed cool, but it was odd to me.

Alchemical Aura (Active) Level: 1, Exp: 14.43%, Cost: 400 AP.
A rare ability of special Aura users who are able to use their aura to force chemical reactions to occur where they would normally not, allowing them to create substances as if by magic. This ability is fickle and finding out what makes what can take some alchemists decades.

Allows the user to force unnatural reactions to occur by usage of Aura.

Known chemical recipes: Charcoal + Milk Product = Chalk + Fire Essence + Water Essence

I had the two essences in my inventory. They were odd, like a small gooey lump of Dust. They were crafting materials, used in Alchemy, which I'd unlocked under my Craft skill, fixing a bug that listed Dustcraft as Alchemy by accident. I wasn't too sure about these random bug fixes, but I was glad that whatever was controlling the game was fixing its mistakes.

Maybe... I could force something new...

Maybe... maybe...

Hmmmmm...

AHA!

"Blake, I have an idea. I need a bit of your blood to do it. If this works, I should get a skill to turn myself into a faunus."

Blake looked at me skeptically, "If you can help me try to possibly get out of the White Fang early, then I'd appreciate it. I don't want to steal anymore. If that means I need to bleed for my freedom, then so be it, I suppose." she sighed, almost as if she'd been asked to take out the trash and was inconvenienced by it, and picked up Gambol Shroud. With careful precision, she made a tiny cut on her finger, letting a few drops drip into my hand before retracting it and healing herself with her aura.

I healed her with Soulforge, smiling a bit, "Don't worry, I'll do what I can to help. If I'm going to be a hero, then I'm gonna have to go to scary places to save people." I focused Alchemical Aura into the blood droplets on my hand, forcing them to react with my semblance in a way that would-

"Mana Affinity"s level increased by 1!

Alchemical manipulation of non-human blood has created the skill "Beast's Blood"!

Beast's Blood (Active) Level: 1, Exp: 42.44%, Cost: 20,000 AP
The ability to alter your race by manipulating your blood and Aura to take on a new physical form. Dangerous to most people, but Gamer's Body should protect you from the negative side effects.

Usable Forms: Cat Faunus.

I grinned just slightly, but then frowned when I realized that I wouldn't have enough AP to cast it normally. I sighed, but then looked at my profile. I had leveled up Mana Affinity to 20, granting me an additional 5% Max AP, and my INT was ninety-nine. I had twenty-five stat points too, and so...

Yeeeeeessssssss~.

But only a little, I've learned from my mistakes and I'm not dumping my points like before. I was cautious, though. Was it just Luck that would fuck me over with good or bad luck, or was it all stats had some negativity at the 100 mark? I didn't know which was the answer, but I figured that a little more AP, and an ability to change my race almost freely would be worth a little bit of crap.

I applied my points.

INT: 101 (+3) (+70%) = 176.8

By raising Intelligence above 100, you have gained the skill "Magic Eyes"!

By raising Intelligence above 100, you have gained the skill "Wizard's Pool"!

By raising Intelligence above 100, you have gained the skill "Battlemage"!

By having high INT, you have unlocked the class "Mage v3"!

By having high INT and LUK, you have unlocked the class "Dice Mage v2"!

Well... THAT was something.

I waited for the changes to take effect, and there were significant changes due to Wizard's Pool and its increase to my Max AP. I could figure now that, given how it's been progressing, I needed about 25,000 Max MP to prestige Aura, give or take. I'd get enough with just a few more levels, maybe about level 40? It was hard to tell exactly what.

Thankfully, I now had enough AP to cast Beast's Blood.

So I did.

I felt a sharp pain in my head, like holes had been sawed into my skull, followed by what could only be described as something being pulled out of it. After about ten seconds, the sensation stopped and I sighed, then checked. Yep.

Race: Faunus (Cat)

I went to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. Sure enough, two blonde-furred cat ears were resting atop my head. The left one twitched lightly. I chuckled, then focused on the inverse of the spell, which reversed the effects. I was a bit surprised at that one, but thankful. I just had to dismiss the spell to return to normal, instead of cast some sort of reversing spell to fix it. That would have been awkward if my dad saw.

... shit, my dad! I'd told him about Blake, but only briefly.

I quickly wrote out a note, explaining most of the entire situation from both last night and right now (of course I tastefully said 'a bad group' instead of 'the White Fang', and retrained myself from adding a 'colorful' description of Taiyang's assholery) and that I'd talk to him when I got back. I also added a few post-scripts explaining I do not have an attraction to her, she's not my replacement girlfriend, and he should talk to Taiyang and the two should catch up, talk, and make nice, so he would back off some.

When I was done, I turned to Blake and smiled, "Alright, let's get to that camp."

Blake cleared her throat, "It's a long way..."

I nodded my head, "Well lead the way, then." I chuckled, "Here, a buff for you." I cast Haste on her, then on myself, and let her take the lead.

Once outside, we tore across the Rogue's Highway like two bats out of hell... or a more apt description would be 'bats going into hell', hehe.

---

(Almost an hour of traveling on foot later, Jaune POV)

Level: 34

We'd killed a few big Grimm along the way, though I had to cut back on my speed boosters because with them, I outraced Blake easily. As we approached, and Blake told me we were only about a kilometer out now, I activated Beast's Blood and managed to keep pace even as I felt my body slim slightly and the cat ears form. I pulled up the hood on my plain blue hoodie as we slowed down. I hummed, then looked through my inventory.

Experimentally, I 'equipped' a bottle of green hair dye, and instantly my hair became green. I did the same with a pair of orange contacts, since I figured I could try out some disguises later on. This was one such occasion. I made Blake stop, the two of us still well over half a kilometer away, and I applied some makeup, getting the skill Disguise and leveling it up twice as I fixed my hair to a different style, or rather -a- style, since I usually kept the 'windswept' look.

We resumed after I'd covered all my bases. I had a reason to be paranoid. Having my face known by terrorists who were about to possibly start disliking me a lot was NOT a good thing, nor was being seen as a human when they knew I was a faunus. Properly disguised and having written a page of aliases with brief descriptions, I named myself Jade Hex and was ready to face the leader... or a couple of armed goons blocking the path.

They were both just under level 20, and had nothing that could threaten me, they barely had Aura, measly pools of only a couple hundred points. At the beginning of the weak, I might have been intimidated slightly, but right now they were just a nuisance.

This place set me on edge, I didn't like it here. I had to do something to hamper them...

QUEST RECEIVED!

Quest: Causing some cavities

Description: The White Fang needs to be weakened, and you're in their main camp. Find a way to fuck things up for them.

Objective: Sneakily sabotage some White Fang equipment.

Rewards: Whatever items you steal, +20 Morality, +?% mastery of Stealth.

Penalties: -600 Reputation with Faction: White Fang, become hunted by the White Fang, possible death.

Well that was something. I hummed, then grinned, turning on Auto-Loot and stealing a tent spike from the ground, Jaune W: Blake whisper to me in the party chat, okay? I'm going to sabotage them in subtle ways :W I changed to the Ninja class, smiling a bit, though making myself look nervous to be here.

Blake W: Alright, I'll try :W There were maybe a dozen goons here, but nobody that was a threat, or at least, not one worth worrying about. Nobody, except...

"Adam, I'm back." Blake smiled slightly, but it didn't reach her eyes, it was just a motion.

Adam Taurus
Title: The Prince of Ivory Beasts
Level: 82

He was taller than me by about five inches, with a lean build of deadly musculature. An apex predator, I'd call him, mostly due to how that was what was listed as his Build. I waved, "Hello, sir."

"Kitten, you found a new recruit." he smiled at her, and Magic Eyes showed me the red eyes underneath the mask were sparkling.

Speaking of...

Olmadonrun (damaged)
Description: The mask of a Longhorn Inquisprint, an apex predator of bovine blood. It contains part of its power.

Effects: +6 Earth Affinity, +10 Fire Affinity.
"Butcher's Beef" increases Attack Damage by 75%, but decreases moral sensitivity by 90%
"Blue Flag" increases sensitivity of detecting aura. Detecting large amounts of aura hurts you for 600 HP per minute.
"The Running Specimen" increases Movement Speed by 140%, increases Effective STR by 60%, makes your build leaner like an apex predator, reduces Effective INT by 50%

He was wearing a Grimm Mask, though it was clearly damaged as it had been carved down to only cover his eyes, and altered to have the unique eyeholes. He'd harvested it himself. I didn't find anything out of place for him, so it was just coincidence that he had such an item. I suppose in theory, cutting off a Grimm's mask would save it from disappearing.

Still, I could hate this guy, or at least function with the confidence that he is a villain.

Quest: Violent Dentistry
Description: Adam Taurus is the man that corrupted the White Fang with his violent and vile ideals, and he needs to be dealt with.
Objective: Kill Adam Taurus

Rewards: Either disband, usurp, or send the White Fang into a frenzy, Varying morality change based on path taken, anything that can be salvaged from Adam's body, ?, ?

Penalty: (depending on severity of failure) injury and possible death, Maximum un-closeness with Faction: White Fang, become hunted by the White Fang.

I sighed, accepting the. I'd probably have to deal with him anyways, "I'm kiiiind of looking forward to joining the White Fang." I spoke in a nasally voice.

"'Kind of'? 'Kind of'?! Blake, you brought someone here who only 'kind of' wants to join. You realize what has to be done if he doesn't accept, right?" Adam looked infuriated at my apprehension.

I hummed curiously, trying to look clueless as I saved this current disguise outfit as 'Jade Hex Disguise' for future use. I could save twenty outfits, one for every five points in INT I had, which was good to know.

"He said he was sure. I guess the long trip gave him cold feet. Adam... I'm not quite sure about this anymore, actually..."

"Blake... what do you mean? I don't like that tone, kitten. That tone is dangerous."

"Not sure about me, sir. I'm s-sorry. I p-promise I won't t-tell anyone!"

Adam growled, nearly snorting, "You, little boy, are one of the most infuriating people I've ever met. I haven't even heard your name yet and already I'm ready to remove your head."

I saw the burly man, Lieutenant Banesaw, over on the side of the tent shift his weight, then I noticed a weapon, Wilt and Blush, leaning against the table nearer me. Gamer's Sight told me that it was owned by Adam, and I knew how to fuck things up more. I backed away a bit, letting The Game cover me as I took a moment to Auto-Loot it into my inventory. I let my teeth chitter, "S-s-s-sir I'm s-s-sorry." I shivered in 'fear', faking the emotions with my ability to control my voice. I was ready to bolt out of here with all my buffs activated if I had to, "I-i-i-i-i sh-sh-shouldn't have come here. I p-p-promise I won't tell anyone about your base, sir, I promise!" I dropped to my knees, pleading with him.

Blake facepalmed, "This was a disaster... Adam, I mostly wanted to talk... Adam!" she raised her voice when Adam had walked towards me, his fists clenched.

"Blake, you made a mistake. It happens sometimes, I'll take care of it now." he cracked his knuckles, but I could tell that he was getting a headache from sensing my aura, his HP having been reduced.

Could I do it? I had enough AP for two castings of Gaster Blaster, both of which would give me two blasters, equaling to four blasters dealing 5000% damage directly to his everything. I already had his weapon...

No, not yet. I wouldn't kill him yet. I was going to escape with Blake, one way or another. The easy way... or the hard way.

"Adam no, he's a faunus like you or me. If you kill him... I'm leaving. I'm walking out of here, and I'm never coming back. I will leave the White Fang. This... this is too far!"

Adam froze, then sighed, "Fine... you can live, runt. Get out of here, and don't come back. If you tell ANYONE, then I will find you and I will rip your head off with my bare hands." he clenched his fist in front of my face in a threatening manner.

A lot of good THAT'LL do, asshole, "Y-y-yes sir." I said fearfully, getting up and running away in a desperate sprint.

Well... that hadn't gone to plan. He had physical stats well into the one-hundreds. Qrow would have no problem beheading the jackass, and unlike me, he wouldn't survive that injury.

It would be so easy to obliterate him right now, but I didn't have the means. I'd taken off my armor and made myself look as unimpressive as possible, and I didn't have an outfit saved of my main armor.

I looked back at Blake, Jaune W: I'll try to get back here tonight, okay? I need... I need to train. :W

Blake W: Alright... please be careful, okay? :W

I smiled, Jaune W: Don't worry 'kitten', I'll be back. :W

And when I was out of sight, I poured on my buffs and tore across the landscape.

---

(A few hours later, Jaune's POV)

I straightened up and smiled, looking down at the dead Cavaliscera as I let its vile ichor smoke off of Crocea Mors. I'd trekked most of the way to Eagle Mountain, taking my time to kill every Grimm that came at me. So far...

Level: 37

HP: 8000/8000
AP: 23,200/23,200
SP: 10,000/10,000

I was pretty close, now. If I could find something with a high level, then that'd be great. However, that could wait until later. I had to get back to Yang.

The view of Vale was beautiful from up here... I could definitely see making a house up here, inviting Yang to watch the sunset with me. I could even...

Huh... that was an idea.

I cleared my throat, pulling a fat stack of Lien out of my inventory and putting it into a bag, Jaune W: Yang. I'm going to be setting up something really nice, but it's gonna take a loooong time. I'm putting a bag full of tons Lien into the inventory. I'm working on getting Blake out of White Fang, but right now, I'm focused all on us, Sunflower. I'm gonna make this a super special time, to make up for last night, okay? I promise. I need to summon another Elemental. :W

I waited a bit, then I sighed in relief when she replied, Yang W: I won't like it the most, but... if it'll make what you have in store for later better, then I'll find a way to distract myself with over fifty-thousand Lien. :W I could hear her giggling, and I smiled widely.

I just had to make sure of one thing... Jaune C: Hey Marbel, you there? :C

Marbel C: Yeah, just doing homework. After this I'm gonna do some working out. Jaune, are we gonna go training today? I've been waiting for a while. :C

Jaune C: Don't worry, tomorrow is Saturday, we'll go grinding for ALL the levels, get a ton of levels. I'm pretty close to a breakthrough. Aura is able to prestige, if your Max AP raises to about 25,000. I'm close to that. :C

Marbel C: Holy crap that's awesome! I should boost my INT a bunch, then, right? :C

Jaune C: Yeah, not just for the AP but for the increased mental power too. Being able to think more is good for you, it helps improve your fighting style. Anyways, I'll be getting a new Elemental now, alright? I'm gonna hole up in the cave up on Eagle Mountain. :C

I said that in the party chat to tell Yang as well, I knew she would read it.

I ran in the direction of the 'cave'. It didn't open up into any underground caverns, but it went about fifty feet back and my dad, and Marbel's dad liked to leave alcohol fermenting in there. I walked inside, noting the massive mouth it had, probably the widest part of the cave. That would be a problem.

Sighing, I pulled out the barrel of steel, followed by another and another. With Crocea Mors, I constructed a wall covering the mouth of the cave, pulling metal up to form holes through it for air. I didn't need it, per se, but it helped me seal everything up for the ritual.

Forming a ritual circle on the ground out of tin again, and this time focusing on summoning an earth elemental, a couple of sapphires and a diamond I bought from a jewelry store. They were sizable stones, as I paid a lot for them.

My senses dulled a bit, and I soon found myself slipping into meditation as my conscious sunk into the ground...

---

I feel sick... I feel too heavy and so, so numb.

Suddenly, my senses return anew, in the dirt...

...in the rocks...

...in lava and magma...

...in the dust and the sand...

...in all things, really.

I provide the foundation for the plants to grow.

I endure eons of footfalls.

I rise up from the ground, lifting my brethren as hills and mountains.

I fall in their absence, forming valleys and canyons.

I'm abused and beaten and broken.

But they break themselves to get to me.

They get their strength from me.

I am their strength.

I am the flesh of the world.

I hold the secrets and the mysteries.

I'm filled with holes, and those holes are filled with air or metal.

I am torn from my brethren, made to feed crops, to feed life.

I give them my strength,

No... I lend them my strength, as I reclaim what I lost.

I reclaim all of it, eventually.

Years and years and years and years.

Decades and decades and decades.

Centuries and centuries.

Many millennia.

I lend my strength and it is returned to me in kind.

Nothing is lost, nothing is wasted, that is the way things are.

I give my strength as the dirt feeding crops.

I give my strength as the rocks making homes

I give my strength as the gemstones granting lovers courage.

I give my strength in granting metal to endure with.

I'm torn apart but that is only my weakness being taken away.

Metal endures, yes, but my strength is infinite.

Fire lends its will, but my might is stronger than even the intensest flames.

Air breathes life into things, but a spark will not fuel a flame, only start it.

I am strong.

I am so strong that strength is based upon me.

I am not just strong, but I am strength itself.

I am the foundations of the planet.

I am the foundations of life.

I am the foundations.

All the same function.

All the same purpose.

Flesh.

I am the flesh of the earth.

I AM earth.

I am a king and my name is Roimontagne

I am... Roimontagne...

I feel myself break away from a whole.

But... I am merely a piece...

A piece of an even MORE glorious whole.

I am a splinter of a tree.

It is strong, but I will give it true strength.

As it grows strong, I shall grow even stronger.

I am Roimontagne.

I am earth.

My strength is infinite.

I am Jaune Arc.

I am human

My soul is eternal.

I am... one.

---

I woke up with a start, as if my brain had been reduced to next to nothing and then suddenly it all turned back on.

That one was... a bit simpler, if I had to say. Then again, the saying was 'dumb as a rock', so it was fine. I understood.

Acquisition of a Basic Earth Elemental has increased your Earth Affinity by 10!

Increasing your understanding of the world by gazing through the eyes of the elements has increased your WIS by 2!

I smiled, that was more like it. Crocea Mors was summoned, tearing down the wall with his control over metal, revealing the manifesting form of Roimontagne. His name was a rough translation from french, it meant 'Mountain King'.

He was taller than both my mirror and me, about 6'8", with a rough carving on his bald head that had the three gemstones I'd used set into it, now arranged in a small triangular pattern. His eyes glowed as two azure crystals, his body rising, rocky and rough, from the ground. His lower body simply melded to the ground, like a slime beast, but made of rock. He was buff from what I could tell, and stocky too. A stout strength and great stature, it was a figure befitting a mountain king. I smiled at him, "Hello Roi. I'm going to call you Roi for short, okay?"

"That is acceptable, master." his voice was like crunching gravel, "I shall make the wall?"

I nodded, "Yes, make the wall." I looked at the massive open mouth of the cave.

Slowly at first, then going quickly, a metal door formed and a wall of stone several inches thick form around it, conforming to the frame. The door weighed a good four hundred pounds, but I could lift well over a few tons now. I grinned, even as he spoke, "It is done."

"Good job you two. I'll polish it later but this will protect this place from any Grimm attacks." I walked out to see that it was about 7:30, nearly sunset, I also noticed Yang snoozing at the base of the Great Tree, as Marbel and I had dubbed it in our youth. She looked adorable, Bumblebee parked nearby, her body facing the cave, she'd gotten tired waiting for me. I glanced over at the storage box on the back of Bumblebee to see what she bought, and saw that it was full of artistry stuff, and a box with a necklace in it, as well as a few bottles of alcohol.

I smiled down at her and cleared my throat, which slightly roused her from her sleep, then I gave her a little kiss on the top of her head, "Wakey wakey sleepyhead." I chuckled softly, smiling.

She didn't meet my eyes at first, "You're awake... I'm glad." she smiled a bit, I could tell by the impression she gave to the air.

I smiled wider, sitting down in front of her, "And you're awake too, I'm also glad. It's always nice to keep the day full of sunshine." I chuckled at my own joking statement.

Yang giggled softly, then lifted her eyes to meet mine, They were a bit pink, as if they'd been red from her crying, and then she'd fallen asleep and they'd recovered a good bit, but not fully, "I wanted to make sure I'd be here, so I could be the first person you saw when you got up." she said softly.

I chuckled a bit, though her statement made my face heat up a bit, it only further confirmed what I'd come to realize. Maybe it was Luck, maybe it was Charisma, maybe it was Wisdom guiding me in subtle ways, or maybe it was just my own work, but I couldn't deny it anymore. I'd been so close and I knew what I felt.

I'd fallen in love with Yang, and more than likely, she with me as well.

I had forced Gamer's Sight and Gamer's Mind to try to explain the status effect she'd had, so I figured I should bring it up, "Yesterday night... I gave you those buffs." I formed a rock behind my back to lean against, "And it cured a status effect you had, 'Soul wracked by chaos'... I know that applying all of those buffs at the same time makes a status effect, 'Glimpse of Harmony', so I guess that would be a thing to cure it... still, Yang... look at me." I made her meet my eyes, "Before then... was something wrong?"

She sighed, "Well... the only thing I suppose would be out of the norm is that I've been looking for my mom for years now. She... she left our family without warning... I just wanted to know WHY." she groaned, as if exhausted by the concept, "I don't suppose your Gamer's Sight can see why?"

I shook my head, "No, sadly, or I'd tell you. I'd like to know, too. Those three seemed like they'd be happy, all together, but... apparently not."

"Yeah. Life was good, at least from my perspective. There were a lot of smiles from those three... wait... I... I never even realized... my dad married Raven and Summer... at the SAME TIME?" she looked at her hands, as if the answers had been printed onto her fingerprints, "Er... but back to the point." her face was red, and she let out a choked hum, "Uh... I suppose that'd be enough to upset my Aura, given just... how much I've felt over it..." she shivered a bit, even though I could tell with Magic Eyes that she wasn't cold.

I sighed softly, then stood and picked her up, "Come on, let's just drop it for right now." I glanced at the sky, gauging the time, "The sun is setting, and I know how much you love the sunset, so let's just go watch it. I'm pretty sure we'd both prefer that over this weird conversation." I chuckled softly, then formed a platform of solidified air under us and began lifting us into the sky, up to the peak of Eagle Mountain.

Yang watched in awe as a gazebo rose from the stone, forming around us by the power of Roimontagne, "Okay... this is just plain awesome."

I smiled at her, "By the way, surprise~." I chuckled lightheartedly, "I figured it'd be nicer this way. Look, we can see both the sunset and the moonrise at the same time from here." I stretched out my arms and pointed at the two celestial bodies, golden orange dipping down under the horizon while milky white peeked over the other horizon. With the boost from Magic Eyes, I could see the craters on the shattered moon much more clearly.

I was a bit surprised when, rather than going to watch the sun set, Yang instead just hugged me, sniffling a bit, "I'm sorry about what happened."

I hugged her back and rubbed her back soothingly, kissing her forehead, "It's okay. I don't blame you and you don't blame me. It was entirely your dad's fault for not being able to let his dadness grow up with his kids and know when to stop trying to protect you from absolutely everything. You're not made of glass, you're make of skin and muscle and bone and stuff like that... and I just... I have to say... I love the way it all comes together... you may be a Sun Little Dragon... but to me you'll always be leagues above the sun in terms of your beauty, Yang..."

Yang blushed, "J-jaune... w-where is this coming from?"

I sighed, "Last night... before your dad interrupted us... I was going to say something... and I felt like my heart was going to explode..." I took in a breath, taking her hand gently and putting it over my rapidly pounding heart, "I... I did more thinking over things... last night I talked with Blake because after things went so horribly bad I needed some reassurance that I could still make a woman smile... and while beautiful what Blake has for a smile doesn't even hold a candle to the sparkling sunshine that is your smile, Sun Angel." I smiled at her, lifting her chin to look directly at me, "I've played my life too cautiously up until I got this power. I'm not made of glass either, I'm made of skin and muscle and bone and stuff just like you... we're both human, Yang, even if we're superhuman because of our Auras. I didn't think that it was possible... for a long time I didn't think that it was possible for this... for what I'm afraid is all just my misunderstanding... but I'm done playing things safe, I'm going to do what I can to get my own slice of life pie... so please... I pray to god or whoever is up there... please let my instincts have led me in the right direction, and know that I can say this now." I sighed, taking in a deep breath and looking at Yang, my eyes waiting for something, anything from her.

It took a long while, but her eyes glittered, her lips curled into a smile, and she spoke softly, "I think I know... I think I know what you want to say, Jaune... so please... don't leave a girl waiting... and just say it."

I looked deep into her eyes, bright azure meeting lilac purple, and I spoke those six words that made me feel like my heart would explode from my chest and I'd bleed out all my HP.

With endurance, with willpower, with breath, and with strength, I said it, "Yang Xiao Long... I love you."

Yang's face lit up in the most beautiful way, her eyes glittering beautifully as her smile widened more, and she returned my six words with her own six, "Jaune Arc... I love you too."

I was sure my face lit up too, and my aura glowed around my body, as hers did too, as if drawn out by my own glow. I cupped her cheek, not saying a word, and slowly leaned in as she did the same.

A fading sunlight.

A rising moonlight.

And fireworks flew, exploding into bursts and flowers and wheels and balls and all sorts of other shapes, filling the skies in our heads with lights and sounds and colors, it was almost overwhelming.

Her lips were soft, warm, full, and slightly squishy against mine. I held her as close as I could comfortably get her as we shared this moment. I was pretty sure that Gamer's Mind was the only thing letting me think at all in this moment.

What seemed like a lifetime, but I think was only... sometime... we broke the kiss, both of us panting for breath, though I recovered faster due to my higher VIT, and I held her closer, the two of us glowing with a combined light that was a gentle, life-giving green, like some forms of healing magic I saw in some games. I smiled brighter, "I don't know if I'm dead or alive... but either way, I'm certainly in heaven right now, hhhhhhehehehehehehe~." my voice was breathy and soft, my chuckles even more.

"I feel the same way... like I just got air after nearly drowning... it's so sweet and refreshing... I love it... I love YOU." her voice was similar to mine, and I'm pretty sure we were both doing this because any firm or loud sounds would ruin the moment we were currently sharing.

I'd done it... even if it took me too long to realize what was right in front of me all along.

The fireworks faded, the bursts and flowers and wheels and balls and all the other shapes fading, the lights and sounds and colors grew dull in our minds as our senses slowly came back to us.

A rising moonlight.

A fading sunlight.

Our faces with bright with pure pink blushes of love, I could tell, but neither of us cared... in fact we enjoyed it.

This was it. This was the point in the game that I knew... I knew I could take on anything.

With strength, with breath, with willpower, and with endurance, I'd get through it.

I'd get through anything life had to throw at me.

As long as I had my little sun with me, to light up the night.

---

Holy shit did I just do all of this in one just a couple of days?

I DID! I *DID* do this all in just a couple of days!

This sadly won't be the norm, but I hope you all enjoyed this chapter where I gave some reasoning, gave some cringes (more than likely from that part with the White Fang camp, I'm sure), but in the end I gave you something hopefully worth reading and something you hopefully enjoyed.

Hopefully.

I'm not gonna say anything more. Please note the things Jaune said about the 'cutscene' from the last chapter, and know that reasons stand to say that from his limited perception, it was a cutscene that, during which, his Gamer's Sight worked, if only somewhat.

That is all for now, folks. Hopefully I can keep churning out shorter, but still good chapters on a more regular basis now.

That's all... EXCEPT OH WAIT

IT'S TIME FOR THE OMAKE~!

---

Omake: The Sequel?

---

(Years into the future)

Celestia Arc was having a fun day. First her daddy had showed her how to blow up a Beowolf with a fireball, then her mommy had taken her out for ice cream, all in all, it was a really nice fourth birthday.

Right now, she was playing with one of her princess dolls, brushing her hair as her own soft blond locks had been done into a braid, courtesy of the world's best daddy EVER. He even put a bow in her hair like she liked. She was all smiles, when suddenly, her mother came in with another present, this one smaller than most, "Hey sweetie~, surprise~! Your daddy got you one last gift. He looked everywhere for one of these, and he found it~." the blonde woman fully walked in.

Celestia loved her mommy a lot, and wanted to grow up to be just as pretty as her. Yang (but she knew her name was Mommy, she couldn't deny it forever!) usually wore her hair in a braid, which was long enough to reach down to her waist and wrap around it like a belt. She had a massive pair of chest-pillows, her eyes gleamed a beautiful purple a lot of the time, but could turn blue, green, yellow, orange, and even red! She hoped her eyes would do that, but right now they were only a colored a soft indigo, leaning more towards blue than purple.

The four-year-old gasped in delight. A surprise gift? Another one? Her daddy was the best! He had to be the best daddy in the world, because he said so and daddy never lied, especially about that stork that would deliver a baby brother to her one day. He was taller than a mountain and wider than one too, because he had so many muscles she couldn't count them all! It had to be at least seventeen, because that was as high as she could count. Not only was he super big and super strong and super fast and super smart, but he also let her have candy a lot and made veggies not taste icky. If he'd spent a long time getting a gift for her, then it had to be something special!

Tiny hands tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a box, "Ni-... Nin-... ninu-"

Her mommy, ever the super smarticles she was, helped her out, reading the long word like it was nothing, "Ninvendo, sweetie. It's an old video game console, the Ninvendo DS. The part that's DS is called an acronym, it takes the first letters of the words. DS means 'Dual Screen', sweetie." her mommy was smiling all pretty now, it made her smile too.

"An acronym? So then... you're myyyy... my MILF."

Suddenly her mother let out a strangled choking sound, "H-honey why that acronym?"

"It means you're my Mommy I Love Forever~!" she hugged the older blonde, smiling brightly.

"O-oh, right. Of course. Sweetie, please don't ever say that acronym again. Let's just change the subject. Why don't you open it up, sweetie?" somehow, without Celestia knowing, Yang had opened the DS' box, revealing the old, scratched, chipped, but still functional handheld, "You open it kinda like a hotdog on its side." her mother made a gesture with her hands to represent two halves coming apart.

"Ooh ooh! Daddy showed me dis with his laptop." her young mouth wasn't the most able to make words happen correctly, "And he taught me that PC games are the master race!"

Her mother grimaced, "PC is for show-offs, sweetie-bear. You don't want to be a show-off, do you?" the little girl shook her head, "Of course. Consoles are smart, classy, and refined people like me, sweetheart." her mother giggled jokingly, but she couldn't be joking, her mommy was the smartest and classiest and refinedest mommy in the world!

"I'll be smarticles like you, mommy. Alright, Nin-ven-do DS, get ready to be opened!" she slowly pried the handheld open, however... "Owie owie ow ow ow ow ooowwww~!" she waved her hand around as she got a small, bleeding scrape on her finger.

What she didn't notice, however, is how the flailing of her tiny hand was getting tiny droplets of blood on the d-pad and the buttons.

"Oh man. Don't worry, sweetie, mommy'll kiss it better and get you your kitty-bandage that'll cuddle your hand until you feel aaaalllllll better, okay?" she kissed the finger and true to her words, Celestia didn't feel hurt anymore, in fact she'd stopped bleeding entirely and the little cut had closed up.

She felt strange, like she was going to be sick, but yet also like all her sicky tummy grumbles were being silenced. She looked over in the mirror, seeing herself plain as day.

However... not long after that... she saw indigo bits of information floating above her head. She called up ALL of her reading power to make out the words.

Celestia Arc
Title: The Gamer
Level: 1

She stared at the information, then a new window appeared.

Gazing at things for a long time to glean their details has unlocked the skill "Gamer's Sight"!

She was confused, but her little mind kept steady for the most-part, as if an unseen strip of tape was keeping it together.

Welcome to The Game 2: Daughters of Liberty! Don't tell anyone about it!

The Game? That wasn't a clever name for a video game!

You have been granted this special power, which will allow you to ascend to heroism, and maybe even surpass the might of the heroes of yore! Would you like to read the tutorial?

A tutorial? That was instructions, right? She didn't need a tutorial, she could just ask her dad!

"No."

Are you sure you don't want to read the tutorial?

"Yes." she said with a smile.

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!

Without need of direction: Decline the tutorial 1 time. (Bonus: +1 LUK)

She smiled, then her mother came back, "I got the kitty banda-." her mother's words stopped when she looked at the clean, un-cut finger, "Did daddy already heal you up before I could get back here?"

"Uh... y-yeah~." Celestia lied, feeling bad. Lies were wrong, but the game said to not tell anyone about it, so she couldn't!

Yang sighed, "Alright, well there's a game for it too, so come on, sweetie, let's get you started." she smiled and helped her daughter boot up the device and start the game.

Celestia smiled, the hero of the game looked a lot like her daddy!

...

It was a good couple of hours later, almost her bedtime, and Celestia was still playing the game. Her mother had left after helping her through the first dungeon, with the giant tree man, and Celestia was doing well, she'd almost gotten to the boss of the fire place, too!

Her new power had made some interesting things happen, as well.

Studying a swordsman in action with Gamer's Sight has granted you the skill "Sword Skill" and leveled it up by a total of 7!

Practice of hand-eye coordination has increased your DEX by 1! (x4)

Memorizing sequences has increased your INT by 1! (x2)

Consuming the item "Apple Juice Box" has restored 3 HP and 10 SP

You gained 10 Lien

ACHIEVEMENTS UNLOCKED!

Hitting the ground Running: Decline the tutorial 3 times. (Bonus: +3 DEX)

A Strong, independent Gamer: Decline the tutorial 5 times. (Bonus: +5 STR)

She didn't need to know what money was for, she already knew! She had 10 Lien and that was enough for some ribbons or some candy, and mommy and daddy had a Lien fairy that paid for everything no matter how much it was, that's how they'd gotten her all these cool things for her!

She smiled. She felt good, that boost to her DEX and STR made her feel like a superhero! She'd thrown an old toy block across her whole room!

It had to be at least 10 feet! That was a lot!

She had gotten a lot of boosts to her stats, but she didn't even know what her stats looked like! She looked around her room for the window, "Stats?" suddenly, a new indigo window appeared.

-/\-

Name: Celestia Arc
Title: The Gamer
Level: 1
Class: Beginner
Nickname: Little Sunshine

HP: 40/40
AP: 0/0
SP: 21/40

Strength: 9
Dexterity: 12
Vitality: 4
Intelligence: 5
Wisdom: 3
Luck: 21
Charisma: 15

Stat Points: 0

Age: 4
Birthday: September 9th
Race: Human
Height: 3'0"
Weight: 37
Build: Preschool Girl
Hair/Eyes/Skin: Golden Blond / Deep Indigo / Youthful Pink

-/\-

She smiled brightly, this was awesome! She was three feet tall and she could totally win a race against that lame-pants Dustin Winchester now!

Suddenly, a new window appeared, ivory in color, with black letters. She read it slowly to herself, "D-due to being... uh... re-pie-eat... with luck, you have the p-power to control your fatty and choose the way your story of be-coe-ming a heron-ee begins! Grand-eyes, good, bad, hooray-(GASP)! Hooray beginning!" her tiny hand pounded into the option, "Hip hip hooray~!" she cheered happily, unaware of what she'd just done due to her partial illiteracy.

Due to being replete with with Luck, you have the power to control your fate and choose the way your story of becoming a heroine begins!

[Grandiose] [Good] [Bad] [Horrible]

You have selected the "Horrible" beginning!

"Hooray-lee!" young Celestia closed the window with the little X button and went back to playing with her DS, unaware of the terrors she had summoned upon herself.

It was only a matter of time until she lost her normal life for one that was just a Game.

---

MWAHAHAHAHHAHAAA~! I did it!

I completed the chapter super quickly and even made a (hopefully) cute and possibly hype omake.

The name of the 'sequel' of the game is a reference to Metal Gear Solid, by the way.

Well, I think that's everything.

Hopefully this chapter didn't feel too ass-pull-y and cleared things up. I DO want to get this out really soon, but I also want to do it quite quickly. I think next chapter's omake will be a Story Arc 2 theme song, possibly, or I might wait a few more chapters for that.

Also, this chapter ended up super close to about 16k words. I'm gonna shoot for a range of 12k to 18k words for each chapter (minus the omake and outro), so I can keep the chapters coming relatively quickly, and pace things better, as well as give more chance to fix things before they progress too far.

Coming up with omakes can be so hard~, ^~^

But that's for next time, right now...

Obligatory profile pasting.

-/\-

Jaune Arc
Title: Novice Scholar
Level: 37
Class: Wizard v2
Nickname: Mr. Player Man

HP: 8000/8000
AP: 23,200/23,200
SP: 10,000/10,000

Strength: 60 (+100%) = 120
Dexterity: 53 (+100%) = 106
Vitality: 70 (+100%) = 140
Intelligence: 101 (+3) (+100%) = 208
Wisdom: 87 (+3) (+100%) = 180
Luck: 110
Charisma: 64

Stat Points: 48

Age: 17
Birthday: November 20th
Race: Human
Height: 5'11.5
Weight: 195
Build: Medium Athletic
Hair/Eyes/Skin: Bright Blonde / Bright Azure / Fair

-/\-

There we go with everything for now.

Next chapter will have a bit of a time-skip, some more explanation of what happened with Yang's soul in the last chapter, and more things to come. Said 'more things' is going to more than likely end up being things brought up in the reviews.

Please do your part and leave a review. Whether it's a complex list of criticisms and praises, or it's just you saying you're looking forward to more from some piece of an event. Whatever it is, I'd like to hear the voices of all my readers, if possible.

See you then, but it'll probably be a while longer than it took for this chapter, as I start my college classes on the 22nd and that is going to start eating up my time like a starving pig.

But until then, see ya later~! ^w^