Got the date wrong on last week's update. That's because I wrote it on the Saturday, and just defaulted to looking at the date and adding seven when calculating next update. Whoops. My bad there. This week's will hopefully be accurate lol.

Cover Art: GWBrex

Chapter 35

Jaune, Ren and Nora were off again as the night fell, shrouded once more by darkness and this time headed into land they knew the Deterrence Corps had visited. Ren was unnaturally stiff and refused to rise to Nora's efforts to get him talking. It fell instead to Jaune to fill the quiet and answer questions about Vale, Ansel, home and the people there. It was noise for the sake of noise, but Nora took comfort in it, and he would be lying if he said he didn't as well. Given the destroyed village they'd seen before, it was all too possible they were walking toward further destruction and death. The still night air closed in around them and Ren kept them going at a steady pace, not once stopping for rest.

The moon was high in the sky by the time they saw the last village. It was in one piece by the looks of it, and Jaune breathed a sigh of relief. There were few lanterns hung out, but the shattered moon shone bright, and he could make out the walls and structures, still in one piece. It was another farming village by the looks of the fields, though they might also have taken to cutting the nearby trees for lumber.

"No one hanged or set to burn," said Jaune, noting the gallows all the same. They were empty, but their mere presence was a reminder and a threat. "That's a good sign."

"The Deterrence Corps don't always kill," said Nora. "They'd be doing a bad job if they had to. Most people are cowed by the sight of them. Things like this help."

Ren shushed them and walked up to the closed wooden gates. He rapped on them with his fist, and a slight commotion began on the other side. It was still a few more minutes, three at least, until a slat was opened just enough to reveal half a man's face. "Yes?"

"We are refugees-" began Ren.

"Not interested. Get yourselves gone." The slat was slammed shut. Ren didn't look surprised, nor did he appear perturbed.

"Please, sirs, we're only passing through and looking for somewhere to stay. We are hard workers and-"

The slat was dragged open again. "Did you not hear a word I said? Begone! We neither need nor want you here."

"Have you no mercy?" asked Nora.

"We have mercy aplenty when we're told to," said the man. "We're Schnee-abiding people here. You're probably runaways, cast-offs or fugitives." He spat out the slat at Ren, who stepped aside to avoid it. "You won't find any shelter here. Begone or we'll come out there, string you up and let the Corps figure out who you are when they next come on by." His piece said, the man slammed it shut and loudly stomped away from the gate.

"Scum," whispered Nora.

"We're not welcome here," said Ren, meaning both in their act and otherwise. This village was clearly not going to join the rebellion. "I hope their obedience to the Schnee serves them well," he added, loud enough for those inside to hear. "Licking their boots rarely saves anyone, but I suppose it is easier to crawl on the ground like a worm than it is to fly free."

Someone stomped back to the gate. "What was that? Seditious talk? Do I need to come out there and fashion a noose for you myself?"

"No, sir!" shouted Nora; she clamped a hand over Ren's mouth and hauled him away. "We'll be going, sir. Have a nice night."

The man's response was lost in the rattling of locks and wooden spears. Jaune was sure it was an act to hasten their retreat, but he wasn't willing to bet his life on it and followed Nora and Ren a healthy distance away, back into the fields. The gates didn't open, proving the bluff.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Ren was pushing Nora's hands away.

"You're running with a death wish is what you are," hissed Nora. "What would An say if she heard you agitating people like that?"

"I was angry-"

"We're all angry, Ren! That's why we're in an armed rebellion. That doesn't mean we have to be stupid. Argh." Nora threw her hands in the air and stomped away. "I can't deal with you right now." Jaune watched her go, unsure if he should go after her or stay with Ren. The normally quiet boy solved that for him by sighting.

"She's right. I know." Ren motioned for Jaune to follow and began the long walk back. Nora was ahead, following the same path. "I'm not normally like this but hearing someone like that…" He shook his head angrily. "It's one thing to be cowed and afraid, that much I can understand and respect, but to willingly lay in bed with the Schnee all because you want to avoid trouble? It's disgusting. Where is their spirit?"

Broken, Jaune would imagine. It was what he'd seen so far. The first village had been the same, but they'd taken a risk to look after three orphans all the same – which Jaune could respect. Three villages; three very different attitudes. Was this what An Ren wanted me to see? Why? What's the point in seeing things from every side? I'm already on the rebellion's side.

"I expect this is as much a message to me as to you," said Ozma. "A showing of what my mistakes have led these people to, and a reminder not to let the same happen again." He sounded annoyed, but also just a little guilty. It was hard to tell. "I am guilty," admitted Ozma, perhaps reading his mind. "But this is nothing compared to what I have seen over the millennia. You must understand, Jaune, that while this is tragic to them, worse has happened throughout history. No one has a monopoly on suffering. No one."

A lot of it sounded like it was caused by the conflict between him and Salem, so he wasn't sure how well he should take the man's sentiment. Ozma called Salem evil, but even if she was – was it so bad if she won? It wasn't like the world was ending; Mistral was in bad shape, but that was solely because they rose up with the Dark Lord at their head. If Salem had won but been allowed to stay as having won, then none of this would have happened.

"It's not as simple as that," said Ozma, and he would say no more.

Ren and he caught up with Nora before too long, and she seemed to have forgiven Ren – or she was keen to talk over him and act the bigger person, leaving him to feel awful. She was bouncing and cheerful, but it didn't take Jaune long to realise she was directing her questions to him and ignoring Ren. The pink-eyed boy sighed and took it. The long march back to Kuroyuri was an awkward one indeed.

/-/

Jaune's legs were burning by the time they got back. It wasn't a complete retracing of their steps, thank goodness, or it would have taken two whole days. Instead, they'd taken an almost circular route to visit the three villages while ending thankfully closer to the ruined village. Ren took them down to report to An, and it seemed that Nora had decided to spare him any more pain, and thus didn't tell An how her son had acted out. The woman listened to the rest, nodding her head as if she wasn't all that surprised.

"About what we expected. It's good to hear we still have connections with the silver mines, and very promising to hear how the first village put you up. There's kindness that hasn't yet been beaten out of people by the Corps. A shame it couldn't be three for three."

"We didn't even get to go inside," said Ren. "We were threatened with hanging if we tried."

"They did confirm the Corps had been there recently," said Nora. "The gate guard implied it was a recent visit and that they might come back to see our bodies."

"They're active, then." said An.

"Looking for me," said Jaune. He knew it, they knew it, so he didn't see the point beating around the berry bush. "Is that what this was about? Just to confirm what we already knew?"

An shook her head. "Not just that. We've learned a little of how the Corps are conducting their search, and we've also learned that they don't have any idea where you are. Or, at least, they don't suspect you're here. A single party visiting three villages suggests no degree of haste on their parts. If they suspected you were in the area, I'd expect every village to have an armed contingent waiting to check any and every traveller. It's not that bad." An smiled. "Which means you're still a needle in a haystack. Best we keep it that way."

He couldn't agree more. An Ren hadn't wasted his time as much as he'd thought by doing this, though he realised he'd also been used as bait. If the villages had demanded to inspect his face, or had asked for him by name, then she'd have further evidence on how the Corps were searching. They hadn't, which meant that while they were inspecting the people of every village, they weren't sharing the news. Jaune posed the question of why to An Ren, and the woman was quick to answer.

"The prior Dark Lord worked with the rebellion. They don't want history to repeat, nor do they want to appear weak or to suggest there's any instability."

"One of the reasons travellers are limited and villages are forbidden to trade is to keep rumours and news down," explained Ren. "That way, any atrocities committed by the Corps don't travel, and any news of us doing well or the Schnee losing face doesn't spread."

That made sense. Merchants and traders had ever been the source of news back home, sometimes providing news of the kingdom, faraway lands or even just the weather in the next village over. It was oftentimes out of date and sensational, but they had no way of knowing what was going on without it. The Schnee were obviously using that to their advantage and making sure no rebellious sentiment spread. It was clever, he supposed, if brutish.

"But now what?" asked Jaune. "I know you want to rise up and target the Corps. Is that the plan now?"

"Yes." An nodded. "I needed to know if your cover was blown or not. If it was, then we might as well use your magic to our advantage. Since it is not, we shall keep you hidden yet. I had to know which it was to determine how best we fight the Corps."

"His magic would have been useful," said Nora.

"Not nearly as useful as the Corps and huntresses being spread out will be," disagreed Ren.

"Exactly." An smiled at her son and nodded. "We're better served with less enemies and more reason for the Schnee to be distracted. Jaune, I do have a request for you. Ren and Nora too. It will be dangerous and will draw attention to you in a way you might not like."

"You want me to travel to another part of Mistral, use my magic and be seen. Don't you?"

It was obvious in hindsight, and doubly so for her having just mentioned the idea of attention being drawn his way. He couldn't be seen here or the Schnee would be able to allocate their forces to both him and to the rebellion at once, but him being in another part of the country would make things even easier.

"Not just one," said An. "I want you to tour the country. Constant sightings. I have people I trust who have been informed of you. They are going to dress like you, proclaim themselves the Dark Lord and make sure the Schnee's eyes are drawn all over Mistral."

"Wouldn't it be safer to leave it to them?" asked Ren.

"Much safer, yes, but what then if it didn't work? What if they weren't convinced?" An let that sink in, and Ren backed away with a sigh.

"You just want me away from the war," he accused.

"You're not wrong," said An. "I lost your father and don't want to lose you or Nora. That doesn't mean the mission I'm giving you both isn't important. You're smart enough to realise that. You can do more for the rebellion making sure we don't have to deal with Chosen as you can fighting on the front lines. The same for you," she added, looking to Jaune. "Your magic is destructive and undoubtedly would change the tide of any battle but fielding it will grant the Schnee the excuse they need to field their own."

He understood that much; he also understood that this kept him away from the leadership position as well, and that An Ren was cleverly making sure Ozma couldn't try and take the rebellion out from under her. If they won with him here then some might believe he had a part in it, but if they won alone, with him and the Chosen all distracted elsewhere, then no one could doubt it wasn't their victory. It wasn't like the Schnee could send Chosen here either, as they answered to the Church and Salem only, and their mission was solely to find and capture him. It wasn't to deal with an unrelated rebellion that was none of their business.

"Can I at least catch some rest before we go?" asked Jaune.

"Of course!" An laughed and sat back down. "I didn't mean for you to go tonight. Goodness no. I also don't mean to send you out alone or on foot. We've managed to reach out to Captain Neptune of the Trident again. They've agreed to ferry you up the coast to the northern edge of Mistral. You only need meet with them three nights from now at the water's edge. It's half a day's walk at most, so you have time aplenty to rest. Nora, can you take him to get some food?" asked An. "I need to make sure my son knows well the route I have planned. It won't do for you to accidentally draw the Chosen into our path."

Nora agreed and led Jaune away. He didn't think either of them were fully fooled, however. That didn't mean that either would interfere with what might be a mother's last few days with her son. This was a war after all, and survival wasn't guaranteed for any of them. Jaune wondered when his own life had become like that, and when he'd started to accept the reality of it. He didn't need Ozma's silence to remind him who was at fault.

/-/

Kuroyuri was preparing for war. It was impossible not to see or understand it; weapons were brought out, sparring and drills ran at all hours of the day, and there was more than An and Ren who were having to deal with the concept of mortality and loss. He couldn't go three hours without overhearing an argument about who was or wasn't going to be taking part, and oftentimes he saw quiet silence as families sat together and reminisced over better times, knowing these might be their last.

It was hard for Jaune to feel the same feelings they were. He disliked the Deterrence Corps as much as anyone else, but this wasn't his home, and these weren't his friends and family members. To him, it seemed so reckless that they would pick up arms – spears, crude swords and wood and wicker shields – and choose to go to war against a far better equipped enemy. Maybe he was only seeing one facet of a rebellion more spread out than he realised. He hoped so. Kuroyuri had courage aplenty, but this many people wouldn't overthrow a regime.

"Hey." Nora came strolling up with a shy smile. Alone this time. Ren must have been with An. "You looked lonely, and I thought I'd keep you company." He'd never been good at understanding women, but he felt confident saying she was the one who felt that way here. Jaune smiled all the same and patted the rock next to him. He was watching the weapon drills ahead, both to distract himself and to learn a little more about wielding a sword. "Ren is sulking," said Nora, confirming his earlier suspicions. "He's upset An is pushing us into reserves when the rebellion is finally going to kick off."

"You don't sound so upset yourself."

"It's not really reserves, is it? We're going to be in our fair share of danger on the other side of Mistral. And this is important. We'll be keeping all the Chosen off the rebellion. That's a big deal." She sighed and said, "I just wish Ren would see it that way." It was harder, Jaune supposed, when your family was directly involved.

"You do realise we're going to be chased by huntresses," said Jaune. "That's going to be much more dangerous than the Deterrence Corps."

"I realise." Nora drew her feet up onto the rock and brought her chin to rest on her knees. "I've never fought a huntress before. How do you even? They have aura, magic, training – they fight Grimm. Have you ever fought a Chosen?"

"No."

"Really?" Nora looked stunned. "But you're-"

"I'm a guy trying to avoid the hand he's been dealt," said Jaune, cutting her off. He wasn't what she was about to say he was. That was Ozma. "I'm not going to get in a fight if I can help it. That said, I've seen them fight. Back home, against the Grimm. They were… They were incredible. Unstoppable." Even now, he didn't think he could face Pyrrha or Cinder in single combat and come out alive. Maybe Ozma could, but then he'd be rolling the dice on what Ozma would do to them after. "We definitely don't want to fight any if we have a choice."

"And what if we don't have a choice?"

He didn't know. Ren and Nora would be of such staggeringly little use against a huntress, let alone multiple, and it was hard to believe he'd be hunted by just the one. If it came to it, if he had no choice, then he might just have to rely on Ozma.

"You say that as if I have not aided you before."

You've ruined me before, thought Jaune angrily, and he heard the Dark Lord sigh and retreat into his head. He refused to feel bad about that, not after Ozma went and exposed him at the festival and forced him into this. If he could have stayed hidden, then he'd have avoided all this. Of course, that would mean the rebellion would still be struggling under the Schnee, but it was too early to say if his arrival was a good thing or not. If they took this chance to fight and got themselves annihilated, then that would probably be his fault as well.

"I guess we'll just have to not get caught," said Nora. "Keep things simple."

"I guess we will. What of those fakes An is sending out? Does that actually happen?"

"People pretending to be the Dark Lord? Oh yeah, all the time." She laughed awkwardly and ran a hand through her hair. "We're pretty… well, you know how An is about him, but other sects and rebellion cells might have better opinions of him. Even if Mistral's rebellion was crushed, we brought the Goddess to the battlefield. It worked better than what we have now. Sometimes the leader of another cell claims to have found the Dark Lord's reincarnation, and they use that to bolster numbers, support or try and rally people. It doesn't always work."

Jaune chuckled. "You mean to say if I'd been found by another cell than you, I'd be treated like a hero and not a pariah?" Nora seemed to understand he was joking, because she smiled and laughed, rather than get defensive.

"More like you'd be fully exposed and put in charge of a ragged army against your will, then told to march on the capital and oust the Schnee. It would be all-out war."

He hadn't meant it, obviously, but it was still a though that brought a wince. It was a good job Neptune had introduced him to Kuroyuri instead; him being at the lead of an army was just going to bring Salem and every Chosen from Mistral, Vale and probably Atlas as well down on their heads. It wouldn't be a war. It would be a massacre.

"Don't tell him I said so, but I think Ren is of the same idea," said Nora.

"What? He wants all-out war?"

"Not that. I mean that he thinks we should use you more. He – well, both of us really – aren't old enough to remember the last time the Dark Lord led, so we just have stories of how good it was, and then how bad it went. Ren is normally super calm and quiet. What he did on that last job of ours is something he never would have done before." Nora looked at him oddly, and it was hard to tell if she was pleased with him or upset. "He's grown more confident since you arrived. More passionate."

"I'm… sorry…?"

"It's not good or bad, and it's not your fault." She laughed a little, under her breath. "I just wanted to say it on his behalf. He was kind of stupid out there, but he isn't normally like that. He's usually this calm, calculated and clever guy."

"I can understand him being angry about what's happening to his country."

"He's always been like that," said Nora, "but this is different. He's never been so reckless before. I'm not sure if it's because you're you and not him." Ozma. "Maybe Ren thinks you can do all of the good without losing your mind like the last did."

"I'm not that infallible," said Jaune. "I've lost control once before. That's why I'm in this situation."

"You're sane, though."

"I have a voice in my head, and he can take control to make me do things I don't want to."

"I am sorry," whispered Ozma. He sounded so distraught that Jaune almost believed him.

"I'm not the saviour you need," said Jaune, shaking his head. "I can be the distraction you need or the helper you need, but I know nothing about leading or commanding people. An Ren and whoever else you have in charge will be better than me. You shouldn't rely on me for so much, and neither should Ren."

"But you'll try, right?"

"I'll try," promised Jaune. He owed them that much. "I'll try for my sake and yours. That's all I can do, though." He sighed. "Just make sure Ren doesn't do anything silly on this job of ours. If we get attacked by Chosen, I'll try and fight them off to protect myself if nothing else, but if he expects some great and terrible Dark Lord like the old legends then he's going to be disappointed. It's not even been six months since he woke up. The others… They must have had more time to learn their power."

"They did," confirmed Ozma. "The ones who became legendary and historical figures at any rate. They had ten to twenty years in some cases, learning from me, growing, adapting and building on their own prior experience as mercenaries, generals and famed warriors."

Jaune had suspected so, and it was good to have confirmation. The dreams had shown someone with a lover, a past, a strategic mind and knowledge of the eb and flow of a battle. He was a hunter for crying out loud. He could read animal tracks, shoot, skin and gut an animal and cook meat. Everything else was little more than slapdash training from the Branwen tribe, and a small amount of magical tutelage from Ozma.

"I'm just a village boy," said Jaune. "I'm not the Dark Lord reborn."

Nora didn't have the chance to answer, as Ren approached them with three hefty packs set on the back of a wooden wagon he pulled behind him. He was fully dressed, his face set and his lips downturned. He paused on seeing them together, one brow rising. Nora leapt off the rock, dusted herself down and smiled for him. "Is it time, Ren?"

"It's time," said Ren. "The first attacks will begin one week from now. We have until then to make sure the Chosen are drawn far, far away from here. Captain Neptune should be arriving in a few hours. We should go."

"Kuroyuri will still be here when we come home," said Nora. "Don't you worry. They're going to be fighting shitty Corps, and not even the good ones. The best of the best will be sent after us. Honestly, we're going to have the much more dangerous job."

It was no lie, and yet Ren still didn't look convinced. He looked at Jaune, and Jaune could see the reassurance the boy took. It wasn't right. He shouldn't be placing that much hope in someone who had no skill, no capability and no motivation to throw his life away for them. Jaune was the first to break eye contact, unwilling and unable to see the faith that would likely be broken so very soon.

"Let's go," he said, instead. "We need to decide how I'm going to expose myself."

A little melodramatic from Jaune at the end there maybe, but the point I'm trying to get across is that Jaune knows he is not some general, hero or leader like the last Dark Lord, and that any faith or expectation placed on him isn't going to pan out well. People see and remember the legends of the accomplishments of the past incarnations, but to get anywhere close to that Jaune has to surrender full control to Ozma, which he doesn't want to do.

Next Chapter: 9th October

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