Hey everybody! So, I wanna say a few things real quick: First, I apologize about the previous chapter. I did not transition the story very well at all and that was dumb on me. To be clear, this is still Lux Noctis. It will never be anything else. If I make a new story, then I'll make it a new story. Jaune has gone through Four Worlds, including the one from the first few chapters. Second, I have just moved into my college dormitory, so I cannot promise updates hardly at all.
Mistakes were Made
Pyrrha reined in her mount, the crater in front of her still smoldering.
An obelisk? Perhaps it is a gift from the gods?
"Ah, dear sister we've made quite the find this night. Our siblings will be most jealous." Mercury moved his own steed next to her, his eyes making it clear that he was still displeased with her actions.
It would be foolish to allow Mercury unfettered access to this, especially if it is truly a relic.
"We should remain cautious, we know not what this is or where it came from. Our actions may have unforeseen consequences."
"We know it fell from the heavens and that it is of unknown creation, certainly not our own. How could it be anything but a gift?" Mercury dismounted with a flourish, practically bouncing on his feet.
I don't much care for Mercury, but Pyrrha's right there. First one of my teams that I've seen this go around. Hellfire, that locker is about to go and they're way too close.
Jaune looked to the armor at his feet, noticing a piece he had missed in his haste. A helm, made from the same material as the rest, with collapsible faceplate.
Good a disguise as any I suppose. It's not like any of them can remember my voice anyway.
Jaune geared up as quietly as he could. The undersuit was form fitting, but lightweight and easy to move in. Thankfully, the plates didn't seem to be metal and were quietly attached to their respectful places. Jaune gingerly placed Mílo on his back, the armor seeming to shift so as to better hold the weapon.
Jaune stood, expanding the dark shield on his left arm, praying this Pyrrha would not make him draw her own weapon. He lowered the face plate and moved from cover.
Pyrrha was first to notice the shadow move.
One of the damned. We should've been more cautious.
"Mercury, behind me."
Her 'little brother' turned, no doubt with a smart remark prepared, but quickly followed her order.
"Pyrrha, what is that?"
"One of the shadows, though not one I recognize." Pyrrha tensed as the figure strode forward, its body seeming to absorb light.
"Peace, my Lady. I mean no harm." The creature's voice was rough, as though tired and worn.
"What manner of beast are you? One of the lost souls that roam this forest?" Pyrrha subtly moved her hand towards her spear but froze when she saw the form move its shield into a better position.
It is obviously intelligent. It noticed my movements, and now I have no clear shot past its shield.
"I am no beast, my Lady. I merely intend to warn you of the dangers near that object."
"Lies! You mean to steal what is rightfully ours." The lack of action had clearly emboldened Mercury, though Pyrrha could see through the figure's stance. It was ready to fight, and Pyrrha wasn't entirely sure she would win.
"I mean to do nothing of the sort. If it will appease you, I will leave this place under your watch. Whatever you choose, do it with haste."
Oum I hate having to talk like this. Come on Pyrrha, just get out of here. Leave Mercury for all I care.
Jaune held his position, shield covering all the important bits but leaving him free to move. The faceplate covered his entire face, his eyes looking through blackened glass, yet he could see perfectly well.
Gotta be some kinda one-way mirror. If it's from the same time as me, it might even have some decent tech inside.
"You have knowledge of these things? Then, pray tell, what are they?" Pyrrha was staring him down, but she didn't look too keen on fighting.
Oh, I better think of something better than 'pretty rocks.'
"They are vessels, my Lady. They carry resources, though I do not know what. Every time I have approached one, it has been engulfed in fire. This is why I plead with you, please move away from it."
Jaune cautiously gestured to the open field where Pyrrha had come from.
Come on, it's not even that big of an explosion. Just move a few more yards and we'll be good.
"If what you say is true, then how far must we be to be safe?" Pyrrha's grip loosened, her stance relaxing ever so slightly.
Yes! Okay, please just follow my lead.
"Not far. I will show you, if it would please you."
"Do you think us fools? Perhaps your fellow thieves wait for us, just over yonder. Or better yet, they wait for us to leave so they may take the relic for themselves." Mercury was clearly testing the stranger's patience, and Pyrrha did not want to find out the limit.
"Enough. We move away, together." Pyrrha released her breath as she watched the man's posture relax. Mercury was less pleased.
"Surely you don't mean to bow to this miscreant!"
"I intend to survive this encounter. If you would cease your blithering, you might notice his stance. He is sure of foot and placed himself in a way that negates any opening attack we could launch. Whether he speaks the truth or not, we are at a disadvantage and he knows it." That seemed sufficient enough to silence Mercury, for now at least.
Pyrrha motioned for the man to walk beside her after she dismounted. She had no wish to alarm him, so she moved as openly as possible. Surprisingly, the stranger did the same, making sure that he returned every opening she showed.
What are you?
Oh, thank Monty. We've got forty seconds to get to minimum safe distance. Mercury, hurry up or I leave you.
Jaune moved cautiously, but with purpose. He quickly guided the group to a safe distance and stopped, only now realizing how large a contingent of guards had accompanied his teammate.
Not your teammate, a princess born to a powerful tyrant. Try not to die, yeah?
"Tell me, who are you?" Pyrrha was standing next to him, though still within range of her spear.
"No one of consequence. Merely a wanderer who became concerned for the safety of a few he passed on the road." Where did this crap come from? I read too many of Blake's books last time.
"You must have some name I can call you?"
"Wanderer."
Jaune could see Pyrrha pout in the corner of his vision, but his response was cut off by the Rocket Locker's fuel source igniting.
Pyrrha covered her head and looked in awe of the display. The rest reacted more severely, each running for cover behind whatever they could find.
"You truly saved us. We would have no doubt perished in that, were it not for you." Pyrrha looked stunned, as if she expected him to leave her to die.
It's not like she had any reason to assume I'm on her side. Not to mention, she's nobility. Those ties are always complicated, and very rarely trusting.
"I did not do it for praise nor reward."
"Then why save us, of all people?"
"I dislike needless loss of life." With that, Jaune turned away, walking towards where he knew Artemis had followed them.
"Don't you dare turn your back on us!" Ah, Mercury must have finally found a pair. Probably near that rock he was cowering behind. Sure enough, the man was standing and shaking his finger in Jaune's direction.
Jaune turned to face the prince, Mercury's hectic dive for cover having disheveled his precious hair.
"You have knowledge of these relics and I therefore command you to serve as my counselor on this matter. You will remain at the castle till I have no further use of you." Mercury looked like he was proud of his offer, like he'd just tried to give Jaune the world on a platter.
Schmuck.
Jaune could see Pyrrha getting ready to intervene, but he had frankly gotten fed up with Mercury. Jaune smoothly drew Mílo from his back, shifting it to its carbine form as he did. Countless hours around this weapon had made him as proficient with it as Crocea. Mercury looked honestly befuddled as Jaune leveled the barrel at the silver-haired brat's chest.
"You command nothing, child." Jaune let all the venom from his lives pour into his voice. He was getting tired of playing the white knight. "I leave you with your life. Consider it a gift, for your sister's level-head. Something you sorely lack."
Jaune waited for Mercury to motion his guards into action, which he of course did, before firing a single round next to his foot. Unfortunately, it had been some time since Jaune had practiced his marksmanship.
Well, at least it was just his foot. Now he's more like the Mercury I remember.
Jaune quickly made his way back into the forest. Once he was sure he was clear, he removed the helmet and let his sweat drenched face breathe. Artemis was quick to nuzzle into his neck, worried for her partner.
"I'm okay. All good, promise. Just accidentally shot the prince of the nation I live in right in the foot with a weapon that shouldn't exist. No big deal."
Jaune caught his breath awhile longer before making his way home.
Oh, this'll be easy to explain.
Pyrrha quietly sighed as she entered her chambers. Mercury had wailed and screamed for almost the entire journey back to the palace, fearing the "cursed fiends black magic" would end his life.
Omitting the theatrics, Pyrrha was intrigued by the weapon the man had used. It was a terribly loud contraption and it completely destroyed the armored boots Mercury had been wearing.
Pyrrha was suddenly reminded of what she had been doing before the star had fallen.
The young man was in the forest too. Did he flee from it, or was he curious as well?
Pyrrha opened her balcony and focused her eyes, once again scanning over the town to look for the young hunter. She found him exiting the woods and making his way to what she assumed was his home. She had made a point to not follow him home, feeling as if she were intruding on him. Well, more than she already was.
He seemed exhausted and was even more injured than she last saw. But his face was shining.
Something seems to have inspired him. Now that is interesting.
Well, at least I don't have to explain the new armor and Mílo, though I do have a few more scratches than usual.
Jaune carefully entered his family's hut, the rest of the Arc's asleep by now. He watched as Artemis laid down near his mother, the wolf fast asleep almost instantly.
Tomorrow… Tomorrow goes the same as any other day. I may have new gear, but I need to see how much that just shook up this world.
The next morning was the same as any other market day. The vendors were out, people were shopping, and Jaune was lugging a large bundle of wool to his old friend.
"Mr. Bart! How does my green-haired friend fair today?" Jaune had to admit, he never would have thought he'd get along with Oobleck this well.
Though, after the past few worlds, you'd think I'd be used to weird stuff by now.
"Ah! Young Jaune! I dare say the day has treated me quite well thus far, what of yourself?"
"Suppose I can't complain. Though it'd be awfully nice if someone had use for all this wool I've been dragging around. Pity, guess I'll just have to give it to Angela." Jaune knew it was cheap to mess with the Seamster like this, but he couldn't help it.
"Come now, lad! Don't give the old boy such a hard time, you know how delicate he can be!"
There's a voice I'll never forget.
"Ser Port. It seems you're in as jolly a mood as ever." Jaune couldn't stop the smile from spreading as he watched his old teacher rumble with laughter.
Hellfire. Guess I can't just give up, can I?
Amid the Western Forests
"Sire, we approach our destination. Shall I make our presence known?"
Mori no Ha, Blade of the Forest, Heir of the Lie Family gently shook his head.
"I would prefer to remain discreet, for now."
The gods must have sent us hear for a reason, and I will find out why.
In the Northern Plains
"Frû Valkyrie! Exosia is near and our scouts have found evidence of the Fljótur sjálfur! Who should we charge first?"
As much as the Valkyrie appreciated the energy her guard captain showed, they had not been sent to fight.
"Knowing him, he'll probably go scouting. Gather some discreet clothing, if you can. I will greet our unexpected guest personally."
Alright, think that's it for now. I promise that I'll make it clear if I end the story, but until then, just assume that I'm bogged down and not quite dead yet. Night y'all!
Arebus.
