Chapter Five – Broken Dreams and False Heroes
Warning: This fanfic will spoil the events of RWBY up to Volume 5. The story picks up immediately after the events of Downfall
Fire. Flames licked and spat at the charred buildings as Mantle-2 was ablaze, even the starless sky glowed crimson as the city burned. The transport detail choked and sputtered as they pulled a convoy of wooden wagons away from the burning city and toward the mountains. Even though it was nearly obscured in thick black smog, they could make out the silhouette and tiny sparkling lights of Haven Academy atop the twin peaks.
A terrifying roar followed by a tremendous gust of wind as the dragon sailed through the sky. It was death itself on wings, the Grimm was nigh on invisible in the darkness of the night except for its bone white protrusions and its glowing amber belly that hid the furnaces of dragon fire.
"Jansen!" yelled someone in the crowd. "My lord, we're too slow we're not going to make it."
"I'm going to use the Scorpion. Its our best bet against that monster," decided Jansen Arc. "Try to shave off as much weight as possible. From here on the only thing that matters is that the Relic makes it safely to Haven Academy."
They both looked at the leading wagon in the convoy. Though it was concealed inside its wooden crate, the gold lamp that was the Relic of Knowledge shone bright, beams of pure gold pierced through the gaps of its wooden container.
"It's a whole day up from here, possibly two with the wagons. How much time do you think you can- "
"How much time I can buy? Not enough." smirked Jansen, his silver eyes gleaming with confidence. "But if I kill that thing. That's going to get you your two days."
"How the hell are yo-"
"By doing something extremely stupid. But that's what heroes are aren't they?" replied Jansen as he deployed the Scorpion.
"Well then my Lord, I wish you the best of luc-"
"You can keep your luck. If this goes through, it won't be luck," said the Silver Eyed Warrior. He loaded a massive harpoon into the ballista and spun the charging handle. "It's destiny."
Jansen lined up the cross hairs on his airborne target, its erratic flight path made predicting the shot next to impossible. The Grimm dragon sensing the position of the Relic, altered its course and headed toward the mountains, towards the Scorpion. Jansen released the catch and the harpoon left the Scorpion with an immense surge of energy, it soared through the air and anchored itself firmly into the dragon's side just below its left wing. The dragon's thick scales prevented complete penetration, but the harpoon did its job, it paralyzed the dragon's wing screeching in rage as it fell out of the sky, flailing and clawing at the air in vain. The ground quaked as though an earthquake had struck Mantle-2 as the great beast crashed mere yards away from Jansen Arc.
The Silver Eyed Warrior drew his sword and threw its scabbard into the dirt as he approached the fallen dragon. It was a simple arming sword forged from spring steel, but what was remarkable about the warrior was his glowing silver eyes, brimming with light. The Grimm dragon reared up on its hind legs in outrage, burning embers lit its belly, it opened its great maw and-
Reality warped and twisted as it dissolved. The burning village vanished and in its place, a circular wooden study with its shelves crammed with books swam into view.
"And... that's the end of the story," declared Jonathan Arc, panting from the prolonged usage of his Semblance.
"You always do that," fumed young Jansen Arc, stomping his feet on the carpeted floor. "Why do you never- "
"Because it's not important," replied Jonathan, his silver-gray eyes filled with disappointment. No matter how he tried to hide it, Jansen could tell his father had the eyes of a former dreamer.
"It's the story of my namesake! How is that not important- "
"The world is changing Jansen," his father interrupted. "Remnant no longer needs Silver Eyed Warriors to lead to us."
"But- " protested the boy.
"What Remnant needs," decided Jonathan as he ruffled Jansen's bright blond hair. "Is for you to return to your study."
"But!" Jansen tried to protest again, glaring at his enormous heap of books and chessboard.
"No buts!"
"We have good news Jansen," smiled Jacques Schnee. "The SDC's mining crew excavated the remains of the Grimm dragon on a recent mining expedition here in Mantle-3. The legend is true. Your ancestor slayed the dragon. It would also follow that the prophecy is too. You are the Chosen One come again."
"Yeah? Except he didn't do it the first time. He just turned the thing into stone," grumbled Jansen Arc. "I'm not trained to take on any Grimm. Let alone a dragon."
"It's in your blood, Jansen. Your ancestors have been-"
"I know what they have been. They were a proud line of warriors and lords since before the Great War," smirked Jansen. "But now we're just another family with a lot of money but we're bleeding out in our magical capabilities."
"Well it's unfortunate the Arcs have been losing their talent as Hunters," said Jacques Schnee, twirling his massive snow white mustache. "But fortunately for you that's something I can fix."
Jansen's silver eyes lit up as he heard the unmistakable echo of weapons clashing in Schnee Manor, he darted to the courtyard as quickly as his feet would take him.
Three snowy white figures were sparring in the green grassy courtyard; even winter had come early for the Schnee Manor courtyard. Two of them bore the splitting image of chess pieces, garbed entirely in uniform white armor that were polished till they shone like mirrors, they wore matching white helmets with visors that concealed their eyes entirely yet their movements were so clean and precise Jansen could only conclude that they could see through their visors. He was however enraptured by the third figure.
She was the most beautiful girl Jansen had laid eyes on. The girl's long snow white hair was tied back into a ponytail, she wore a long white coat over her dark blue undershirt that complemented her white skirt and gray boots. Her fencing stance was perfect, parrying and returning every blow the two white knights threw at her with elegance and grace, even her movements were light and nimble, transitioning between attack and defense seamlessly. She turned her head to meet Jansen's gaze, her light-blue eyes locked onto Jansen's silver ones and that split second their eyes made contact cost Winter Schnee her concentration. One knight landed a low sweep, knocking her off her feet while the other struck from above, shattering the defensive white glyphs she conjured instinctively, knocking her straight to the ground on her back, both knights leapt forward and pressed their blunted training swords into her throat marking the end of the duel.
"Good, good! Laevro. Dextro. That's enough for now," scoffed Jacques waving at his two white knights. "Winter, if that's all you're capable of, I'm going to reconsider your second year at Atlas Academy- "
"I'm sorry Father," said Winter Schnee coldly. She shot an icy glare at Jansen. "It won't happen again- "
"Don't make promises you can't keep," her father cut in with an equally cold voice.
"I was only momentarily distract-" Winter tried for a rebuttal but was interrupted once again.
"Jansen here will be training with you here at our Manor in Mistral every day till your term at Atlas resumes."
"Wait what? A complete newbie?" protested Winter. "Even Weiss would make a better partner-"
"Every. Day. Deal with it," decided Jacques and then he turned his back on his eldest child.
"But-"
"No buts!"
Jansen sniggered. He found their conversation eerily familiar but immediately returned to drinking in the sight of Winter Schnee, barely even noticing that his gaping mouth was wide open.
"You'll find that Jansen here is no slouch either," said Jacques, eyeing Jansen suspiciously with his white eyebrows raised. "He comes from a long line of Silver Eyed Warriors, descended from the legendary Jansen Arc himself no less. Am I right?"
Winter frowned and shot Jansen a disapproving stare, hinting that her father was talking to him. Jansen who was still staring dreamily at Winter was rudely awakened, shaking his head in embarrassment and slapping his own cheeks.
"Y-Yes, yes sir, of course!"
Sparks flew as Jansen locked blades with Laevro the white knight. She twisted the hilt of her white sword and effortlessly disarmed her opponent. Jansen's arming sword was pried from his fingers and he grunted in pain as he grasped his wrist. Laevro wasted no time, she stepped forward, attempting to bury the pommel of her training sword into his ribs but was met instead by Winter's saber. Caught by surprise, Laevro retreated, preparing to strike again.
"Geez, thanks," muttered Jansen still panting. "That would have broken my ribs for the- "
"Yes, the hundredth time. Trust me, I've counted." sighed Winter, burying her face into her palm. She engaged a catch on her saber and a second smaller sword slid out from its depths. She tossed it to Jansen and he caught it clumsily.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Handsome."
"W-What?" Did she just call me...?
"You heard me. If you go down, I don't think I'll last the final five minutes against those two." said Winter, eyeing the massive white clock overlooking the courtyard.
It was the final test of their training and also Jacques' ultimatum to deny his daughter her return to Atlas Academy. Winter knew full well her father never made deals that ended in unfavorable outcomes for him, "The Art of the Deal" he had affectionately called it. Today's deal - a two-on-two match against Laevero and Dextro, the pair had to last either ten whole minutes in or till either pair had their Aura completely depleted. Winter would only be allowed to resume her education at Atlas Academy if they were victorious; a comfortable desk job as a receptionist awaited Winter at the Schnee Dust Company if they lost.
"D-Don't get me wrong, I'm only doing this for myself alright?" Winter's pale white skin flushed angrily when she spoke to Jansen. "Father is going to withdraw me from Atlas Academy if we fail today. Now, b-backs together!"
They propped their backs up against other, defending each other's blind sides as the two knights circled them slowly like deathly white vultures.
"Well then lets get you your five minutes," said Jansen Arc. In his head rang the words of his namesake and something awoke deep inside of him.
The twin knights lunged forward together in perfect synchronization. Incandescent sparks erupted as Jansen locked blades once again with Laevro, but this time an unearthly ring sounded as he shattered the white knight's Aura just by crossing blades. She staggered back in disbelief but could not retaliate as she found herself suddenly eliminated from the duel. Both Winter and Jansen turned on Dextro, taking turns as they rained quick successive hits on the knight which she caught and parried with ease. Golden sparks erupted once again as Jansen locked blades but found himself immediately disarmed. Winter's second blade spun high overhead in an arc, planting itself firmly into the grass. Dextro brought her blade mercilessly down on Jansen, he instinctively raised his hands to defend himself and he caught the blade with his bare hands. Blood splattered across his handsome face as the blade severed flesh and dug into his bones, firmly lodging Dextro's polished white sword in place. Golden Aura pulsated through Dextro as her Aura started to waste away until it flickered and died. Winter yelled in an aggressive feral voice as she landed a single blow on the back of the knight's head in the space between her helmet and body armor with her pommel of her saber and the white knight was knocked out cold. The duel was over, Winter was going back to Atlas Academy.
Winter flung her saber aside in excitement as she wrapped her hands around Jansen and buried his face into her chest. Gosh this feels too good. Am I in heaven now? She then planted a kiss firmly on his head and it was too much for him. A stream of blood erupted from his nostrils, his heart pounded so hard it would burst from his chest. His vision faded and with it, his consciousness from the severe loss of blood.
"Jansen... Y-You know you really don't have to do this." muttered Winter Schnee blushing furiously.
"Oh, do you mean me holding your hand," Jansen raised an eyebrow. His fingers were interlaced between Winter's white slender fingers that were quivering in excitement. "Or do you mean me seeing my girlfriend safely to Atlas Academy?"
"Both," replied Winter, her light-blue eyes would constantly avert Jansen's gaze whenever they crossed paths with his silver ones.
"Well, the Chosen One has his duties to fulfill doesn't he?"
"Chosen One?"
"Chosen by you of course." Jansen laughed at his own joke.
"Hmmmph! You flatter yourself." said Winter, turning her head away, whipping Jansen's face with her long white ponytail but she held him tighter between her fingers.
"Ahhhh Winter Schnee, Ice Queen of Atlas Academy, finally thaws her ice cold heart. Did spring come early this year?" teased Jansen, tearing up in laughter.
"R-R-Remember your place! You don't go to any of the Academies. You're just an uneducated-" said Winter in frustration as she tried to poke Jansen on the side of his ribs.
"Youngest Chess Grandmaster in Remnant." countered Jansen, dodging Winter's prodding fingers but quickly realized he could never go far as long as she grasped him firmly by the hand.
"Hopelessly unskilled in combat-" continued Winter, frowning as she poked and prodded at him, but her were lips curled into an affectionate smile.
"Silver Eyed Warrior." Jansen shrugged his shoulders.
"Never going to amount to anythi-"
Winter's eyes widened in disbelief, she felt a massive tug and she was helplessly pulled towards Jansen. He wrapped his arms around her waist and he planted his lips firmly on hers. Her once ice cold heart melted as she shut her eyes and slid her trembling arms up and around Jansen's neck. Atlesian students around them both male and female shook with unbridled rage and envy as they were forced to watch the Ice Queen of Atlas Academy publicly display her affection at the Academy's front gates on her first day of the semester.
Jansen opened his silver eyes. The back of his head throbbed in pain where the boulder had struck him. Those dreams again.
The cavern quaked and rumbled. Above his head Dust stalactites shook and rattled, threatening to dislodge themselves and cause yet another devastating chain of explosions. The Grimm dragon was stirring again, this time worse than ever before. Even its heartbeat shook the cavern; thick viscous black fluid oozed from its wound under its left wing with each massive thump. Slabs of cold gray stone crumbled from its hide, revealing thick black scales under a solid layer of rock. Its gray blank eyes now glowed an ominous crimson as the dragon began to flail and thrash its long spiky tail, bright amber sparks blew from its frozen maw. Troopers were fervently emptying their magazines on the dragon to little avail.
Jansen cut his hand as he drew his iridescent silver sword Austenaster, buried in the depths of the shattered glass weapons. He dug deep into his darkest memories, approaching the dragon just like his ancestor did and a dazzling beam of silver light burst from his eyes enveloping the Grimm dragon. It let out a whimper and its crimson eyes reverted to stone cold state, its thrashing tail became sluggish and eventually became still. The dragon was once again petrified, but still a steady stream of black blood oozed from its wound and the cavern continued to echo with the thumping of its heartbeat.
"Captain!" barked Jansen.
"Y-Yes my lord," the commander knelt before his lord again.
"Why did you open fire on that thing?" demanded Jansen, circling his commander while admiring the iridescent shimmer of Austenaster. "Live ammunition no less."
"My lord, we had no choice. You were out-"
"NOBODY kills that thing but me," lashed out the Lord of Mantle-3. "Nobody. I decide when it lives and when it dies. I'd thought I made that clear before?"
"I-I apologize, my lo-"
"Apology accepted."
A flash of crimson and the Dust encrusted boulders were dyed red. Jansen drove his sword from tip to hilt through the beating heart of his commander. Austenaster, the sword sharp enough to rend space and time itself slid easily through fortified armor as though it were water, puncturing his victim's heart and lungs. A fountain of blood erupted as he withdrew the blade and the commander crumpled to the ground bubbling as he drowned in a pool of his own fresh blood.
Jansen ripped the commander's helmet bearing his rank insignia from his lifeless head and tossed it to the remnants of his troopers. A short, diminutive trooper caught the helmet.
"Congratulations soldier," smiled Jansen. "You're now captain of this worthless squad."
The new commander stiffened up to salute Jansen.
"She doesn't talk," boomed the voice of a tall burly soldier. "And I'm not following a commander who can't give commands. Let me tak-"
The soldier never finished his sentence, at least the new commander did not allow him to. She coolly turned her rifle on him, the assault rifle emitted a whirring noise as it charged up with electricity and upon pulling the trigger she fired a single non-lethal stunning round. Her target fell to the ground convulsing uncontrollably and foaming at the mouth.
"Impressive," commended Jansen, his silver eyes gleaming. Finally a soldier that understands the use of non-lethal rounds. "It appears competence doesn't come with how loud you are."
The commander removed her helmet and whipped free her long brightly colored hair. Her hair was split evenly down the middle - one half was bubblegum pink with streaks of pale white locks and the other was a glossy chocolate brown. Her heterochromic irises seemed to swirl unnaturally between pink, brown and white, sometimes even all three at once as if they were a triple scoop ice-cream. She wore a grin on her face that exuded her mischievous personality but also her confidence and loyalty.
"You got a name soldier?"
The commander rolled her eyes then tapped her name tag on her left breast furiously. Emblazoned in bright cursive gold lettering was her name - Neopolitan.
"Well then, Neopolitan... Neo. As you can see your predecessor hasn't left you any large shoes to fill," said Jansen, squatting down to examine the glass heels that Cinder had abandoned. "We didn't find a body so she's not dead. Find out who she is. I want to know everything. Don't let me down, Neo."
Neo pulled out a stack of drawing block and marker pen from her backpack and started to scribble frantically - [Yes, my lord.]
"Put together a security detail, I expect maximum surveillance at the ball," he tossed to Neo Cinder's glass slipper. "She's going to come to us."
Author's notes:
Welp that's a wrap on this chapter. I actually found the romance between Jansen and Winter really cute, I actually smiled to myself quite a few times as I was writing it lulz. Yes, your eyes aren't playing tricks, there are no square brackets around like [OC, Winter S.]. We know Jansen eventually becomes a psychopathic murderer and since this takes place before canon, we also know that Winter reverts back to being the stoic, ice cold soldier as we meet her in Volume 3. What a powerful tool dramatic irony is.
The stakes have been raised significantly for our poor protagonist Cinder moving forward into the ball arc, her already slim chances look even more grim (no pun intended) with Neo joining the fray. I originally intended for this chapter to be chapter four, but I didn't want to lose the emotional momentum Cinder felt after losing Ana back in chapter three that would make her descend into self-destructive madness more convincing. Also, I planned to drop the Neo reveal one chapter later at the ball itself, but heck it made way more of an impact as I was rewriting this chapter and the rest is history. Yes, a commander that doesn't talk does sound like it spells out quite a few red flags for Jansen's security in the future or will Neo prove to be a really capable leader?
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and look forward to the next installment. Cheers!